Stats & Training
Everything pushes toward mixed damage here. Raichu's Speed does the work, Defense pays the price. But you're still getting 3 Speed stat exp per KO. Moderately hard to find, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Its long tail serves as a ground to protect itself from its own high voltage power.
Its long tail serves as a ground to protect itself from its own high voltage power.
Raichu Weakness
Type-wise, Raichu takes extra damage from Ground. Not many exploitable gaps in the Electric typing defensive chart. Raichu's special bulk (base 80 Special) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Electric, Flying |
- Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
- Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
- Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split
 Rhydon GroundRock | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 2x170-200%KO Dig 2x136-160%KO | ||
 Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 2x136-160%KO Dig 2x109-129%KO | ||
 Sandslash Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Sandslash builds →Earthquake 2x136-160%KO Dig 2x109-129%KO | ||
 Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Nidorina (Celadon City Gift) | ||
 Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Nidorino (Celadon City Gift) | ||
Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 2x134-159%KO Dig 2x108-128%KO | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x76-90% Dig 2x61-72% | ||
 Sandshrew Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 2x108-128%KO Dig 2x87-103%KO | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Geodude builds →Earthquake 2x114-134%KO Dig 2x91-107%KO | ||
 Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x82-97% Dig 2x67-79% Bone Club 2x55-66% | ||
Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 2x135-160%KO Dig 2x111-130%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x74-88% Dig 2x61-72% | ||
 Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Rhyhorn builds →Earthquake 2x118-140%KO Dig 2x97-114%KO | ||
Sandshrew Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 2x108-127%KO Dig 2x88-104%KO | ||
Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x83-98% Dig 2x66-78% Bone Club 2x55-65% | ||
Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 2x130-154%KO Dig 2x104-123%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x72-85% Dig 2x57-69% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Rhyhorn builds →Earthquake 2x114-135%KO Dig 2x92-109%KO | ||
Sandshrew Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 2x104-123%KO Dig 2x84-99% | ||
Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x78-92% Dig 2x62-73% Bone Club 2x52-61% Bonemerang 2x40-47% | ||
Sandslash Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Sandslash builds →Earthquake 2x136-160%KO Dig 2x109-129%KO | ||
Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 2x136-160%KO Dig 2x109-129%KO | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x113-133%KO Dig 2x90-107%KO Bone Club 2x76-89% Bonemerang 2x59-69% | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x130-153%KO Dig 2x104-122%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x76-89% Dig 2x60-71% | ||
In Red & Blue, Golem can KO Raichu with Earthquake (156-184%).
 Golem RockGround | B | |
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Golem builds →Earthquake 2x156-184%KO Explosion130-152%KO Rock Slide59-69% Body Slam44-52% | ||
Red & Blue Evolution
Pichu's chain ends at Raichu (using a Thunder Stone). Despite 475 base stats, this Electric type doesn't breed. The evolution from Pichu pushed Raichu to 475 total stats. Special saw the largest single gain at +55. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Red & Blue Raichu Best Moveset
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Thunder Wave
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Most of Raichu's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Thunder and Thunderbolt, but Normal and Fighting and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Raichu in Red & Blue
5 encounter spots for Raichu at moderate rates starting from late-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Raichu in Red & Blue
To get Raichu, start by catching Pikachu through walking encounters at Lv. 3-64. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PikachuViridian ForestBlueGrass Lv.3-5 Forest10%EarlyViridian ForestRedGrass Lv.3-5 Forest10%EarlyPower PlantBlueGrass Lv.20-24 Power-plant20%MidPower PlantRedGrass Lv.20-24 Power-plant20%Mid
Step 2Raichu ✓Power PlantBlueGrass Lv.33-36 Power-plant10%LateCerulean Cave - B1FBlueGrass Lv.64 Cave10%PostCerulean Cave - B1FRedGrass Lv.64 Cave10%PostCerulean Cave - 1FBlueGrass Lv.53 Cave5%PostCerulean Cave - 1FRedGrass Lv.53 Cave5%Postor evolve from Pikachu (Step 1)
Raichu Guide
In Red & Blue, Raichu works as a pivot with 475 BST behind it. C-Tier on our list: a niche pick in Red & Blue's meta. Thunderbolt anchors the moveset.
In Red & Blue, Raichu's biggest threats include Golem (Ground), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. Raichu's base 100 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
Raichu is a special attacker with base 90 Special. Speed tells the real story. Base 100 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the pivot role.
In Red & Blue, the best way to handle Raichu: Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Ground-type attackers hit hardest.
In Red & Blue, Raichu plays as a pivot. It outspeeds most threats, so it can pressure opponents before they move. Thunderbolt is the primary attack.
Game Availability
Available since Red & Blue, Raichu appears in 23 games spanning 10 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained an Alolan form in Generation 7.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves