Raichu's stats are solid on their own, but Lightning Rod is what pushes it over the line. It redirects Electric moves and boosts its Sp. Atk. Only weak to Ground. A longtime staple going back to Gen 1.
Everything pushes toward mixed damage here. Raichu's Speed does the work, Defense pays the price. But you're still getting 3 Speed EVs per KO. Moderately hard to find, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
If the electric pouches in its cheeks become fully charged, both ears will stand straight up.
Raichu Weakness
GoodType-wise, Raichu takes extra damage from Ground. Not many exploitable gaps in the Electric typing defensive chart. Lightning Rod grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Raichu's special bulk (base 80 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
Raichu evolved from Pichu's chain using an evolution item. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Pichu eggs (quick to hatch). The evolution from Pichu pushed Raichu to 485 total stats. Sp.Atk saw the largest single gain at +55.
How to Evolve
Breed with Raichu to get Pichu eggs easily using 45 partners from the Fairy and Ground egg groups. Notable egg moves include Charge, Disarming Voice, Fake Out and 4 more.
Click Volt Switch, bring in a teammate, repeat. Raichu's pivot game is backed by Focus Sash for a guaranteed survive from full HP and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs. Lightningrod works in the background while double STAB covers bad matchups.
Best Build
Best Raichu Moveset
- Fake Out
- Nuzzle
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
Recommended Teammates
The egg pool carries weight here. Charge and Disarming Voice aren't available any other way for Raichu, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Thunder and Thunderbolt for solid options.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Finding Raichu at low spawn rates takes patience. 24 spots are available in late-game routes, but the rate difference between them matters. Lock in the top one from the sorted list below.
Where To Catch Raichu in Scarlet & Violet
Pichu is your first catch on the way to Raichu. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 5-60 across 52 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PichuHARDCasseroya Lake - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyWaterHARDCasseroya Lake - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyWaterHARDEast Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDEast Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDEast Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDEast Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDNorth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDNorth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Four) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Four) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDSouth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDSouth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyForestHARDTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyForestHARDWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRoute- Step 2Catch or Evolve PikachuMODERATEEast Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteMODERATEEast Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Four) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Four) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteMODERATEWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteMODERATEWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteor evolve from Pichu (Step 1)
- Step 3Raichu ✓HARDCasseroya Lake - ForestVioletOverworldLv.40-601%LateWaterHARDCasseroya Lake - ForestScarletOverworldLv.40-601%LateWaterHARDEast Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteHARDEast Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteHARDEast Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteHARDEast Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteHARDNorth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteHARDNorth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteHARDNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteHARDNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Four) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Four) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteHARDTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworldLv.40-601%LateForestHARDTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworldLv.40-601%LateForestHARDThe Great Crater of PaldeaVioletOverworldLv.40-601%LateHARDThe Great Crater of PaldeaScarletOverworldLv.40-601%LateHARDThe Great Crater of PaldeaVioletOverworldLv.40-601%LateHARDThe Great Crater of PaldeaScarletOverworldLv.40-601%LateHARDWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteHARDWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.40-601%LateRouteor evolve from Pikachu (Step 2)
Raichu looks average on paper at 485 BST. But Lightning Rod is why it sees play — build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier pivot on our tier list.
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 110 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
Raichu gets Lightning Rod and Static. But Lightning Rod is the one that matters — it's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Raichu is a mixed attacker — base 90 Attack and 90 Sp. Atk. But the speed tells the real story — base 110 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the pivot role.
Raichu appears in 22 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Available since Red & Blue, Raichu appears in 22 games spanning 9 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained an Alolan form in Generation 7.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A