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.
When electricity builds up inside its body, it becomes feisty. It also glows in the dark.
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
In Yellow, 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% | ||
Yellow 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
Yellow 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 Yellow
Can't catch Raichu directly. Start with Pikachu at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve through a special method. The 2-stage line from Pikachu to Raichu is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Raichu in Yellow
Step 1Catch PikachuPallet TownGift from NPC Lv.5 City100%EarlyStarter choice
Step 2Raichu ✓
Raichu Guide
In Yellow, Raichu works as a pivot with 475 BST behind it. C-Tier on our list: a niche pick in Yellow's meta. Thunderbolt anchors the moveset.
In Yellow, 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 Yellow, the best way to handle Raichu: Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Ground-type attackers hit hardest.
In Yellow, 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