Transfer-only in Emerald, Raikou's Pressure depletes PP and its Speed plus Sp.Atk make it one of the best A-Tier Electric types in Gen 3.
Ability 1PressureAbility 1Increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one.
580HP90Attack85Defense75Speed115Sp.Def100Sp.Atk115
Weak to
Special
Sweeper
115Speed · Fast

Is Raikou Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Transfer from Colosseum or FRLG event. Raikou with AbilityPressure is a fast Electric legendary. Handles Juan and Wallace's Water Champion team with legendary power. If you can import one, Raikou solves the Electric slot better than any native option in Emerald.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEGEGGSGGGGGEGRoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8RaikouTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Even

Raikou trades roughly evenly with Roxanne's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
You Win
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

Raikou has the type edge here and should clean up Brawly's team.

You Win
Machop
Lv 16
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopLow KickSeismic TossBulk Up
You Win
Meditite
Lv 16
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Focus PunchLight ScreenReflectBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 19
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustVital ThrowReversalBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Raikou trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSparkSelf DestructShock Wave
Even
Electrike
Lv 20
Electric
Static
Shock WaveLeerQuick AttackHowl
Even
Magneton
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicShock WaveThunder WaveSonic Boom
Risky
Manectric
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveShock WaveHowl
Flannery
Gym 4
Good

Raikou has the type edge here and should clean up Flannery's team.

You Win
Numel
Lv 24
FireGround
Oblivious
OverheatTake DownMagnitudeSunny Day
Easy KO
Slugma
Lv 24
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
Even
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Good

Raikou has the type edge here and should clean up Norman's team.

You Win
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
You Win
Vigoroth
Lv 27
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFacadeEncoreFeint Attack
You Win
Linoone
Lv 29
Normal
Pickup
SlashBelly DrumFacadeHeadbutt
Even
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
CounterYawnFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Strong

Raikou resists most of Winona's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
You Win
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
Easy KO
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Easy KO
Skarmory
Lv 31
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Even
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Good

Raikou has the type edge here and should clean up Tate & Liza's team.

Risky
Claydol
Lv 41
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
EarthquakeAncient PowerPsychicLight Screen
Easy KO
Xatu
Lv 41
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
PsychicSunny DayConfuse RayCalm Mind
You Win
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
You Win
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Juan
Gym 8
Good

Raikou has the type edge here and should clean up Juan's team.

Easy KO
Luvdisc
Lv 41
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Risky
Whiscash
Lv 41
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
Easy KO
Sealeo
Lv 43
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Easy KO
Crawdaunt
Lv 43
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
Water PulseCrabhammerTauntLeer
Even
Kingdra
Lv 46
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
Water PulseDouble TeamIce BeamRest
Sidney
Elite Four
Good

Raikou has the type edge here and should clean up Sidney's team.

You Win
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarDouble EdgeSand AttackCrunch
Even
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
TormentDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Even
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Easy KO
Crawdaunt
Lv 48
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
SurfSwords DanceStrengthFacade
You Win
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceRock SlideSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Good

Raikou has the type edge here and should clean up Phoebe's team.

You Win
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
You Win
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Good

Raikou has the type edge here and should clean up Glacia's team.

Easy KO
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamHailIce Ball
You Win
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchIcy WindIce Beam
Easy KO
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDouble EdgeHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallExplosionHailIce Beam
Easy KO
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamIce BeamSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Even

Raikou trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectDouble Edge
Even
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Double EdgeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
You Win
Kingdra
Lv 53
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenDragon DanceSurfBody Slam
Risky
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
Even
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Good

Raikou has the type edge here and should clean up Wallace's team.

Easy KO
Wailord
Lv 57
Water
Water Veil
Rain DanceWater SpoutDouble EdgeBlizzard
Easy KO
Tentacruel
Lv 55
WaterPoison
Clear Body
ToxicHydro PumpSludge BombIce Beam
You Win
Ludicolo
Lv 56
WaterGrass
Swift Swim
Giga DrainSurfLeech SeedDouble Team
Risky
Whiscash
Lv 56
WaterGround
Oblivious
EarthquakeSurfAmnesiaHyper Beam
Easy KO
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon DanceEarthquakeHyper BeamSurf
You Win
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverSurfIce BeamToxic

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
Electric
Tier
A

Raikou cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.

View Raikou locations

How to Get Raikou in Emerald

Raikou roams no part of Hoenn. The roaming beasts belong to Johto and the FireRed and LeafGreen story, so the thunder cat shows up in Emerald only as a transfer from one of those games, never a local encounter.

How to Get Shiny Raikou in Emerald

Raikou must be caught in FireRed or LeafGreen and traded over, but as a roamer its shine is decided the instant it first appears there, so only a fresh save in the source game rerolls the odds before you send it across. See every game where Shiny Raikou can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Raikou in EmeraldNormal
Shiny Raikou in Emerald Shiny
Color ShiftYellow
Shiny TierC Tier Shiny

Shiny Raikou Evolution

Does Not Evolve
Raikou does not evolve
Single-stage PokemonView Full Evolution Chart

Raikou Weakness

Raikou's Electric typing leaves it vulnerable to Ground. Its Electric typing keeps the defensive matchups simple. Raikou's special bulk (base 100 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Raikou Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ground
0.5x (Resist)Electric, Flying, Steel
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Raikou Weak Against

Good
1Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Score+1
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Raikou Strong Against

2Strong
3Resisted
1Immune
Score-2
2xStrong
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Raikou

Groudon
Groudon
Ground
S
Swampert
Swampert
WaterGround
S
Flygon
Flygon
GroundDragon
B
Donphan
Donphan
Ground
B
Rhydon
Rhydon
GroundRock
B

Raikou Evolutions

You can't breed Raikou or evolve it into anything else. This Electric legendary packs 580 stats and doesn't need a chain to be relevant. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Raikou
#243Raikou
Does not evolve

Breeding

Unavailable
Undiscovered egg group

E Raikou Best Moveset

115 base Sp. Atk and 115 Speed make Raikou one of the fastest special attackers in Emerald, threatening teams with Electric TermStab before most opponents get a turn. The moveset benefits from MoveCalm Mind setup turns that push its already-strong special stats even higher.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Setup Sweeper
Ability
Pressure
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Raikou
Timid+SPE

Raikou best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • ThunderboltSTAB
  • Calm Mind
  • Hidden Power Grass
  • SubstituteUtility

Moves List

Without TMs, Raikou's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Dark and Normal coverage and more on top of Thunder and Thunderbolt for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bite
D6010025Dark
Lv 1
Leer
D—10030Normal
Lv 11
Thunder Shock
—6010030Electric
Lv 21
Roar-6
C——20Normal
Lv 31
Quick Attack+1
D4010030Normal
Lv 41
Spark
C9710020Electric
Lv 51
Reflect
C——20Psychic
Lv 61
Crunch
A8010015Dark
Lv 71
Thunder
B1807010Electric
Lv 81
Calm Mind
B——20Psychic

TM Moves

All 25 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM04
Calm MindPrize for defeating Tate & Lizanot until badge 7
B——20Psychic
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
C6010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42D7010020Normal
HM05——7020Normal
TM21
FrustrationPacifidlog Townbadge 5
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamLilycove Department Storebadge 5
B150905Normal
TM23
Iron TailMeteor Fallsnot until badge 8
C1007515Steel
TM17C——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM33C——20Psychic
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6Route 114badge 3
C——20Normal
HM06D2010015Fighting
TM37
SandstormRoute 111badge 4
D——10Rock
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
TM34C90—20Electric
HM04—8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM25B1807010Electric
TM24B14210015Electric
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Raikou doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D——10Normal
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Psych Up
D——10Normal
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D——10Normal
Tutor
Snore
—4010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
B——10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D—9015Normal
Tutor
Swift
—60—20Normal
Tutor
Thunder Wave
C—10020Electric

Base Stats

Base Stats
Pseudo
HP90
B
Attack85
C
Defense75
C
Sp. Atk115
B
Sp. Def100
B
Speed115
B
Total580
Details
Catch Rate
Legendary3 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.9 m
Weight178.0 kg
Base XP261
Abilities
Pressure
Increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+1SpDSpe+2
Strong Speed training target
Pokedex Entry

RAIKOU embodies the speed of lightning. Its roars send shock waves shuddering through the air and ground as if lightning bolts were crashing down.

Pokemon Emerald

Raikou Emerald Guide

  • Raikou isn't catchable in Emerald. Catch one in FireRed or LeafGreen, then trade it to Emerald.

  • In Emerald, use Raikou as a sweeper. Special attacks are the main output. It outspeeds most threats, Thunderbolt is the primary attack.

  • For Emerald, build your team around Salamence, Dugtrio, and Tyranitar. These have the highest co-usage rates with Raikou in competitive formats. They cover each other's weaknesses.

  • For Emerald, run Timid on Raikou. +Speed is what matters, and the -Attack cut doesn't hurt this set. Fits the sweeper role.

Game Availability

Raikou has appeared in 17 games since Gold & Silver, spanning 8 generations. As a Legendary, it's typically a one-per-save encounter tied to the story or post-game content.

Explore

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