Pikachu is an Electric-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I and a middle stage of its evolution line, with a base stat total of 320.

Pikachu

Pikachu

Abilities

Static

Paralyzes on contact.

Lightning Rod

Draws electrical moves.

Hidden Ability

Base Stats

Total: 320
EV Yield: 2 Speed
HP: 35
Attack: 55
Defense: 40
Sp. Atk: 50
Sp. Def: 50
Speed: 90

Pikachu's Weaknesses and Resistances

Evolution Chain

Pichu evolves into Pikachu by leveling up high friendship, and Pikachu evolves into Raichu with a Thunder Stone.

Forms

Pikachu Playthrough, Competitive, and Nuzlocke Usage

Using Pikachu in a Playthrough

The Pikachu line is usually most useful once it reaches Pikachu or Raichu, as Pichu's low stats and friendship-based evolution make the earliest stage much less practical in ordinary playthroughs. Once developed, the line offers a valuable Electric typing, strong Speed, and reliable offensive pressure against common Water- and Flying-type targets, with Raichu serving as a straightforward fast attacker and Pikachu remaining viable in some games through Light Ball or other special mechanics. In earlier generations, evolving too early could cost Pikachu some level-up options, so the timing of evolution can matter. Standard Raichu is easy to use and efficient, while later variants such as Alolan Raichu add a more distinct offensive identity where available.

Pikachu in Competitive Pokémon

The line's competitive history is split across three different identities: Light Ball Pikachu as a fragile but surprisingly powerful attacker, standard Raichu as a fast utility or offensive Pokemon, and Alolan Raichu as the line's most successful modern competitive variant. Smogon material repeatedly treats Light Ball as the item that makes Pikachu competitively relevant at all, while standard Raichu has found roles through Speed, Encore, support tools, and in some doubles formats Fake Out and Lightning Rod utility. Alolan Raichu has been notably stronger, using Surge Surfer under Electric Terrain to become an extremely fast cleaner or revenge killer with potent coverage. Even so, the line is generally constrained by frailty and by the need for either item support, terrain support, or careful positioning to maximize its value.

Pikachu in Nuzlockes

In Nuzlockes, the Pikachu line is often valued highly when obtained early because Electric-types are frequently scarce and their offensive matchups are immediately useful. Community Kanto Nuzlocke discussion tends to describe Raichu as a good but somewhat narrow Pokemon: fast, offensively practical, and able to contribute meaningfully with Thunderbolt and status support, but limited in coverage and not especially durable. If the line is obtained starting from Pichu, the friendship evolution requirement and poor early durability make it less reliable at first. Once it reaches Pikachu or Raichu, however, the line usually becomes a strong specialist for Water- and Flying-type matchups and a useful speed-based attacker, provided it is not asked to tank repeated hits.

Learnsets

67 moves · Scarlet Violet

Level Up

1 Tail Whip normal type --- 100 status move
1 Growl normal type --- 100 status move
1 Thunder Shock electric type 40 100 special move
1 Quick Attack normal type 40 100 physical move
1 Sweet Kiss fairy type --- 75 status move
1 Charm fairy type --- 100 status move
1 Nasty Plot dark type --- --- status move
1 Play Nice normal type --- --- status move
1 Nuzzle electric type 20 100 physical move
4 Thunder Wave electric type --- 90 status move
8 Double Team normal type --- --- status move
12 Electro Ball electric type --- 100 special move
16 Feint normal type 30 100 physical move
20 Spark electric type 65 100 physical move
24 Agility psychic type --- --- status move
28 Iron Tail steel type 100 75 physical move
32 Discharge electric type 80 100 special move
36 Thunderbolt electric type 90 100 special move
40 Light Screen psychic type --- --- status move
44 Thunder electric type 110 70 special move

Machine

- Thunder Punch electric type 75 100 physical move
- Body Slam normal type 85 100 physical move
- Take Down normal type 90 85 physical move
- Surf water type 90 100 special move
- Thunderbolt electric type 90 100 special move
- Thunder Wave electric type --- 90 status move
- Thunder electric type 110 70 special move
- Dig ground type 80 100 physical move
- Agility psychic type --- --- status move
- Light Screen psychic type --- --- status move
- Reflect psychic type --- --- status move
- Swift normal type 60 --- special move
- Rest psychic type --- --- status move
- Substitute normal type --- --- status move
- Thief dark type 60 100 physical move
- Reversal fighting type --- 100 physical move
- Protect normal type --- --- status move
- Endure normal type --- --- status move
- Charm fairy type --- 100 status move
- Sleep Talk normal type --- --- status move
- Encore normal type --- 100 status move
- Rain Dance water type --- --- status move
- Facade normal type 70 100 physical move
- Focus Punch fighting type 150 100 physical move
- Charge electric type --- --- status move
- Helping Hand normal type --- --- status move
- Brick Break fighting type 75 100 physical move
- Knock Off dark type 65 100 physical move
- Endeavor normal type --- 100 physical move
- Fake Tears dark type --- 100 status move
- Fling dark type --- 100 physical move
- Nasty Plot dark type --- --- status move
- Grass Knot grass type --- 100 special move
- Charge Beam electric type 50 90 special move
- Electro Ball electric type --- 100 special move
- Volt Switch electric type 70 100 special move
- Electroweb electric type 55 95 special move
- Wild Charge electric type 90 100 physical move
- Disarming Voice fairy type 40 --- special move
- Draining Kiss fairy type 50 100 special move
- Play Rough fairy type 90 90 physical move
- Eerie Impulse electric type --- 100 status move
- Electric Terrain electric type --- --- status move
- Tera Blast normal type 80 100 special move
- Trailblaze grass type 50 100 physical move
- Alluring Voice fairy type 80 100 special move
- Upper Hand fighting type 65 100 physical move

Pokédex Entries

26 entries
Red / Blue

When several of these POKéMON gather, their electricity could build and cause lightning storms.

Yellow

It keeps its tail raised to monitor its surroundings. If you yank its tail, it will try to bite you.

Gold

This intelligent POKéMON roasts hard BERRIES with electricity to make them tender enough to eat.

Silver

It raises its tail to check its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose.

Crystal

When it is angered, it immediately discharges the energy stored in the pouches in its cheeks.

Ruby

Whenever PIKACHU comes across something new, it blasts it with a jolt of electricity. If you come across a blackened berry, it’s evidence that this POKéMON mistook the intensity of its charge.

Sapphire

This POKéMON has electricity-storing pouches on its cheeks. These appear to become electrically charged during the night while PIKACHU sleeps. It occasionally discharges electricity when it is dozy after waking up.

Emerald

It stores electricity in the electric sacs on its cheeks. When it releases pent-up energy in a burst, the electric power is equal to a lightning bolt.

Firered / Y

It has small electric sacs on both its cheeks. If threatened, it looses electric charges from the sacs.

Leafgreen

When several of these POKéMON gather, their electricity can build and cause lightning storms.

Diamond

It lives in forests with others. It stores electricity in the pouches on its cheeks.

Pearl

If it looses crackling power from the electric pouches on its cheeks, it is being wary.

Platinum

It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow PIKACHU that is in a weakened state.

Heartgold

This intelligent Pokémon roasts hard berries with electricity to make them tender enough to eat.

Soulsilver / X

It raises its tail to check its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose.

Black / White / Black 2 / White 2

It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow Pikachu that is in a weakened state.

Omega Ruby

Whenever Pikachu comes across something new, it blasts it with a jolt of electricity. If you come across a blackened berry, it’s evidence that this Pokémon mistook the intensity of its charge.

Alpha Sapphire

This Pokémon has electricity-storing pouches on its cheeks. These appear to become electrically charged during the night while Pikachu sleeps. It occasionally discharges electricity when it is dozy after waking up.

Sun

A plan was recently announced to gather many Pikachu and make an electric power plant.

Moon

It’s in its nature to store electricity. It feels stressed now and then if it’s unable to fully discharge the electricity.

Ultra Sun

Its nature is to store up electricity. Forests where nests of Pikachu live are dangerous, since the trees are so often struck by lightning.

Ultra Moon

While sleeping, it generates electricity in the sacs in its cheeks. If it’s not getting enough sleep, it will be able to use only weak electricity.

Lets Go Pikachu / Lets Go Eevee

This forest-dwelling Pokémon stores electricity in its cheeks, so you’ll feel a tingly shock if you touch it.

Sword

Pikachu that can generate powerful electricity have cheek sacs that are extra soft and super stretchy.

Shield

When Pikachu meet, they’ll touch their tails together and exchange electricity through them as a form of greeting.

Legends Arceus

Possesses cheek sacs in which it stores electricity. This clever forest-dweller roasts tough berries with an electric shock before consuming them.

Where To Find Pikachu

20 locations
Hau'oli City · AlolaSOS Encounter · version details vary

Hauoli City Shopping District

Moon max 15%
SOS Encounter · Lv. 5–8 · 15%
Sun max 15%
SOS Encounter · Lv. 5–8 · 15%
Heahea City · AlolaGift · version details vary

Heahea City Surf Association

Ultra Moon max 100%
Gift · Lv. 40 · 100%
Ultra Sun max 100%
Gift · Lv. 40 · 100%
Route 1 · AlolaSOS Encounter · version details vary

Alola Route 1 East

Ultra Moon max 15%
SOS Encounter · Lv. 2–3 · 15%
Ultra Sun max 15%
SOS Encounter · Lv. 2–3 · 15%

Alola Route 1 West

Moon max 15%
SOS Encounter · Lv. 3–5 · 15%
Sun max 15%
SOS Encounter · Lv. 3–5 · 15%
Route 4 · GalarOverworld · version details vary

Route 4

Shield max 1%
Overworld · Lv. 14–16 · 1%
Sword max 5%
Overworld · Lv. 14–16 · 5%
Fallarbor Town · HoennGift · version details vary

Contest Hall (Fallarbor Town)

Alpha Sapphire max 100%
Gift · Lv. 20 · 100%
Omega Ruby max 100%
Gift · Lv. 20 · 100%
Hoenn Pokecenter · HoennColosseum Bonus Disc JPN · version details vary

Hoenn Pokecenter Area

Emerald max 100%
Colosseum Bonus Disc JPN · Lv. 10 · 100%
Ruby max 100%
Colosseum Bonus Disc JPN · Lv. 10 · 100%
Sapphire max 100%
Colosseum Bonus Disc JPN · Lv. 10 · 100%
Lilycove City · HoennGift · version details vary

Contest Hall (Lilycove City)

Alpha Sapphire max 100%
Gift · Lv. 20 · 100%
Omega Ruby max 100%
Gift · Lv. 20 · 100%
Safari Zone · HoennWalking · version details vary

Safari Zone (SE)

Emerald max 5%
Walking · Lv. 25 · 4%Walking · Lv. 27 · 1%
Ruby max 5%
Walking · Lv. 25 · 4%Walking · Lv. 27 · 1%
Sapphire max 5%
Walking · Lv. 25 · 4%Walking · Lv. 27 · 1%

Safari Zone (SW)

Emerald max 5%
Walking · Lv. 25 · 4%Walking · Lv. 27 · 1%
Ruby max 5%
Walking · Lv. 25 · 4%Walking · Lv. 27 · 1%
Sapphire max 5%
Walking · Lv. 25 · 4%Walking · Lv. 27 · 1%
Slateport City · HoennGift · version details vary

Contest Hall (Slateport City)

Alpha Sapphire max 100%
Gift · Lv. 20 · 100%
Omega Ruby max 100%
Gift · Lv. 20 · 100%
Verdanturf Town · HoennGift · version details vary

Contest Hall (Verdanturf Town)

Alpha Sapphire max 100%
Gift · Lv. 20 · 100%
Omega Ruby max 100%
Gift · Lv. 20 · 100%
Friend Safari · KalosWalking · version details vary

Friend Safari (Electric)

X max 33%
Walking · Lv. 30 · 33% · Friend Safari Slot 2
Y max 33%
Walking · Lv. 30 · 33% · Friend Safari Slot 2
Route 3 · KalosWalking · version details vary

Road 3

X max 5%
Walking · Lv. 4 · 4%Walking · Lv. 5 · 1%
Y max 5%
Walking · Lv. 4 · 4%Walking · Lv. 5 · 1%
Santalune Forest · KalosWalking · version details vary

Santalune Forest

X max 6%
Walking · Lv. 3 · 5%Walking · Lv. 4 · 1%
Y max 6%
Walking · Lv. 3 · 5%Walking · Lv. 4 · 1%
Celadon City · KantoGift · version details vary

Celadon City Prize Corner

Blue Japan max 100%
Gift · Lv. 12 · 100% · Coins 620
Crystal max 100%
Gift · Lv. 25 · 100% · Coins 2222
Kanto Pokecenter · KantoColosseum Bonus Disc JPN · version details vary

Kanto Pokecenter Area

FireRed max 100%
Colosseum Bonus Disc JPN · Lv. 10 · 100%
LeafGreen max 100%
Colosseum Bonus Disc JPN · Lv. 10 · 100%
Kanto Power Plant · KantoWalking · version details vary

Power Plant

Blue max 25%
Walking · Lv. 20 · 15%Walking · Lv. 24 · 10%
FireRed max 25%
Walking · Lv. 22 · 10%Walking · Lv. 24 · 10%Walking · Lv. 26 · 4%Walking · Lv. 26 · 1%
Green Japan max 25%
Walking · Lv. 20 · 15%Walking · Lv. 24 · 10%
LeafGreen max 25%
Walking · Lv. 22 · 10%Walking · Lv. 24 · 10%Walking · Lv. 26 · 4%Walking · Lv. 26 · 1%
Red max 25%
Walking · Lv. 20 · 15%Walking · Lv. 24 · 10%
Red Japan max 25%
Walking · Lv. 20 · 15%Walking · Lv. 24 · 10%
Pallet Town · KantoGift · version details vary

Pallet Town

Lets Go Pikachu max 100%
Gift · Lv. 5 · 100%
Yellow max 100%
Gift · Lv. 5 · 100%
Route 2 · KantoWalking · version details vary

Road 2 (south, towards Viridian City)

Crystal max 10%
Walking · Lv. 4 · 4% · Time DayWalking · Lv. 4 · 4% · Time MorningWalking · Lv. 4 · 1% · Time DayWalking · Lv. 4 · 1% · Time Morning
Gold max 15%
Walking · Lv. 4 · 4% · Time DayWalking · Lv. 4 · 4% · Time MorningWalking · Lv. 4 · 4% · Time NightWalking · Lv. 4 · 1% · Time DayWalking · Lv. 4 · 1% · Time MorningWalking · Lv. 4 · 1% · Time Night
Silver max 15%
Walking · Lv. 4 · 4% · Time DayWalking · Lv. 4 · 4% · Time MorningWalking · Lv. 4 · 4% · Time NightWalking · Lv. 4 · 1% · Time DayWalking · Lv. 4 · 1% · Time MorningWalking · Lv. 4 · 1% · Time Night
Viridian Forest · KantoWalking, Overworld · version details vary

Viridian Forest

Blue max 5%
Walking · Lv. 3 · 4%Walking · Lv. 5 · 1%
FireRed max 5%
Walking · Lv. 3 · 4%Walking · Lv. 5 · 1%
Green Japan max 5%
Walking · Lv. 3 · 4%Walking · Lv. 5 · 1%
HeartGold max 7%
Walking · Lv. 4 · 4%Walking · Lv. 4 · 1%Walking · Lv. 7 · 1% · Time DayWalking · Lv. 7 · 1% · Time Morning
LeafGreen max 5%
Walking · Lv. 3 · 4%Walking · Lv. 5 · 1%
Lets Go Eevee max 100%
Overworld · Lv. 3–6 · 100%
Lets Go Pikachu max 100%
Overworld · Lv. 3–6 · 100%
Red max 5%
Walking · Lv. 3 · 4%Walking · Lv. 5 · 1%
Red Japan max 5%
Walking · Lv. 3 · 4%Walking · Lv. 5 · 1%
SoulSilver max 7%
Walking · Lv. 4 · 4%Walking · Lv. 4 · 1%Walking · Lv. 7 · 1% · Time DayWalking · Lv. 7 · 1% · Time Morning
Trophy Garden · SinnohWalking · version details vary

Trophy Garden

Diamond max 10%
Walking · Lv. 18 · 5% · Backlot Not MentionedWalking · Lv. 18 · 4%Walking · Lv. 18 · 1%
Pearl max 10%
Walking · Lv. 18 · 5% · Backlot Not MentionedWalking · Lv. 18 · 4%Walking · Lv. 18 · 1%
Platinum max 10%
Walking · Lv. 22 · 5% · Backlot Not MentionedWalking · Lv. 24 · 4%Walking · Lv. 24 · 1%

Held Items

2 items
Light Ball
  • Ruby: 5% chance
  • Sapphire: 5% chance
  • Emerald: 5% chance
  • Diamond: 5% chance
  • Pearl: 5% chance
  • Platinum: 5% chance
  • Heartgold: 5% chance
  • Soulsilver: 5% chance
  • Black: 1% chance
  • White: 1% chance
  • Black 2: 5% chance
  • White 2: 5% chance
  • X: 5% chance
  • Y: 5% chance
  • Omega Ruby: 5% chance
  • Alpha Sapphire: 5% chance
  • Sun: 5% chance
  • Moon: 5% chance
  • Ultra Sun: 5% chance
  • Ultra Moon: 5% chance
Oran Berry
  • Ruby: 50% chance
  • Sapphire: 50% chance
  • Emerald: 50% chance
  • Diamond: 50% chance
  • Pearl: 50% chance
  • Platinum: 50% chance
  • Heartgold: 50% chance
  • Soulsilver: 50% chance
  • Black: 50% chance
  • White: 50% chance

Additional Images

PokeAPI sprites

Open this section to load extra PokeAPI sprite images.

Pikachu Biology and Behavior

Pikachu stores electricity in cheek pouches that charge during sleep, and if it does not get enough rest it cannot release electricity at full strength. When angered or threatened it discharges electricity rapidly, and groups of Pikachu can build up enough charge together to create thunderstorms. Wild Pikachu live socially in forest nests, greet one another by making contact with their tails, and can even revive weakened Pikachu with electric shocks. It is described as playful and intelligent, and it often roasts Berries with electricity before eating them, though it sometimes overdoes the charge and burns them.

Pikachu Biological Data

National Pokédex
#25
Species
Mouse Pokémon
Height
1' 4" (0.4 m)
Weight
13.2 lbs (6.0 kg)
Habitat
Forest
Color
Yellow
Body Style
Quadruped
Gender
50% female / 50% male

Misc

Catch Rate: 190

Base Experience: 112 Exp

Hatch Counter: 10

Pikachu Size Comparison: BETA

Pikachu is listed at 1' 4" (0.4 m); this chart uses a pose-adjusted visual scale.

7 ft6 ft5 ft4 ft3 ft2 ft1 ft0 ft
pikachu
Professor Oak
How is visual size determined?

Pokédex height is treated as the official listed measurement, but the chart uses pose-aware visual scaling so each sprite looks reasonable in a direct comparison.

For long or coiled Pokémon, the listed height may represent total body length rather than upright height. For Pokémon with floppy ears, leaves, feathers, antennae, wings, or other flexible features, the chart usually measures to the top of the solid, substantial part of the head or body instead of the tallest decorative feature.

The goal is not to replace the official height, but to make the artwork compare naturally at the size it appears to occupy.

Pikachu currently uses a pose-adjusted visual scale.