Stats & Training
Speed and Attack carry most of Pikachu's stat budget. HP's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 2 Speed EVs. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It raises its tail to check its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose.
It has small electric sacs on both its cheeks. If threatened, it looses electric charges from the sacs.
Pikachu Weakness
Ground moves hit Pikachu for super-effective damage. Few weaknesses and 3 resistances make the typing clean. Lightning Rod grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Electric, Flying, Steel |
 Garchomp DragonGround | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Garchomp builds →Dig 2x208-245%KO Bulldoze 2x157-185%KO Sand Tomb 2x93-109%KO | ||
 Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x226-267%KO Dig 2x183-215%KO Bulldoze 2x139-164%KO Sand Tomb 2x81-95% | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Flygon builds →Earth Power 2x134-158%KO Dig 2x166-196%KO Bulldoze 2x125-147%KO Sand Tomb 2x74-87% | ||
 Krookodile GroundDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 2x236-278%KO Dig 2x190-224%KO Bulldoze 2x144-169%KO Sand Tomb 2x85-101%KO | ||
 Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Nidoqueen builds →Earth Power 2x127-150%KO Dig 2x155-183%KO Bulldoze 2x118-139%KO | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
 Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
 Hippopotas Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Hippopotas builds →Dig 2x126-150%KO Bulldoze 2x96-114%KO | ||
 Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Cubone builds →Bone Club 2x80-96% Bulldoze 2x76-90% | ||
 Sandile GroundDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Sandile builds →Bulldoze 2x96-114%KO Sand Tomb 2x60-72% Mud-Slap 2x24-30% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Onix builds →Dig 2x89-105%KO Bulldoze 2x69-81% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Rhyhorn builds →Dig 2x138-162%KO Bulldoze 2x103-122%KO | ||
Hippopotas Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Hippopotas builds →Dig 2x123-146%KO Bulldoze 2x92-109%KO Sand Tomb 2x54-65% | ||
Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Cubone builds →Dig 2x92-109%KO Bone Club 2x76-89% Bulldoze 2x72-85% Bonemerang 2x61-73% | ||
 Golett GroundGhost | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Golett builds →Bulldoze 2x96-114%KO Mud-Slap 2x20-24% | ||
 Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Dugtrio builds →Dig 2x154-182%KO Mud Bomb 2x69-81% Bulldoze 2x116-138%KO Sand Tomb 2x72-85% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Onix builds →Dig 2x89-105%KO Bulldoze 2x69-81% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Rhyhorn builds →Dig 2x138-162%KO Bulldoze 2x103-122%KO | ||
Hippopotas Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Hippopotas builds →Dig 2x123-146%KO Bulldoze 2x92-109%KO Sand Tomb 2x54-65% | ||
Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Cubone builds →Dig 2x92-109%KO Bone Club 2x76-89% Bulldoze 2x72-85% Bonemerang 2x61-73% | ||
Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Dugtrio builds →Dig 2x154-182%KO Mud Bomb 2x69-81% Bulldoze 2x116-138%KO Sand Tomb 2x72-85% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Onix builds →Dig 2x89-105%KO Bulldoze 2x69-81% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Rhyhorn builds →Dig 2x138-162%KO Bulldoze 2x103-122%KO | ||
Hippopotas Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Hippopotas builds →Dig 2x123-146%KO Bulldoze 2x92-109%KO Sand Tomb 2x54-65% | ||
Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Cubone builds →Dig 2x92-109%KO Bone Club 2x76-89% Bulldoze 2x72-85% Bonemerang 2x61-73% | ||
 Stunfisk GroundElectric | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 14 Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Stunfisk builds →Dig 2x119-140%KO Mud Bomb 2x98-115%KO Bulldoze 2x88-105%KO Mud Shot 2x85-101%KO | ||
 Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 14 Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x178-209%KO Dig 2x142-167%KO Mud Bomb 2x85-101%KO Bulldoze 2x109-129%KO | ||
Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Dugtrio builds →Earth Power 2x94-112%KO Dig 2x163-192%KO Mud Bomb 2x71-84% Bulldoze 2x121-143%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Onix builds →Dig 2x88-105%KO Bulldoze 2x67-80% Sand Tomb 2x41-49% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Rhyhorn builds →Dig 2x142-167%KO Bulldoze 2x109-129%KO | ||
Stunfisk GroundElectric | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 14 Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Stunfisk builds →Dig 2x121-143%KO Mud Bomb 2x99-117%KO Bulldoze 2x90-107%KO Mud Shot 2x84-100%KO | ||
 Piloswine IceGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Piloswine builds →Dig 2x167-197%KO Mud Bomb 2x79-93% Bulldoze 2x124-147%KO Mud-Slap 2x28-33% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 14 Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x181-213%KO Dig 2x144-170%KO Mud Bomb 2x84-100%KO Bulldoze 2x110-130%KO | ||
Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Dugtrio builds →Earth Power 2x96-113%KO Dig 2x167-197%KO Mud Bomb 2x70-83% Bulldoze 2x124-147%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Onix builds →Dig 2x93-110%KO Bulldoze 2x70-83% Sand Tomb 2x42-50% | ||
Stunfisk GroundElectric | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 14 Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Stunfisk builds →Dig 2x120-142%KO Mud Bomb 2x99-117%KO Bulldoze 2x90-106%KO Mud Shot 2x83-98% | ||
 Sandslash Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Sandslash builds →Earthquake 2x208-245%KO Dig 2x166-196%KO Bulldoze 2x125-147%KO Sand Tomb 2x74-87% | ||
Piloswine IceGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Piloswine builds →Earthquake 2x208-245%KO Dig 2x166-196%KO Mud Bomb 2x78-93% Bulldoze 2x125-147%KO | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 14 Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x183-215%KO Dig 2x145-172%KO Mud Bomb 2x83-98% Bulldoze 2x111-131%KO | ||
 Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Gligar builds →Dig 2x132-155%KO Bulldoze 2x99-117%KO | ||
In X & Y, Excadrill can KO Pikachu with Earthquake (323-381%). Garchomp threatens a KO with Earthquake (314-369%).
 Excadrill GroundSteel | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x323-381%KO Rapid Spin54-64% | ||
Garchomp DragonGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x314-369%KO | ||
X & Y Evolution
Sitting between Pichu and Raichu, Pikachu is part of a chain that requires an evolution item. Not your typical level-up setup. So far, Speed got the biggest boost (+30 from Pichu). The final form adds another 165 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Pikachu to get Pichu eggs easily using 47 partners from the Fairy and Ground egg groups. Notable egg moves include Bestow, Bide, Charge and 12 more.
X & Y Pikachu Best Moveset
The recommended build leans into Pikachu's strengths as a physical attacker. Lightball provides extra utility, and max Attack and Speed EVs back that up. Static rounds out the package.
Best Build
Pikachu best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Toxic
- Thunderbolt
- Quick Attack
- Volt Tackle
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- Volt Switch
- Thunder
- Thunderbolt
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Don't skip the egg moves. Pikachu picks up Bestow and Bide only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Volt Tackle and Thunder while coverage across 9 types adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Pikachu in X & Y
Grab Pikachu from the locations below, it shows up in the wild. Drop it at the nursery to hatch Pichu. From there, level the baby through the remaining stages to Pikachu.
Where To Catch Pikachu in X & Y
Pichu is your first catch on the way to Pikachu. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 3-5 across 4 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Breed Pichu from PikachuBreed from Pikachu at the Day Care.
Step 2Pikachu ✓Santalune ForestXGrass Lv.3-4 ForestRareEarlySantalune ForestYGrass Lv.3-4 ForestRareEarlyRoute 3XGrass Lv.4-5 RouteRareEarlyRoute 3YGrass Lv.4-5 RouteRareEarlyor evolve from Pichu (Step 1)
Pikachu Guide
Multiple options from Pikachu: Raichu using a Thunder Stone and Alolan Raichu using a Thunder Stone. Each branch takes the 320 BST base in a different direction.
For X & Y, you can run Pikachu through the first few routes without issues. 320 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Raichu as fast as you can.
You can find Pikachu in X & Y. The Locations section has the full breakdown of routes and encounter details. It also appears in 22 other games across the series.
Pikachu has an Alolan form that swaps the typing and reshuffles the stats. Introduced in Gen 7. Worth checking if the original version doesn't fit your team.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Pikachu has appeared in 23 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received an Alolan form in Generation 7 and a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
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 8SwShGigantamax
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