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.
The cap this Pikachu wears is filled with memories of this Pokémon and its partner traveling across the Alola region together.
This Pikachu wears its partner’s cap—proof of the strong bond Pikachu and its partner formed during adventures across the Alola region.
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 | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Garchomp builds →Dig 2x208-245%KO Bulldoze 2x157-185%KO Sand Tomb 2x93-109%KO | ||
 Mudsdale Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Mudsdale builds →Earthquake 2x250-295%KO High Horsepower 2x238-281%KO Bulldoze 2x150-177%KO Mud-Slap 2x25-30% | ||
 Toedscruel GroundGrass | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Toedscruel builds →Earth Power 2x134-158%KO Mud Shot 2x83-98% Mud-Slap 2x32-38% | ||
 Quagsire WaterGround | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x183-215%KO Mud Shot 2x72-85% | ||
 Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Whiscash builds →Earthquake 2x169-199%KO Mud-Slap 2x32-38% | ||
In Scarlet & Violet, Volcanion can KO Pikachu with Flamethrower (132-155%). Slowking's Scald hits Pikachu for 71-83%.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Volcanion builds →Flamethrower132-155%KO | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureSassy Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Slowking builds →Scald71-83% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves View Toxapex builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Corviknight builds →U Turn43-51% | ||
Scarlet & Violet 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 50 partners from the Fairy and Ground egg groups. Notable egg moves include Charge, Disarming Voice, Fake Out and 4 more.
Scarlet & Violet 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 Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Fake Out
- Volt Switch
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Quick Attack
- Iron Tail
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Protect
- Fake Out
- Surf
- Discharge
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Volt Tackle
- Fake Out
- Extreme Speed
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Don't skip the egg moves. Pikachu picks up Charge and Disarming Voice only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Thunder and Thunderbolt while coverage across 8 types adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Pikachu in Scarlet & Violet
Pikachu appears at moderate rates across 8 spots in early-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Pikachu in Scarlet & Violet
Pichu is your first catch on the way to Pikachu. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 5-30 across 28 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PichuCasseroya Lake - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Water1%EarlyCasseroya Lake - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Water1%EarlyEast Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyEast Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Forest1%EarlyTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Forest1%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%Early
Step 2Pikachu ✓East Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlyEast Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%Earlyor 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 Scarlet & Violet, 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 Scarlet & Violet. 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