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.
Its Gigantamax power expanded, forming its supersized body and towering tail.
When it smashes its opponents with its bolt- shaped tail, it delivers a surge of electricity equivalent to a lightning strike.
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 |
 Stunfisk GroundElectric | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Stunfisk builds →Mud Shot 2x86-102%KO Mud-Slap 2x34-42% | ||
 Diggersby NormalGround | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Diggersby builds →Mud Shot 2x66-78% Mud-Slap 2x30-36% | ||
 Mudbray Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Mudbray builds →Bulldoze 2x122-144%KO Mud-Slap 2x24-30% | ||
 Palpitoad WaterGround | D | |
 Drilbur Ground | D | |
Stunfisk GroundElectric | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Stunfisk builds →Mud Shot 2x83-98% Mud-Slap 2x34-41% | ||
Diggersby NormalGround | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Diggersby builds →Bulldoze 2x78-93% Mud Shot 2x60-72% Sand Tomb 2x48-57% Mud-Slap 2x26-31% | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Mudbray Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Mudbray builds →Bulldoze 2x117-140%KO Sand Tomb 2x69-83% Mud-Slap 2x26-31% | ||
Palpitoad WaterGround | D | |
Stunfisk GroundElectric | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Stunfisk builds →Mud Shot 2x80-94% Mud-Slap 2x31-38% | ||
Diggersby NormalGround | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Diggersby builds →Bulldoze 2x80-94% Mud Shot 2x59-70% Sand Tomb 2x47-56% Mud-Slap 2x23-28% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Mudbray Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Mudbray builds →Bulldoze 2x119-141%KO Sand Tomb 2x70-84% Mud-Slap 2x23-28% | ||
Palpitoad WaterGround | D | |
 Hippowdon Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Hippowdon builds →Dig 2x177-209%KO Mud Shot 2x74-88% Sand Tomb 2x80-95% | ||
 Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x207-245%KO Mud Shot 2x59-70% Sand Tomb 2x93-110%KO Mud-Slap 2x24-29% | ||
Stunfisk GroundElectric | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Stunfisk builds →Dig 2x117-139%KO Mud Shot 2x83-99% Mud-Slap 2x34-40% | ||
 Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Quagsire builds →Dig 2x143-168%KO Mud Shot 2x68-80% | ||
 Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Dugtrio builds →Dig 2x165-194%KO Bulldoze 2x124-146%KO Sand Tomb 2x74-88% Mud-Slap 2x24-29% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Hippowdon builds →Dig 2x178-209%KO Mud Shot 2x73-87% Sand Tomb 2x79-94% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x207-244%KO Mud Shot 2x59-70% Sand Tomb 2x94-112%KO Mud-Slap 2x23-28% | ||
Stunfisk GroundElectric | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Stunfisk builds →Dig 2x119-140%KO Mud Shot 2x85-101%KO Mud-Slap 2x33-38% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Quagsire builds →Dig 2x142-167%KO Mud Shot 2x71-84% | ||
Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Dugtrio builds →Dig 2x163-192%KO Bulldoze 2x121-143%KO Sand Tomb 2x73-87% Mud-Slap 2x23-28% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Hippowdon builds →Dig 2x176-207%KO Bulldoze 2x132-156%KO Mud Shot 2x70-83% Sand Tomb 2x78-93% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x203-239%KO Bulldoze 2x154-182%KO Mud Shot 2x56-67% Sand Tomb 2x91-109%KO | ||
 Sandaconda Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Sandaconda builds →Dig 2x168-198%KO Bulldoze 2x127-150%KO Mud Shot 2x67-80% Sand Tomb 2x76-89% | ||
 Seismitoad WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Seismitoad builds →Dig 2x151-179%KO Bulldoze 2x116-137%KO Mud Shot 2x84-99% | ||
 Claydol GroundPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Claydol builds →Earth Power 2x116-137%KO Dig 2x119-140%KO Bulldoze 2x91-109%KO Sand Tomb 2x54-64% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x220-260%KO Dig 2x179-211%KO Bulldoze 2x135-159%KO Mud Shot 2x72-86% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x208-245%KO Bulldoze 2x156-184%KO Mud Shot 2x57-67% Sand Tomb 2x93-110%KO | ||
Sandaconda Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Sandaconda builds →Dig 2x171-202%KO Bulldoze 2x130-153%KO Mud Shot 2x69-83% Sand Tomb 2x78-92% | ||
Seismitoad WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Seismitoad builds →Dig 2x156-184%KO Bulldoze 2x116-138%KO Mud Shot 2x86-101%KO | ||
Claydol GroundPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Claydol builds →Earth Power 2x119-141%KO Dig 2x121-144%KO Bulldoze 2x93-110%KO Sand Tomb 2x57-67% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x224-263%KO Dig 2x180-212%KO Stomping Tantrum 2x168-198%KO Bulldoze 2x137-161%KO | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x211-249%KO Drill Run 2x211-249%KO Stomping Tantrum 2x197-232%KO Bulldoze 2x158-187%KO | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x204-241%KO Earth Power 2x134-158%KO Dig 2x163-192%KO Bulldoze 2x123-144%KO | ||
Sandaconda Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Sandaconda builds →Dig 2x173-204%KO Bulldoze 2x132-156%KO Mud Shot 2x72-85% Sand Tomb 2x76-91% | ||
Seismitoad WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Seismitoad builds →Dig 2x158-187%KO Stomping Tantrum 2x149-175%KO Bulldoze 2x120-142%KO Mud Shot 2x86-102%KO | ||
In Sword & Shield, Excadrill can KO Pikachu with Earthquake (363-427%).
Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x363-427%KO Rapid Spin61-72% | ||
Sword & Shield 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 43 partners from the Fairy and Ground egg groups. Notable egg moves include Charge, Disarming Voice, Fake Out and 4 more.
Sword & Shield Pikachu Best Moveset
The recommended build leans into Pikachu's strengths as an attacker. Lightball provides extra utility, and max Attack and Speed EVs back that up. Lightningrod rounds out the package.
Best Build
Pikachu best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Iron Tail
- Quick Attack
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Iron Tail
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Discharge
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Iron Tail
- Quick Attack
- Surf
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 Sword & Shield
This 2-stage line starts with Pichu, a baby that doesn't spawn wild. Breed Pikachu at the nursery to hatch one, then level through the stages to reach Pikachu.
Where To Catch Pikachu in Sword & Shield
To get Pikachu, start by catching Pichu through walking encounters at Lv. 10-30. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Breed Pichu from PikachuBreed from Pikachu at the Day Care.
Step 2Pikachu ✓Forest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyNormal WeatherForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyThunderstormForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlySnowstormForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyIntense SunForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlySnowingForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlySandstormForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyThunderstormForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyRainingForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyIntense SunForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyHeavy FogForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlySnowingForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyOvercastForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlySandstormForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyNormal WeatherForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyRainingForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlySnowstormForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyHeavy FogForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyOvercastRoute 4SwordOverworld Lv.14-16 Route5%EarlyAll WeatherRoute 4ShieldOverworld Lv.14-16 Route1%EarlyAll WeatherStony WildernessShieldGrass Lv.26-2810%MidRainingStony WildernessSwordGrass Lv.26-2810%MidRainingStony Wilderness - 3SwordOverworld Lv.28-3010%MidThunderstormStony WildernessShieldOverworld Lv.28-305%MidThunderstormStony WildernessSwordOverworld Lv.28-305%MidThunderstormStony Wilderness - 2SwordOverworld Lv.28-305%MidThunderstormStony Wilderness - 2ShieldOverworld Lv.28-305%MidThunderstormStony Wilderness - 3ShieldOverworld Lv.28-305%MidThunderstormor 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 Sword & Shield, 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 Sword & Shield. 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