Pokemon Guide
Raichu is one of the most recognizable Electric-type Pokemon, known for its high Speed, strong Electric attacks, useful support moves, evolution from Pikachu and Alolan regional form. This guide covers Raichu’s stats, best moves, abilities, evolution, shiny form, typing, weaknesses, locations, Alolan Raichu and Pokemon Champions build information.
Normal Form
Shiny Form
Regional Form
Last Updated: May 2026 | Page Status: This Raichu guide supports current Pokemon games, Pokemon Champions and future updates. Location, moves and availability details will be updated as new Pokemon game data becomes available.
| Description | Build |
| Quick Facts | Stats |
| Best Moves | All Moves |
| Weaknesses | Evolution |
| Locations | FAQ |
Raichu is the final evolution of Pichu and Pikachu. It is an Electric-type Pokemon known for its quick movement, strong electrical attacks, support options such as Fake Out and Thunder Wave and its regional Alolan form.
Competitive Overview
Raichu can be a useful competitive Pokemon because of its high Speed, Electric-type pressure and strong utility movepool. It can support teammates with Fake Out, Nuzzle, Thunder Wave, Encore and Volt Switch while still threatening opponents with Electric attacks.
Raichu’s biggest strengths are its speed control and support options. Its biggest issues are its lower bulk and Ground weakness, which means it usually needs careful positioning and team support to stay effective.
Featured Competitive Build
Alolan Raichu is a fast Electric and Psychic-type disruptor in Pokemon Champions that can pressure teams with speed control, Fake Out support and Psychic coverage.
This build uses Alolan Raichu’s speed, Surge Surfer utility and disruptive move options to create a flexible support attacker for competitive teams.
Fake Out, Psychic, Speed Swap and Thunderbolt
Surge Surfer for Alolan Raichu or Lightning Rod for regular Raichu
Timid
Focus Sash, Electric Seed or Sitrus Berry
Here are the key facts to know about Raichu, including its type, abilities, height, weight and species information.
Name
Raichu
National Dex
#0026
Type
Electric
Species
Mouse Pokemon
Height
2’07” / 0.8 m
80 cm
Weight
66.1 lbs / 30.0 kg
30 kg
Abilities
Static, Lightning Rod
Raichu has strong Speed and useful mixed attacking stats. Its speed, Electric-type attacks and support movepool make it a flexible utility attacker across many Pokemon games.
Raichu has a useful movepool with Electric, Normal, Fighting, Grass, Psychic and support options. These are some of Raichu’s most useful and recognizable moves across Pokemon games.
A reliable Electric-type special attack that gives Raichu consistent damage and a chance to paralyze targets.
A useful Electric-type pivot move that lets Raichu deal damage and switch into a teammate.
A support move that deals small damage and guarantees paralysis when it hits.
A valuable priority support move that can make a target flinch on the first turn Raichu is active.
Strong Fighting-type coverage that can help Raichu hit Steel, Rock, Ice, Dark and Normal-type Pokemon.
Useful coverage against Ground, Rock and Water-type Pokemon, especially heavier targets.
A classic speed control move that helps Raichu slow down faster opponents and support its team.
A powerful physical Electric-type attack associated with the Pikachu line, though the recoil means it must be used carefully.
Raichu can learn a wide move pool across different Pokemon games, including Electric, Normal, Fighting, Grass, Psychic and support moves. Use the section below to view Raichu’s move list by learn method.
Move data shown from: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Raichu is an Electric-type Pokemon. This gives it useful resistances to Electric, Flying and Steel-type moves, but it is weak to Ground-type attacks.
Type
Electric
Weaknesses
Ground
Resistances
Electric, Flying and Steel
Immunity
None
Raichu’s abilities help it punish contact moves or redirect Electric-type attacks depending on the game and format.
Can paralyze an opponent that makes contact with Raichu. This can punish physical attackers and create useful speed control.
Draws in Electric-type moves and raises Raichu’s Special Attack. This can protect teammates from Electric attacks and improve Raichu’s offensive pressure.
Raichu evolves from Pikachu when exposed to a Thunder Stone. Pikachu evolves from Pichu when leveled up with high friendship.
Stage 1
Starting form
Stage 2
Evolves from Pichu with high friendship
Stage 3
Evolves from Pikachu with a Thunder Stone
Raichu’s availability changes depending on the Pokemon game. In many games, Raichu is obtained by catching or receiving Pikachu, then using a Thunder Stone to evolve Pikachu into Raichu.
| Game | Where to Find Raichu |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Red |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
 Pokemon Blue |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
 Pokemon Yellow |
Trade from another game. The partner Pikachu in Pokemon Yellow does not evolve. |
| Game | Where to Find Raichu |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Gold |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
 Pokemon Silver |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
 Pokemon Crystal |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
| Game | Where to Find Raichu |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Ruby |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu or trade from another game. |
 Pokemon Sapphire |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu or trade from another game. |
 Pokemon Emerald |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu or trade from another game. |
 Pokemon FireRed |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
 Pokemon LeafGreen |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
| Game | Where to Find Raichu |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Diamond |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
 Pokemon Pearl |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
 Pokemon Platinum |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
 Pokemon HeartGold |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
 Pokemon SoulSilver |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
| Game | Where to Find Raichu |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Black |
Transfer from another game. |
 Pokemon White |
Transfer from another game. |
 Pokemon Black 2 |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu or transfer from another game. |
 Pokemon White 2 |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu or transfer from another game. |
| Game | Where to Find Raichu |
|---|---|
 Pokemon X |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
 Pokemon Y |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
 Pokemon Omega Ruby |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu or trade from another game. |
 Pokemon Alpha Sapphire |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu or trade from another game. |
| Game | Where to Find Raichu |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Sun |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. In Alola, Pikachu evolves into Alolan Raichu. |
 Pokemon Moon |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. In Alola, Pikachu evolves into Alolan Raichu. |
 Pokemon Ultra Sun |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. In Alola, Pikachu evolves into Alolan Raichu. |
 Pokemon Ultra Moon |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. In Alola, Pikachu evolves into Alolan Raichu. |
 Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu |
Trade from another game. The partner Pikachu does not evolve. |
 Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
| Game | Where to Find Raichu |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Sword |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. Raichu can also be obtained through supported raids, trades or transfer. |
 Pokemon Shield |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. Raichu can also be obtained through supported raids, trades or transfer. |
 Pokemon Brilliant Diamond |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
 Pokemon Shining Pearl |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
 Pokemon Legends: Arceus |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. |
| Game | Where to Find Raichu |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Scarlet |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. Alolan Raichu requires supported transfer or special event availability. |
 Pokemon Violet |
Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. Alolan Raichu requires supported transfer or special event availability. |
 Pokemon Legends Z-A |
Can be caught in the middle of Wild Zone 20 after Main Mission 38 as a possible Alpha Pokemon. Raichu can also be obtained by evolving Pikachu with a Thunder Stone. |
| Game | Where to Find Raichu |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Winds and Waves |
Coming soon once official location, encounter or transfer information is confirmed. |
Alolan Raichu is Raichu’s regional form from Alola. It changes Raichu from a pure Electric-type Pokemon into an Electric and Psychic-type Pokemon and is known for riding on its tail with psychic power.
Category
Mouse Pokemon
Type
Electric / Psychic
Height
2’04”
Weight
46.3 lbs
Alolan Raichu has the Surge Surfer ability, which doubles its Speed while Electric Terrain is active. This makes it a notable alternate form for fast Electric and Psychic offense, speed control and Pokemon Champions coverage.
Raichu is part of The Game Haus Pokemon coverage, including Pokemon guides, Pokemon Champions coverage and future Pokemon game updates.
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Here are quick answers to common questions about Raichu. This FAQ is visible on-page content only and does not use FAQ schema markup.
Raichu is an Electric-type Pokemon. Alolan Raichu is Electric and Psychic-type.
Raichu is weak to Ground-type moves. Alolan Raichu is weak to Ground, Bug, Ghost and Dark-type moves.
Raichu evolves from Pikachu when exposed to a Thunder Stone. Pikachu evolves from Pichu with high friendship.
Raichu’s abilities are Static and Lightning Rod. Alolan Raichu has Surge Surfer.
Raichu’s best moves often include Thunderbolt, Volt Switch, Nuzzle, Fake Out, Focus Blast, Grass Knot, Thunder Wave and Volt Tackle.
Yes, Raichu can be useful because of its Speed, Electric-type damage and support moves like Fake Out, Nuzzle, Thunder Wave and Volt Switch.
The most common way to get Raichu is to use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu after obtaining Pikachu or evolving Pichu into Pikachu.
Yes, Raichu has Alolan Raichu, a regional form that is Electric and Psychic-type.
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