TL;DR. Raikou is a pure electric-type Pokémon from Generation II. Base Stat Total: 580. The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
Stat spread.
Total of 580. Higher peaks mean specialized roles, flat spreads favor versatility.
Rankings computed across all 1025 base-species Pokémon (Mega and Gigantamax forms excluded). Source: National Pokédex base stats.
Raikou in Pokémon GO.
Pokémon GO uses its own hand-tuned base stats, distinct from the main-series spread above. At a perfect 15/15/15, Raikou reaches 3,452 CP at level 40 and 3,949 CP as a best buddy.
Run the numbers: CP & HP calculator · PvP IV optimizer · Catch CP calculator
Shiny release
Shiny Raikou first appeared on June 29, 2019, during Global Research Challenge 2019 reward.
- Raikou
- Shadow
- Dynamax
Recent raid runs
Last in raids: Jul 11, 2026, 5-star.
| Dates | Raid | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 2026 | 5-star | Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global |
| Jul 6, 2026 | 5-star | The Road of Legends |
| Jan 24, 2026 | Shadow 5-star | Raikou Shadow Raid Day |
| Nov 4 to Nov 9, 2025 | 5-star | Enchanted Hollow |
| Aug 21 to Aug 22, 2025 | Shadow 5-star | Regular rotation |
| Mar 15 to Mar 16, 2025 | Shadow 5-star | Dynamax Raikou Max Battle Weekend · Dynamax debut |
Raikou in competitive play.
Raikou is a Generation 9 RU-tier pick in Smogon singles. In Pokémon GO it ranks #157 in the Great League.
Build around it: GO PvP IV optimizer · Team builder · Ask Dia
Sets and GO ranks last checked 2026-10-20.
Common questions about Raikou.
Direct, sourced answers to the most-asked questions about Raikou, each computed straight from its Pokédex data.
What type is Raikou?
Raikou is a pure Electric-type Pokémon. It has a single typing, which means a simpler matchup chart but also fewer resistances.
What is Raikou weak to?
Raikou takes 2× damage from Ground. It has no 4× weaknesses.
What is Raikou resistant to?
Raikou resists Electric, Flying, Steel. It has no full immunities.
Does Raikou evolve?
Raikou does not evolve and does not evolve from another Pokémon. it's a standalone species.
What generation is Raikou from?
Raikou was introduced in Generation II (the Johto region). Its Pokédex number is #0243.
What are Raikou's base stats?
Raikou has HP 90, Attack 85, Defense 75, Special Attack 115, Special Defense 100, and Speed 115. Total base stat total: 580.
What are Raikou's abilities?
Raikou can have the ability Pressure, plus the Hidden Ability Inner Focus.
Is Raikou legendary or mythical?
Yes. Raikou is classified as a Legendary Pokémon. Legendaries are typically one-per-game and central to that game's main story.
What is Raikou's best stat?
Raikou's highest base stat is Special Attack at 115, which ranks 11th of 69 Electric-type Pokémon.
Is Raikou good?
Raikou has a base stat total of 580, the 69th-highest of all 1025 Pokémon species and 5th among Electric-types. That is a strong, fully-evolved stat spread.
Does Raikou's ability change its weaknesses?
No. Pressure and Inner Focus do not change its type matchups. In Generations V and VI, Raikou’s Hidden Ability was Volt Absorb, which made it immune to Electric moves. From Generation VII it is Inner Focus.
Through the generations.
Raikou as drawn across two decades of Pokémon games, plus the modern Pokémon HOME render. Hit the cry button to hear it.
In battle.
Damage multipliers when Raikou is hit by each attacking type. 4× is two stacked weaknesses, ¼× is two stacked resistances.
In Generations V and VI, Raikou’s Hidden Ability was Volt Absorb, which made it immune to Electric moves. From Generation VII it is Inner Focus.
Raikou vs. the average Electric-type.
Each base stat measured against the mean across all 69 Electric-type Pokémon.
| Stat | Raikou | Electric avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP | 90 | 69 | +21 |
| Attack | 85 | 75 | +10 |
| Defense | 75 | 65 | +10 |
| Special Attack | 115 | 84 | +31 |
| Special Defense | 100 | 68 | +32 |
| Speed | 115 | 82 | +33 |
| Total | 580 | 443 | +137 |
Raikou appears in 23 games.
Every mainline release where Raikou is obtainable, has a dex entry, or is transferable. Grouped by generation.
- 2000 Gold
- 2000 Silver
- 2001 Crystal
- 2003 Ruby
- 2003 Sapphire
- 2004 FireRed
- 2004 LeafGreen
- 2005 Emerald
- 2007 Diamond
- 2007 Pearl
- 2009 Platinum
- 2010 HeartGold
- 2010 SoulSilver
- 2011 Black
- 2011 White
- 2012 Black 2
- 2012 White 2
- 2013 X
- 2013 Y
- 2014 Alpha Sapphire
- 2014 Omega Ruby
- 2026 Pokémon Pokopia
- 2016 Pokémon GO
How to get Raikou.
Every main-series game Raikou is in, newest first: how to get it, version exclusives and Shiny locks.
Generation IXObtainableNot in the game
- Scarlet · VioletObtainable
- Trade(Version 3.0.0+)
- One-time encounterWest Province (Area One), after receiving the Raikou Treat from Snacksworth (Only one) (The Indigo Disk)
- Legends: Z-ANot in the game
Generation VIIIObtainableTradeNot in the game
- Sword · ShieldObtainable
- Trade(Version 1.3.0+)
- RaidMax Lair (Dynamax Adventure) (Only one) (The Crown Tundra)
- Brilliant DiamondObtainable
- One-time encounterRamanas Park (requires Johto Slate) (Only one)
- Shining PearlTrade
- Legends: ArceusNot in the game
Generation VIIObtainableTradeNot in the game
- SunTrade
- MoonTrade
- Event
- Ultra SunObtainable
- One-time encounterUltra Space Wilds (Rocky World) (Only one)
- Ultra MoonTrade
- Event
- Let's Go, Pikachu! · Let's Go, Eevee!Not in the game
Generation VIObtainableTrade
- X · YTrade
- Omega Ruby · Alpha SapphireObtainable
- One-time encounterTrackless Forest (requires Ho-Oh or Lugia in the party) (Only one)
Generation VTransfer only
- Black · WhiteTransfer only
- TransferPoké Transfer
- TransferRelocator (Shiny event Raikou only)
- Black 2 · White 2Transfer only
- TransferPoké Transfer
Generation IVObtainableTrade
- Diamond · Pearl · PlatinumTrade
- Event
- HeartGold · SoulSilverObtainable
- One-time encounterRoaming Johto (Only one)
Generation IIIObtainableTrade
- Ruby · Sapphire · EmeraldTrade
- Event
- FireRed · LeafGreenObtainable
- One-time encounterRoaming Kanto (if the chose Squirtle) (Only one)
Generation IIObtainable
- Gold · Silver · CrystalObtainable
- One-time encounterRoaming Johto (Only one)
- Pokémon HOME
- Send it to HOME from Pokémon Bank, Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Scarlet, Violet, FireRed and LeafGreen. From HOME it can move into Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Scarlet and Violet.
- Pokémon Champions
- Not on the roster.
Raikou appears in 3 episodes.
From EP182 (2001-01-11) through DP137 (2009-08-06).
Pokémon Masters EX · Sync Pairs
Raikou partners with 1 trainer in Masters EX.
Each card is a canon Trainer + Raikou partnership. Tap any pair to open the Sync Pair catalog and explore the full roster.
Pokémon Sleep · Snoozing type
Raikou has 4 sleep styles.
Catch each pose by sleeping near Snorlax with enough Drowsy Power. Raikou sleeps as a Snoozing type.
TCG Pocket appearances
Raikou in TCG Pocket.
Every printed variant on iOS / Android. Tap any card for full art.
Pokémon like Raikou
Closest matches by typing, role, stats, and lore, from the same semantic search that powers the Reverse Dex.