TL;DR. Pikachu is a pure electric-type Pokémon from Generation I. Base Stat Total: 320. When several of these POKéMON gather, their electricity could build and cause lightning storms.
When several of these POKéMON gather, their electricity could build and cause lightning storms.
Stat spread.
Total of 320. 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.
Pikachu 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, Pikachu reaches 938 CP at level 40 and 1,073 CP as a best buddy.
Run the numbers: CP & HP calculator · PvP IV optimizer · Catch CP calculator
Shiny release
Shiny Pikachu first appeared on August 9, 2017 (Pikachu Outbreak).
- Japan
- worldwide
- Alolan Raichu
- Raichu by encounter
- Dynamax
- Gigantamax Pikachu
- Mega Raichu X & Mega Raichu Y
Recent raid runs
Last in raids: Oct 4 to Oct 10, 2026, 1-star (Astronaut).
| Dates | Raid | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 4 to Oct 10, 2026 | 1-starAstronaut | World Space Week 2026 |
| Sep 16 to Sep 22, 2026 | 1-starCaptain Pikachu | Pokémon Horizons: The Series Celebration Event |
| Aug 28 to Aug 30, 2026 | 1-star2026 World Championships | 2026 Pokémon World Championships |
| Aug 25 to Aug 30, 2026 | 1-starCosmog-themed Spacesuit | PokémonXP · 2026 Pokémon World Championships |
| Jul 28 to Jul 29, 2026 | 1-star | Regular rotation |
| Jul 21, 2026 | 1-starProfessor Willow's Assistant | Willow's Birthday Research |
Common questions about Pikachu.
Direct, sourced answers to the most-asked questions about Pikachu, each computed straight from its Pokédex data.
What type is Pikachu?
Pikachu is a pure Electric-type Pokémon. It has a single typing, which means a simpler matchup chart but also fewer resistances.
What is Pikachu weak to?
Pikachu takes 2× damage from Ground. It has no 4× weaknesses.
What is Pikachu resistant to?
Pikachu resists Electric, Flying, Steel. It has no full immunities.
How does Pikachu evolve?
Pikachu evolves from Pichu (Friendship). Pikachu evolves into Raichu (Use Thunder Stone) or Alolan Raichu (Use Thunder Stone in Alola) or Alolan Raichu (Use Thunder Stone in Alola (yields Alolan Raichu)) or Gigantamax Pikachu (Gigantamax in Pokemon Sword / Shield (Dynamax level 10, battle-only)).
What generation is Pikachu from?
Pikachu was introduced in Generation I (the Kanto region). Its Pokédex number is #0025.
What are Pikachu's base stats?
Pikachu has HP 35, Attack 55, Defense 40, Special Attack 50, Special Defense 50, and Speed 90. Total base stat total: 320.
What are Pikachu's abilities?
Pikachu can have the ability Static, plus the Hidden Ability Lightning Rod.
Is Pikachu legendary or mythical?
No. Pikachu is a regular Pokémon, not classified as Legendary or Mythical.
What is Pikachu's best stat?
Pikachu's highest base stat is Speed at 90, which ranks 31st of 69 Electric-type Pokémon.
Is Pikachu good?
Pikachu has a base stat total of 320, the 772nd-highest of all 1025 Pokémon species and 56th among Electric-types. That is a modest total, typical of an unevolved or utility Pokémon.
Does Pikachu's ability change its weaknesses?
Yes. Static does not change its matchups. With Lightning Rod, Electric moves raise its Sp. Atk instead of doing damage.
This Pokémon has forms.
Through the generations.
Pikachu 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 Pikachu is hit by each attacking type. 4× is two stacked weaknesses, ¼× is two stacked resistances. Some abilities change them; pick one to see its chart.
Static: does not change its type matchups.
Lightning Rod: Electric moves raise its Sp. Atk instead of doing damage.
Pikachu vs. the average Electric-type.
Each base stat measured against the mean across all 69 Electric-type Pokémon.
| Stat | Pikachu | Electric avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP | 35 | 69 | -34 |
| Attack | 55 | 75 | -20 |
| Defense | 40 | 65 | -25 |
| Special Attack | 50 | 84 | -34 |
| Special Defense | 50 | 68 | -18 |
| Speed | 90 | 82 | +8 |
| Total | 320 | 443 | -123 |
Pikachu appears in 42 games.
Every mainline release where Pikachu is obtainable, has a dex entry, or is transferable. Grouped by generation.
- 1998 Blue
- 1998 Red
- 1999 Yellow
- 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
- 2016 Moon
- 2016 Sun
- 2017 Ultra Moon
- 2017 Ultra Sun
- 2018 Let's Go, Eevee!
- 2018 Let's Go, Pikachu!
- 2019 Shield
- 2019 Sword
- 2020 Isle of Armor DLC
- 2022 Legends: Arceus
- 2022 Scarlet
- 2022 Violet
- 2023 Teal Mask DLC
- 2025 Legends: Z-A
- 2026 Pokémon Champions
- 2026 Pokémon Pokopia
- 2016 Pokémon GO
- 2021 Pokémon UNITE
How to get Pikachu.
Every main-series game Pikachu is in, newest first: how to get it, version exclusives and Shiny locks.
Generation IXObtainable
- Scarlet · VioletObtainable
- WildSouth Province: Area Two, Area Four, Artazon
- WildEast Province: Area One
- WildWest Province: Area Three
- RaidTera Raid Battles (2★, 3★)
- WildKitakami Road, Apple Hills, Oni Mountain, Wistful Fields, Paradise Barrens, Kitakami Wilds, Timeless Woods (The Teal Mask)
- Legends: Z-AObtainable
- WildVert District: Vert Sector 8
- WildRouge District: Wild Zone 3
- WildJaune District: Wild Zone 6 (Alpha)
- WildHyperspace Lumiose (2★ & 4★ Electric-type wild zones) (Mega Dimension)
Generation VIIIObtainable
- Sword · ShieldObtainable
- WildRoute 4, Stony Wilderness
- WildRolling Fields (Wanderer)
- RaidGiant's Cap, Giant's Mirror, Hammerlocke Hills, Lake of Outrage, Motostoke Riverbank (Max Raid Battle)
- One-time encounterMeetup Spot (Only one) (If the player has save data from Pokémon: Let's Go Pikachu!) (Gigantamax Factor) (cannot be Shiny)
- WildForest of Focus (The Isle of Armor)
- WildFields of Honor, Soothing Wetlands (Wanderer) (The Isle of Armor)
- RaidChallenge Beach, Fields of Honor, Forest of Focus (Max Raid Battle) (The Isle of Armor)
- Brilliant Diamond · Shining PearlObtainable
- WildTrophy Garden
- Legends: ArceusObtainable
- WildObsidian Fieldlands: Nature's Pantry, massive mass outbreaks
- WildCrimson Mirelands: near Golden Lowlands
- WildCobalt Coastlands: Windbreak Stand
- WildAlabaster Icelands: Space-time distortions
Generation VIIObtainable
- Sun · MoonObtainable
- WildRoute 1, Hau'oli City (SOS Battle)
- Ultra Sun · Ultra MoonObtainable
- WildRoute 1 (SOS Battle)
- One-time encounterHeahea City (Surf Association, Only one)
- WildPikachu Valley (QR Scanner) (Partner Cap Pikachu)
- Let's Go, Pikachu!Obtainable
- WildViridian Forest (Pikachu)
- GiftFirst Pokémon from Professor Oak in Pallet Town (Partner Pikachu) (cannot be Shiny)
- Let's Go, Eevee!Obtainable
- WildViridian Forest
Generation VIObtainable
- X · YObtainable
- WildSantalune Forest, Route 3
- WildFriend Safari (Electric) (needs another player)
- Omega Ruby · Alpha SapphireObtainable
- WildSafari Zone (Zone 1, long grass)
- GiftReceived at the Contest Hall in Verdanturf Town, Fallarbor Town, Slateport City, or Lilycove City after first Pokémon Contest (Cosplay Pikachu) (cannot be Shiny)
Generation VEvent only
- Black · White · Black 2 · White 2Event only
- TransferPoké Transfer
Generation IVObtainable
- Diamond · Pearl · PlatinumObtainable
- WildTrophy Garden
- HeartGold · SoulSilverObtainable
- WildViridian Forest
- In-game tradeTrade Pikachu in Saffron City
Generation IIIObtainable
- Ruby · Sapphire · EmeraldObtainable
- WildSafari Zone
- FireRed · LeafGreenObtainable
- WildViridian Forest, Power Plant
Generation IIObtainable
- Gold · SilverObtainable
- WildRoute 2
- CrystalObtainable
- WildRoute 2 (morning) (day)
- GiftCeladon Game Corner
Generation IObtainable
- Red · BlueObtainable
- WildViridian Forest, Power Plant
- YellowObtainable
- GiftFirst Pokémon from Professor Oak in Pallet Town
- Pokémon HOME
- Send it to HOME from Pokémon Bank; Let's Go, Pikachu!; Let's Go, Eevee!; Sword; Shield; Brilliant Diamond; Shining Pearl; Legends: Arceus; Scarlet; Violet; Legends: Z-A; FireRed; and LeafGreen. From HOME it can move into Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Legends: Arceus, Scarlet, Violet and Legends: Z-A.
- Pokémon Champions
- Legal in Regulation M-A, M-B and M-C. It can be brought in from HOME.
Pikachu appears in 1,351 episodes.
From EP001 (1997-04-01) through HZ138 (2026-05-29).
Pokémon Masters EX · Sync Pairs
Pikachu partners with 6 trainers in Masters EX.
Each card is a canon Trainer + Pikachu partnership. Tap any pair to open the Sync Pair catalog and explore the full roster.
Pokémon Sleep · Snoozing type
Pikachu has 4 sleep styles.
Catch each pose by sleeping near Snorlax with enough Drowsy Power. Pikachu sleeps as a Snoozing type.
TCG Pocket appearances
Pikachu in TCG Pocket.
Every printed variant on iOS / Android. Tap any card for full art.
Pokémon like Pikachu
Closest matches by typing, role, stats, and lore, from the same semantic search that powers the Reverse Dex.