Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Raichu
Say it: RYE-choo
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Raichu is the Mouse Pokémon — Electric from Pichu → Pikachu → Raichu. In Pokémon GO it is an Electric attacker with Volt Switch + Wild Charge / Surf. Electric helps against Water and Flying; Ground hits Electric hard. Evolve Pikachu with a Thunder Stone or catch Raichu from events. Alolan Raichu is Electric / Psychic — see that form.
Say it: RYE-choo
Raichu (#026) is an Electric Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the Kanto evolution of Pikachu. Trainers use it as an Electric attacker with Volt Switch / Spark / Charm / Thunder Shock + Brick Break / Thunder Punch / Wild Charge / Skull Bash / Trailblaze / Surf. Against Raichu, lead with Ground. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Raichu is a Electric-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0026. Electric counters dominate Water raids — pair with weather when possible.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Volt Switch + Wild Charge / Surf is the Electric kit. Shadow Raichu is the raid DPS lean — remove Frustration before investing. No Community Day exclusive is required on Kanto Raichu.
Type matchups
- Electric moves hit Water and Flying hard.
When Raichu is your opponent, Ground hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 193
- Defense
- 151
- Stamina
- 155
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Primal Groudon · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Precipice Blades
- 2. Shadow Excadrill · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Drill Run
- 3. Landorus (Therian) · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earthquake
- 4. Excadrill · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Drill Run
- 5. Garchomp · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earthquake
- 6. Shadow Mamoswine · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + High Horsepower
- 7. Rhyperior · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earthquake
- 8. Groudon · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Precipice Blades
- 9. Krookodile · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earthquake
- 10. Golurk · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earth Power
- 11. Flygon · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earthquake
- 12. Donphan · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earthquake
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Rhyperior · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earthquake
- 2. Donphan · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earthquake
- 3. Flygon · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earthquake
- 4. Golem · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earthquake
- 5. Sandslash · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earthquake
- 6. Hippowdon · beats Ground
Sand Tomb + Earth Power
- 7. Seismitoad · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earth Power
- 8. Quagsire · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earthquake
- 9. Gastrodon · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earth Power
- 10. Camerupt · beats Ground
Rock Throw + Earth Power
- 11. Dugtrio · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earthquake
- 12. Marowak · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Bone Club
Recommended moves
Game Master “moves in GO” lists Kanto Raichu’s always-available TM pool. Volt Switch + Wild Charge covers Electric raid needs.
Fast
- Volt Switch · Standard
Electric energy / default
- Spark · Standard
Electric alternate
- Thunder Shock · Standard
Electric STAB
- Charm · Standard
Fairy damage
Charged
- Wild Charge · Standard
Best Electric nuke
- Surf · Standard
Water coverage
- Thunder Punch · Standard
Electric / bait
- Brick Break · Standard
Fighting coverage
- Trailblaze · Standard
Grass coverage
- Skull Bash · Standard
Normal coverage
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- volt switch
- spark
- charm
- thunder shock
Charged
- brick break
- thunder punch
- wild charge
- skull bash
- trailblaze
- surf
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #61 of 954 · CP 1496
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- Ultra League · rank #64 of 747 · CP 2467
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- Master League · rank #232 of 1023 · CP 2467
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
Raid attacker roles
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.