How to Evolve Pikachu

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Pikachu evolves into Raichu when exposed to a Thunder Stone. This evolution method has remained unchanged since Generation 1. Leveling up Pikachu will never trigger the evolution, meaning you control exactly when the transition happens.

You can apply the Thunder Stone at level 1 or level 100. In modern games like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Thunder Stones are easily purchased at Delibird Presents stores in major cities like Mesagoza after earning three Gym Badges. They also spawn as sparkling drops in the West Province (Area One).

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the Digging Duo in the Wild Area can excavate them, or you can find a fixed spawn at the Lake of Outrage. Once the stone is in your bag, select it and use it directly on Pikachu.

The region where you use the Thunder Stone dictates the resulting Raichu form. Using the stone in any standard region (Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Galar, Paldea) produces the standard Electric-type Kantonian Raichu.

If you use the Thunder Stone on Pikachu within the Alola region (Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon), it evolves into Alolan Raichu. This variant gains the Psychic typing and the Surge Surfer ability, which doubles its Speed on Electric Terrain.

In games outside Alola, acquiring an Alolan Raichu requires evolving a Pikachu in a Generation 7 game and transferring it via Pokémon HOME. In the Scarlet and Violet DLC, transferring an Alolan Raichu is the only way to use it, as Paldean Thunder Stones will always yield the Kantonian form.

Evolving Pikachu is not a strict upgrade due to a specific held item: the Light Ball. When held by Pikachu, this item doubles both its base Attack and Special Attack stats. A Light Ball Pikachu hits significantly harder than a standard Raichu.

However, Pikachu's base Speed is only 90, and its defensive stats are abysmal. It cannot take a single neutral hit in competitive play. Raichu boasts a base Speed of 110, allowing it to outspeed common threats like Garchomp or Charizard that would easily OHKO Pikachu.

Raichu also gains access to slightly better bulk, though it remains fragile. The choice comes down to raw wall-breaking power (Pikachu) versus a faster, more reliable pivot (Raichu). Raichu can hold items like Heavy-Duty Boots, Choice Scarf, or Focus Sash, granting it tactical flexibility that Pikachu lacks.

Rating: 6/10. Raichu functions best as a fast pivot or a niche support Pokémon in Doubles (VGC). Its access to Fake Out and the Lightning Rod ability make it an excellent partner for water-types, absorbing Electric attacks aimed at teammates like Gyarados or Pelipper.

As a sweeper, Raichu lacks the raw Special Attack (base 90) to break through dedicated special walls like Blissey or Ting-Lu. It excels against hyper-offense teams where its base 110 Speed and access to Volt Switch allow it to maintain momentum.

• Pros: Excellent Speed tier, Lightning Rod provides valuable immunity, great utility movepool (Fake Out, Nuzzle, Encore).
• Cons: Mediocre offensive stats without setup, highly vulnerable to priority moves, outclassed by faster Electric-types like Regieleki or Tapu Koko.

Evolve Pikachu into Raichu if you need a fast utility pivot for VGC. Keep Pikachu unevolved with a Light Ball only if you are playing lower tiers or in-game campaigns where you can guarantee it attacks first.

Certain Pikachu variants are hard-coded to reject the Thunder Stone. The Partner Pikachu from Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! refuses to evolve, retaining its boosted base stats and exclusive moves like Zippy Zap.

Similarly, any Pikachu with the Gigantamax factor in Sword and Shield cannot evolve. If you want a Raichu, you must feed the Gigantamax Pikachu Max Soup to remove the G-Max factor, after which the Thunder Stone will work.

Cosplay Pikachu from Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, as well as the various Ash Hat Pikachu distributed via events, are also permanently locked out of evolving.