- Electric-types have only one weakness: Ground-type moves.
- Ground-type Pokémon are completely immune to all Electric-type attacks, making them the ultimate counter.
- Beware of dual-typing and coverage moves like Ice Beam or Grass Knot, which can surprise would-be counters.
TYPE EFFECTIVENESS
Mastering the Electric-Type Matchup
Electric-type Pokémon are renowned for their incredible Speed and powerful special attacks, often capable of paralyzing opponents with moves like Thunderbolt. However, their straightforward typing presents a clear and exploitable weakness. Understanding this is key to victory.
The single most effective way to deal with an Electric-type is by using Ground-type Pokémon and moves. Ground is the only type that deals super-effective damage to Electric Pokémon. More importantly, Ground-types possess a complete immunity to Electric-type attacks, meaning they can switch in safely on an anticipated Volt Switch or Thunderbolt and take zero damage. This makes Pokémon like Garchomp, Landorus-Therian, and Excadrill prime candidates for your team.
While Ground is the only weakness, other types can effectively resist Electric attacks. Grass and Dragon types, along with Electric-types themselves, take reduced damage from Electric moves. This can be useful for defensively walling an opponent while you set up.
The real challenge comes from dual-type Electric Pokémon, which can neutralize their Ground weakness. For example, an Electric/Flying Pokémon like Zapdos or Thundurus is immune to Ground attacks thanks to its Flying type, gaining weaknesses to Rock and Ice instead. An Electric/Water type like Rotom-Wash is only weak to Grass and Ground. To accurately determine the weaknesses of these complex combinations, our embedded DualTypeCalculator is an invaluable tool. Simply input the two types to see a full breakdown of their defensive matchups.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the single best counter for Electric-type Pokémon?
The Ground type is unequivocally the best counter. Ground-type moves are super-effective, and Ground-type Pokémon are completely immune to Electric attacks, allowing them to switch in for free and threaten a knockout blow.
Can an Electric-type Pokémon avoid its weakness to Ground?
Yes. An Electric-type with a secondary Flying type (like Zapdos) or the Levitate ability (like Rotom or Eelektross) is immune to Ground-type moves. In these cases, you must target their other weaknesses, such as Rock or Ice for a Flying-type.