Raikou (#0243) – Stats, Moves, Evolution & Competitive Sets

Base stats

HP90150–197290–384

Atk8581–150157–295

Def7572–139139–273

SpA115108–183211–361

SpD10094–167184–328

Spe115108–183211–361

Total580Higher than 91% of all Pokémon

Ranges: 0 IV/EV with a hindering nature to 31 IV/252 EV with a helpful nature. EV yield: 1 SpA, 2 Spe.

Stat calculatorChampions Stat Points & Stat Alignment, or EVs, IVs & nature

Speed tiers

Speed at Lv 50 in Pokémon Champions (base 115). Scarf and Tailwind use the Max+ value.

Max+183Max167No SP135Min121Scarf274Tailwind366

At max Speed, Raikou outspeeds 25 of the 30 most used Pokémon in Champions VGC.

Others at their most common Speed investment in Champions VGC (Reg M-C · Doubles, Sep 2026); Pokémon holding a Mega Stone are shown as their Mega.

Type matchups

Weak to

Ground2×

Resists

Electric½×Flying½×Steel½×

Takes normal damage from 14 types

NormalFightingPoisonRockBugGhostFireWaterGrassPsychicIceDragonDarkFairy

Abilities

Pressure
Increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one.
Inner FocusHidden ability
Prevents flinching.

Competitive

SV SinglesNUSV Doubles(DUU)National DexRU

6.12% of teams · rank #36 · Singles · 1630+ rating · 6,316 battles · Sep 2026

Most common build

Item: Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Ghost

Thunderbolt
Volt Switch
Scald
Calm Mind

Each part is the most used on its own, so not every team runs this exact set.

Usage by rating

All players8.75%
Rated 1500+8.49%
Rated 1630+6.12%
Rated 1760+4%

Usage by month

Oct 20256.12%

Moves

Thunderbolt82.2%
Volt Switch78.4%
Scald69.4%
Calm Mind60.4%
Shadow Ball46.1%
Aura Sphere35.7%
Substitute10.5%
Discharge3.8%
Weather Ball3.2%
Thunder2.7%

Items

Heavy-Duty Boots54.4%
Leftovers18.9%
Choice Specs8%
Choice Scarf6.2%
Life Orb5.2%
Assault Vest3.7%

Abilities

56.1%
43.9%

EV spreads

Timid 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe50.1%
Timid 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe30.1%
Timid 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe11%
Timid 48 HP / 208 SpA / 252 Spe2.3%
Modest 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe2%

Tera types

Ghost36.7%
Flying21.6%
Water20.7%
Electric14.4%

Common teammates

Evolution

Raikou does not evolve.

Moves

Game Sort Type

Level up 18

1ChargeRaises the user’s Special Defense by one stage. User’s Electric moves have doubled power next turn.ElectricStatus——20

1Extreme SpeedInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.NormalPhys80100%5

1LeerLowers the target’s Defense by one stage.NormalStatus—100%30

1Quick AttackInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.NormalPhys40100%30

1Thunder ShockHas a 10% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec40100%30

6SparkHas a 30% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricPhys65100%20

12BiteHas a 30% chance to make the target flinch.DarkPhys60100%25

18Calm MindRaises the user’s Special Attack and Special Defense by one stage.PsychicStatus——20

24RoarImmediately ends wild battles. Forces trainers to switch Pokémon.NormalStatus——20

30Thunder FangHas a 10% chance to paralyze the target and a chance to make the target flinch.ElectricPhys6595%15

36HowlRaises the user’s Attack by one stage.NormalStatus——40

42CrunchHas a 20% chance to lower the target’s Defense by one stage.DarkPhys80100%15

48ExtrasensoryHas a 10% chance to make the target flinch.PsychicSpec80100%20

54DischargeHas a 30% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec80100%15

60ReflectReduces damage from physical attacks by half.PsychicStatus——20

66Rain DanceChanges the weather to rain for five turns.WaterStatus——5

72ThunderHas a 30% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec11070%10

78Zap CannonHas a 100% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec12050%5

TM / HM / TR 46

TM01Take DownUser receives 1/4 the damage it inflicts in recoil.NormalPhys9085%20

TM04AgilityRaises the user’s Speed by two stages.PsychicStatus——30

TM05Mud-SlapHas a 100% chance to lower the target’s accuracy by one stage.GroundSpec20100%10

TM06Scary FaceLowers the target’s Speed by two stages.NormalStatus—100%10

TM07ProtectPrevents any moves from hitting the user this turn.NormalStatus——10

TM09Thunder FangHas a 10% chance to paralyze the target and a chance to make the target flinch.ElectricPhys6595%15

TM20TrailblazeThe user attacks suddenly as if leaping out from tall grass. The user's nimble footwork boosts its Speed stat.GrassPhys50100%20

TM23Charge BeamHas a 70% chance to raise the user’s Special Attack by one stage.ElectricSpec5090%10

TM25FacadePower doubles if user is burned, paralyzed, or poisoned.NormalPhys70100%20

TM30SnarlHas a 100% chance to lower the target’s Special Attack by one stage.DarkSpec5595%15

TM32SwiftNever misses.NormalSpec60—20

TM47EndurePrevents the user’s HP from lowering below 1 this turn.NormalStatus——10

TM48Volt SwitchUser must switch out after attacking.ElectricSpec70100%20

TM49Sunny DayChanges the weather to sunny for five turns.FireStatus——5

TM50Rain DanceChanges the weather to rain for five turns.WaterStatus——5

TM51SandstormChanges the weather to a sandstorm for five turns.RockStatus——10

TM66Body SlamHas a 30% chance to paralyze the target.NormalPhys85100%15

TM70Sleep TalkRandomly uses one of the user’s other three moves. Only works if the user is sleeping.NormalStatus——10

TM72Electro BallPower is higher when the user has greater Speed than the target, up to a maximum of 150.ElectricSpec—100%10

TM74ReflectReduces damage from physical attacks by half.PsychicStatus——20

TM75Light ScreenReduces damage from special attacks by 50% for five turns.PsychicStatus——30

TM82Thunder WaveParalyzes the target.ElectricStatus—90%20

TM85RestUser sleeps for two turns, completely healing itself.PsychicStatus——5

TM96Eerie ImpulseLowers the target’s Special Attack by two stages.ElectricStatus—100%15

TM99Iron HeadHas a 30% chance to make the target flinch.SteelPhys80100%15

TM103SubstituteTransfers 1/4 of the user’s max HP into a doll, protecting the user from further damage or status changes until it breaks.NormalStatus——10

TM108CrunchHas a 20% chance to lower the target’s Defense by one stage.DarkPhys80100%15

TM112Aura SphereNever misses.FightingSpec80—20

TM114Shadow BallHas a 20% chance to lower the target’s Special Defense by one stage.GhostSpec80100%15

TM126ThunderboltHas a 10% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec90100%15

TM129Calm MindRaises the user’s Special Attack and Special Defense by one stage.PsychicStatus——20

TM130Helping HandAlly’s next move inflicts half more damage.NormalStatus——20

TM136Electric TerrainFor five turns, prevents all Pokémon on the ground from sleeping and strengthens their Electric moves to 1.5× their power.ElectricStatus——10

TM147Wild ChargeUser receives 1/4 the damage it inflicts in recoil.ElectricPhys90100%15

TM152Giga ImpactUser foregoes its next turn to recharge.NormalPhys15090%5

TM163Hyper BeamUser foregoes its next turn to recharge.NormalSpec15090%5

TM166ThunderHas a 30% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec11070%10

TM171Tera BlastIf the user has Terastallized, it unleashes energy of its Tera Type. This move inflicts damage using the Attack or Sp. Atk stat—whichever is higher for the user.NormalSpec80100%10

TM172RoarImmediately ends wild battles. Forces trainers to switch Pokémon.NormalStatus——20

TM173ChargeRaises the user’s Special Defense by one stage. User’s Electric moves have doubled power next turn.ElectricStatus——20

TM188ScaldHas a 30% chance to burn the target.WaterSpec80100%15

TM193Weather BallIf there be weather, this move has doubled power and the weather’s type.NormalSpec50100%10

TM204Double-EdgeUser receives 1/3 the damage inflicted in recoil.NormalPhys120100%15

TM210Supercell SlamThe user electrifies its body and drops onto the target to inflict damage. If this move misses, the user takes damage instead.ElectricPhys10095%15

TM211ElectrowebLowers the target’s Speed by one stage.ElectricSpec5595%15

TM221Throat ChopPrevents the target from using sound-based moves for two turns.DarkPhys80100%15

Pokédex entries

Category: Thunder Pokémon
Debut: Johto · Gold & Silver
Color: Yellow
Shape
Habitat: Grassland
Pal Park area: Mountain

Original Johto#238Updated Johto#243

It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back.
Diamond · Pearl · Platinum · Black · White · Black 2 · White 2
This Pokémon races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder.
FireRed
RAIKOU embodies the speed of lightning. Its roars send shock waves shuddering through the air and ground as if lightning bolts were crashing down.
Emerald
RAIKOU embodies the speed of lightning. The roars of this Pokémon send shock waves shuddering through the air and shake the ground as if lightning bolts had come crashing down.
Ruby · Sapphire · Omega Ruby · Alpha Sapphire
This rough Pokémon stores energy inside its body, then sweeps across the land, shooting off electricity.
Crystal · Y
A Pokémon that races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder.
Silver · SoulSilver
The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
Gold · LeafGreen · HeartGold · X

Names around the world

Japanese: ライコウ
Japanese (romaji): Raikou
Korean: 라이코
Chinese (Traditional): 雷公
Chinese (Simplified): 雷公
French: Raikou
German: Raikou
Spanish: Raikou
Italian: Raikou

Sprites

Tap any sprite to show it on the Pokédex above. ▶ marks official animations; Gen VIII–IX models are large, so they load only when you tap them.

Official artwork

3D models

Generation II

Generation III

Generation IV

Generation V

Generation VI

Generation VII

Generation VIII · animated models

Generation IX · animated models

Training

EV yield: 1 SpA, 2 Spe
Catch rate: 3 ≈0.4% with a Poké Ball at full HP
Base friendship: 35
Base experience: 261
Growth rate: Slow

Breeding

Egg groups: Undiscovered
Gender: Genderless
Hatch time: 80 egg cycles ≈20,655 steps (Gen IV–VII)

Where to find

Shield: The Crown Tundra 1 area

Max LairCapture during a Dynamax Adventure. · Lv 70

Sword: The Crown Tundra 1 area

Max LairCapture during a Dynamax Adventure. · Lv 70

Ultra Sun 2 areas

Ultra Space WildsStatic encounter · Lv 60
Ultra Space Wilds Rocky WorldStatic encounter · Lv 60

Alpha Sapphire 1 area

Trackless ForestStatic encounter · Lv 50

Omega Ruby 1 area

Trackless ForestStatic encounter · Lv 50

Colosseum 3 areas

Realgam TowerSnagging a Pokemon from a trainer in Pokemon Colosseum or Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, after you have failed to capture them once. · Lv 40
Shadow Pokémon Lab B2FSnagging a Pokemon from a trainer in Pokemon Colosseum or Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness. · Lv 40
The Under (Deep Colosseum)Snagging a Pokemon from a trainer in Pokemon Colosseum or Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, after you have failed to capture them once. · Lv 40

SoulSilver 1 area

Wandert durch JohtoOn any overworld patch of grass · Lv 40

HeartGold 1 area

Wandert durch JohtoOn any overworld patch of grass · Lv 40

LeafGreen 1 area

Roaming KantoOn any overworld patch of grass · Lv 50

FireRed 1 area

Roaming KantoOn any overworld patch of grass · Lv 50

Crystal 1 area

Wandert durch JohtoOn any overworld patch of grass · Lv 40

Silver 1 area

Wandert durch JohtoOn any overworld patch of grass · Lv 40

Gold 1 area

Wandert durch JohtoOn any overworld patch of grass · Lv 40