How did Ash's Pikachu knock out Onix with an electric type attack?

Question

This makes no sense, so someone please explain.

Comments

This question should be in the anime FAQ not in the pokebase section

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Not your call to make dude. This is fine.
This is in the anime FAQ but it’s not like we’re going to remove every single question on anime simply because it could belong on one meta thread.

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fair enough

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Wait... why didn't you use that as an answer?

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The power of anime logic is too strong. Also, Olli, That seems extremely reminiscent of the move soak, which would make sense because...

Answer 1

Onix was doused with water using the sprinklers.
Water conducts electricity. Water also weakens onix who is Ground/Rock.

The water negates the immunity, something that is absent from the game but kinda makes sense in real life logic.

Hope I helped :)

Comments

It "exists" in the game in the form of the move soak :P

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Oh, now I get it. Thanks!

Answer 2

This question is quite old. But seeing that it has no selected answer, I thought I'd help by giving a rational explanation even from the game's point of view.

Pikachu's electric attacks have no effect on any ground type Pokemon. However, there are certain attacks that change the type of the opposing Pokemon. This includes Soak - a move that changes the opponent's type to the water type.

We can assume that Pikachu used the move soak in a variation when it set off the sprinkler system because of the fire. This also explains why it took only a few thundershocks to take out Onix, which has respectable special defence in the early game.

Hope I helped you gamers!

Answer 3

Ground types are immune to electric type attacks, whereas rock types are not. They're only strong against electric types. Its not impossible to defeat a rock type with electric type moves.

Comments

Except Onix is part Ground?