What is a good moveset for Pikachu?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Pikachu, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. (We're making this one exempt from the pre-evolutions rule, since Pikachu is very popular.)

Be sure to include full set details in your post, e.g. items, abilties, natures and EVs. Some detail, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Pikachu Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Comments

It's still going to function like raichu fir the most part, just with light ball.

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why is this allowed

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because pikachu serves a different role than raichu
also, this was asked 9 years ago, they would've hid it if it was against the rules

Answer 1

Oh great, a yellow rat.

Physical #1: All-Out

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Static
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Volt Tackle (STAB)
- Iron Tail (Risky accuracy)
- Brick Break (Coverage)
- Dig (Avoid using near an Earthquaker XD)

Physical #2: Average Power

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Static
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thunder Punch (No recoil!)
- Brick Break (Coverage)
- Quick Attack (Always nice to have some sort of priority)
- Dig (Again, avoid Earthquakers)

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Special!

Special #1: Nasty Plot

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Static
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Nasty Plot (Just let him get one...)
- Thunderbolt (STAB)
- Grass Knot (Coverage)
- Hidden Power [Ice] / Signal Beam (Coverage)

Special #2: Agility

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Static
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Agility (Boosts Speed)
- Electro Ball (Powered up by Agility)
- Grass Knot (No Ground-types for me!)
- Hidden Power [Ice] / Signal Beam (Coverage)
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Comments

Make sure they don't use Earthquake when they Dig, since EQ does Double Damage when they're underground.

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With Pikachu, it won't really matter. It's gonna die either way.

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How did you got a Light Ball to your Pikachu? I heard that the only way is through Dream World but thats really rare...

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i just grabbed 100 quick balls and went on a pika Poaching spree!
the viridian Pikachu are now all gone!

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I like those sets

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pikachu cant learn iron tail. only in the anime it can.

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The thing is it could still get some major damage

Answer 2

Special Attacker

Pikachu @ Light Ball

Ability: Lightning Rod
Evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
~ Substitute
~ Nasty Plot
~ Thunderbolt
~ Hidden Power Ice

She can do good on a Rain team as well, just replace Thunderbolt with Thunder. Hidden Power [Ice] covers Grass and Ground that Pikachu can't hit with a Thunderbolt. Substitute to use when you think someone is going to switch and then you can set up Nasty Plot to do even more damage.

Comments

I like it

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thanks

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why female? i like it though

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its female as it has heart shaped tail           you can see gender deferences on bulbapedia downside one is male see tail

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awesome!

Answer 3

Pikachu (M) @ Light Ball

Ability: Static
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -SAtk)

• Fake Out
• Endure
• Reversal
• Thunder Punch

Comments

Pikachu sucks xD

Answer 4

Special:

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Static
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt (STAB)
- Nasty Plot (Boost up)
- Grass Knot (Really good coverage)
- Swagger (Causes confusion, which lets you stack Nasty Plots)

Answer 5

Pikachu @ Light Ball

Trait: Lightningrod
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)

• Substitute
• Hidden Power [Ice]
• Grass Knot
• Thunderbolt

Comments

for my game his hidden power is electric
i cant find grass Knot

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Pretty good Pikachu. +1

Answer 6

How did I NOT answer this?

Physical Attacker

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Jolly Nature
Evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Trait: Static
~ Brick Break
~ Thunder Punch/Volt Tackle
~ Fake Out
~ Extreme Speed

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Special Attacker

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Timid Nature
Evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Trait: Static
~ Thunderbolt
~ Hidden Power Ice/Grass Knot
~ Signal Beam
~ Volt Switch

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Rain Special Attacker

though in NU, you would need a rain dance
Pikachu @ Light Ball
Timid Nature
Evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Trait: Lighting Rod (if its released yet)
~ Thunder
~ Hidden Power Ice
~ Signal Beam
~ Nasty Plot though pikachu is really frail. Use it when the opponent is about to switch.

Comments

Wow, do you need bigger letter size and bold with this answer?

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Ash's Pikachu Sucks right?
T-Bolt, E-Ball, Iron Tail, Quick Attack
It is ok for In-Game I guess :|
(No offense to people who think ash's pikachu is awesome ;).)

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lol its the anime waht do you expect?

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pikachu himself is awesome: his moveset sucks

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how do you get extremespeed on pikachu?

Answer 7

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Static
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Brick Break
- Thunderbolt
- Iron Tail
- Substitute
This is what my Pikachu has.

Answer 8

You thought Arceus was God? Think again!

Pikachu(F)@Light ball
Trait: Static
Nature: Naughty (+ Atk - Sp.Def)
EVs: 252Atk/252Spe/4Sp.Atk

• Volt tackle (STAB, high power)
• Attract (Great paired up with static paralysis)
• Grass knot (Covers ground types)
• Brick break (coverage, breaks barriers)

Pikachu is definitely NOT rubbish!

Comments

Meh you forgot BIDOOF

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Oh yeah Bidoof is God too.

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http://i.imgur.com/WDxMf.png

Answer 9

Belle Pikachu

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Lightningrod
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Icicle Crash (coverage)
- Wild Charge (STAB)
- Helping Hand
- Brick Break

I don't follow tiers or anything so this is just what I would build for my team. This is my first submission and I would love to get into the VGC.

Answer 10

Speedy Physical Attacker
Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 4 Def / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpA)
- Volt Tackle (STAB)
- Dig (Helps against other electric types, but beware of Earthquake)
- Surf/Grass Knot (Ground type coverage. You can only get surf from event)
- Nuzzle (Does damage and paralyses)

Personally, I wouldn't use Pikachu in any competitive team, but I find this moveset can do a bit of damage before being ko'd.
(Don't listen to the comments, I have updated my moveset, as the last one was stupid :) )

Comments

Sorry, but this set is bad. I see your logic, but it doesn't work. Just because you don't keep Pikachu in on a Ground type doesn't mean that you should let it be completely walled by them. Pikachu can pick off Ground Pokemon with moves like Hidden Power Ice and Grass Knot. Those moves also offer additional coverage on other types apart from Ground, allowing Pikachu to secure KOs on more Pokemon. Using Volt Tackle and Thunder on the same set does nothing for you - in fact, it's detrimental is it's forcing you to divide your EVs between stats which makes Pikachu weaker. You might as well run coverage and some other useful moves like Substitute. You're pretty much wasting three moveslots with this set, and making Pikachu weaker with your EVs.

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Sorry, you're right.  I've updated it.

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If your insistant on running Electro ball do it on raichu for that little bit extra power

Answer 11

Since someone already covered my preferred set I'll post my backup.

Rock Star Pikachu

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Lightningrod
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Wild Charge (STAB)
- Meteor Mash (Coverage and chance to raise Attack one stage)
- Brick Break (Coverage)
- Thunder Wave (Last minute status if you're doomed)

Answer 12

Pikachu @ Light Ball

Nature: Hasty (+Spd, -Def)/Naive (+Spd, -SDef)
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk

• Volt Switch
• Substitute
• Knock Off
• Toxic

Even with the Light Ball doubling Pikachu's Attack and Sp. Attack, Pikachu still won't be a good sweeper. You could instead use it to remove your opponent's held item (by using Knock Off) and to poison them (by using Toxic), then switching out using Volt Switch. Substitute is for protection as Pikachu won't last more than a turn otherwise due to its horrible defences.

Comments

nice :)

Answer 13

Ehhh....Pikachu isn't really that bulky....
Horrible defenses, and the highest base stat it has is speed, being at 90.
90 is decent speed for any Pokemon but Pikachu deserved a little better :P
Anyway...

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Static
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out (Has priority and flinches opponent)
- Quick Attack (If you're about to die anyway, might as well get a bit of damage in)
- Volt Tackle (If they are trying to set up, or you just happen to survive, I'd go with Volt Tackle :3)
- Protect / Whatever you want, it's up to you from here :P

Answer 14

Pikachu @ Focus Sash
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 HP / Def / SpD
- Fake out
- Protect
- Endeavor
- Extreme Speed

You switch in, 2 free turns with Fake Out + Protect.
They attack, and Focus Sash activates.
Endeavor takes them to 1HP as well.
Finish with Extreme Speed.

Checks:

• Leftovers
• Healing Berries
• Multi-hit moves
• Opponent using Fake Out before you can
• Opponent using Feint while Protecting
• Healing moves
• Entry hazards
• Switching out on Extreme Speed
• Ghost-types
• Opponents not attacking/activating Focus Sash
• Their own priority moves
• Moves with secondary effects activating, such as Hurricane causing confusion or Fire Blast burning

Abilities the Opponent could have that would stop this strategy:

• Inner Focus
• Static (Gen 5 and below only)
• Flame Body
• Cute Charm
• Dazzling
• Queenly Majesty
• Psychic Terrain

TL;DR
Only switch in this in if none of these are here, and you can be sure they won't see it coming.

Answer 15

Hey, you have asked the right person about Pikachu!

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Thunderbolt (STAB)
- Volt Tackle (For close moments)
- Quick Attack (Chance for going first)
- Iron Tail (Rock Coverage)

Hope this helps!
Thank You

Answer 16

Gen 7 Double Battle Support

The Pikachu of Mercy (Pikachu) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Static
EVs: 128 Def / 128 SpD / 252 Spe
Relaxed Nature (Sacrifices Speed for Defense, helping it live a bit longer)
- Surf: Handles Ground-types, plus helps allies with abilities like Water Absorb, Storm Drain, and Dry Skin.
- Discharge: STAB, plus damage other Pokemon plus helps allies with abilities like Lightning Rod, Motor Drive, and Volt Absorb.
- Volt Tackle: STAB, plus paralysis. Needed for Catastropika (Ya gotta defend yourself in some way)
- Grass Knot: In case of heavy Ground-types or Water/Ground types, plus helps allies with abilities like Sap Sipper. (If you aim at the ally that is!)

This can be used in a way like how most people use Smeargle, A stat boosting or HP helper. Just this time using attacking moves. Think of it like the attacking-but-helping Smeargle.

To get a Pikachu with Surf, transfer the Pikachu in Pokemon Yellow or if playing in USUM, become champion in all the surfing spots.

Answer 17

Pikachu @ Light Ball (418 Atk!)
Ability: Lightningrod
Nature: Jolly
EVs 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
- Volt Tackle (STAB)
- Fake Out (Priority)
- Iron Tail (Risky accuracy. Hits Diancie)
- Knock Off (Get rid of the opponent(s) item and coverage)

A physical Pikachu that I’ve used. Pretty OP.

Answer 18

So I would go for a special Pikachu, but if you want a physical it will be on here.

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Static
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunder (STAB and high chance to paralyze)
- Rain Dance (Makes Thunder have 100% accuracy)
- Signal Beam (Deals With Psychic-types)
- Brick Break (Hits Rock- and Rock/Ground-types)

Heres the Physical Pikachu.

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Static
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Volt Tackle (STAB)
- Dig (Destroys Electric-types)
- Iron Tail (Gets rid of Fairy-types)
- Knock Off (Remove the opponent(s) held item)

If you want a mixed Pikachu, here:

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Static
EVs: 106 Atk / 163 SpA / 252 Spe
Docile Nature
- Thunder (STAB)
- Rain Dance (Gives Thunder 100% accuracy)
- Dig (Removes Electric-types)
- Hidden Power [Ice] / [Grass] (Removes Ground / Water types)

Answer 19

Partner Pikachu (M)
Tier: Let's Go OU
Nature: Modest/Adamant Ability: Static
Moves:
Physical:
Thunder Punch(STAB)
Quick Attack(priority)
Zippy Zap(STAB, priority, critical hits)
Toxic(for annoying-to-kill Pokemon)

Special:
Thunderbolt(STAB)/Thunder(more powerful, less accurate)
Splishy Splash (CURSE U GROUND)
Toxic(wynaut?)
Thunder Wave(for paralysis) or any other move

Please comment if this moveset needs some things to improve or the moveset isn't good enough! This is my first moveset, so I wasn't very good at making it so tell me what are the things I need to change!

Comments

You don't need both Zippy Zap and Thunder Punch on your physical moveset- just Zippy Zap should be fine. Use that slot for something to counter your Ground weakness, or you could go for coverage with Floaty Fall, if you are really going to go the Let's Go route.

Answer 20

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Static
Nature:Jolly or Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Spd
- Volt Tackle
- Extreme Speed
- Fly/Iron Tail
- Brick Break
Its my Pikachu. I dont know how Pikachu fly.