Pikachu Movesets & Competitive Sets

Item

Light Ball

Ability

Galvanize

Nature

Adamant

EVs

Attack 252 / Sp. Def 4 / Speed 252

Moves

Item

Light Ball

Nature

Lonely

EVs

Attack 252 / Sp. Atk 68 / Speed 188

Moves

Item

Light Ball

Ability

Lightning Rod

Nature

Timid

EVs

Defense 4 / Sp. Atk 252 / Speed 252

Moves

Analysis

Pikachu's absolutely pathetic defenses make a Substitute set its best option. Thanks to its good speed, immunity to Electric-type attacks (including Thunder Wave), and access to Encore, Pikachu can find some opportunities to set up a free Substitute. Substitute helps ease prediction for Pikachu and allows it to dodge priority attacks while it hits the opposing Pokemon. However, keep in mind that even with Encore setting up a Substitute is not easy due to basically everything being able to cripple it in some way. Thunderbolt is Pikachu's main STAB move, while Hidden Power Ice provides it with BoltBeam coverage, allowing it to get around Grass- and Dragon-types that would normally wall it. Encore is chosen in the final slot to give Pikachu an easier time setting up Substitutes; by Encoring an Electric-type attack or a support move, such as Eelektross's Thunderbolt or Regirock's Stealth Rock, Pikachu can set up for free and begin hitting the opponent with powerful attacks. However, Pikachu can forgo the use of Encore for a Substitute + 3 attacks set, using Grass Knot to OHKO Seismitoad and 2HKO specially defensive Regirock. Grass Knot also hits Camerupt harder than any other move on this set. Hidden Power Ground can be used over Hidden Power Ice to beat Camerupt, Probopass, and Bastiodon. However, without Hidden Power Ice, Pikachu will be completely walled by Grass-types. Focus Punch is another option over Encore or Grass Knot to deal with specially defensive Normal-types and Probopass, but because it's illegal with Lightning Rod, Pikachu will have to use the inferior Static. This set requires massive support; don't expect Pikachu to be sweeping teams on its own anytime soon. Pikachu greatly appreciates paralysis support from defensive Pokemon such as Musharna and Lickilicky; while base 90 speed is fast for NU, it's still not enough to reliably deal with all of NU's offensive threats. In addition, something to lure in Electric type attacks--for example, Mantine or Braviary--can be effective if you really want to utilize Lightning Rod to give Pikachu free switches, but it's not reliable against experienced players, especially with the existence of Team Preview.

Item

Light Ball

Nature

Timid

EVs

Defense 4 / Sp. Atk 252 / Speed 252

Moves

Analysis

Pikachu can utilize Nasty Plot to double its already gigantic Special Attack. After this boost, Pikachu reaches a Special Attack stat of 796, more than enough to obliterate the entire UU tier. This firepower coupled with Pikachu's decent Speed allows it to sweep given the chance. Your choice of Substitute or Encore will allow Pikachu to set-up more easily, either by switching on a recovery move in the case of Encore, or forcing a bulky Water-type out in the case of Substitute. Thunderbolt is Pikachu's STAB move of choice, wrecking anything that does not resist it after the boost. Hidden Power Ice is used over Grass Knot on this set because of the better type coverage it provides; with Grass Knot, Pikachu will be walled hard by all Grass-types, while a boosted Hidden Power Ice can OHKO offensive Venusaur even without Stealth Rock, as well as many Ground-types that would otherwise give Pikachu trouble. Pikachu often doesn't have the luxury of having both a Nasty Plot boost and a Substitute at the same time. Hence, scouting and getting rid of priority users is recommended, especially if you choose to run Encore over Substitute. Thunder Wave support can also help Pikachu outspeed those Pokemon that are naturally faster than it, as 90 base Speed isn't really too impressive. As with all sweepers, Pikachu appreciates entry hazard support, even more so because Pikachu is unable to take a hit. Basically, if Pikachu cannot OHKO the opposing Pokemon, it will be KOed in return. Even after a Nasty Plot boost, Pikachu does not have enough damage output to break through Chansey. Therefore, having a way to eliminate Chansey is recommended. Pursuit users, such as Choice Band Drapion or Absol, will generally put her in KO range of Pikachu's boosted Thunderbolt.

Item

Light Ball

Nature

Timid

EVs

Defense 4 / Sp. Atk 252 / Speed 252

Moves

Analysis

Substitute is one of Pikachu's best moves to utilize, because it eases prediction and protects it from priority attacks. Thunderbolt is Pikachu's main STAB attack, and it will hit a lot of Pokemon hard coming off a whopping 398 Special Attack stat. Hidden Power Ice hits Grass-type Pokemon that resist Thunderbolt for super effective damage, but Grass Knot is a fine option to hit some Ground-type Pokemon that would otherwise be able to survive a super effective Hidden Power and smash Pikachu with Earthquake. If Hidden Power Ice is used, Pikachu loses to Rhyperior and other Water / Ground-type Pokemon, while Venusaur and other Grass-types will easily defeat Pikachu if Grass Knot is used. Encore is a great option in the final slot, capable of granting Pikachu the free turn it needs to set up a Substitute, or allow other sweepers to set up, gaining momentum against the opponent's team. However, Focus Punch is also a viable option as it is very unexpected, and can easily deal large amounts of damage to bulky special walls, such as Chansey and Registeel, that Pikachu often lures in. If Focus Punch is used, a Naive nature with 12 Attack EVs will allow Pikachu to 2HKO Lanturn. Prediction is the key when using Pikachu, as one wrong move can cost the Mouse Pokemon its life. U-turn support is very helpful, as it provides useful offensive momentum which can allow Pikachu to come in more easily, scare away the opposing Pokemon, and set up a Substitute. Entry hazards are also very important, allowing Pikachu to switch in on a slow Pokemon using a set up move and force it to switch out via Encore. It would be wise to use setup sweepers that can come in after Pikachu uses Encore for the free turn of set-up. For example, Pikachu can Encore an Earthquake from a Pokemon it can't deal with from behind a Substitute, then switch to a teammate that is immune to Ground-type attacks to set up. Examples include Scyther and Rotom, who can set up a Swords Dance and Substitute, respectively. If Hidden Power Ice is not used in the third slot, it can be used over Encore or Focus Punch, giving Pikachu more coverage. Choice Band Dugtrio is a great teammate, being able to take on Pikachu's worse nemesis, Chansey. Earthquake 2HKOes, while Chansey cannot switch out due to Arena Trap; Dugtrio is also able to trap other special walls that would otherwise essentially wall Pikachu. If Pikachu has Encore in its movepool, setup sweepers are great teammates, because Pikachu can easily grant them a free turn of set-up with it. Finally, if Focus Punch is used, powerful special sweepers such as Moltres make good teammates, as with Chansey successfully eliminated, Moltres can easily devastate teams with its powerful STAB Fire Blast.

Item

Light Ball

Nature

Timid

EVs

Defense 4 / Sp. Atk 252 / Speed 252

Moves

Analysis

Thunderbolt is Pikachu's strongest attack, super effectively hitting Pokemon such as Dewgong, Pelipper, and Pidgeot while neutrally nailing Pokemon such as Sableye and Mawile. Surf is Pikachu's strongest option against Electric-types such as Plusle and the majority of Ground-types such as Piloswine, Graveler, and Pupitar. Substitute shields Pikachu from status and is the only form of protection Pikachu really has due to its paper-thin defenses. Successfully setting up a Substitute allows Pikachu to scout the opponent. Hidden Power Ice covers for Grass-types such as Bellossom and Roselia that resist the combination of Thunderbolt and Surf, rounding out Pikachu's near-perfect neutral coverage. Pikachu has extremely low defenses and therefore should not directly switch into anything. Instead, Pikachu should utilize slow Baton Pass support from Pokemon such as Flareon and Mawile or wait until a teammate faints. If it is predicted for the foe to use a non-attacking move or switch out themselves, Pikachu should use Substitute. Pikachu shouldn't worry about lowering its own HP this way, as it is already going to faint to just about any neutral hit. One of Pikachu's biggest threats is Diglett, which outspeeds Pikachu, traps it with Arena Trap, and KOes it with Earthquake. Use Substitute to scout for Ground-type switch-ins such as Diglett and Whiscash as they potentially come in. Grass-types such as Tangela, Cacturne, and Bellossom can check Whiscash for Pikachu, one of its most reliable switch-ins. Pikachu appreciates Spikes support from users such as Glalie and Cacturne, as the chip damage can assist Pikachu in breaking down walls and cleaning later in the game. Physical wallbreakers such as Hitmonchan and Sudowoodo can help demolish specially defensive walls that give Pikachu trouble such as Kecleon, Lickitung, and Flareon. Pikachu's above average Speed tier is considerably helpful for offensive teams, as it ensures Pikachu outspeeds a plethora of threats to clean late-game without needing much additional team support.

Item

Light Ball

Moves

Analysis

This set is a good idea to lead with, considering Pikachu's decent Speed, plus the fact that if it leads, you don't have to switch in and potentially take a hit. If you predict a Ground-type switch-in, blast it with Surf, and if they try a Grass-type, Hidden Power Fire will handle them (Hidden Power Fire can also OHKO Forretress). If they send in a special wall, you've got a chance at putting them out of commission with Sing.

Moves