Raikou: Stats, Moves, Weakness & Evolution

Base stats

HP90165–197290–384

Atk8594–150157–295

Def7585–139139–273

SpA115121–183211–361

SpD100108–167184–328

Spe115121–183211–361

Total580Higher than 91% of Pokémon

Ranges in Pokémon Champions at Lv 50: 0 Stat Points with a −10% Stat Alignment to 32 Stat Points with a +10% one (HP has no alignment).Ranges in the main games at Lv 100: 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

Calculate damage →

Type matchups

Weak to

2×

Ground

Resists

½×

ElectricFlyingSteel

Takes normal damage from 14 types

NormalFightingPoisonRockBugGhostFireWaterGrassPsychicIceDragonDarkFairy

Speed tiers

The faster Pokémon moves first each turn, so knowing who you outspeed decides a lot of battles. These are its Speed values at Lv 50 in Pokémon Champions (base Speed 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 on Showdown.

Smogon · Showdown 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.

Abilities

If this Pokémon is the target of a foe's move, that move loses one additional PP.
Everything about Pressure →
Other Pokémon with Pressure 28
Aerodactyl Articuno Zapdos Moltres Mewtwo Entei Suicune Lugia Ho-Oh Wailmer Wailord Dusclops Absol Deoxys Vespiquen Spiritomb Weavile Dusknoir Dialga Palkia Giratina Pawniard Bisharp Kyurem Corviknight Eternatus Sneasler Kingambit
This Pokémon cannot be made to flinch. Immune to Intimidate.
Everything about Inner Focus →
Other Pokémon with Inner Focus 35
Zubat Golbat Abra Kadabra Alakazam Farfetch’d Drowzee Hypno Hitmonchan Kangaskhan Dragonite Crobat Umbreon Girafarig Sneasel Entei Suicune Snorunt Glalie Riolu Lucario Mega Gallade Throh Sawk Darumaka Mienfoo Mienshao Pawniard Bisharp Mudbray Mudsdale Oranguru Indeedee Kubfu Annihilape

Competitive

Smogon · Showdown On Showdown

Sep 2026

Other Showdown formats Scarlet & Violet, with Tera

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
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

Items

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

1Charge+1 SpD, user's next Electric move 2× power.ElectricStatus——20

1Extreme SpeedNearly always goes first.NormalPhys80100%5

1LeerLowers the foe(s) Defense by 1.NormalStatus—100%30

1Quick AttackUsually goes first.NormalPhys40100%30

1Thunder Shock10% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec40100%30

6Spark30% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricPhys65100%20

12Bite30% chance to make the target flinch.DarkPhys60100%25

18Calm MindRaises the user's Sp. Atk and Sp. Def by 1.PsychicStatus——20

24RoarForces the target to switch to a random ally.NormalStatus——20

30Thunder Fang10% chance to paralyze. 10% chance to flinch.ElectricPhys6595%15

36HowlRaises the user's and ally's Attack by 1.NormalStatus——40

42Crunch20% chance to lower the target's Defense by 1.DarkPhys80100%15

48Extrasensory10% chance to make the target flinch.PsychicSpec80100%20

54Discharge30% chance to paralyze adjacent Pokémon.ElectricSpec80100%15

60ReflectFor 5 turns, physical damage to allies is halved.PsychicStatus——20

66Rain DanceFor 5 turns, heavy rain powers Water moves.WaterStatus——5

72Thunder30% chance to paralyze. Can't miss in rain.ElectricSpec11070%10

78Zap Cannon100% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec12050%5

TM / HM / TR 46

TM01Take DownHas 1/4 recoil.NormalPhys9085%20

TM04AgilityRaises the user's Speed by 2.PsychicStatus——30

TM05Mud-Slap100% chance to lower the target's accuracy by 1.GroundSpec20100%10

TM06Scary FaceLowers the target's Speed by 2.NormalStatus—100%10

TM07ProtectPrevents moves from affecting the user this turn.NormalStatus——10

TM09Thunder Fang10% chance to paralyze. 10% chance to flinch.ElectricPhys6595%15

TM20Trailblaze100% chance to raise the user's Speed by 1.GrassPhys50100%20

TM23Charge Beam70% chance to raise the user's Sp. Atk by 1.ElectricSpec5090%10

TM25FacadePower doubles if user is burn/poison/paralyzed.NormalPhys70100%20

TM30Snarl100% chance to lower the foe(s) Sp. Atk by 1.DarkSpec5595%15

TM32SwiftThis move does not check accuracy. Hits foes.NormalSpec60—20

TM47EndureUser survives attacks this turn with at least 1 HP.NormalStatus——10

TM48Volt SwitchUser switches out after damaging the target.ElectricSpec70100%20

TM49Sunny DayFor 5 turns, intense sunlight powers Fire moves.FireStatus——5

TM50Rain DanceFor 5 turns, heavy rain powers Water moves.WaterStatus——5

TM51SandstormFor 5 turns, a sandstorm rages. Rock: 1.5× SpD.RockStatus——10

TM66Body Slam30% chance to paralyze the target.NormalPhys85100%15

TM70Sleep TalkUser must be asleep. Uses another known move.NormalStatus——10

TM72Electro BallMore power the faster the user is than the target.ElectricSpec—100%10

TM74ReflectFor 5 turns, physical damage to allies is halved.PsychicStatus——20

TM75Light ScreenFor 5 turns, special damage to allies is halved.PsychicStatus——30

TM82Thunder WaveParalyzes the target.ElectricStatus—90%20

TM85RestUser sleeps 2 turns and restores HP and status.PsychicStatus——5

TM96Eerie ImpulseLowers the target's Sp. Atk by 2.ElectricStatus—100%15

TM99Iron Head30% chance to make the target flinch.SteelPhys80100%15

TM103SubstituteUser takes 1/4 its max HP to put in a substitute.NormalStatus——10

TM108Crunch20% chance to lower the target's Defense by 1.DarkPhys80100%15

TM112Aura SphereThis move does not check accuracy.FightingSpec80—20

TM114Shadow Ball20% chance to lower the target's Sp. Def by 1.GhostSpec80100%15

TM126Thunderbolt10% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec90100%15

TM129Calm MindRaises the user's Sp. Atk and Sp. Def by 1.PsychicStatus——20

TM130Helping HandOne adjacent ally's move power is 1.5× this turn.NormalStatus——20

TM136Electric Terrain5 turns. Grounded: +Electric power, can't sleep.ElectricStatus——10

TM147Wild ChargeHas 1/4 recoil.ElectricPhys90100%15

TM152Giga ImpactUser cannot move next turn.NormalPhys15090%5

TM163Hyper BeamUser cannot move next turn.NormalSpec15090%5

TM166Thunder30% chance to paralyze. Can't miss in rain.ElectricSpec11070%10

TM171Tera BlastIf Terastallized: Phys. if Atk > SpA, type = Tera.NormalSpec80100%10

TM172RoarForces the target to switch to a random ally.NormalStatus——20

TM173Charge+1 SpD, user's next Electric move 2× power.ElectricStatus——20

TM188Scald30% chance to burn the target. Thaws target.WaterSpec80100%15

TM193Weather BallPower doubles and type varies in each weather.NormalSpec50100%10

TM204Double-EdgeHas 33% recoil.NormalPhys120100%15

TM210Supercell SlamUser is hurt by 50% of its max HP if it misses.ElectricPhys10095%15

TM211Electroweb100% chance to lower the foe(s) Speed by 1.ElectricSpec5595%15

TM221Throat ChopFor 2 turns, the target cannot use sound moves.DarkPhys80100%15

Biology

Raikou, Entei, and Suicune make up a group of Legendary Pokémon known as the Legendary Beasts, representing the elements of electricity, fire, and water, respectively. The three were a group of Pokémon who died when a tower they were in caught on fire.

The Legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh revived them from death in their current forms, with their types representing the lightning that caused the fire, the fire itself, and the rain that eventually quelled the tower fire. Raikou is a tiger-like Pokémon. It is depicted as having sharp teeth and is rather distrustful of humans. The Paradox Pokémon Raging Bolt resembles Raikou.

Design & origin

The Legendary Beasts are also known as the Legendary Dogs, though the latter title has been debated, as their designs are primarily based around big cats. Raikou is likely inspired by saber-toothed tigers as well as the concept of thunderstorms. Its name comes from "rai", the Japanese word for lightning, and "kotei", the Japanese word for emperor.

The Beasts were designed by manga artist Muneo Saito, who later released an unused design for a Pokémon resembling Raikou.

Adapted from Wikipedia: List of generation II Pokémon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited.

Pokédex entries

: Thunder Pokémon
: Johto · Gold & Silver
Color: Yellow

: 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

English: Raikou
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

Artwork and 3D models

Gen IX · Gen VIII · Gen VII · Gen VI

Generation V

Generation IV

Generation III

Generation II

Training

: 1 SpA, 2 Spe
: 3 ≈0.4% with a Poké Ball at full HP
: 35
: 261
: Slow

Breeding

: Undiscovered
: Genderless
: 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

Locations cover Red & Blue to Sword & Shield (with its DLC) and Let’s Go. We don’t have them yet for Legends: Arceus, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Scarlet & Violet and Legends: Z-A.