Electric (type)
The Electric type (Japanese: でんきタイプ Electric type) is one of the eighteen types. Notable Trainers who specialize in Electric-type Pokémon are the Gym Leaders Lt. Surge of Vermilion City, Wattson of Mauville City, Volkner of Sunyshore City, Elesa of Nimbasa City, Clemont of Lumiose City, and Trial Captain Sophocles of the Hokulani Observatory. Prior to changes in Generation IV, all damaging Electric-type moves were special, but they may now also be physical depending on the attack.
Statistical averages
Overall
| Stat | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| |||
| |||
| |||
| |||
| |||
| |||
Fully evolved
| Stat | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| |||
| |||
| |||
| |||
| |||
| |||
Battle properties
Generation I
| Offensive | 
|
Defensive | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | Types | Power | Types | |
| 2× |  
|
½× |
| |
| ½× |  
|
2× | 
| |
| 0× |
|
0× | None | |
Generation II onwards
Starting in Generation VI, Electric-type Pokémon cannot be paralyzed.
| Offensive |
|
Defensive | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | Types | Power | Types | |
| 2× |
|
½× | 
| |
| ½× |
|
2× |
| |
| 0× |
|
0× | None | |
Characteristics
Defense
Overall, Electric types have average Defense and above average Special Defense. As a single type, Electric is one of only two types to have only one weakness, the other being the Normal type. Electric types have a key resistance to the quite common Flying type, which is used mainly as an offensive type. The downside to this is that Ground type attacks are very common.
Thunder Wave, being one of the most reliable forms of inducing paralysis, is commonly seen on a wide variety of defensive Pokémon. Prior to Generation V, only Ground types were immune to Thunder Wave. As of Generation VI, Electric-type Pokémon are immune to paralysis, making many of them ideal sweepers.
Although pure Electric-type Pokémon only have resistances to other Electric-type moves, Flying, and Steel (which is rarely used offensively), many dual-typed Electric-type Pokémon (such as Magnezone) have secondary types that give them a large total number of resistances. Also, due to their single weakness to Ground, pure Electric-type Pokémon with the Ability Levitate, such as Eelektross, have no weaknesses.
Offense
Electric-type Pokémon often have high Speed and Special Attack stats. The ability of the Electric type to hit the very common Water and Flying types super effectively is important for many offensive Pokémon. Moreover, the Electric type pairs well with other common attacking types such as Ice, which is super-effective against Ground (which Electric is weak to and has no effect on), Grass and Dragon, both of which resist Electric. Additionally, there are only a few Pokémon that have a double resistance to Electric-type attacks. Again, the downside to this is that Electric-type moves are nullified by Ground.
Similar to Grass-types, Electric-type Pokémon often have shallow attacking movepools, consisting only of their STAB attacks, Normal moves, and, in most cases, Hidden Power and Signal Beam through TMs or Move Tutors, respectively.
Electric-type Pokémon, on average, have the lowest Attack of fully evolved Pokémon.
Contest properties
When used in Contests, Electric-type moves tend to be Cool moves, though they can also be other conditions.
Pokémon
As of Generation VI, there are 42 Electric-type Pokémon or 5.8% of all Pokémon, making it the 5th rarest type, tied with Steel.
Pure Electric-type Pokémon
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Half Electric-type Pokémon
Primary Electric-type Pokémon
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Secondary Electric-type Pokémon
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pokéstar Studios opponents
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Moves
| Gen | Move | Category | Contest | Power | Accuracy | PP | Target | Description | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VII | 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt | Special | 195 | —% | 1 (max 1) |
|
The user, Pikachu wearing a cap, powers up a jolt of electricity using its Z-Power and unleashes it. Critical hits land more easily. | ||||||||||
| V | Bolt Strike | Physical | Beautiful | 130 | 85% | 5 (max 8) |
|
The user surrounds itself with a great amount of electricity and charges its target. This may also leave the target with paralysis. | |||||||||
| VII | Catastropika | Physical | 210 | —% | 1 (max 1) |
|
The user, Pikachu, surrounds itself with the maximum amount of electricity using its Z-Power and pounces on its target with full force. | ||||||||||
| III | Charge | Status | Clever | — | —% | 20 (max 32) |
|
The user boosts the power of the Electric move it uses on the next turn. This also raises the user's Sp. Def stat. | |||||||||
| IV | Charge Beam | Special | Beautiful | 50 | 90% | 10 (max 16) |
|
The user attacks with an electric charge. The user may use any remaining electricity to raise its Sp. Atk stat. | |||||||||
| IV | Discharge | Special | Beautiful | 80 | 100% | 15 (max 24) |
|
The user strikes everything around it by letting loose a flare of electricity. This may also cause paralysis. | |||||||||
| VI | Eerie Impulse | Status | Clever | — | 100% | 15 (max 24) |
|
The user's body generates an eerie impulse. Exposing the target to it harshly lowers the target's Sp. Atk stat. | |||||||||
| VI | Electric Terrain | Status | Clever | — | —% | 10 (max 16) |
|
The user electrifies the ground for five turns, powering up Electric-type moves. Pokémon on the ground no longer fall asleep. | |||||||||
| VI | Electrify | Status | Clever | — | —% | 20 (max 32) |
|
If the target is electrified before it uses a move during that turn, the target's move becomes Electric type. | |||||||||
| V | Electro Ball | Special | Cool | Varies | 100% | 10 (max 16) |
|
The user hurls an electric orb at the target. The faster the user is than the target, the greater the move's power. | |||||||||
| V | Electroweb | Special | Beautiful | 55 | 95% | 15 (max 24) |
|
The user attacks and captures opposing Pokémon using an electric net. This lowers their Speed stat. | |||||||||
| V | Fusion Bolt | Physical | Cool | 100 | 100% | 5 (max 8) |
|
The user throws down a giant lightning bolt. This move's power is increased when influenced by an enormous flame. | |||||||||
| VII | Gigavolt Havoc | Physical | — | —% | 1 (max 1) |
|
The user hits the target with a powerful electric current collected by its Z-Power. The power varies, depending on the original move. | ||||||||||
| VII | Gigavolt Havoc | Special | — | —% | 1 (max 1) |
|
The user hits the target with a powerful electric current collected by its Z-Power. The power varies, depending on the original move. | ||||||||||
| VI | Ion Deluge | Status | Beautiful | — | —% | 25 (max 40) |
|
The user disperses electrically charged particles, which changes Normal-type moves to Electric-type moves. | |||||||||
| IV | Magnet Rise | Status | Clever | — | —% | 10 (max 16) |
|
The user levitates using electrically generated magnetism for five turns. | |||||||||
| VI | Magnetic Flux | Status | Clever | — | —% | 20 (max 32) |
|
The user manipulates magnetic fields, which raises the Defense and Sp. Def stats of ally Pokémon with the Plus or Minus Ability. | |||||||||
| VI | Nuzzle | Physical | Cute | 20 | 100% | 20 (max 32) |
|
The user attacks by nuzzling its electrified cheeks against the target. This also leaves the target with paralysis. | |||||||||
| VI | Parabolic Charge | Special | Clever | 65 | 100% | 20 (max 32) |
|
The user attacks everything around it. The user's HP is restored by half the damage taken by those hit. | |||||||||
| III | Shock Wave | Special | Cool | 60 | —% | 20 (max 32) |
|
The user strikes the target with a quick jolt of electricity. This attack never misses. | |||||||||
| II | Spark | Physical | Cool | 65 | 100% | 20 (max 32) |
|
The user throws an electrically charged tackle at the target. This may also leave the target with paralysis. | |||||||||
| VII | Stoked Sparksurfer | Special | 175 | —% | 1 (max 1) |
|
After obtaining Z-Power, the user, Alolan Raichu, attacks the target with full force. This move leaves the target with paralysis. | ||||||||||
| I | Thunder | Special | Cool | 110 | 70% | 10 (max 16) |
|
A wicked thunderbolt is dropped on the target to inflict damage. This may also leave the target with paralysis. | |||||||||
| IV | Thunder Fang | Physical | Cool | 65 | 95% | 15 (max 24) |
|
The user bites with electrified fangs. This may also make the target flinch or leave it with paralysis. | |||||||||
| I | Thunder Punch | Physical | Cool | 75 | 100% | 15 (max 24) |
|
The target is punched with an electrified fist. This may also leave the target with paralysis. | |||||||||
| I | Thunder Shock | Special | Cool | 40 | 100% | 30 (max 48) |
|
A jolt of electricity crashes down on the target to inflict damage. This may also leave the target with paralysis. | |||||||||
| I | Thunder Wave | Status | Cool | — | 90% | 20 (max 32) |
|
The user launches a weak jolt of electricity that paralyzes the target. | |||||||||
| I | Thunderbolt | Special | Cool | 90 | 100% | 15 (max 24) |
|
A strong electric blast crashes down on the target. This may also leave the target with paralysis. | |||||||||
| V | Volt Switch | Special | Cool | 70 | 100% | 20 (max 32) |
|
After making its attack, the user rushes back to switch places with a party Pokémon in waiting. | |||||||||
| III | Volt Tackle | Physical | Cool | 120 | 100% | 15 (max 24) |
|
The user electrifies itself and charges the target. This also damages the user quite a lot. This attack may leave the target with paralysis. | |||||||||
| V | Wild Charge | Physical | Tough | 90 | 100% | 15 (max 24) |
|
The user shrouds itself in electricity and smashes into its target. This also damages the user a little. | |||||||||
| II | Zap Cannon | Special | Cool | 120 | 50% | 5 (max 8) |
|
The user fires an electric blast like a cannon to inflict damage and cause paralysis. | |||||||||
| VII | Zing Zap | Physical | 80 | 100% | 10 (max 16) |
|
A strong electric blast crashes down on the target, giving it an electric shock. This may also make the target flinch. | ||||||||||
| All details are accurate to Generation VII games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual move's page. Target data assumes user is in the lower left. | |||||||||||||||||
Abilities
Interacting with the Electric type
A Pokémon with Color Change, Protean, Imposter, or Multitype will become an Electric-type Pokémon if (respectively) it is hit with an Electric-type move, uses an Electric-type move, is sent out against an Electric-type opponent, or is holding a Zap Plate.
Since Generation VI, Electric-type Pokémon are also immune to becoming paralyzed from the Abilities Static, Synchronize, or Effect Spore.
| Gen | Ability | Description |
|---|---|---|
| III | Lightning Rod | Draws in all Electric-type moves to boost its Sp. Atk stat. |
| IV | Motor Drive | Boosts the Speed stat when it's hit by an Electric-type move. |
| III | Volt Absorb | Restores HP if hit by an Electric-type move. |
| All details are accurate to Generation VI games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual Ability's page. | ||
Exclusive Abilities
Only Electric-type Pokémon can have these Abilities. This does not include signature Abilities.
| Gen | Ability | Description |
|---|---|---|
| III | Static | Contact with the Pokémon may cause paralysis. |
| IV | Motor Drive | Boosts the Speed stat when it's hit by an Electric-type move. |
| III | Volt Absorb | Restores HP if hit by an Electric-type move. |
| All details are accurate to Generation VI games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual Ability's page. | ||
Trivia
- Generation V introduced the most Electric-type Pokémon of any generation, with eleven, and Generation VI introduced the fewest, with three.
- Generation VI introduced the most Electric-type moves of any generation, with seven, and Generation II introduced the fewest, with two.
- Generation III is the only generation that introduced no dual type Electric-type Pokémon.
- Generation VI is the only generation that introduced no pure Electric-type Pokémon.
- All Electric-type moves introduced in Generation I begin with the word "Thunder".
- Electric is the type represented by a Gym Leader in the greatest number of regions, with five—an Electric-type Gym is present in every region except for Johto, which lacks one due to the Vermilion Gym in Kanto also being accessible in games featuring Johto.
- Therefore, an Electric-type Gym is present in every core series Pokémon game.
In other languages
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
