Lightning Rod (Ability)

Lightning Rod ひらいしん
Lightning Rod
Flavor text
Generation III
Draws electrical moves.
Generation IV
The Pokémon draws in all Electric-type moves.
Generation V
Draws in all Electric-type moves to up Sp. Attack.
Generation VI
Draws in all Electric-type moves to boost its Sp. Atk stat.
Generation VII
The Pokémon draws in all Electric-type moves. Instead of being hit by Electric-type moves, it boosts its Sp. Atk.
Generation VIII
Currently unknown
Generation IX
Currently unknown

Lightning Rod (Japanese: ひらいしん Lightning Rod), formatted as Lightningrod prior to Pokémon X and Y, is an Ability introduced in Generation III.

Effect

In battle

Generation III

Lightningrod forces all single-target Electric-type moves used by foes to target the Pokémon with this Ability. Electric-type moves used by foes will never miss the Pokémon with this Ability, unless it is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly (Thunder will never miss it if it is in the semi-invulnerable turn of Fly or Bounce).

Lightningrod cannot redirect Electric-type Hidden Power.

If another Pokémon becomes the center of attention, Electric-type moves will be directed to it instead of the Pokémon with Lightningrod.

Generation IV

Lightningrod now also forces all single-target Electric-type moves used by allies to target the Pokémon with this Ability. Electric-type moves used by allies will now never miss the Pokémon with this Ability, unless it is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly (Thunder will never miss it if it is in the semi-invulnerable turn of Fly or Bounce).

Lightningrod cannot redirect Electric-type Judgment or Natural Gift.

If another Pokémon becomes the center of attention, Electric-type moves will be directed to it instead of the Pokémon with Lightningrod.

Generation V onward

Along with its previous effects, Lightning Rod also gives the Pokémon immunity to all Electric-type moves, and raises the Pokémon's Special Attack by one stage whenever they are hit by one. This effect will not activate if the Pokémon is protected from the Electric-type move.

If the Pokémon is Ground-type, its type-granted immunity to damaging Electric-type moves and Electric-type Thunder Wave takes precedence over the Ability so the Pokémon's Special Attack will not be raised, unless it is holding a Ring Target.

Lightning Rod can now redirect Electric-type Hidden Power, Judgment, and Natural Gift.

If a Pokémon with Lightning Rod is holding a Cell Battery, Lightning Rod absorbs the move so the Cell Battery's effect is not triggered.

In Triple Battles, Lightning Rod cannot redirect Electric-type moves if the Pokémon is out of range.

Outside of battle

In Pokémon Emerald, Trainers registered with the PokéNav's Match Call function will call more often if a Pokémon with Lightningrod is in the first place in the party (even if fainted).

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, a Pokémon with Lightning Rod draws in all Electric-type attacks used within the same floor, and (like Generation V) takes no damage or side effects from the attack. Unlike the main series, Lightning Rod will attract and neutralize the effect of multi-target Electric-type attacks.

Dungeon enemies that have the Ability Lightning Rod can also negate the Lightning Rod of the player's team member(s).

Pokémon with Lightning Rod

# Pokémon Types First Ability Second Ability Hidden Ability
0025   Pikachu
Electric Electric Static None Lightning Rod
025Co Pikachu Pikachu
Electric Electric Lightning Rod None None
0026   Raichu
Electric Electric Static None Lightning Rod
0104   Cubone
Ground Ground Rock Head Lightning Rod Battle Armor
0105   Marowak
Ground Ground Rock Head Lightning Rod Battle Armor
105A Marowak Marowak
Fire Ghost Cursed Body Lightning Rod Rock Head
0111   Rhyhorn
Ground Rock Lightning Rod Rock Head Reckless
0112   Rhydon
Ground Rock Lightning Rod Rock Head Reckless
0118   Goldeen
Water Water Swift Swim Water Veil Lightning Rod
0119   Seaking
Water Water Swift Swim Water Veil Lightning Rod
0172   Pichu
Electric Electric Static None Lightning Rod
254M Sceptile Sceptile
Grass Dragon Lightning Rod None None
0309   Electrike
Electric Electric Static Lightning Rod Minus
0310   Manectric
Electric Electric Static Lightning Rod Minus
0311   Plusle
Electric Electric Plus None Lightning Rod
0464   Rhyperior
Ground Rock Lightning Rod Solid Rock Reckless
0522   Blitzle
Electric Electric Lightning Rod Motor Drive Sap Sipper
0523   Zebstrika
Electric Electric Lightning Rod Motor Drive Sap Sipper
0777   Togedemaru
Electric Steel Iron Barbs Lightning Rod Sturdy
Please note that abilities marked with a superscript are only available in the stated generation or later.
  • For Generation III and IV games, ignore Hidden Abilities.
  • In Generation V games, Zapdos has Lightning Rod as its Hidden Ability, but it cannot be obtained by any legitimate means. It is replaced with Static as its Hidden Ability in Generation VI.
  • Plusle does not have a Hidden Ability in Generation V.

In the anime

 
Mega Sceptile
 
Togedemaru
The Pokémon draws in Electric attacks.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
  When Rhydon's opponent uses an Electric attack, the attack changes direction and hits Rhydon's horn instead.
Unknown Trainer's Rhydon Tag! We're it...! Debut
  When Mega Sceptile is hit by an Electric-type move, it takes no damage.
Sawyer's Sceptile Valuable Experience for All! None
  When Togedemaru's opponent uses an Electric attack, the attack changes direction and hits Togedemaru instead, taking no damage in the process. Togedemaru can then use the absorbed electricity to power up its own Electric-type moves.
Sophocles's Togedemaru The Guardian's Challenge! None


In the manga

In the Be the Best! Pokémon B+W manga


In the Pokémon Adventures manga


In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! manga


Trivia

  • In Riddle Me This, Pikachu is able to defeat Blaine's Rhydon by aiming its electric attack at the Rhydon's horn, with it being stated that the horn acts as a lightning rod, apparently allowing Pikachu to overcome Rhydon's normal immunity to Electric attacks. However, in Generations III and IV, it didn't affect type immunity at all, and nullifies Electric damage in Generations V and on.
  • Prior to becoming an Ability, Lightning Rod appeared as a TCG Attack.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 避雷針 Beihlèuihjām
Mandarin 避雷針 / 避雷针 Bìléizhēn
  Danish Lynafleder
  Dutch Bliksemstaaf
  Finnish Ukkosenjohdatin
  French Paratonnerre
  German Blitzfänger
  Hindi Bijli Ka Rod
  Italian Parafulmine
  Korean 피뢰침 Piroechim
  Norwegian Lightning Rod
  Polish Piorunochron
  Portuguese Para-Raios
  Russian Громоотвод Gromootvod
Spanish   Latin America Caña de luz
  Spain Pararrayos
  Swedish Åskledare
  Vietnamese Cột thu lôi


Move-drawing Abilities
Lightning RodStorm Drain
Stat raising Abilities
JustifiedLightning RodMotor DriveRattledSap SipperSpeed BoostStorm Drain
Abilities that alter type effectiveness
Dry SkinFlash FireHeatproofSap SipperLevitateLightning RodMotor DriveThick FatStorm DrainVolt AbsorbWater Absorb


  This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.