Pikachu (UNITE)

	Pikachu; ピカチュウ Pikachu
Role	Attacker
Attack type	Ranged
Damage type	Sp. Atk
Difficulty	Novice
; Does not evolve
License availability; International: 345 / 325; Starting license Mainland China: Time-limited event

Pikachu (Japanese: ピカチュウ Pikachu) is a playable Pokémon in Pokémon UNITE. It was available as part of the base game when it released on July 21, 2021.

Pikachu is an Attacker who uses paralysis to keep opponents within range of its attacks. Uniquely, both of Pikachu's move options can be filled with moves that designate targets rather than directions or areas. Its Unite Move, Thunderstorm, is similarly easy to use, as it damages all foes around Pikachu automatically. This means players learning how to play can use Pikachu before getting comfortable with aiming moves.

Pikachu is the game's tutorial character, as it is used in the Tutorial (Basics 1) and Tutorial (Basics 2) battles. Its Unite license is very accessible as a result. Before version 1.12.1.2, it was an option to pick after completing the tutorial. In versions of the game after this point, the license is acquired during the tutorial, such that all players start with Pikachu unlocked.

Stats

Pikachu
Offense
Endurance
Mobility
Scoring
Support

Abilities

Passive Ability

	Static せいでんき Static Electricity
Description Paralyzes (slows) all opponents near the Pokémon for a short when the Pokémon receives damage. This Ability goes on cooldown after it's triggered.

Basic Attack

	Damage category: Physical (as a basic attack)
	Damage category: Special (as a boosted attack)
Description Becomes a boosted attack with every third attack, dealing increased damage. This boosted attack also paralyzes opposing Pokémon for a short time when it hits.

Moveset

Move slot 1

	Thunder Shock でんきショック Electric Shock	Learned at Lv. 1 or 3 Cooldown: 5 seconds Upgrades into Electro Ball or Thunder
Sure Hit	Description
Releases electricity, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon in the area of effect. Also paralyzes opposing Pokémon for a short time.

	Electro Ball エレキボール Elecball	Learned at Lv. 4 Cooldown: 5.5 seconds Upgrades into Electro Ball+ at Lv. 11
Sure Hit	Description
Hurls an electric orb, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon in the area of effect and leaving them paralyzed for a short time. This move's damage increases the lower the opposing Pokémon's remaining HP is. Upgrade: Increases damage dealt by this move.

	Thunder かみなり Lightning	Learned at Lv. 4 Cooldown: 7 seconds Upgrades into Thunder+ at Lv. 11
Area	Description
Drops wicked thunderbolts, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon in the area of effect. Upgrade: Increases the number of attacks for this move.

Move slot 2

	Electroweb エレキネット ElecNet	Learned at Lv. 1 or 3 Cooldown: 9 seconds Upgrades into Volt Tackle or Thunderbolt
Hindrance	Description
Attacks and captures opposing Pokémon using an electric net, leaving them unable to move.

Volt Tackle
ボルテッカー
Volteccer

Learned at Lv. 6
Cooldown: 9 seconds
Upgrades into Volt Tackle+ at Lv. 13

Hindrance

Description

Has the user electrify itself and charge ahead, throwing opposing Pokémon. For a short time after the user lands, the user's movement speed is increased.

Upgrade: Reduces this move's cooldown.

Effect: This move requires a target. After colliding with an opposing Pokémon,the user performs a combo attack. After it occurs, the user moves backward a set distance in the direction it attacked from.

	Thunderbolt １０まんボルト 100,000 Volts	Learned at Lv. 6 Cooldown: 7 seconds Upgrades into Thunderbolt+ at Lv. 13
Hindrance	Description
Attacks with a strong electric blast, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon in the area of effect and leaving them unable to act. Upgrade: Increases damage dealt by this move.

Unite Move

	Thunderstorm フルボルトストーム Full Volt Storm	Learned at Lv. 9
Area	Description
Attacks the opposing team's Pokémon near the user with tremendous bolts of lightning, then attacks two Pokémon from the opposing team near the user multiple times with lightning. Effect: Requires a target, which must be a member of the opposing team. A yellow circle is projected around the user, and all Pokémon on the opposing team within that radius are struck by lightning starting from when the Pokémon entered the radius. Afterwards, lightning will continue striking in intervals, however only two opposing Pokémon will be hit by them. After a certain amount of time has passed, Thunderstorm ends. If an opponent is within the radius for the entire move, there is enough time for them to be hit by four bolts of lightning.

License Art

Name	Image	Release Date	Unlock Method
Pikachu License Art 1		January 16, 2025	525

Holowear

Green-tag Holowear

Name	Release Date	Unlock Method	Audio/Visual FX
Concert Style	December 20, 2021	Premium Battle Pass - Season 4*	Appearance only
Fashionable Style	August 18, 2021	400	Appearance only
Hip-Hop Style	July 21, 2021	Premium Battle Pass - Season 1*	Appearance only
Orange Unite Style	September 22, 2021	350 18	Appearance only
Purple Unite Style	September 22, 2021	350 18	Appearance only

Blue-tag Holowear

Name	Holowear	Release Date	Unlock Method	Audio/Visual FX
Cook Style		February 12, 2022	400*	KO Movement
Festival Style		September 22, 2021	Mobile version launch login reward*	KO Movement

Purple-tag Holowear

Name	Release Date	Unlock Method	Audio/Visual FX
Band Style	July 21, 2022	Premium Battle Pass - Season 9*	Unite Move Scoring Returning KO Movement Moves Effects available by obtaining additional Move Effect Enhancement Packs
Holiday Style	December 15, 2021	2,199*	Unite Move Scoring Returning KO Movement
Holiday Style (Blue)	December 22, 2022	2,499*	Unite Move Scoring Returning KO Movement
Tourist Style	June 23, 2023	2,199	Scoring Returning KO Movement

Crystal-tag Holowear

Name	Holowear	Portrait Frame	Release Date	Unlock Method	Audio/Visual FX
Stage Style			December 19, 2024	Treasure Chest Challenge Additional Button Customization pack available for 199 (mobile version only)	Unite Move Score (Deluxe) Return (Deluxe) Move Effect KO Movement Basic Attack Effect Revive Goal Zone Destruction

In animation

Pokémon UNITE Opening Cinematic

A Pikachu appeared in the "Pokémon UNITE Opening Cinematic", partaking in a Unite Battle on Remoat Stadium on the orange team. It is one of the cinematic's central characters. It defeated a wild Aipom with Electro Ball. It came across an opposing Absol, which had just defeated its ally Talonflame (a Fletchling at the time). Absol prepared to attack, but Lucario attacked the Absol first and saved Pikachu. While Pikachu wanted to check on Talonflame, it had to run back to the team's base to stop a Cinderace from scoring. Pikachu surged with electricity as it got closer, and jumped to intercept the incoming Aeos energy.

Gallery

Pikachu alt artwork

Trivia

Thunderstorm may be based on any of Pikachu's Electric moves, such as Thunder Shock, Thunderbolt, or Thunder.

In other languages

This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Needs names and translations in Hindi, Indonesian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Thai

Thunderstorm


Language		Title
Japanese		フルボルトストーム Furu Boruto Sutōmu (Full Volt Storm)
Chinese	Cantonese	萬鈞伏特轟雷暴 Maahngwān Fuhkdahk Gwàhng Lèuihbouh (Powerful Volt Rumbling Thunderstorm)
Chinese	Mandarin	萬鈞伏特轟雷暴 / 万钧伏特轰雷暴 Wànjūn Fútè Hōng Léibào (Powerful Volt Rumbling Thunderstorm)
French		Orage Acharné (Fierce Storm)
German		Blitzgewitter (Lightning Storm)
Italian		Tempesta Elettrica (Electric Storm)
Korean		풀볼트스톰 Pul Bolteu Seutom (Full Volt Storm)
Russian		Гроза Groza (Thunderstorm)
Spanish		Tormenta Incesante (Incessant Storm)
Turkish		Yıldırım Fırtınası (Lightning Storm)