NationalDex
raikou
#243

Raikou

Thunder Pokémon

Electric

The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.

Base Stats

HP 90
Attack 85
Defense 75
Sp. Atk 115
Sp. Def 100
Speed 115
Total 580

Type Effectiveness

Abilities

Evolution Chain

Moves

Locations

Details

Category Thunder Pokémon
Height 1.9 m
Weight 178.0 kg
Base Exp 261
Growth Rate Slow
Capture Rate 3
Base Happiness 35
Gender Genderless
Habitat Grassland
Egg Groups No Eggs
Legendary Pokémon

Sprites

raikou Front Front
raikou Back Back
raikou Front Shiny Front Shiny
raikou Back Shiny Back Shiny
raikou Official Art Official Art
raikou Official Art (Shiny) Official Art (Shiny)

Competitive

Calm Mind
Item
Leftovers
Nature
Timid
EVs
Def 4
SpA 252
Spe 252
Choice Specs
Item
Choice Specs
Nature
Timid
EVs
Def 4
SpA 252
Spe 252
Assault Vest
Item
Assault Vest
Nature
Timid
EVs
SpA 252
SpD 4
Spe 252

Strategy Overview

Boasting high Speed, good Special Attack, and a key Electric typing, Raikou finds a niche in the metagame as a check to top-tier threats such as Thundurus, Talonflame, and Mega Pinsir. Choice Specs Raikou can fire off very powerful attacks that are difficult to switch into. With the aid of an Assault Vest, it can check even the likes of Gengar and pivot with Volt Switch, functioning as a nice glue Pokemon for offensive teams weak to these specific threats. Raikou can also function as a devastating Calm Mind sweeper against unprepared teams and has decent coverage that makes it far from one-dimensional. Poor physical bulk, generally unimpressive power without a boost, and being easily handled by special walls hold it back significantly, but Raikou still manages to shine in a tier dominated by powerful Flying- and Electric-types.

Most Used Moves

Calm Mind
39.4%

Most Used Items

Leftovers
39.2%
Life Orb
34.8%

Competitive data from Smogon University via data.pkmn.cc