Summary
With eighteen different types having accumulated over the years, thePokemonfranchise gives trainers plenty of different options when it comes to catching and training potential Pokemon. Gym leaders and Elite Four members tend to stick to a particular type when constructing their party, but most trainers take a much more diverse approach to team building.
Often overshadowed by more popular types, Electric-type Pokemon have plenty to offer any given party.Pikachu might be the series’ most well-known Electric-type, but it’s far from the best you can get throughout your journey. With so many unique Electric-type Pokemon out there, narrowing down the best of the bunch can be tough. Luckily, these amazing Pokemon stand out as the best among their peers.
Updated January 30th, 2025, by Ben Painter:The latest entry in the series,Pokemon Scarlet & Violetbrought fans some amazing new Electric types, a brand-new Pikachu clone, futuristic-looking Paradox forms, and some Legendary Pokemon. Electric types are iconic in the series. The franchise mascot, Pikachu, is an Electric-type after all. They are only weak to one type, Ground, and are massively useful and usually very quick Pokemon. Perhaps there will be some more iconic Electric ‘mons introduced in the upcoming title,Pokemon Legends: Z-A. This updated list adds five more of the best Electric-type Pokemon that have been introduced in the Pokemon games.
33Pichu
Cute But Not Great To Use
As the pre-evolved form of the franchise mascot, Pichu gets a lot of play in the marketing of Pokemon. But if gamers were to use a Pichu in battle, they would be left with not much luck. They should look at evolving this Pokemon into Pikachu and even Raichu to get the best out of it.
However, this is not why fans love Pichu, they love its cute design and its appearances in the anime.Pichu also has another form, Spiky-Eared Pikachu which appears inPokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver, but this has no additional in-game effects and is purely cosmetic.
Pichu’s Best Moves:
With only two attacking moves in its locker,Thunder ShockandNuzzleare musts for Pichu. To support, gamers could selectSweet Kiss,Nasty Plot,orCharm. It can also learn the more powerfulThunderandThunderboltby TM/TR, but it seems like a waste on such a weak Pokemon.
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32Kilowattrel
Good Special Attack & Speed But Not A Lot Else
Starting with Talonflame in Generation 6, the regional bird Pokemon started to get a little more interesting in its type variety. InPokemon Scarlet & Violet, players were introduced to Wattrel and Kilowattrel, who of course, had the Electric typing.
As a fast, Special Attacker, the Frigatebird Pokemon thrives on being an offensive pivot along with moves like Volt Switch, U-Turn, or Roost. Kilowattrel also has a staring role in the anime,Pokemon Horizons, as one of the Pokemon of the new main character Roy.
Kilowattrel’s Best Moves:
To make use of its speed,Electro Ballis the way to go here withVolt SwitchandRoostas support moves to counter its defensive frailties. The last move should be a Flying-type Special move for the STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), bothHurricaneandAir Slashare viable options.
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31Vikavolt
Fantastic Special Attack
Vikavolt is one of the best Electric-type Pokemon, with an immense 145 Special Attack stat, a powerful Thunder attack will send opponents into the Shadow Realm.Thanks to its Levitate ability, it renders Ground-type attacks useless but still has Rock and Fire types to deal with due to being part Bug-type.
With an awesome design and fairly easy to pick up, Vikavolt should be an option to use for an Electric-type Pokemon on the player’s team. However, it has a big weakness in its Speed, which at 43, is less than desirable.
Vikavolt’s Best Moves:
Vikavolt learns a lot of different moves and has fairly decent coverage. However, gamers should use a combination ofThunderbolt,Bug Buzz,Roost,andEnergyBall. The latter being to counter one of its weaknesses, Rock.
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30Galvantula
Decent Sp. Atk & Speed But Improvement Needed
The first Electric/Bug-typePokemon came in the form of Galvantula and its pre-evolved form of Jotik, which evolves at level 36. The Bug typing somewhat helps this Pokemon as it gives neutrality to Electric’s biggest killer in Ground. However, it does remain with the Bug weaknesses to Rock and Fire. However, the Flying-type frailty is rendered obsolete by the Electric type.
Galvantula has decent stats. It shines in Speed and Special Attack, hitting hard with powerful special STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves. Its design is solid, too - Galvantula is just a tarantula with a shocking coloring, which works well.
Galvantula’s Best Moves:
As a fast Special Attacker, gamers will want to use a moveset ofElectro Ball, which benefits from the likelihood that it will be quicker than the opponent. Bug Buzz will also work as a high-powered Bug move, increased with STAB. As a support move,Thunder Waveis perfect for ensuring paralysis, andSucker Punchwill work as a priority move, making sure the target is definitely hit in battle.
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29Alolan Golem
A Needed Variant For An Iconic Pokemon
Originally, Golem was introduced as one of the members of the original 151 Pokemon inPokemon Red & Blue, and years later, it was given a regional form in Alola and given the Electric typing as opposed to the Ground typing. Typing-wise, this wasn’t a great move as it gained a 4x weakness to Ground and also a Fighting, Water, and Grass weakness.
However, physically, this Pokemon is a beast both in offense and defense. It can certainly deal massive amounts of damage but don’t expect it to be winning any races. Golem is given some epic facial hair and a new structure on the back, which plays on the electric theme.
Alolan Golem’s Best Moves:
In Alola, Golem has a completely different moveset, of course, as it has a brand-new type. Gamers should consider a moveset ofStone Edgefor massive Rock damage.Thunder Punchwill be useful for some shocking physical power.Stealth Rockwill allow for some chip damage when an enemy Pokemon enters the field. When in a pinch, the 250-base powerExplosionis the perfect last resort when the chips are down.
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28Lanturn
The First Water/Electric-type Family
Pokemon Gold & Silverintroduced a brand-new wave of Pokemon, and one of those was the Water/Electric-type Lanturn, which can be used as an effective wall thanks to its massive HP stat. It will take a lot to rock this Pokemon, especially considering it only has two weaknesses: Ground and Grass. The former is countered well by Lanturn’s Water moves.
This ‘mon is based on an angler fish, but unlike the real-life animal, this Pokemon is much nicer to look at, and it seems a lot more friendly. Chinchou is the first stage of this family, and it evolves starting at level 27.
Lanturn’s Best Moves:
A good way to go when using Lanturn is theStockpile,Swallow, andSpit Upstrategy, as it learns all moves on evolution. Stockpile can be done up to three times to boost the powers of Swallow (which gains HP back) and Spit Up (which deals damage to the opposing Pokemon), and it also boosts the user’s Defense and Special Defense. The other move should be a move such asHydro PumporDischargefor some extra damage.
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27Heliolisk
Varied Moveset with High Special Attack
Electric and Normal-type Pokemon both have the smallest number of weaknesses in the games. Being an Electric/Normal-type, Heliolisk reaps the benefits and drawbacks of both. Its typing makes it weak to both Ground and Fighting-type moves, which gives it more weaknesses than what a pure Electric-type would have. On the plus side, it does get an immunity to Ghost-type moves.
Heliolisk’s high Speed and Special Attack make it a great glass cannon. Trainers probably shouldn’t expect it to last very long in most battles. But if used effectively in the right matchups, Heliolisk can really shine in most teams.
Heliolisk’s Best Moves:
To use the Generator Pokemon’s high Special Attack, Heliolisk should run a moveset ofVolt Switch, a 70 base power Special move that will also switch it out, handy for needing a way out of a battle.Hyper Voiceis a Normal-type Special move to add some variety.Thunderboltis the best Electic-type Special move, as the higher power Thunder has lower accuracy. The last move should beSurf, an awesome counter to Electric’s only weakness, Ground.
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26Zebstrika
A Fast Physical Attacker
Unlike most pure Electric types, Zebstrika has a much higher Attack than it does Special Attack. With a variety of solid Physical moves in its learnset, this Electric Pokemon can be a useful addition to any party.
Zebstrika’s biggest fault lies in its Defense. Both its base Defense and Special Defense come in at an abysmal 63. This means that it will likely fall to any opponent it fails to finish off with its first attack. It’s another glass cannon that gives trainers the option of going for a Physical attacker instead.
Zebstrika’s Best Moves:
Gamers should run Physical Attacking moves,Wild Chargewould be perfect here to make use of a STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) move.Volt Switchwill also be handy to switch out,Flame Chargeis awesome for some type coverage, andRest or Substitutecan also be applied to neutralize and minimize any damage gained, with its low defenses it could be needed in battle.
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25Hisuian Electrode
Speed is the Game
Pokemon Legends: Arceusbrought fans some interesting variations of Pokemon, and one of those is a variant on the Electric-type Electrode. The lore of Pokemon explains that Pokeballs were originally wooden and made from ‘Apricorns,’ so to make the Pokeball-inspired Pokemon Electrode a Grass-type is perfect.
Electrode on its own is a bit of a gimmick. It is quick and tends to use Explosion. However, its Hisuian counterpart is a bit more three-dimensional, capable of learning some STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) Grass moves such as Chloroblast, Energy Ball, and Seed Bomb. But it also has decent type coverage in Gyro Ball and Rollout, along with the standard Electric moves. At 150 Speed, both forms of Electrode are incredibly quick. Not manyother Pokemon will outspeed this ‘mon in battle.
Hisuian Electrode’s Best Moves:
Electro Ballis the perfect move for Hisuian Electrode. This move has more power the more speed the Pokemon has than its opponent, being one of the fastest in the franchise makes this move beastly. The Pokemon is known for exploding, soExplosioncan be useful with a 250-base power move as a last resort in a tough battle.Chloroblastis ideal for a STAB grass Special move.Volt Switchis also a move to use as a way to switch out of battle.
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24Luxray
An Intimidating Physical Attacker
Luxray is another standout Electric-type that breaks the mold and boasts a higher Attack than Special Attack. Its Defense and Special Defense are average at best, as is its HP.
Trainers will need to get the most out of Luxray in battle, as it isn’t tanky enough to sustain consistent damage. With 79 base Speed, it’s likely that Luxray won’t be attacking first against most opponents. But it’s still one of the best Electric-type Pokemon, thanks to its diverse learn set and high Attack stat.
Luxray’s Best Moves:
Luxray prides itself on its Physical Attack. The ideal moveset to run with the Gleam Eyes Pokemon isWild Charge,which can hit hard with a 90-base power move.Crunchadds some variety with another type.Thunder Waveis also useful as it is a way to instantly paralyze opponents.Trailblaze, a Grass move will give this ‘mon a way to counter those Ground types that cause Electric so many problems.
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