How to Evolve Pikachu

Co-authored by Travis Boylls Reviewed by Ishrak

Last Updated: December 14, 2024 Fact Checked

Pikachu is the electrified yellow mascot of the Pokémon series. In the Pokémon games, Pikachu can be evolved into Raichu using a Thunder Stone. This wikiHow teaches you how to level up your Pikachu.

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1
Catch Pikachu. Pikachu can be evolved from Pichu, or captured at the following locations, depending on which game you are playing:^{[1]
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- Red/Blue/FireRed/GreenLeaf: Viridian Forest and the Power Plant.
- Yellow/Let's Go Pikachu: Starter Pokemon from Professor Oak in Pallet Town.
- Gold/Silver/Crystal: Route 2.
- Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald: Safari Zone.
- Coloseum/XD: Trade.
- Diamond/Pearl/Platinum: Trophy Garden.
- HeartGold/SoulSilver/Let's Go Eevee: Viridian Forest.
- Pal Park: Forest
- Pokéwalker: Resort, Yellow Forest, Rally, and Sightseeing
- Black/White/Black 2/White 2: Poké Transfer
- X/Y: Santalune Forest, Route 3, and Friend Safari (Electric)
- Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire: In the long grass of Zone 1 in Safari Zone, and Cosplay Pikachu.
- Sun/Moon/Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon: Route 1, and the SOS battle in Hau'oli City.
Pikachu can not learn any new moves after evolving (except via a TM). Make sure your Pikachu learns all the moves you want it to learn before evolving it.

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3
Obtain a Thunder Stone. Thunder Stones can be found in the following locations depending on which game you are playing:^{[2]
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- Red/Blue/Yellow: Thunder Stones can be bought for $2,100 on the fourth floor of the Celadon Department Store.
- Silver/Gold/Crystal: Thunder Stones are a gift from Bill's grandfather in Fuchsia City when he is shown a Pichu. You can also get one as a gift from Dass Lana in Route 38 by recording her phone number.
- Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald: Thunder Stones are given by the Diving Treasure Hunter in Route 124 in exchange for Yellow Shards.
- FireRed/LeafGreen: Thunder Stones can be bought for $2,100 on the fourth floor of the Celadon Department Store.
- Diamond/Pearl/Platinum Thunder Stones can be found throughout Sinnoh and by digging them out of the walls of The Underground.
- Sun/Moon/Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon: Thunder Stones can be bought from Olivia’s jewelry shop in Konikoni City.
4
Use the Thunder Stone on your Pikachu. You can use your Thunder Stone on Pikachu by selecting it from your bag and then selecting the Pikachu. This evolves Pikachu to Raichu.^{[3]
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- In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Pikachu evolves into Alolan Raichu, with Surge Surfer as a new ability. To get regular Raichu in Sun and Moon, you must import it from a previous game.

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What is Pikachu's first evolution?

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Pikachu can only evolve once. it evolves from Pichu into RAICHU with a thunderstone.

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Can I evolve Pikachu into an Alolan Raichu?

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As long as you are not in ultra space, yes; just use a thunder stone to evolve Pikachu into Alolan Raichu.

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In Pokemon Silver, Gold, and Crystal, you can get a Pichu by putting two Pikachus of opposite genders or one Pikachu and a Ditto in the day-care and wait for an egg.

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In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, Yellow Shards are the held item of some wild Chinchou commonly found Underwater. Steal them by using Thief, Covet or by catching the Chinchou.

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