Electric-type Pokémon always have a special place in the hearts of the franchise’s fans. The most adored and famous Pokémon, Pikachu, is an electric type himself. He is adorable, but can also be defensively deadly in battles — a trait typical to an electric Pokémon. But for years, it was hard to distinguish the best electric-type Pokémon. Despite many Pokémon-inspired games, nothing gave the experience of a true Pokémon trainer — until Pokémon Go happened.
Pokémon Go shook the world when it first came out in 2016 as the first working Augmented Reality (AR) game. It encouraged players to go out onto the streets to catch and train their Pokémon just like what an actual trainer will do. A good breed of Pokémon might be hard to come by, but it’s not a surprise to know that some players like to theme their Pokémon too! In this article, we rank the best electric-type Pokémon to catch and raise in the game.
Also read: Pokemon Go Hack: Catch Em All With These Spoofs and Tricks
Our List For The Best Electric-Type Pokémon:
Before we start with the list, you have to remember that even the best electric pokémon are susceptible to ground-type attacks that deal a total damage of 160%, compared to the normal 100% maximum a specific attack would be able to. On the other hand, electric-type Pokémon are resistant to steel, electric, and flying-type attacks and only suffer 63% damage of what would have been suffered.
For this list, we’ll include the four legendary electric Pokémon Zekrom, Zapdos, Raikou, and Thundurus. When it comes to pokémon with evolutions, we would only consider one pokémon from the evolutionary line, instead of all the pokémon from it. We also won’t include “Shadow” pokémon or special costumed pokémon.
1. Zekrom
| Max CP | 4,038 |
| Base Stats | Attack – 275, Defense – 211, Stamina – 205 |
| Additional Pokemon Types | Dragon |
| Best Moveset | Offensive – Charge Beam and Wild Charge, Defensive – Charge Beam and Outrage |
| Evolutions | None |
| Base Capture Rate | 2% |
| Base Flee Rate | 1% |
We chose Zekrom as the strongest and best electric pokémon overall due to its overwhelming Maximum CP and primary type. Being a dragon, it adds resistance to water, grass, and fire types which gives it a boost against other pokémon types. Zekrom was first released on June 16, 2020.
Possible Locations: Can only be caught through a raid battle. Now available only through trainer trading and occasional events.
2. Zapdos
| Max CP | 3,527 |
| Base Stats | Attack – 253, Defense – 185, Stamina – 207 |
| Additional Pokemon Types | Secondary – Flying |
| Best Moveset | Offensive – Charge Beam and Drill Peck, Defensive – Charge Beam and Zap Cannon |
| Evolutions | None |
| Base Capture Rate | 3% |
| Base Flee Rate | 10% |
Zapdos is second on our list with a high Max CP of 3,527. Aside from being a legendary Pokémon, it dwarfs all other electric Pokémon except Zekrom due to its secondary flying type. Zapdos was first released in Pokémon on August 7, 2017.
Possible Locations: Can only be caught through a raid battle. Now available only through trainer trading and occasional events.
3. Raikou
| Max CP | 3,452 |
| Base Stats | Attack – 241, Defense – 195, Stamina – 207 |
| Additional Pokemon Types | None |
| Best Moveset | Offensive and Defensive – Volt Switch and Wild Charge |
| Evolutions | None |
| Base Capture Rate | 2% |
| Base Flee Rate | 4% |
The third on our list and the third legendary electric Pokémon, Raikou stands just a little under Zapdos due to lower attack base stat. Raikou was first released in the game on August 31, 2017.
Possible Locations: Can only be caught through a raid battle. Now available only through trainer trading and occasional events.
4. Thundurus (Therian)
| Max CP | 3,659 |
| Base Stats | Attack – 295, Defense – 161, Stamina – 188 |
| Additional Pokemon Types | Secondary- Flying |
| Best Moveset | Offensive and Defensive – Volt Switch and Thunderbolt |
| Evolutions | None |
| Base Capture Rate | 2% |
| Base Flee Rate | 1% |
The fourth one on our list, Thundurus actually has two forms: the Therian and Incarnate forms. For this list, we specifically chose the Therian form due to its stronger moveset, namely the availability of Volt Switch. Thundurus was first released in Pokémon Go on March 2, 2020.
Possible Locations: Can only be caught through a raid battle. Now available only through trainer trading and occasional events.
5. Magnezone
| Max CP | 3,205 |
| Base Stats | Attack – 238, Defense – 205, Stamina – 172 |
| Additional Pokemon Types | Secondary – Steel |
| Best Moveset | Offensive – Spark and Wild Charge, Defensive – Charge Beam and Wild Charge |
| Evolutions | Evolves from Magneton |
| Base Capture Rate | 12.5% |
| Base Flee Rate | 5% |
Magnezone is the first Pokémon on this list that isn’t a legendary Pokémon. Magnezone is the final evolution of Magnemite and has a complicated evolution requirement. You have to evolve Magneton from Magnemite through 100 Magnemite Candy and then feed it 100 Magneton Candy while in range of a Magnetic Lure Module. Magnezone was first released on May 17, 2019.
Possible Locations: Has to be evolved from Magneton.
6.Electivire
| Max CP | 3,079 |
| Base Stats | Attack – 249, Defense – 163, Stamina – 181 |
| Additional Pokemon Types | None |
| Best Moveset | Offensive and Defensive – Thunder Shock and Wild Charge |
| Evolutions | Evolves from Electabuzz |
| Base Capture Rate | 15% |
| Base Flee Rate | 10% |
Electivire is the final evolution of Elekid. You can evolve Electabuzz by feeding it 100 Electabuzz Candy and using a Sinnoh Stone. Electivire was first released in Pokémon Go on November 14, 2018.
Possible Locations: Has to be evolved from Electabuzz.
7. Jolteon
| Max CP | 2,888 |
| Base Stats | Attack – 232, Defense – 182, Stamina – 163 |
| Additional Pokemon Types | None |
| Best Moveset | Offensive – Thunder Shock and Thunder Bolt, Defensive – Volt Switch and Discharge |
| Evolutions | Evolves from Eevee |
| Base Capture Rate | 12.5% |
| Base Flee Rate | 6% |
Although tied with Luxray at 2,888 CP, Jolteon is easier to acquire due to the two ways you could get one. The first is to get one through capturing it in the wild. Jolteon can also be evolved from Eevee by spending 25 Eevee Candy and naming it “Sparky”. If an Eevee is evolved by spending for candy without using the name, it would evolve into a random “eeveelution” instead. Jolteon was first released in the game on July 6, 2016.
Possible Locations: Wild locations are usually near schools, universities, commercial districts, and industrial parks. Can also be evolved from Eevee.
8. Luxray
| Max CP | 2,888 |
| Base Stats | Attack – 232, Defense – 156, Stamina – 190 |
| Additional Pokemon Types | None |
| Best Moveset | Offensive – Snarl and Wild Charge, Defensive – Hidden Power and Wild Charge |
| Evolutions | Evolves from Luxio |
| Base Capture Rate | 12.5% |
| Base Flee Rate | 5% |
One of the best-type electric Pokémon that aren’t legendary Pokémon, Luxray is part of the Shinx evolution line. You can only get a Luxray by evolving Shinx into Luxio using 25 Shinx Candies and Luxio into Luxray by feeding it 100 Luxio Candies. Luxray was first released in Pokémon Go along with its pre-evolutions on October 16, 2018.
Possible Locations: Can only be evolved from Luxio.
9. Ampharos
| Max CP | 2,852 |
| Base Stats | Attack – 211, Defense – 169, Stamina – 207 |
| Additional Pokemon Types | None |
| Best Moveset | Offensive and Defensive – Volt Switch and Zap Cannon |
| Evolutions | Mega Evolution to Mega Ampharos |
| Base Capture Rate | 12.5% |
| Base Flee Rate | 5% |
Ampharos is a unique case due to having a Mega Evolution. While Ampharos only has 2,852 CP, Mega Ampharos can reach as high as 4,245 CP. The downside to Ampharos is that Mega Evolutions are only temporary and would revert back to a normal Ampharos in time. Ampharos was first released in Pokémon Go on February 17, 2017.
Possible Locations: Wild locations are usually in grasslands and farms.
10. Eelektross
| Max CP | 2,732 |
| Base Stats | Attack – 217, Defense – 152, Stamina – 198 |
| Additional Pokemon Types | None |
| Best Moveset | Offensive and Defensive – Spark and Thunderbolt |
| Evolutions | Evolves from Eelektrik |
| Base Capture Rate | 5% |
| Base Flee Rate | 5% |
Eelektross is another third evolution, this time from Tynamo. The only way you can get an Eelektross is by feeding a Tynamo with 25 candies and evolving it to Eelektrik then evolving that with 100 Eelektrik candies. Eelektross was released in the game on March 16, 2021.
Possible Locations: Can only be evolved from Eelektrik.
11. Zebstrika
| Max CP | 2,428 |
| Base Stats | Attack – 211, Defense – 136, Stamina – 181 |
| Additional Pokemon Types | None |
| Best Moveset | Offensive and Defensive – Spark and Wild Charge |
| Evolutions | Evolves from Blitzle |
| Base Capture Rate | 10% |
| Base Flee Rate | 7% |
You can only get Zebstrika by evolving it from Blitzle using 50 Blitzle Candies. However, there may be future events where you could get one after a raid battle. Zebstrika was added to Pokémon Go on September 16, 2019.
Possible Locations: Can only be evolved from Blitzle.
12. Manectric
| Max CP | 2,340 |
| Base Stats | Attack – 215, Defense – 127, Stamina – 172 |
| Additional Pokemon Types | None |
| Best Moveset | Offensive – Snarl and Wild Charge, Defensive – Charge Beam and Wild Charge |
| Evolutions | Evolves from Electrike |
| Base Capture Rate | 20% |
| Base Flee Rate | 6% |
Similar to Ampharos, Manectric also has a Mega Evolution that has a Max CP 3,580. Aside from capturing a wild Manectric, you can also evolve one from Electrike by giving it 50 candies. Manectric came to Pokémon Go on December 8, 2017.
Possible Locations: Wild locations are usually at university and college campuses, and industrial locations.
13. Raichu
| Max CP | 2,182 |
| Base Stats | Attack – 193, Defense – 151, Stamina – 155 |
| Additional Pokemon Types | None |
| Best Moveset | Offensive and Defensive – Volt Switch and Wild Charge |
| Evolutions | Evolves from Pikachu |
| Base Capture Rate | 10% |
| Base Flee Rate | 6% |
While it’s the last one on our list, Raichu is one of the more lovable Pokémon coming in from the first-ever Pokémon generation. Raichu rates at 2,182 just above Electrode with 2,099, and Lanturn with 2,085, which just didn’t make the cut. You can evolve Raichu from Pikachu with 50 candies that evolve from Pichu with 25 candies. Raichu is one of the first Pokémon released in Pokémon Go.
Possible Locations: Wild locations are usually near schools, universities, commercial districts, and industrial parks. Can also be evolved from Pikachu.
How to Rate the Best Pokémon
Picking the best Pokémon to keep and raise is hard. Normally, one will be drawn to adorable Pokémon, although not all of them will take you further to the game because of low stats. On the other hand, legendary Pokémon are hard to come by and are almost impossible to catch. That said, here are the things you should notice on your Pokédex to help you catch the worthiest Pokémon:
Max Combat Power
The most important of these categories is the Max Combat Power or Max CP. CP refers to the overall strength of a specific Pokémon and how it’s expected to perform in battle. As soon as your trainer level goes up, it’s expected that the Pokémon you encounter also get higher level CPs. Although you can power up your Pokémon by paying stardust for candy, it’s more cost-effective to just capture a Pokémon with a high CP instead.
Meanwhile, Max CP is the maximum CP allowed for a Pokémon of its level and can be seen by a small arc of light behind your Pokémon in the Pokémon’s status screen. This means the more filled the arc is, the nearer to the Maximum CP it is.
Base Stats
Another category is Base Stats which are Pokémon’s Attack, Defense, and HP evaluations. The only way to know your Pokémon’s Base Stats is to ask your Team Leader (Candela for Team Valor, Blanche for Team Mystic, and Spark for Team Instinct) to “Appraise” your Pokémon. This can be done by going to the Pokémon’s status screen, clicking on the menu (three vertical bars) on the lower right, and selecting Appraise. Your Team Leader (Candela in this example) will then show a graph of the three stats that you could then convert into a number with a maximum of 15.
After that, these statistics can then be used to calculate your Pokémon’s IV (Individual Values) and is related to Max CP. These IVs show a percentage of how far your pokémon is to a perfect 100% of its Max CP. While a bit of a complicated process, there are Pokemon Go IV calculator apps you can use on Android and iOS.
Additional Pokémon Types and Moveset
Some Pokémon on this list have other types aside from electric-like Magnezone that’s electric and steel-type or Stunfisk that’s both ground and electric. Obviously, we’ll take note of these factors that add or reduce the type weaknesses and strengths of the electric type. We’ll consider these factors when deciding which Pokémon to rank. Furthermore, we would also make a note on which moves are the best for each pokémon due to its strength compared to other moves it could learn.
Possible Evolutions
For this list, we indicate the Pokémon that our pick evolved from or Pokémon they could evolve to. You’ll also see which Pokémon have special evolution techniques compared to the candy-based evolutions and how to evolve them.
Base Capture Rate, Base Flee Rate, and Possible Locations
Those who’d played the game would know that most Pokémon appear randomly throughout the world, but Niantic gave a few tips to locating the pokémon you want. Certain Pokémon can only be encountered in specific places like parks and schools. There may also be some Pokémon that can only be evolved from earlier Pokémon forms. Some Pokémon are also regionally exclusive, raid-exclusive that can only be caught during raid battles, and event-exclusive that only appear during an online event. Remember how people fake GPS locations before just to play Pokémon Go when it’s not yet released globally? That might also work if you want to catch Pokémon exclusive to specific countries.
Of course, it is also important to take note of the Base Capture and Base Flee Rates of each Pokémon, which denotes how hard it is to capture and how easy that Pokémon would run away after a failed Pokéball throw.
Takeaways
Pokémon is one of the most expansive and versatile series the world has ever seen, with thousands of Pokémon to choose from and train. While Pokémon Go is only a small part of it, the game’s “Pokédex” will continue to increase year after year. Playing Pokémon Go on the phone is fun since you can easily carry it around whenever you move.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you choose which electrically charged buddies you’ll be taking with you on your next Pokémon adventure.
