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: Complete Tutorial (Basics 1) (post 1.12.1.2) Complete Tutorial (Basics 2) (choice of 5) (pre 1.12.1.2) | |
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 |
|---|---|
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) | |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Holowear
| Name | Holowear | Release Date | Unlock Method | Audio/Visual FX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
July 21, 2021 | Premium Battle Pass - Season 1* | Appearance only | |
|
August 18, 2021 | Appearance only | ||
|
September 22, 2021 | Mobile version launch login reward* | KO Movement | |
|
September 22, 2021 | Appearance only | ||
|
September 22, 2021 | Appearance only | ||
|
December 15, 2021 | Unite Move Scoring Returning KO Movement | ||
|
December 20, 2021 | Premium Battle Pass - Season 4* | Appearance only | |
|
February 12, 2022 | KO Movement | ||
|
July 21, 2022 | Premium Battle Pass - Season 9* | Unite Move Scoring Returning KO Movement | |
|
December 22, 2022 | Unite Move Scoring Returning KO Movement | ||
|
June 23, 2023 | Scoring Returning KO Movement | ||
|
December 19, 2024 | Treasure Chest Challenge | 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
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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
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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
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Related articles
For more information on this Pokémon's species, see Pikachu.
| Playable characters in Pokémon UNITE | ||||||||||
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This article is part of Project Sidegames, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon Sidegames. |


























