Electric-type Pokémon Weaknesses: Discover Their Strengths and Vulnerabilities

Electric-type Pokémon strike swiftly and with great force, making them formidable opponents in battle. Here’s a comprehensive guide on their weaknesses to help you neutralize their advantage.

Among the most dangerous creatures you may encounter, Electric-types are known for their remarkable speed and impact moves, which can leave unprepared trainers facing significant challenges.

What are Electric-types vulnerable to?

When it comes to engagements with opposing Pokémon types, Electric-types have only one main vulnerability:

Ground

To successfully battle against Electric-types, it’s essential to assemble a robust team of Ground-type Pokémon. Take note of any secondary typings, as they can significantly influence the duel’s dynamics.

Seeing Ash with a Raichu instead of his iconic Pikachu is a rare sight. — The Pokémon Company

Strengths of Electric-types

In addition to having specific weaknesses, Electric-type Pokémon also exhibit resistances to Flying, Steel, and other Electric-types. This is vital information whether you’re utilizing or facing these creatures.

If you’re looking to exploit an Electric-type’s capabilities, engaging them in battles against Flying and Water-type Pokémon can yield super effective results.

Electric-type weaknesses

As previously noted, Electric-type Pokémon are primarily vulnerable to Ground attacks, which are entirely ineffective against them.

Additionally, Electric moves are subpar against Grass, Dragon, and other Electric Pokémon, resulting in minimal damage, so it’s wise to not employ them in such scenarios.

When deploying an Electric-type Pokémon in a matchup where it faces significant disadvantages, pairing it with a dual-type can enhance your strategy, such as Gen 9’s Pawmot.

Optimal counters for Electric Pokémon

Since Electric-types exhibit weakness solely to Ground Pokémon, these creatures should be your go-to counters. Here are some top picks to confidently challenge Electric-types:

Garchomp (Dragon/Ground)
Groudon (Ground)
Hippowdon (Ground)
Toedscruel (Ground/Grass)
Flygon (Ground/Dragon)

Remember to consider the secondary typing of your opponent to anticipate their strengths and weaknesses during battle.

A screenshot from the Pokémon anime featuring Mega Garchomp — The Pokémon Company

Best moves to counter Electric Pokémon

There are numerous highly effective Ground-type moves available for battling Electric-type Pokémon. Here’s a selection that stands out for their power and utility:

Precipice Blades (Ground)
Sandsear Storm (Ground)
Earthquake (Ground)
High Horsepower (Ground)
Earth Power (Ground)
You (Ground)
Stomping Tantrum (Ground)
Scorching Sands (Ground)
Mud Bomb (Ground)
Sand Tomb (Ground)

Precipice Blades is Groudon’s signature move and is regarded as the ultimate physical Ground-type attack, boasting 120 power and 85% accuracy, with the ability to strike adjacent foes as well. Conversely, Earthquake has been a staple since Gen 1, beloved not only for its strength but also for its perfect accuracy, making dodge tactics ineffective.

Moves like High Horsepower, Dig, and Sand Tomb provide excellent physical damage outputs. High Horsepower has no secondary effects, while Dig allows for an evasion tactic by burrowing underground on the first turn, and Sand Tomb ensnares opponents for continuous damage over 4-5 turns.

Sandsear Storm and Scorching Sands are formidable special moves that can burn opponents, contributing to a gradual depletion of their HP through consecutive turns.

Top Tera Types

With the introduction of Tera Types in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet from Gen 9, understanding the best Tera combinations for Electric-types is crucial, as this mechanic alters some battle principles.

Electric: Provides an additional boost through STAB.
Water: Enhances attacks against Ground types.
Ice: Boosts performance against Ground-type opponents.

Electabuzz Pokémon — The Pokémon Company

Top Electric-type moves

With a total of 48 Electric-type moves available, we’ve curated a list of the most powerful special, physical, and status attacks suitable for battles:

MOVE	CATEGORY	POWER	ACCURACY	PP	EFFECT	GEN
Electro Shot	Special	130	100%	10	Charges for one turn	Gen IX
Zap Cannon	Special	120	50%	5	Paralyzes the target	Gen II
Thunder	Special	110	70%	10	May cause paralysis	Gen I
Thunderbolt	Special	90	100%	15	May paralyze the opponent	Gen I
Bolt Strike	Physical	130	85%	5	May cause paralysis	Gen V
Volt Tackle	Physical	120	100%	15	User takes recoil damage; may paralyze	Gen III
Supercell Slam	Physical	100	95%	15	–	Gen IX
Bolt Beak	Physical	85	100%	10	Doubles power if the user attacks first	Gen VIII
Magnet Rise	Status	X	X	10	Immune to Ground-type moves for 5 turns	Gen IV
Thunder Wave	Status	X	90%	20	Paralyzes the opponent	Gen I