Electric Types in Pokémon GO: past, present and the future

The Electric type was among the first types to be introduced in the Pokémon universe. With a total of 61 Electric type Pokémon, being rather fairly spread out throughout generations, these Pokémon are especially popular due to their fast attacks. Like many other type, the Electric type saw the introduction of most of its popular moves with Generation I. It wasn’t until Generation IV that the type would see another big wave of moves being introduced in the games.

In the main series games, Electric type attacks are certainly known for being fast, but also for potentially paralyzing their opponent. Unfortunately, this hasn’t (yet?) been implemented in Pokémon GO.

Although Pokémon GO has already been introduced with two of the strongest Electric type Pokémon (Zapdos and Raikou), the fact remains that there are still a few left to introduce that could certainly compete with the two previously mentioned. Below is a list of all (mention-worthy, in our opinion) Electric type Pokémon already released in the game, and those to keep an eye out for in the next few years.

Pokémon ATK DEF STA Max CP Type Gen.
Jolteon 232 201 130 2730 Electric 1
Zapdos 253 188 180 3330 Electric Flying 1
Ampharos 211 172 180 2695 Electric 2
Raikou 241 210 180 3349 Electric 2
Luxray 232 156 160 2668 Electric 4
Magnezone 238 217 140 2996 Electric Steel 4
Electivire 249 173 150 2904 Electric 4
Rotom (Wash Rotom) N/A N/A N/A N/A Electric Ghost 4
Zebstrika 211 136 150 2228 Electric 5
Eelektross 217 152 170 2546 Electric 5
Thundurus (Therian Forme) 266 169 158 3131 Electric Flying 5
Zekrom 302 242 200 4654 Electric Dragon 5
Mega Evolutions
Mega-Ampharos N/A N/A N/A N/A Electric 6
Mega-Manetric N/A N/A N/A N/A Electric 6
Mythicals
Zeraora N/A N/A N/A N/A Electric 7

Discussion

Raikou
Raikou is currently the optimal Electric option in the game. Its high CP, ATK, and DEF stat makes it a fierce beast. The good thing about Raikou, is that it will remain among the best Electric type in the game, until Zekrom.

Magnezone
Sounds familiar, right? Magnezone evolves from Magneton, so best put your hands on a good one before Gen IV is released. Magnezone will have stats similar to Raikou, except for its STA, which will make it a Glass Cannon. Glass Cannons remain very useful in the game, so Magnezone will certainly be a great addition to your team.

Zekrom
Not only does Zekrom looks awesome (subjective, I know), but it also will be a beast! Zekrom is a dual-type Dragon and Electric Legendary Pokémon. With its incredible stats, Zekrom will certainly be the optimal Electric Pokémon. Although Electric type Pokémon are known to have high ATK stats, Zekrom will have even higher ATK stats, 302!

Move predictions

As stated earlier, Electric type attacks are known to be very fast. Our table below contains moves that were obtainable in the main series games through evolution or the use of TMs. Although we are surprised that Thunder Fang has not (yet?) been introduced, the Electric type already relies on a very strong pool of movesets.

Like many other types, nearly half of the moves have (technically) already been introduced in the game, so only a few additional moves have been considered for the purpose of this article; should Niantic decide to implement them.

Pokémon Possible Fast Move Possible Charge Move
Luxray
  • Spark Electric
  • Discharge Electric
  • Wild Charge Electric
  • Thunder Fang (?) Electric
Magnezone
  • Thunder Shock Electric
  • Spark Electric
  • Flash Cannon Steel
  • Zap Cannon Electric
  • Discharge Electric
  • Gyro Ball Steel
Electivire
  • Thunder Shock Electric
  • Low Kick Fighting
  • Thunder Electric
  • Discharge Electric
  • Thunderbolt Electric,
  • Thunder Punch Electric
Rotom (Wash Rotom)
  • Hex Ghost
  • Thunder Shock Electric
  • Astonish Ghost
  • Ominous Wind Ghost
  • Discharge Electric
Zebstrika
  • Spark Electric
  • Wild Charge Electric
  • Discharge Electric
Eelektross
  • Zap Cannon Electric
  • Discharge Electric
Thundurus (Therian Forme)
  • Thunder Shock Electric
  • Bite Dark
  • Discharge Electric
  • Thunder Electric
  • Crunch Dark
Zekrom
  • Dragon Breath Dragon
  • Fusion Bolt* (?) Electric
  • Bolt Strike* (?) Electric Fighting
  • Low Sweep Fighting
  • Thunder Electric,
  • Outrage Dragon
  • Thunder Fang (?) Electric

* : Signature Move
(?) : Not yet in the game

Electric Types in the Meta

Although the Electric type has lost a some of its potential of use with the leave of absence from the Legendary Birds and the gym rework, i.e. the loss of gyms stacked with a possibility of ten 3000+ CP Vaporeons, the Electric type remains a strong and efficient type in the game.

Electric type Pokémon, with Electric moves, are SE against only two types:

  • Flying
  • Water

Pure Electric type is weak to only one type, Ground. Unfortunately, since there are very few dual typing Electric Pokémon, there are very few exceptions to the Super Effectiveness of Ground type attackers, as per the table below. We have included Electric type exceptions to the Super Effectiveness of Ground types, based on current or upcoming (italics) dual typing Electric Pokémon. Please note that these exceptions take into account that the Pokémon being fought against also have Ground moves, hence being SE against Electric.

Type SE against Electric Exceptions Rationale
Ground Zapdos, Thundurus Because Flying types Pokémon are resistant to Ground

The Electric type is boosted in Rainy weather, so when the in-game weather turns to Rainy, one can expect to see more Electric types wild spawns, along with boosted IVs and CPs. In addition, their Electric type attacks will do more damage in raids and gym battles.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the [eletric] type generally has Attack (ATK) as its dominant statistic. Defense (DEF) and Stamina (STA) will generally have lower statistics, as can be seen in the first table of this article.

History and Trivia

Since the Electric type was among the first types to be introduced into the Pokémon universe, there isn’t much to tell about its history. One interesting piece of trivia about Electric type in Pokémon is that some of the Electric type Pokémon very much resemble objects that in real life are associated to electricity (Magnemite, Magneton, Voltorb, Electrode, Rotom Wash.

Although there hasn’t been much changes made to [eletric] type since Generation I, and the fact that paralysis has yet to be implemented in the game, just like Fighting, Electric type Pokémon remain a reliable source of reliable high damage input.

Related Articles:
What is the Meta?
What is a meta-relevant Pokémon?
Upcoming Electric Types Pokémon

Author & tags

BoonSlevin
BoonSlevin
Canadian Writer for the Pokémon GO Hub (and Admin on the Discord Server). Now I'm sorry eh, but I have to get more maple syrup from the store with my pet moose eh.

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