The best of them are ultra-fast, out-speeding and shocking opponents before they get a chance to hit back. So if you want to supercharge your team in ORAS or any of the Gen 3 originals, here are the greatest Electric-types that the Hoenn region has to offer.
5. Electrode
Suggested Moves:
Electro Ball Discharge Thunder Wave Light Screen
Electrode is an incredibly fast Electric-type that’s let down by its other stats. To compensate for this, we’ll leverage this speed into an even greater strength. Let’s look into a good moveset for your Electrode build: Electro Ball is learned at level 22, and becomes more powerful the more that Electrode outspeeds the opponent. Against an average or low speed opponent, Electro Ball will deal serious damage. For our primary STAB move we can use Discharge, learned at level 41. We’ll use Electrode’s other two moves to offset its low HP and defenses. We have two options when trying to keep Electrode alive against powerful opponents. The first is to pick up Thunder Wave as TM73 from the traveling salesman in Slateport City, to attempt to paralyze the enemy. If you’re facing a special-attacking opponent, you can also use Light Screen to raise the entire party’s special defense and ensure that Electrode won’t go out in vain. Light Screen is learned at level 29. How to catch: Catch a Voltorb on Route 110, then raise it to level 30 to evolve it into Electrode.
4. Galvantula
Suggested Moves:
Signal Beam Discharge Energy Ball Thunder Wave
Galvantula is my all-time favorite Electric-type Pokémon, but it only hits 4th place on this list. While it has a unique typing and great base stats, it’s only available in ORAS. And it’s first found very late into the game, right after the final Gym battle. So this one’s your call whether it’s worth the wait. For a build setup, we’ll put Galvantula’s unique typing to use with Signal Beam, a powerful Bug-type STAB move Joltik will learn at level 34. For Electric-type STAB, teach Galvantula Discharge at level 54. Then to cover Galvantula’s Ground-type weakness, pick up Energy Ball (TM53) found in Area 1 of the Safari Zone. Galvantula is relatively slow for an Electric-type, so we’ll use Thunder Wave as its final move. This way we can paralyze any opponents who may outspeed us. Thunder Wave is learned at level 4, so you may need to visit the Move Reminder in Fallarbor Town if Joltik didn’t already know it when you caught it. How to catch: Catch a Joltik by using the DexNav (available after beating Sootopolis Gym) on Route 116. Evolve it into Galvantula by raising it to level 36.
3. Raichu
Suggested Moves:
Thunder Wave Double Team Thunderbolt Agility
First things first: Raichu doesn’t learn any moves by level up. So make sure to teach Pikachu every move you want it to learn before you evolve it. As for a suggested build, we’ll use a classic moveset to play into Raichu’s strength, while making it almost impossible to hit. First we can teach it Thunder Wave to paralyze our foes, then it can learn Double Team for evasion. Using it six times will max out Raichu’s evasiveness. Pikachu learns both of these moves naturally, at levels 18 and 21 respectively. Once Raichu is evasive enough, we’ll channel Ash Ketchum and repeatedly use Thunderbolt until the opponent faints. Pikachu will learn Thunderbolt naturally at level 29. But if you’re fighting a Pokémon that’s immune to Paralysis, you might instead want to use Agility. While this won’t immobilize the enemy, it will ensure that Raichu outspeeds it. Agility is the final levelup move we need before evolving Pikachu, learned at level 37. How to catch: Catch a Pikachu in Area 1 of the Safari Zone. Once it’s learned its full moveset, acquire a Thunder Stone, either through finding one in New Mauville or trading one for a Yellow Shard with a Route 124 Treasure Hunter. Use the Thunder Stone on Pikachu to evolve it into Raichu.
2. Magnezone
Suggested Moves:
Flash Cannon Discharge Metal Sound Magnet Rise
Magnezone is an awesome upgrade to Magneton, first introduced in Gen 4. So if you’re playing Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald you’ll have to make do with just Magneton. But for Magnezone’s moveset, we’ll use Flash Cannon and Discharge as STAB moves, learned at levels 33 and 43. Then if you’re up against a special-defense wall then Metal Sound can help to knock it down by lowering its special-defense by two stages. Magnemite will learn this move at level 29. For Magnezone’s final move, we’ll offset the downside of Magnezone’s Steel/Electric-typing by using Magnet Rise to nullify its weakness to Ground-type moves. If you’re playing the Gen 3 games, maybe equip Magneton with these moves for the best results:
Spark Metal Sound Thunder Wave (4th move can vary!)
Note: Magneton is not nearly as good as Magnezone. So by itself in RSE, Magneton would probably make the fourth spot on this list, right below Galvantula. How to catch: Catch a Magnemite on Route 110, then evolve it into Magneton at level 30. If you’re playing ORAS, head to Square Tower after beating the 8th Gym to meet Wattson and unlock New Mauville. Leveling up Magneton in New Mauville will evolve it into Magnezone.
1. Mega Manectric
Suggested Moves:
Thunder Wave Thunder/Discharge Flamethrower Double Team
Manectric is a versatile Electric-type that can find a spot on any team. And its new Mega Evolution helps too. Here’s how we can build it into a powerhouse: First off, take Manectric to the Move Reminder in Fallarbor Town to teach it Thunder Wave, then head to the Lilycove Department Store to buy the TM for Thunder (TM25). Thunder is an extremely powerful move, but its low accuracy means we’ll have to give Manectric some other reliable means of attack. At level 30 Manectric will learn Discharge, which should be used more often instead of Thunder – unless you want to take the risk of your attack missing. For its final move, Manectric should learn either Flamethrower or Double Team, depending on whether you want some extra damage, or to stay on the safe side. Personally, I teach Manectric Double Team as soon as I pick it up (TM32) on Route 113. Then I overwrite it with Flamethrower once I reach Victory Road. Flamethrower (TM35) can be specifically found on floor B1F in Victory Road – and you’ll need a Pokémon who knows Strength to reach it. How to catch: Catch an Electrike on Route 113, then raise it to level 26 to evolve it into Manectric. Pick up Manectric’s Mega Stone near the north entrance to the Route 110 Cycling Path.
