Skip to content
DexTeam

Ability · Gen 3 · 20 Pokémon

Lightning Rod

This Pokemon draws Electric moves to itself to raise Sp. Atk by 1; Electric immunity.

This Pokemon is immune to Electric-type moves and raises its Special Attack by 1 stage when hit by an Electric-type move. If this Pokemon is not the target of a single-target Electric-type move used by another Pokemon, this Pokemon redirects that move to itself if it is within the range of that move. If multiple Pokemon could redirect with this Ability, it goes to the one with the highest Speed, or in the case of a tie to the one that has had this Ability active longer.

Lightning Rod was introduced in Generation 3. 20 Pokémon and forms can have it (7 as a hidden ability).

Team builderAll abilities

Changes type matchups

Electric: immune (0×)

Applied automatically on every weakness page and in the team builder's defensive analysis.

Best Pokémon with Lightning Rod

Ranked by usage in public Pokémon Showdown battles (Champions VGC first, then National Dex OU, SV OU and Champions Singles), with how many of each Pokémon's sets actually run Lightning Rod.

  1. Pincurchin1. Pincurchin#93 in Champions VGC · 7.8% run Lightning Rod
  2. Sceptile-Mega2. Mega Sceptile#137 in Champions VGC · 100% run Lightning Rod
  3. Raichu3. Raichu#141 in Champions VGC · 97.2% run Lightning Rod
  4. Rhyperior4. Rhyperior#157 in Champions VGC · 20.7% run Lightning Rod
  5. Pikachu5. Pikachu#253 in Champions VGC · 88.4% run Lightning Rod
  6. Manectric6. Manectric#259 in Champions VGC · 93.3% run Lightning Rod
  7. Marowak-Alola7. Alolan Marowak#120 in National Dex OU · 11.4% run Lightning Rod
  8. Togedemaru8. Togedemaru#291 in National Dex OU · usually runs another ability

Lightning Rod before and after

Damage taken by Pincurchin, Mega Sceptile and Raichu without → with Lightning Rod.

AttackPincurchinMega SceptileRaichu
Electric½× → 0×¼× → 0×½× → 0×

Pokémon with Lightning Rod

As a regular ability (13)

CuboneCuboneMarowakMarowakMarowak-AlolaAlolan MarowakRhyhornRhyhornRhydonRhydonSceptile-MegaMega SceptileElectrikeElectrikeManectricManectricRhyperiorRhyperiorBlitzleBlitzleZebstrikaZebstrikaTogedemaruTogedemaruPincurchinPincurchin

As a hidden ability (7)

PikachuPikachuPikachu-AlolaPikachu (Alola Cap)RaichuRaichuGoldeenGoldeenSeakingSeakingPichuPichuPluslePlusle

Lightning Rod FAQ

What does Lightning Rod do?

This Pokemon is immune to Electric-type moves and raises its Special Attack by 1 stage when hit by an Electric-type move. If this Pokemon is not the target of a single-target Electric-type move used by another Pokemon, this Pokemon redirects that move to itself if it is within the range of that move. If multiple Pokemon could redirect with this Ability, it goes to the one with the highest Speed, or in the case of a tie to the one that has had this Ability active longer.

Which Pokémon have Lightning Rod?

20 Pokémon and forms can have Lightning Rod, 7 of them only as a hidden ability: Pikachu, Pikachu (Alola Cap), Raichu, Cubone, Marowak, Alolan Marowak, Rhyhorn and Rhydon and more.

Is Lightning Rod a hidden ability?

It depends on the Pokémon. Pikachu, Pikachu (Alola Cap), Raichu, Goldeen and Seaking have it as a hidden ability, while Cubone, Marowak, Alolan Marowak, Rhyhorn and Rhydon can have it as a regular ability.

What are the best Pokémon with Lightning Rod?

By competitive usage, the most used Pokémon that can have Lightning Rod are Pincurchin (#93 in Champions VGC, 7.8% run Lightning Rod), Mega Sceptile (#137 in Champions VGC, 100% run Lightning Rod), Raichu (#141 in Champions VGC, 97.2% run Lightning Rod), Rhyperior (#157 in Champions VGC, 20.7% run Lightning Rod) and Pikachu (#253 in Champions VGC, 88.4% run Lightning Rod).

Does Lightning Rod change type matchups?

Yes. Electric: immune (0×). DexTeam's weakness pages and team builder count this automatically.

Effect text from Pokémon Showdown (MIT); which Pokémon have it from Showdown's Pokédex, cross-checked against PokéAPI. Unofficial fan site.