Quick summary
Species: Pikachu (Gigantamax)
Type: Electric
Primary weaknesses: Ground
Recommended lobby: 15-20 trainers
Introduction
Gigantamax Pikachu is a rare, special-form Electric-type Pokémon that appears in event raids. Unlike regular Pikachu, its Gigantamax form has higher CP, stronger moves, and unique animations that make it a fun and challenging raid opponent.
Being an Electric-type, it is vulnerable to Ground-type moves. Trainers can exploit this weakness with the right counters to defeat it quickly. This guide provides detailed information on the best counters, optimal movesets, CP ranges, and raid strategy so you can maximize your rewards.
Related guides: Gigantamax Orbeetle | Gigantamax Rillaboom
Overview
Gigantamax Pikachu keeps its core Electric identity: high offensive Electric damage, typically featuring fast Electric quick moves and 1–2 heavy Electric charge moves (e.g., Wild Charge, Thunderbolt). Gigantamax HP pools are large — fights reward consistent, focused DPS and the correct type advantage. The single most important rule: Electric is weak to Ground. Ground counters dominate; Rock and bulk can also help in certain move variants.
Pro tip: Always check the charged move preview before the fight. If Pikachu has non-Electric coverage (e.g., Surf or Brick Break in some special events), adapt by swapping in neutral counters accordingly.
Weakness & Typing
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Weak to |
 Ground
|
| Resists |
 Flying •
 Steel •
 Electric
|
| Notes | Gigantamax bosses often use Max Moves — these can be powerful, sometimes buffing or changing battlefield conditions. Expect higher HP and potentially team-wide effects. |
Pro tip: Using Ground-type counters will neutralize Pikachu’s electric attacks efficiently.
Best Pokemon
Gigantamax-type Counters
- Rillaboom
- Snorlax
- Venusaur
Dynamax-type Counters
- Rillaboom
- Excadrill
- Metagross
- Latias
- Entei
- Venusaur
Best Gigantamax Counters for Gigantamax Pikachu
Gigantamax Pikachu is Electric-type raid boss. It is weak to Ground moves. During Max Battles, your goal is to maximize Ground-type Gigantamax damage during the Max Phase.
🥇 Tier 1 — Optimal Ground Gigantamax Counters
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Gigantamax Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Best Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigantamax Sandaconda | Razor Leaf, Scratch | G-Max Drum Solo | Grass Knot, Energy Ball, Earth Power | - | Razor Leaf(13) and G-Max Drum Solo(350) |
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| Gigantamax Rillaboom | Razor Leaf, Scratch | G-Max Drum Solo | Grass Knot, Energy Ball, Earth Power | - | Razor Leaf(13) and G-Max Drum Solo(350) |
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🥈 Ghost & Poison Alternatives
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Gigantamax Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Best Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigantamax Inteleon | Pound, Water Gun | G-Max Hydrosnipe | Shadow Ball, Water Pulse, Surf | - | Pound(6) and G-Max Hydrosnipe(350) |
| Gigantamax Gengar | Sucker Punch, Shadow Claw, Hex | G-Max Terror | Shadow Ball, Sludge Bomb, Focus Blast, Drain Punch | Lick, Dark Pulse, Shadow Punch, Sludge Wave, Psychic | Hex(8) and G-Max Terror(350) |
| Gigantamax Kingler | Metal Claw, Bubble | G-Max Foam Burst | Vise Grip, X-Scissor, Water Pulse, Crabhammer, Razor Shell | Mud Shot | Bubble(10) and G-Max Foam Burst(350) |
| Gigantamax Duraludon | Metal Claw, Dragon Tail | G-Max Depletion | Hyper Beam, Flash Cannon, Dragon Claw | - | Dragon Tail(14) and G-Max Depletion(350) |
| Gigantamax Cinderace | Tackle, Fire Spin | G-Max Fireball | Flamethrower, Flame Charge, Focus Blast | - | Fire Spin(13) and G-Max Fireball(350) |
| Gigantamax Hatterene | Psycho Cut, Confusion, Charm | G-Max Smite | Psyshock, Dazzling Gleam, Psychic, Power Whip | - | Charm(20) and G-Max Smite(350) |
| Gigantamax Machamp | Bullet Punch, Counter | G-Max Chi Strike | Cross Chop, Rock Slide, Close Combat, Dynamic Punch, Heavy Slam | Karate Chop, Stone Edge, Submission, Payback | Counter(13) and G-Max Chi Strike(350) |
| Gigantamax Grimmsnarl | Bite, Sucker Punch, Low Kick | G-Max Snooze | Dark Pulse, Play Rough, Foul Play, Power Up Punch | - | Bite(6) and G-Max Snooze(350) |
| Gigantamax Charizard | Air Slash, Fire Spin | G-Max Wildfire | Dragon Claw, Fire Blast, Air Cutter, Overheat | Dragon Breath, Ember, Wing Attack, Blast Burn, Flamethrower | Fire Spin(13) and G-Max Wildfire(350) |
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| Gigantamax Centiskorch | Bug Bite, Ember | G-Max Centiferno | Crunch, Lunge, Heat Wave, Bug Buzz | - | Ember(10) and G-Max Centiferno(350) |
| Gigantamax Flapple | Dragon Breath, Bullet Seed | G-Max Tartness | Seed Bomb, Dragon Pulse, Outrage, Fly | - | Bullet Seed(7) and G-Max Tartness(350) |
| Gigantamax Drednaw | Bite, Waterfall | G-Max Stonesurge | Body Slam, Rock Blast, Crunch, Surf | - | Waterfall(13) and G-Max Stonesurge(350) |
| Gigantamax Alcremie | Tackle, Charm | G-Max Finale | Psyshock, Dazzling Gleam, Energy Ball | - | Charm(20) and G-Max Finale(350) |
| Gigantamax Venusaur | Vine Whip, Razor Leaf | G-Max Vine Lash | Sludge, Petal Blizzard, Sludge Bomb, Solar Beam | Frenzy Plant | Razor Leaf(13) and G-Max Vine Lash(350) |
| Gigantamax Snorlax | Lick, Zen Headbutt | G-Max Replenish | Hyper Beam, Earthquake, Body Slam, Heavy Slam, Outrage, Skull Bash, Superpower | Yawn | Zen Headbutt(11) and G-Max Replenish(350) |
Best Dynamax Counters for Gigantamax Pikachu
🥇 Tier 1 — Elite Ground Attackers
| Pokémon | Dynamax Moves | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamax Excadrill | Max Quake, Max Steelspike | Metal Claw, Mud Slap, Mud Shot | Rock Slide, Earthquake, Drill Run, Iron Head, Scorching Sands | - | |
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| Dynamax Kingler | Max Geyser, Max Quake, Max Steelspike | Metal Claw, Bubble | Vise Grip, Water Pulse, X-Scissor, Crabhammer, Razor Shell | Mud Shot | |
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| Dynamax Gigalith | Max Quake, Max Rockfall | Mud Slap, Smack Down | Rock Slide, Solar Beam, Superpower, Heavy Slam | Meteor Beam | |
| Dynamax Kabutops | Max Knuckle, Max Quake, Max Geyser, Max Flutterby | Rock Smash, Mud Shot, Waterfall | Ancient Power, Stone Edge, Water Pulse | Fury Cutter | |
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| Dynamax Omastar | Max Quake, Max Geyser, Max Rockfall | Mud Shot, Water Gun | Ancient Power, Hydro Pump, Rock Blast | Rock Throw, Rock Slide | |
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| Dynamax Drilbur | Max Quake, Max Strike | Scratch, Mud Slap | Rock Tomb, Dig, Drill Run | - | |
🥈 Ghost & Poison Alternatives
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Gigantamax Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Best Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamax Alakazam | Max Mindstorm, Max Knuckle, Max Guard, Max Spirit | Confusion, Psycho Cut | Focus Blast, Future Sight, Shadow Ball, Fire Punch | Dazzling Gleam, Psychic, Counter | |
| Eternatus | Dynamax Cannon | Dragon Tail, Poison Jab | Sludge Bomb, Dragon Pulse, Flamethrower | - | |
| Dynamax Latios | Max Wyrmwind, Max Mindstorm | Dragon Breath, Zen Headbutt | Psychic, Solar Beam, Dragon Claw, Aura Sphere | Luster Purge | |
| Dynamax Espeon | Max Mindstorm | Confusion, Zen Headbutt | Psybeam, Psychic, Future Sight, Psychic Fangs | Last Resort, Shadow Ball | |
| Dynamax Darmanitan | Max Strike, Max Flare | Tackle, Fire Fang, Incinerate | Overheat, Focus Blast, Psychic, Rock Slide | - | |
| Dynamax Inteleon | Max Geyser, Max Strike | Pound, Water Gun | Water Pulse, Surf, Shadow Ball | - | |
| Dynamax Gengar | Max Darkness, Max Phantasm | Sucker Punch, Hex, Shadow Claw | Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, Sludge Bomb, Drain Punch, Shadow Punch | Lick, Psychic, Dark Pulse, Sludge Wave | |
| Dynamax Metagross | Max Mindstorm, Max Flutterby, Max Steelspike | Zen Headbutt, Bullet Punch, Fury Cutter | Flash Cannon, Psychic, Earthquake | Meteor Mash | |
| Dynamax Urshifu | Max Geyser, Max Knuckle | Rock Smash, Counter, Waterfall | Brick Break, Dynamic Punch, Close Combat, Aqua Jet | - | |
| Dynamax Moltres | Max Flare, Max Airstream | Fire Spin, Wing Attack | Fire Blast, Overheat, Heat Wave, Ancient Power | Sky Attack |
Moves & Threats
Pikachu common fast moves are Quick Attack or Thunder Shock. Charged moves include Discharge or Thunderbolt (consistent Electric damage) and Wild Charge (high-damage Electric attack). Elite moves include Present or Surf and Thunder. G-Max Volt Crash not only delivers heavy damage but also leaves a damaging area for a short time — timing your swaps and using at least one bulky support reduces wipe risk.
Pro tip: Dodge Wild Charge to minimize massive damage; Thunderbolt can be tanked with high-defense counters.
Weather Effects
Rainy weather : boosts Pikachu Electric moves. Sunny / Clear weather : boosts Ground attackers.
Battle Tips
- Lead with Ground-type Pokémon to exploit Electric weakness.
- Avoid Electric and Flying Pokémon—they will take extra damage.
- Coordinate dodges for charged moves.
Size
Recommended: 15–20 trainers for comfortable clears with mixed player levels. With many Gigantamax / Dynamax counters, 10–14 can work. Under 8 trainers should be attempted only if all participants are high-level and coordinated with ideal counters and Dynamax/G-Max boosts.
Rewards
Reasons include Pokédex entry, GOAT Electric attacker, shiny chance, and XL Candy farming.
Max Battle Strategy
- Lead with bulky Pokémon to build Max energy safely.
- Switch to Ground-types during Max Phase.
- Avoid Flying and Steel attackers due to resistance.
- Coordinate Max activations for shield-breaking bursts.
- Ground-focused teams provide fastest clears.
Shiny Gigantamax Pikachu
After completing a Gigantamax Pikachu raid, trainers have a chance to encounter a Shiny Pikachu. Shiny Pikachu is visually distinct with slightly darker yellow fur and orange cheeks.
The shiny rate in special event raids is higher than in normal wild encounters, so participating in multiple raids improves your chances of obtaining a shiny version.
Regular Pikachu
Shiny Pikachu
FAQ
What is Gigantamax Pikachu type and weakness?
Pikachu is a Electric type. It is weak to Ground.
What is Gigantamax Pikachu’s exclusive move?
Gigantamax Pikachu uses the special move G-Max Volt Crash. This Electric-type attack deals damage and can paralyze opponents, making them slower in Max Raid Battles.
Can Gigantamax Pikachu be shiny?
Yes, but in certain events.
Is Gigantamax Pikachu catchable after the raid?
Yes — standard raid catch mechanics apply.
Is Gigantamax Pikachu difficult to defeat?
It has moderate defenses but very high speed and special attack. Ground-type counters make the battle straightforward.
Does Pikachu keep G-Max Volt Crash?
No — it’s exclusive to Gigantamax raids.
What makes Gigantamax Pikachu unique?
Gigantamax Pikachu’s enormous size and crackling electricity make it visually iconic and extremely fun to battle, adding a dynamic spectacle to Max Raid Battles.
Conclusion
Gigantamax Pikachu is a mechanically interesting raid boss: its Electric combo is predictable, but the G-Max residual damage forces teams to plan for survivability, not just pure DPS. Prioritize Ground Gigantamax picks, add Dynamax support for sustained windows, and include at least one high-TDO tank if your lobby is smaller. With the counters and tactics above, you’ll clear Pikachu efficiently and maximize your rewards.
Summary
- Lead with Ground-types
- Dodge Wild Charge and Thunderbolt
- Avoid Electric/Flying Pokémon
- Coordinate team attacks for faster takedown