Which Mega Raichu Should You Use in Pokémon Champions?

After The Pokémon Company made the maddening decision to put Mega Raichu X in Pokémon Champions‘ trailers and then not in the game itself at launch, both the X and Y variants of Raichu’s Mega Evolution are finally coming to the battle simulator tonight when the new season launches alongside the mobile version.

However, because Champions only lets you use one Pokémon per species on your team, you can’t use both in one battle. So let’s break down the strengths and weaknesses of both Mega Raichu forms so you can figure out which is best for your team.

---

Mega Raichu X — The Physical All-Rounder

Raichu’s Superman-flying X variant is the physical attacker of the duo. Its lightning-shaped tails and chonky paws help it propel itself forward for strong punches, kicks, and tail whips. Here’s its base stat spread:

Stat	Base Value
HP	60
Attack	135
Defense	95
Sp. Atk	90
Sp. Def	95
Speed	110

Mega Raichu X is a strong physical hitter with respectable defenses, speed, and special attack. It’s not the best in its class, but it’s a solid all-rounder compared to the Y version. It gets the ability Electric Surge Ability, which activates Electric Terrain once Raichu Mega Evolves. This powers up electric-type attacks by 30% and prevents Pokémon touching the ground from falling asleep.

One of its most powerful options is Rising Voltage, a special attack that doubles in strength on Electric Terrain. Compare that to Volt Tackle, Raichu’s signature physical move — it hits harder, but deals recoil damage equal to one-third of the damage dealt, which is rough given Raichu’s low HP.

Raichu X also has good physical coverage options like Play Rough to deal with the inevitable Garchomps that will appear to counter these electric rats. Couple that with support moves like Fake Out, Encore, and Volt Switch, and you’ve got a good — but maybe not great — all-rounder.

Where Mega Raichu X could shine: If/when Champions adds Violet’s futuristic Paradox Pokémon, each with the Quark Drive ability (which powers up their highest stat on Electric Terrain), Raichu X becomes a phenomenal support Pokémon. Until then, Electric Surge is still great for countering sleep-inducing attacks and boosting any electric moves your team has.

---

Mega Raichu Y — The Glass Cannon

The Pikachu-shaped Mega Raichu Y is more specific in its use cases, but if you plan accordingly, it can be one of the most devastatingly powerful members of your team. It cranks Raichu’s special attack to a whopping 160 and gives it 130 base speed, but it comes at the cost of being very frail.

Stat	Base Value
HP	60
Attack	100
Defense	55
Sp. Atk	160
Sp. Def	80
Speed	130

Mega Raichu Y is a glass cannon through and through. Its ability, No Guard Ability, ensures that any move Raichu uses will hit with 100% accuracy — but any attack that targets it will also land. So its success depends on whether it can land attacks before getting hit with something that could take it out immediately.

The upside is that perfect accuracy makes it a force to be reckoned with. It has access to powerful but low-accuracy moves like:

• Zap Cannon — huge damage and guarantees paralysis, but normally only hits 50% of the time
• Focus Blast — powerful fighting-type coverage that normally has shaky accuracy

With No Guard, both of these become guaranteed hits. However, Mega Raichu Y’s frailty means it needs protection — moves like Follow Me (to redirect attacks) or Wide Guard (to block spread moves like Earthquake) are essential when building a team around it.

---

Mega Raichu Comparison

Feature	Mega Raichu X	Mega Raichu Y
Role	Physical All-Rounder	Special Glass Cannon
Ability	Electric Surge	No Guard
Best Stat	Attack (135)	Sp. Atk (160)
Speed	110	130
Defense	95	55
Sp. Def	95	80
Key Moves	Rising Voltage, Play Rough, Fake Out	Zap Cannon, Focus Blast, Thunderbolt
Support Potential	High (Electric Terrain for team)	Low (needs team to support it)
Best For	Balanced teams, Paradox setups	High-risk, high-reward offense

---

Is There Any Reason Not to Mega Evolve Raichu?

Surprisingly enough, base Raichu actually got more useful in the wake of its Mega Evolutions. Its Lightning Rod ability will absorb any incoming electric attacks, including any Zap Cannons that Mega Raichu Y sends your way. This also increases its special attack by one stage each time it takes an electric attack, but it will still be as frail as Mega Raichu Y — so be careful.