Guide:Pikachu Strategies

### Support

Pikachu is one of the initial beginning Pokemon that is instantly unlocked. It is a combat-oriented all-star with the power to kite and stun distant enemies while dealing a tonne of area-of-effect damage.

## Move Tips

### Abilites

####  Static

Since Melee Pokemon will be paralysed when they attack Pikachu, Static's paralysing effect is excellent against such Pokemon.

### Move List 1

####  Thunder Shock

Thunder Shock deals area damage all around the primary target even though it only has a single target. Use this area damage against a group of foes or a pack of wild Pokemon. In the early game, Thunder Shock becomes your main damage-dealing move. Use your enemy's wild Pokemon to your advantage while remaining far away or hiding in the grass by using this spell's extended cast range and damage.

####  Thunder

Thunder does its best damage when utilised as a follow-up to slows or stuns. It can be used as a follow-up to  Thunderbolt,  Electroweb, or  Electro Ball. Thunder may be used to zone out foes and stop them from approaching, which is extremely useful when capturing boss Pokemon.

(**Extra-Tip**: Moves like Crustle's  Rock Tomb, Slowbro's  Telekinesis, and Alolan Ninetales'  Avalanche are excellent Thunder setups if you have these allies on your side.

####  Electro Ball

Targets hit by Electro Ball are momentarily rendered helpless, allowing you to quickly follow this up with  Thunderbolt or otherwise  Volt Tackle. Even though Electro Ball is a single-target move, it nonetheless delivers damage in the vicinity of the first target, similar to  Thunder Shock. To increase the amount of damage you cause, use this effect. The great range and quick cooldown of Electro Ball can also be used to knock opponents outside of lanes or slowly drain their HP before closing in for the kill.

### Move List 2

####  Electroweb

When  Thunder is available in place of  Electro Ball, you can still use Electroweb to paralyse your victim first, then immediately use  Thunder to increase its damage. Electroweb can be used to hold an adversary stationary so you have time to flee. If you have the Eject Button equipped, you can assure your escape by adding a variety more distance between you and the opponent and deterring them from continuing their pursuit.

####  Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt has a small delay after being thrown, so attempt to predict where a target is going and cast it just in front of them. The best time to use this strategy is when pursuing or eluding an enemy who is running away. Using Thunderbolt first to set up Thunder will maximise your ability to deal damage if you chose  Thunder alongside Thunderbolt as your moveset.

####  Volt Tackle

Volt Tackle is a fantastic move for blocking or undoing an adversary's actions.  Thunderbolt can also stop an enemy's move, but Volt Tackle is simpler to perform and always hits. Pikachu swings back away from the target after using Volt Tackle to put space between it and Pikachu. When melee Pokemon attempt to attack and chase you, you can utilize this mechanic to clear a large area so you can cast moves while remaining safe. Thunderbolt is indeed an AOE move that only allows you to stun one target, whereas Volt Tackle only stuns one target. It is still a means of planning kills, though.

### Unite Move

####  Thunderstorm

Thunderstorm is a potent technique that can win battles even when one party is outnumbered. Casting Thunderstorm is a good idea if you want to take out several foes, especially if you already have Buddy Barrier on you. Thunderstorm strikes several targets at once at beginning, then for the remainder of its length, it only strikes one random target. In a 1v1 battle, Thunderstorm is fantastic because the target takes all of the damage.

## Strengths / Weaknesses

* Broad Attack spectrum.
* AoE stuns are included in Moveset for crowd control.
* Has no mobility moves.

## Recommended Builds

### CDR

The main goal of this build is to make Pikachu's moves less unpredictable during combat by lowering their cooldown. You may effectively shorten  Electro Ball's cooldown to about 3 seconds if your Held Items are level maxed and you possess cooldown reduction emblems. Because this build doesn't use any items that boost Pikachu's toughness, your strategy should involve following your allies and engaging the opposing team from a slight distance. Additionally, if you want to acquire  Thunderstorm as soon as possible, you should rush to Level 9 and gather Wild Pokemon. Equipping an X Attack can boost this.

Shell Bell imparts additional Sp. Attack Pikachu while sustaining the Pokemon with each move struck by restoring HP. In contrast, Pikachu's Unite Move's accelerated recharge rate, endurance, and damage boost after using Thunderstorm are significantly increased while its now low charge rate is decreased by Energy Amplifier. Pikachu's move cooldowns are significantly lowered when both of these items are worn. Finally, as it increases the damage of your skill shot moves, Choice Specs is your primary offensive equipment.

You should have 7 Black Emblems in your loadout for Pikachu's moves to have more cooldown reduction, and 2 Green Emblems for a little bit more damage. You may use any emblems that increase Sp. Atk. or HP in the final emblem slot. Movement Speed, Critical-Hit Rate, and Attack can all be freely traded.

Thunderbolt
* Sp. Atk

**Negative Stats**
* Attack
* Critical-Hit Rate
* Movement Speed
* **Cooldown**: -9.00%
* **Unite Move Charge Rate**: +6%

### Disruptor

This single-target build deals a lot of damage and is excellent for aiding the team with slows and stuns. Since you'll be much more of a solitary assassin, the focus of your gameplay should be employing  Electro Ball alongside  Volt Tackle to subdue Pokemon, especially opposing Attackers and Speedsters. It is simpler for your team to win battles if you immediately eliminate the enemy's damage dealers. Your primary damage equipment, which increase Pikachu's overall damage output, are Choice Specs and Wise Glasses. The damage will increase even more when you use X Attack. Buddy Barrier is the sole defensive and team battle item you have, and when you cast  Thunderstorm, it gives you a lot of bonus health and respectable shields.

In order to maximise the damage of your moves, your Boost Emblem loadout should have 6 Green emblems and 4 emblems of any colour. Equip symbols that raise Sp. Since the construct is designed to provide heavy burst damage, Atk Both Attack and Critical-Hit Rate are freely tradable.

Volt Tackle
* Movement Speed

**Negative Stats**
* Attack
* Critical-Hit Rate
* **HP**: +450

### Artillery

This build focuses solely on doing damage and makes use of Pikachu's long-range attack. Pikachu is positioned at the end of the line and uses  Thunder and  Thunderbolt to deal AoE damage and stun enemies. It is ideal to play passively and always remain behind your teammates because this build doesn't run any defensive equipment. Each of your things raises Pikachu's Special Attack stat, increasing the Pokemon's move damage even more. In order to make up for this, X Speed is a crucial Battle Item for this build, enabling you to flee from opponents should things go wrong.

The optimal boost emblem loadout consists of 6 Green Emblems for maximum damage and 4 Emblems of any colour. Emblems that increase specialisation should also be equipped. Given that you'll be supplying firepower from the background, choose Atk, HP, or Movement Speed. Attack and Critical-Hit Rate are completely.

Thunderbolt
* Movement Speed

**Negative Stats**
* Attack
* Critical-Hit Rate
* **HP**: +450

## Hard Counters

A list of Pokemon Pikachu users should be aware of.

* Its boosted attack allows it to interfere with Pikachu's movements.
 Absol | Danger Level: * Can use  Feint,  Night Slash,  Pursuit, or  Sucker Punch to get near to Pikachu and blast it with high critical hit damage.

Talonflame
* Can use  Aerial Ace or Flame Charge to stay on top of Pikachu.
 Blastoise | Danger Level: * Using  Hydro Pump, it can move Pikachu and do burst damage.
* Has the ability to use a single  Rapid Spin /  Water Spout combo to fully defeat Pikachu.

## References

https://game8.co/games/Pokemon-UNITE/archives/335464#hl\_8