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Pokémon: Every First Gen Electric Pokémon, Ranked

Published

1 week ago

December 13, 2024

There are only nine Electric type Pokemon in Generation 1, including multiple stages in the same evolution line. Ranking them from worst to best requires taking multiple factors into account.

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While base stats are undeniably important, they only tell part of the story. All the power in the world means little if the Pokemon doesn’t have access to the right moves to use it. Similarly, a bad ability can severely hamper the viability of the Pokemon if it doesn’t suit its preferred playstyle. Beyond battling prowess, design appeal and popularity also play significant roles—because a Pokemon’s legacy is about more than just numbers.

9 Voltorb

Speedy but Fragile

Designed like a Pokeball with eyes, Voltorb has an iconic design that has stood the test of time. Its terrible stats, unfortunately, ensure that it can never serve as anything other than a mascot and a cheerleader for bigger, better Electric-type Pokemon.

Its only redeeming trait is its decent Speed (100), which can allow it to easily set up Light Screen or Reflect before being inevitably taken down by a stray shot. Alternatively, players can rely on Explosion for a murder-suicide strat, which has the potential of taking opponents by surprise.

8 Electabuzz

Electric Predator With a Lackluster Punch

Electabuzz has one of the cooler designs among Gen 1 Electric-type Pokemon, with zebra stripes and black and yellow fur stretching across its body. Its weirdly disproportionate frame makes it instantly recognizable amongst the crowd, with only maybe Golduck sharing the same build.

Other than its Speed, Electabuzz is mediocre in almost all aspects, and even in that it is outshone by other Electric-type Pokemon in the same generation. In competitive battling, the best Electabuzz can offer is some support via Taunt and Volt Switch. Its best Held Item is Eviolite, which boosts its stats, but even that is not enough to give it more viability in the metagame.

7 Magnemite

Sturdy and Shocking in the Right Hands

Magnemite is a surprisingly powerful Pokemon with the right setup. Its Special Attack stat allows it to hit hard, and Sturdy ensures it can always get at least one attack off before succumbing to the onslaught.

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Electric/Steel is also an excellent defensive typing, which allows Magnemite to survive attacks other Stage 1 Pokemon won’t be able to. Best of all, its evolution Magneton and Magnezone are both Special Attack powerhouses they can do some damage, making it quite futureproof.

6 Raichu

The Electric Rodent That Could

While Raichu may be a lot less popular than its pre-evolution, Pikachu, its excellent Speed with okay Attack and Special Attack allow it to carve out its own niche in the scene.

Tragically, however, a Pikachu with Light Ball is actually stronger than Raichu in terms of offensive power, though Raichu has the freedom to choiose another Held Item freely as well as better Speed. This puts Raichu firmly on par with Pikachu at best, a fact that’s only true for a rare few evolved Pokemon.

5 Electrode

Speed Demon of Gen 1

Designed like an inverted Pokeball, Electrode is the final evolution of Voltorb and Speed is its primary and most notable asset. Electrode is by far the fastest Pokemon in all of Gen 1 (150 Speed), and indeed one of the fastest in all of Pokemon. Very few have the ability to move faster than this Speed demon.

In competitive Electrode shines as a utility Pokemon, aiding its allies by setting up Light Screen and Reflect to drastically reduce most types of incoming damage. And Thunderwave gives it a way to cripple Pokemon with Paralysis. Unfortunately, its offensive stats are nothing to write home about, ensuring it can never take advantage of the opportunities it creates but has to rely on allies instead.

4 Magneton

Special Attacker with a Fragile Core

In terms of non-legendary powerhouses, few Electric-type Pokemon can come close to Magneton. Its 120 Special Attack and decent STAB moves ensure that its hits are not something opposing Pokemon can shrug off.

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In the competitive scene, the main things Magneton has going for it are its special ability, Magnet Pull, which allows it to trap Steel-type Pokemon and its excellent Special Attack. This power is balanced by low Speed and weak defenses, however, making it vulnerable to all Fighting and Fire-type Pokemon.

3 Jolteon

Lightning-Fast Glass Cannon

After Pikachu, Eevee is the second most popular mascot for Pokemon, and as a result, all of its many evolutions—called Eeveelutions—are fan favorites. Jolteon is one of them.

Where Vaporeon is known for its excellent bulk and Toxic Stall tactics, Jolteon is known for its supreme offensive power and incredible Speed. It is the embodiment of a glass cannon and plays exactly like one. Using Jolteon in competitive battling revolves around hitting first and hitting hard, typically as a part of a Hyper Offense team. With its 130 Base Speed, it is more than up to the task.

2 Zapdos

Kanto’s Apex Electric Predator

One of the three legendary birds of Kanto, Zapdos is a Flying and Electric-type Pokemon and the strongest Electric Pokemon in all of Generation 1 purely in terms of base stats (580). So much so that Zapdos’ excellent stats and stellar movepool have cemented its place in the OU tier in competitive Pokemon.

One reason it’s such a menace on the battlefield is that both of its best STAB moves, Hurricane and Thunder, become 100% accurate during Rain Dance, making it a staple of Rain Team. Combined with access to Roost, Zapdos can reliably self-sustain while dishing out incredible damage.

1 Pikachu

Cute, Iconic, and Surprisingly Deadly

Was there any other option? Pikachu is the most iconic Pokemon in the entire franchise, carrying the onus of being the mascot of the series on its little back since Day 1. At first glance, Pikachu may appear weak and small in stature, but it is anything but a pushover.

The yellow mouse is not just the face of the world of Pokemon but a surprisingly powerful battler, especially when it uses its signature item, Light Ball. With Light Ball, Pikachu has its Attack and Special Attack stats doubled, making moves like Volt Tackle truly threatening and allowing it a foothold in the metagame, even if it can’t contend in the higher tiers. Among Stage 1 Electric-type Pokemon, Pikachu wins hands down, and that, combined with its ever-present popularity, propels it to the very top of this list.