Electric or Grass - which type offers a better counter against the Water type? This often debated question has no definitive answer, resulting mostly in preference.
Those who choose Electric enjoy a type with typically high attack and speed stats, strengths against Water and Flying, and only one weakness in Ground. Read this beginner's guide on Pokémon types to learn more about the Electric Pokémon type.
Electric Type Pokémon FAQ
What are Electric attacks strong against?
- Super-Effective (x2): Flying, Water
- Weak (x0.5): Dragon, Electric, Grass
- Ineffective (x0): Ground
What attack types are strong against Electric Pokémon?
- Super-Effective (x2): Ground
- Resistant (x0.5): Electric, Flying, Steel
What are some common characteristics of Electric Pokémon?
- Typically high attack and speed stats
- Dual types are not very common
- Most have limited move variety
General Hints and Tips on Electric Pokémon
Electric type attacks are strong against two types with few weaknesses: Flying and Water. Electric type's comparison to the Grass type comes from the strength vs. Water, since Electric and Grass are the only two types strong against Water.
It's a toss-up between which is more effective. Electric Pokémon have only one weakness, while Grass types have several. However, Electric types are rarely a combo type, and lack in move variety, while Grass types offer much more variety in both type combos and moves.
When using Electric Pokémon, make sure to watch out for Ground attacks. Ground Pokémon nullify electric attacks, so they are the most deadly, but several other types can learn powerful Ground moves such as Earthquake. Pokémon that can learn Earthquake can range from obvious types like Ground and Rock, to less obvious types like Fighting, so be cautious.
For offensive Electric Pokémon, try and diversify attack types as much as possible. One strong electric type, such as Thunderbolt, is sufficient for water / flying, so the three other move spots should be saved for other attack types, or boost moves such as Agility.
Remember, Electric attacks are weak against Dragon, Electric, and Grass, and completely ineffective against Ground. So, if possible, try to find a powerful move with a typing that counters as much of Electric's weaknesses as possible.
Never overestimate Electric type's defenses, particularly against Ground attacks. Since Electric types are typically offensive-oriented, one strong Ground attack like Earthquake will hit hard.
Also keep in mind that most Electric attacks have a chance of paralyzing the opponent, which can be exceedingly beneficial in a fight.
Electric Pokémon - Dual Types
Electric rarely shares itself as a dual type. The only dual types available for electric are the following: Electric/Water, Electric/Flying, Electric/Ghost, and Electric/Steel, all of which only have one Pokémon or Pokémon family associated with it.
Lanturn's Electric/Water is an excellent dual type, with only weaknesses to Grass and Ground, and an immunity to Electric with the ability Volt Absorb.
Legendary bird Zapdos is one of the better legendary birds, with only Ice and Rock to cause serious damage.
Electric/Ghost is unique to Rotom, and with Levitate it's only weak against Ghost and Dark, with immunities to Fighting and Normal, making it a formidable Pokémon.
And, finally, the Magnemite family, represents one of the best Electric types in the game. However, despite the fact that it appears to be floating, Magnemite actually carries a x4 weakness to Ground. It's also x2 weak to Fire and Fighting, but it resists everything else except Water (which does normal damage). In other words, despite it's three weaknesses, the Magnemite family is difficult to damage, and has some great moves to boot.
Strong Electric type Pokémon
As already mentioned, the Magnemite family, going all the way up to Magnezone, is one of the best Electric types. Lanturn deserves special notice for it's great Electric/Water type combo, and the ability Volt Absorb, but unfortunately it's lackluster stats prevents it from achieving true greatness.
Just like all Eevee evolutions, Jolteon is a great electric type. It can learn baton pass to support the team, or powerful electric moves to go on the offensive.
Luxray can learn a multitude of moves; much more variety than most Electric types. Ice Fang, Fire Fang, and Crunch, along with an electric move, covers a huge spread of attack types.
And finally, Electivire, the evolution of Electabuzz, is easily one of the best Electric types in the game. With the ability to learn a wide variety of moves, from Ice Punch to fighting attacks like Cross Chop, Electivire makes for an excellent offensive member of the team.
Pikachu, and the evolution Raichu, is worth mentioning as a decent Electric type, but decent is about as far as it can go. It's not bad, but there's better out there. Pikachu's popularity as a cute Pokémon mascot far exceeds its effectiveness in battle, unfortunately.
Advanced Electric type Pokémon Strategies
The Electric type is one of those Pokémon types that is useful to have, but not necessary. A team with a Grass type has even less of a reason to use an Electric type, as Grass provides a great counter to Water, and a Water Pokémon with a good Ice attack is usually sufficient to counter Flying Pokémon.
The lack of move variety and dual combos really drags down Electric type's potential, as does the typically frail defenses and HP.
When using an Electric type, make sure to have an attack that can hit Ground - preferably Ice, since it's super-effective against Ground and several Electric Pokémon have either Ice Fang or Ice Punch.
Paralysis can alter the tide of battle - forcing the opponent to take its turn second, and occasionally causing a wasted turn. This is especially useful when going up against a faster Pokémon.
The Electric type's main advantage is having only one weakness. Just watch out for all Pokémon that might have a strong Ground attack like Earthquake.
Electric Type Pokémon Conclusion
Most Pokémon trainers choose one or the other - Electric or Grass. Ultimately, it all comes down to preference. The Electric type benefits from having only one weakness with typically high attack and speed stats, and doubles up as a counter to Flying. But the lack of strategic variety may frustrate.
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Bradley Kairis - Bradley Kairis loves games, comedy, technology, politics, news and journalism. From the endlessly intricate strategies of Magic the ...
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