CARD INFORMATION

SUBTYPES:
- Basic
HP: 120
TYPES:
- Lightning
WEAKNESSES:
- TYPE: Fighting
- VALUE: ×2
RETREATCOST:
- Colorless
RETREAT COST: 1
RARITY: Rare
REGULATIONMARK: I

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

NAME: Electro Fall
COST:
- Lightning
- Lightning
ENERGY COST: 2
DAMAGE: 30+
DETAILS: If you have at least 4 Lightning Energy in play, this attack does 90 more damage.

MARKET PRICES FOR RAIKOU 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/11

HIGH	4.99	USD
MID	0.14	USD	TREND
LOW	0.01	USD

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Raikou from the Mega Evolution set emerges as a potent lightning force with surprising knockout potential.

This Basic Lightning-type Pokémon packs a thunderous punch that can catch opponents off-guard, especially in energy-accelerated decks.

With its manageable retreat cost and devastating attack condition, Raikou demands consideration for players looking to harness raw electric power.

Offensive rating: 8/10

Raikou's Electro Fall attack showcases impressive damage scaling potential.

At base value, 30 damage for two Lightning energy is underwhelming, but when you fulfill its condition of having at least 4 Lightning energy in play, the attack skyrockets to 120 damage.

This threshold turns Raikou from a weak attacker into a legitimate threat capable of two-shotting most VMAXs and securing one-hit knockouts against many Basic Pokémon.

The beauty lies in its efficiency - Raikou itself only needs two energy to attack, allowing the remaining required energy to be distributed across your board.

This creates interesting strategic opportunities for energy management without sacrificing attacking power.

Survival rating: 5/10

With 120 HP, Raikou sits in a vulnerable middle ground for a Basic Pokémon.

While it survives weaker attacks, it remains susceptible to one-hit knockouts from many meta attackers, particularly given its Fighting weakness which is problematic in formats where Fighting types are prevalent.

Its single colorless retreat cost is a significant advantage, allowing for easy pivoting without dedicated switching cards.

This mobility partially compensates for its durability issues, enabling hit-and-run tactics when necessary.

However, with no built-in defensive abilities or effects to reduce damage, Raikou ultimately relies on external support to enhance its staying power on the field.

Versatility rating: 7/10

Raikou shows moderate versatility due to its Basic status and straightforward energy requirements.

As a Basic Pokémon, it can be immediately played without evolution concerns, allowing it to start attacking relatively quickly.

Its Lightning typing provides favorable matchups against Water types and other Lightning-weak Pokémon, though this advantage is somewhat meta-dependent.

However, Raikou's reliance on having multiple Lightning energy in play narrows its deck inclusion options to primarily Lightning-focused builds.

It functions best as a mid-game attacker rather than an opener, and doesn't provide utility beyond its attacking capabilities.

This specialization limits its cross-archetype potential compared to more flexible Lightning options.

Speed/Setup rating: 7/10

Raikou's setup requirements present its biggest challenge and opportunity.

While needing four Lightning energy in play sounds demanding, Raikou itself only needs two attached to unleash full power.

This distinction is crucial - energy acceleration cards like Flaaffy, Electrode, or Tapu Koko Prism Star can rapidly meet this threshold by distributing energy across your board.

In optimal scenarios with strong energy acceleration, Raikou can reach full attack potential by turn 2.

However, without these support pieces, its setup becomes significantly slower and less reliable.

The setup flexibility of requiring energy across your board rather than solely on Raikou itself earns it points, but the quantity requirement remains a real consideration for consistency.

Raikou thrives in decks focused on energy acceleration and board-wide Lightning energy distribution.

The ideal build pairs it with Pokémon that can rapidly deploy energy from the deck, discard pile, or hand, maximizing Electro Fall's damage bonus as quickly as possible.

Perfect Partners examples:

Flaaffy

Flaaffy's ability to move Lightning energy from your bench to your active Pokémon creates perfect synergy with Raikou, allowing for rapid power-up while contributing to the 4-energy threshold needed for maximum damage output.

Electrode GX

Electrode GX's Extra Energy Bomber ability can instantly place multiple Lightning energy into play, potentially enabling Raikou to hit for full damage on turn 2 while meeting the 4-energy requirement.

Tapu Koko Prism Star

Tapu Koko's Dance of the Ancients ability attaches energy directly from the discard pile to your Lightning Pokémon, accelerating Raikou's setup while contributing to the energy threshold for maximum damage.

Raikou positions itself as a formidable mid-game attacker in Lightning-focused decks, offering considerable value when properly supported.

Its greatest strength lies in the ability to distribute its energy requirement across the board, making it less vulnerable to energy removal while maintaining knockout potential.

The 120 damage ceiling hits a sweet spot for securing important two-shot knockouts against larger threats and one-shotting smaller Pokémon.

To maximize Raikou's effectiveness, pair it with dedicated energy acceleration and consider including energy recovery options to maintain pressure throughout longer matches.

While not a deck centerpiece on its own, Raikou serves as an efficient attacker that can surprise opponents who fail to account for its devastating potential when its energy condition is met.

Consider it a valuable addition to Lightning builds looking for a reliable secondary attacker with unexpected knockout potential.