CARD INFORMATION

SUBTYPES:
- Basic
HP: 60
TYPES:
- Lightning
EVOLVES TO:
- Raichu
WEAKNESSES:
- TYPE: Fighting
- VALUE: ×2
RETREATCOST:
- Colorless
RETREAT COST: 1
RARITY: Common
FLAVOR TEXT: Pikachu that can generate powerful electricity have cheek sacs that are extra soft and super stretchy.
REGULATIONMARK: F

CARD ABILITIES

NAME: Pika Dash
DETAILS: If this Pokémon has any Energy attached, it has no Retreat Cost.
TYPE: Ability

CARD ATTACKS

NAME: Whimsy Tackle
COST:
- Lightning
- Colorless
- Colorless
ENERGY COST: 3
DAMAGE: 50
DETAILS: Flip a coin. If tails, this attack does nothing.

MARKET PRICES FOR PIKACHU 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/11

HIGH	6.99	USD
MID	0.55	USD	TREND
LOW	0.21	USD

Check the latest prices on:

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Pikachu from Lost Origin brings a familiar face with an interesting mobility mechanic.

While this iconic Electric-type may not dazzle with raw power, its Pika Dash ability offers strategic flexibility that deserves consideration for players looking to incorporate this Basic Pokémon into their Lightning-type strategies.

Offensive rating: 2/10

Pikachu's offensive capabilities are limited at best.

Its sole attack, Whimsy Tackle, requires a hefty investment of three energy (one Lightning and two Colorless) to deal just 50 damage - and that's only if you win a coin flip.

With a 50% chance of doing absolutely nothing, this attack is incredibly unreliable for competitive play.

The damage-to-energy ratio is poor even when successful, and the coin flip dependency makes it impossible to plan turns effectively.

There are no built-in damage modifiers, status effects, or defensive bypasses to compensate for these severe limitations, making Pikachu's offensive presence almost negligible in the current meta.

Survival rating: 3/10

With just 60 HP, Pikachu falls on the extremely fragile end of the spectrum for Basic Pokémon.

This HP threshold means it can be knocked out by most moderately powered attacks in a single hit.

Its Fighting weakness (×2) is particularly problematic in formats where Fighting-type attackers are common.

The only defensive upside is Pikachu's Pika Dash ability, which eliminates retreat cost when energy is attached, allowing it to potentially escape unfavorable matchups without consuming a Switch card.

However, this mobility advantage doesn't compensate for its critically low HP and lack of any damage reduction, healing, or protection abilities.

Versatility rating: 4/10

Pikachu's versatility comes primarily from its evolution path and mobility rather than its inherent qualities.

As a Basic Pokémon that evolves into Raichu, it serves as an evolutionary stepping stone.

The Pika Dash ability offers free retreat when energized, providing tactical flexibility for positioning.

However, this Pikachu lacks the utility effects that would make it valuable across different matchups.

It doesn't disrupt opponents, accelerate energy, draw cards, or serve as an effective tech card against popular strategies.

Its coin-flip dependent attack further limits its role flexibility, as it can't reliably function even as a backup attacker in emergency situations.

Speed/Setup rating: 5/10

The setup requirements for Pikachu present a mixed bag.

On one hand, as a Basic Pokémon, it can be played immediately without evolution prerequisites.

Its Pika Dash ability activates with just a single energy attachment, instantly granting free retreat capability.

On the other hand, powering up its Whimsy Tackle attack demands three energy, which is a substantial investment for such an unreliable payoff.

Pikachu doesn't possess any inherent mechanics to accelerate its own energy attachment, requiring external support to reach attack readiness.

The card lacks synergy with common search mechanics beyond standard Basic Pokémon support, offering minimal consistency advantages.

This Pikachu works best in a deck focused on its evolution line or as a temporary placeholder while setting up more powerful Lightning attackers.

Energy acceleration cards are essential to make its mobility advantage consistently available, while reducing reliance on its underwhelming attack.

Perfect Partners examples:

Raichu

As Pikachu's evolution, Raichu provides the actual offensive power this deck needs, turning Pikachu into a useful evolutionary stepping stone rather than a standalone attacker.

Flaaffy

Flaaffy's energy acceleration abilities help overcome Pikachu's high energy requirements, potentially setting up either Pikachu's mobility advantage faster or enabling a quicker evolution into Raichu.

Ordinary Rod

Helps recover Pikachu and energy cards from the discard pile, allowing you to rebuild your board after Pikachu gets knocked out due to its low HP.

This Lost Origin Pikachu occupies an awkward position in the competitive landscape.

Its primary strength lies in the Pika Dash ability, offering free retreat when energized - a nice mobility option that can save Switch cards.

Unfortunately, that's where the positives largely end.

With meager 60 HP, a Fighting weakness, and an unreliable attack that costs three energy for a coin-flip-dependent 50 damage, it struggles to justify a deck slot on its own merits.

This Pikachu works best as either a transitional piece toward Raichu or in casual play where its iconic status outweighs competitive considerations.

If using this card, prioritize its evolution potential and mobility advantage while minimizing reliance on its attack.

In the current meta, this Pikachu variant simply lacks the power, consistency, and strategic advantages necessary to compete at high-level tournament play.