How to Evolve Pichu into Pikachu and Raichu: A Comprehensive Guide
Evolving Pokémon is a core mechanic of the Pokémon franchise, and understanding how to trigger these transformations is crucial for any trainer aiming to complete their Pokédex or build a competitive team. Pichu, the adorable pre-evolution of Pikachu, is no exception. Evolving Pichu can be a bit different from simply leveling up; it requires a focus on friendship and happiness, making it a unique and rewarding process. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to evolve Pichu into Pikachu and subsequently into Raichu across various Pokémon games.
## Understanding Happiness and Friendship
Before diving into the specific steps, it’s essential to understand the underlying mechanic that governs Pichu’s evolution: **Friendship**, also known as **Happiness** or **Affection** in some games. Friendship is a hidden value that represents how much a Pokémon likes its trainer. Unlike experience points, which increase through battles, Friendship increases through care and positive interactions.
The specific ways to increase Friendship can vary slightly between Pokémon games, but the general principles remain the same. The games typically use a hidden numerical value to track Friendship, usually ranging from 0 to 255. Pichu needs a high enough Friendship value (usually around 220) to trigger its evolution.
## General Methods to Increase Friendship
These methods are generally effective across most Pokémon games. However, always check the specific mechanics for the particular game you are playing.
* **Walking/Traveling with Pichu:** Simply having Pichu in your party and walking around the game world increases its Friendship. The more steps you take, the more Friendship it gains. Some games provide a bonus for long distances traveled.
* **Leveling Up:** Each time Pichu levels up, its Friendship increases. This is one of the most straightforward ways to boost its happiness. However, avoid leveling up Pichu through fainting in battle, as this can negatively impact Friendship.
* **Using Items:** Using specific items on Pichu can significantly boost its Friendship. These items typically include:
* **Vitamins (Protein, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Carbos):** These items permanently boost a Pokémon’s stats and provide a substantial Friendship boost.
* **Healing Items (Potions, Super Potions, Hyper Potions):** Using healing items when Pichu is injured will increase its Friendship. The more significant the healing required, the greater the boost.
* **Berries (Soothing Bell effect berries like Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, and Tamato):** Certain berries are specifically designed to increase Friendship. These berries usually have a side effect of lowering a specific stat (like Attack or Speed), so use them strategically.
* **Grooming/Care:** Some games include features where you can groom or care for your Pokémon directly. This could involve activities like:
* **Pokémon Refresh (Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon):** In these games, you can pet, feed, and play with Pichu after battles. Keep Pichu happy by catering to its preferences.
* **Pokémon Amie (X and Y):** Similar to Refresh, Pokémon Amie allows you to interact with your Pokémon to increase Affection, which directly influences Friendship.
* **Pokémon Camp (Sword and Shield):** You can set up a camp and play with Pichu, cook curry for it, and interact with it, all of which contribute to increased Friendship.
* **Battling:** Participating in battles with Pichu, especially if it performs well, increases Friendship. However, fainting in battle significantly decreases Friendship. Try to keep Pichu healthy and avoid letting it faint.
* **Avoid Negative Actions:** Certain actions can negatively impact Pichu’s Friendship. These include:
* **Letting Pichu Faint:** As mentioned, fainting in battle is a major Friendship reducer.
* **Using Bitter Medicine:** Items like Energy Powder, Energy Root, and Revival Herb, while effective, taste bitter to Pokémon and significantly decrease Friendship. Avoid using these if you’re trying to maximize happiness.
* **Trading:** Trading Pichu away resets its Friendship to its base value when it arrives at the new trainer.
* **Storing in the PC for Extended Periods:** In some older games, leaving a Pokémon in the PC for too long could slightly decrease its Friendship. This is less of an issue in modern games.
## Specific Steps to Evolve Pichu in Different Games
Now, let’s break down the process of evolving Pichu in some of the most popular Pokémon games:
### Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal
These games were the first to introduce the Friendship mechanic. Here’s how to evolve Pichu:
1. **Obtain Pichu:** Breed Pikachu or Raichu at the Pokémon Day Care in Route 34. You’ll need a Pikachu or Raichu (female) and a compatible Pokémon (usually Ditto or another member of the Pikachu evolutionary line). An Egg will be produced containing Pichu.
2. **Carry Pichu in Your Party:** Keep Pichu in your party while you explore the Johto region.
3. **Walk Around:** Take a lot of steps. The more you walk, the faster Pichu’s Friendship will increase.
4. **Use Vitamins and Healing Items:** Use vitamins like Protein, Iron, Calcium, etc., and healing items like Potions and Super Potions when needed.
5. **Avoid Fainting:** Never let Pichu faint in battle.
6. **Check Friendship:** Talk to the woman in the house in Goldenrod City (near the Bike Shop). She will tell you how much Pichu likes you. You are looking for her to say something along the lines of “It looks really happy! It must love you a lot.” or “I get the feeling that it really trusts you.”
7. **Level Up During the Day:** Once Pichu’s Friendship is high enough, level it up during the day (between 6 AM and 6 PM). Pichu will evolve into Pikachu.
### Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald
The Friendship mechanic is present in these games as well, but the process is slightly refined:
1. **Obtain Pichu:** Breed Pikachu or Raichu at the Pokémon Day Care in Route 117. Again, you’ll need a Pikachu or Raichu (female) and a compatible Pokémon.
2. **Carry Pichu in Your Party:** Keep Pichu in your party.
3. **Walk Around:** Explore the Hoenn region with Pichu.
4. **Use Vitamins and Healing Items:** Utilize vitamins and healing items to boost Friendship.
5. **Avoid Fainting:** Prevent Pichu from fainting in battle.
6. **Give Pichu Berries:** Berries like Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, and Tamato Berries are particularly effective.
7. **Check Friendship:** Talk to the woman in Verdanturf Town’s Pokémon Center. She will tell you how much Pichu likes you. You are looking for her to say something along the lines of “It’s very friendly towards you. I can tell you treat it kindly.”
8. **Level Up During the Day:** Level up Pichu during the day (6 AM to 6 PM) to evolve it into Pikachu.
### Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum
The Sinnoh region continues the Friendship evolution mechanic:
1. **Obtain Pichu:** Breed Pikachu or Raichu at the Pokémon Day Care in Solaceon Town. You may need to give one of the parents a Light Ball to hold to ensure the Pichu knows Volt Tackle.
2. **Carry Pichu in Your Party:** Keep Pichu with you.
3. **Walk Around:** Explore the Sinnoh region.
4. **Use Vitamins and Healing Items:** Use items to increase Friendship.
5. **Avoid Fainting:** Keep Pichu safe in battles.
6. **Give Pichu Berries:** Utilize Friendship-boosting berries.
7. **Get a Massage:** Visit the massage therapist in Veilstone City. She can give Pichu a massage once per day, which significantly increases Friendship.
8. **Check Friendship:** Use the Friendship Checker app on your Pokétch. The more hearts Pichu has, the higher its Friendship. Two large hearts usually indicate that it is ready to evolve.
9. **Level Up During the Day:** Level up Pichu during the day (6 AM to 6 PM) to evolve it into Pikachu.
### Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
These are remakes of Gold and Silver, so the Friendship mechanic is very similar to the original games, with some modern improvements:
1. **Obtain Pichu:** Breed Pikachu or Raichu at the Pokémon Day Care on Route 34.
2. **Carry Pichu in Your Party:** Keep Pichu with you.
3. **Walk Around:** Explore Johto and Kanto with Pichu.
4. **Use Vitamins and Healing Items:** Use items to increase Friendship.
5. **Avoid Fainting:** Keep Pichu safe in battles.
6. **Give Pichu Berries:** Utilize Friendship-boosting berries.
7. **Get a Massage:** Get a massage from Daisy Oak in Pallet Town between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
8. **Check Friendship:** The woman in Goldenrod City still checks happiness, but an easier method is to use the Pokétch Friendship Checker app.
9. **Level Up During the Day:** Level up Pichu during the day (6 AM to 6 PM) to evolve it into Pikachu.
### Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2
The Unova region also utilizes the Friendship mechanic, but the evaluation method changes slightly:
1. **Obtain Pichu:** Pichu is available in the wild in the Lostlorn Forest (Black 2 and White 2 only. Not available in Black and White without trading).
2. **Carry Pichu in Your Party:** Keep Pichu with you.
3. **Walk Around:** Explore the Unova region.
4. **Use Vitamins and Healing Items:** Use items to increase Friendship.
5. **Avoid Fainting:** Keep Pichu safe in battles.
6. **Give Pichu Berries:** Utilize Friendship-boosting berries.
7. **Visit the Friendship Rater:** Talk to a woman in the Nimbasa City Pokémon Center to check Pichu’s Friendship. She will give you a rating. You need her to say “It’s extraordinarily friendly toward you! I’m sure it makes you happy, too!”
8. **Level Up:** Level up Pichu to evolve it into Pikachu. (No time of day restrictions in these games).
### Pokémon X and Y
These games introduce Pokémon Amie, making it easier to raise Friendship.
1. **Obtain Pichu:** Pichu can be found on Route 5.
2. **Carry Pichu in Your Party:** Keep Pichu with you.
3. **Use Vitamins and Healing Items:** Use items to increase Friendship.
4. **Avoid Fainting:** Keep Pichu safe in battles.
5. **Give Pichu Berries:** Utilize Friendship-boosting berries.
6. **Play with Pokémon Amie:** Use Pokémon Amie to pet, feed, and play with Pichu. Increase its Affection level. Reaching two hearts in Pokémon Amie will usually be sufficient to trigger evolution upon leveling up.
7. **Level Up:** Level up Pichu to evolve it into Pikachu. (No time of day restrictions in these games).
### Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon
These games feature Pokémon Refresh, which is similar to Pokémon Amie.
1. **Obtain Pichu:** Pichu can be found on Route 1.
2. **Carry Pichu in Your Party:** Keep Pichu with you.
3. **Use Vitamins and Healing Items:** Use items to increase Friendship.
4. **Avoid Fainting:** Keep Pichu safe in battles.
5. **Give Pichu Berries:** Utilize Friendship-boosting berries.
6. **Use Pokémon Refresh:** After battles, use Pokémon Refresh to pet, feed, and care for Pichu. Clean it if it gets dirty, and cure any status conditions. Reaching two hearts in Pokémon Refresh will usually be sufficient to trigger evolution upon leveling up.
7. **Level Up:** Level up Pichu to evolve it into Pikachu. (No time of day restrictions in these games).
### Pokémon Sword and Shield
These games introduce Pokémon Camp, providing another way to raise Friendship.
1. **Obtain Pichu:** Pichu can be found in the Wild Area (specifically, the Stony Wilderness).
2. **Carry Pichu in Your Party:** Keep Pichu with you.
3. **Use Vitamins and Healing Items:** Use items to increase Friendship.
4. **Avoid Fainting:** Keep Pichu safe in battles.
5. **Give Pichu Berries:** Utilize Friendship-boosting berries.
6. **Play with Pichu at Pokémon Camp:** Set up a Pokémon Camp and play with Pichu. Talk to it, throw a ball, and cook curry for it. The type of curry affects friendship too!
7. **Check Friendship:** Talk to a woman in Hammerlocke. She is in a house on the right side as you enter the city from the Wild Area. She will tell you how much Pichu likes you. “You two are inseparable!” is what you are looking for.
8. **Level Up:** Level up Pichu to evolve it into Pikachu. (No time of day restrictions in these games).
### Pokémon Legends: Arceus
This game simplifies the Friendship mechanic significantly.
1. **Obtain Pichu:** Pichu can be found in the Floaro Gardens and the Nature’s Pantry area of the Obsidian Fieldlands.
2. **Carry Pichu in Your Party:** Keep Pichu with you.
3. **Use Pichu in Battles:** Use Pichu in battles and let it gather resources.
4. **Feed Pichu EXP Candy:** Giving Pichu EXP Candy will level it up while also boosting its friendship.
5. **Check Friendship:** Talk to Belamy in Jubilife Village near the Pastures. If Pichu is ready to evolve he will say something like “You and [Pichu] seem to be fast friends! Why, I bet you get along famously!”, and then say he can feel a strong bond between you.
6. **Level Up:** Once its friendship is high enough, simply level up Pichu to evolve it into Pikachu. (No time of day restrictions in these games).
### Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
These games continue with a simplified Friendship system, similar to Legends: Arceus.
1. **Obtain Pichu:** Pichu can be found in South Province (Area Two), South Province (Area Four), East Province (Area One), and East Province (Area Two).
2. **Carry Pichu in Your Party:** Keep Pichu with you and explore the Paldea region.
3. **Battle with Pichu:** Use Pichu in battles.
4. **Feed Pichu Sandwiches:** Make sandwiches with Pichu and feed it. Certain ingredients will give a friendship boost.
5. **Give Pichu EXP Candy:** Leveling up with EXP Candy will boost friendship.
6. **Clean Pichu after battles:** After battle clean Pichu.
7. **Check Friendship:** Talk to an NPC in Cascarrafa. The NPC is standing next to a Marill near the fountain in the center of town. The NPC will mention a close bond if Pichu is ready to evolve.
8. **Level Up:** Level up Pichu to evolve it into Pikachu. (No time of day restrictions in these games).
## Evolving Pikachu into Raichu
Once you have evolved Pichu into Pikachu, the next step is to evolve Pikachu into Raichu. This evolution is much simpler:
* **Use a Thunder Stone:** Use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu to instantly evolve it into Raichu. Thunder Stones can be found in various locations throughout the games, often in caves or as hidden items. In some games, they can be purchased from shops.
**Note:** In Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee, Pikachu cannot evolve into Raichu. Instead, the player receives a partner Pikachu that has special moves and increased stats but cannot be evolved. However, other Pikachu caught in the wild can evolve into Raichu by using a Thunder Stone.
## Tips for Faster Friendship Gains
* **Soothe Bell:** The Soothe Bell is an item that increases the rate at which Friendship increases. Equip Pichu with a Soothe Bell to accelerate the process. The Soothe Bell’s location varies depending on the game, so consult a game-specific guide.
* **Lucky Egg:** While it doesn’t directly affect friendship, the Lucky Egg increases experience point gains, allowing Pichu to level up more quickly and indirectly boost Friendship.
* **Consistent Care:** Interact with Pichu regularly. The more consistently you care for it, the faster its Friendship will grow.
* **Avoid Hurting Pichu:** Fainting in battle is a significant setback. Always prioritize Pichu’s safety.
## Conclusion
Evolving Pichu into Pikachu and then into Raichu requires patience and attention to detail. By understanding the Friendship mechanic and utilizing the methods described in this guide, you can successfully evolve Pichu and add these powerful Pokémon to your team. Remember to check game-specific guides for precise locations of items and NPCs. Happy training!