Base Set 2 / #16/130

Raichu

Printed language: English · Pokémon

Set (printed edition): Base Set 2
Rarity (source): Rare
Illustrator: Ken Sugimori
Source reference: base4-16

CARDEX BACKGROUND

The Pokémon’s story

As Raichu accumulates electricity, its behaviour can become more aggressive. To keep the charge from affecting it, it plants its long tail in the ground like an earth connection. The Pokédex thus links its mood to the amount of electricity it carries. Its body sometimes glows faintly in the dark, a visible sign of energy that keeps flowing even when it is not battling.

Background on the species in the video games; its forms and card versions may have appeared later.

A detail worth noticing

When its cheeks run low on energy, Raichu can raise its tail to gather electricity from the atmosphere. Pokémon Shield describes this as another way to recharge. The same tail therefore manages electricity in two directions: releasing it into the ground or collecting it from the surroundings.

Sources for this background

Card details

HP: 80
Type (source): Lightning
Stage (source): Stage1
Evolves from (printed name): Pikachu
Pokédex number: 26
Retreat cost: 1 Energy
Weakness (source): Fighting ×2

Printed card text — English

Quoted source text is retained in the card’s printed language so this exact printing can be identified. The CarDex background above is translated into English.

Description from the source

Its long tail serves as a ground to protect itself from its own high-voltage power.

Attacks

Agility

Cost: Lightning · Colorless · Colorless

Damage: 20

Flip a coin. If heads, during your opponent's next turn, prevent all effects of attacks, including damage, done to Raichu.

Thunder

Cost: Lightning · Lightning · Lightning · Colorless

Damage: 60

Flip a coin. If tails, Raichu does 30 damage to itself.

Documented variants

Versions reported by the source; identification for sales still needs verification.

Holographic
holo · standard

View the TCGdex source ↗

Price history

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