So, you’re staring down a Jolteon or maybe a Miraidon, and you're realizing that "just hitting it hard" isn't working. Electric types are annoying. They’ve only got one weakness, they’re usually faster than a caffeinated Ninjask, and they love to paralyze your entire team before you can even click a move. Honestly, finding a Pokemon good against electric types is about more than just clicking Earthquake and hoping for the best.
Electric types only take super-effective damage from Ground. That’s the golden rule we all learned in Kanto. But if you’ve played any competitive ladder or even just high-level Raids, you know that Ground types aren't always a silver bullet. Some Electric types carry Ice Beam (looking at you, Regieleki) specifically to nukes the Garchomps of the world. You need layers. You need a strategy that accounts for coverage moves, abilities, and those annoying pivot moves like Volt Switch.
The Ground Type Reality Check
Ground is the obvious answer. It’s the only type that hits Electric for $2 \times$ damage. More importantly, Ground types are completely immune to Electric attacks. This isn't just about damage; it's about momentum. When you switch a Great Tusk into a Thunderbolt, the opponent gets zero progress. Their turn is wasted.
But here’s the thing.
Not all Ground types are created equal. If you're playing Pokemon GO, a Groudon with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades is a godsend. In the main series games, though, you have to worry about Air Balloon or the Levitate ability. Eelektross, for example, has no weaknesses because it’s an Electric type with Levitate. In that specific case, your "good" Ground type is actually useless unless you're carrying Thousand Arrows or a Pokemon with the Mold Breaker ability like Excadrill.
Excadrill is arguably one of the best choices here. Because it’s also a Steel type, it resists a ton of other stuff, though you have to watch out for the occasional Focus Blast. In the current VGC or Smogon formats, Ting-Lu is a literal mountain. Its Vessel of Ruin ability lowers the Special Attack of everyone else on the field. Since almost every dangerous Electric move is Special, Ting-Lu basically turns a deadly Zapdos into a wet paper towel.
The Secret Weapon: Lightning Rod and Volt Absorb
Sometimes the best Pokemon good against electric isn't even a Ground type. It’s all about the abilities.
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Imagine you’re in a Double Battle. You have a Water type out, and the opponent is licking their chops to use Wild Charge. You swap in a Manectric or a Raichu with Lightning Rod. Not only does the Electric attack do zero damage, but it actually boosts your Pokemon’s Special Attack. It’s a total swing in board state.
Volt Absorb is another one. Lanturn is the classic "anti-Electric" Electric type. It’s a Water/Electric dual type, which sounds like it should be weak to its own kind, but Volt Absorb makes it heal when hit by electricity. It’s a hard counter to Rotom-Wash. If you're struggling with Electric types in a playthrough or a Nuzlocke, finding something with these "eater" abilities is often safer than a Ground type that might get clipped by a Grass Knot.
Then there's Motor Drive. Electivire loves this. You bait the Spark, switch in, and suddenly your Electivire is fast enough to outrun the entire zip code. It turns the opponent’s offense into your own speed tier advantage.
Dealing with the "Fast Pivot" Problem
Electric types love Volt Switch. It’s one of the most frustrating moves in the game because it deals damage and lets the user swap out to a counter. To stop this, you need a Ground type or something with a "blocking" ability.
If you don't stop the Volt Switch, you're constantly playing on your back foot.
Garchomp is a classic choice for a reason. It’s fast. It hits like a truck. But more importantly, if it’s holding Rocky Helmet and the opponent hits it with a physical Electric move like Zing Zap, they take damage just for touching you. It’s petty. I love it.
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Dragon and Grass: The Natural Resists
If you can't get a Ground type onto the field, remember that Grass and Dragon types both resist Electric.
- Appletun/Flapple: These goofy dragons double-resist Electric.
- Amoonguss: A staple in competitive play because it can soak up a Thunderbolt and then put the offender to sleep with Spore.
- Goodra: Specifically the Hisuian form. Its Special Defense is so high that even a Choice Specs-boosted Thunder feels like a light breeze.
Grass types are often overlooked because they have so many other weaknesses (Fire, Ice, Flying, Bug, Poison—the list goes on), but as a pivot against a pure Electric type, they are invaluable. Especially if that Electric type is also carrying a Water-type move like Hydro Pump or Surf. A Ground type would die instantly, but a Grass type stays healthy.
Surprising Counters You Might Not Have Considered
Let's talk about Clodsire. This doughy, purple lump from Paldea is a menace to Electric types. It has the ability Water Absorb or Unaware, but more importantly, its base Special Defense is massive. It’s a Ground/Poison type. It can sit in front of a Regieleki all day, yawn at it, set up Spikes, and slowly poison the entire enemy team while the Electric type struggles to do even 10% damage.
Then there’s Gliscor.
Gliscor is a Flying/Ground type. Being Flying makes you weak to Electric, right? Usually, yes. But because it's also Ground, the Electric immunity takes priority. Gliscor is incredible because it can use Toxic Orb to heal itself every turn while being immune to the very thing Electric types try to do: paralyze you. You can't paralyze something that's already poisoned. It’s a beautiful bit of mechanics.
Top Performers by Game Format
In Pokemon GO, the meta is different. You want high TDO (Total Damage Output).
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- Mamoswine: High attack, Ground moves, but watch out—it's weak to Steel and Fire which some Electric types carry as coverage.
- Rhyperior: A tank. Mud-Slap and Earthquake will melt almost any Jolteon or Raichu in seconds.
- Landorus-Therian: The king of the competitive hill. Its Intimidate ability lowers the opponent's Attack, making physical Electric attackers like Luxray or Electivire useless.
In the mainline games (Scarlet & Violet), the Terastal phenomenon changes everything. An Electric type can Tera into a Flying type to become immune to Ground moves. This is why you should always carry a "coverage" move. If you have a Great Tusk, make sure it knows Ice Spinner or Stone Edge. Don't get caught just spamming Earthquake.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Battle
To effectively shut down an Electric-heavy team, stop thinking about individual Pokemon and start thinking about the "switch-in."
First, identify the threat. Is it a fast special attacker or a bulky physical one? If it's a special attacker like Tapu Koko or Iron Valiant (using Thunderbolt), you need a Special Wall like Blissey or a heavy-duty Ground type like Ting-Lu.
Second, check for the "Balloon." If you see a little red balloon icon, do not use a Ground move. Use any other move first to pop the balloon, then go for the Ground kill.
Third, use the "Gulp" strategy. If you can bait an Electric move, switch to something with Volt Absorb or Lightning Rod. This doesn't just defend; it punishes the opponent.
Next Steps for Your Team:
- Check your roster for a "dedicated pivot." This should be a Pokemon with a natural immunity (Ground) or an absorption ability.
- Equip your Ground types with a Rock or Ice move. This covers you when the Electric type tries to switch to a Flying type or uses a Tera-Flying transformation.
- Watch the speed tiers. If your Ground type is slower than the Electric type, you might take a massive hit before you can move. Consider using a Choice Scarf on your Ground type to flip the script.
- Use entry hazards. Since Electric types like to switch out frequently using Volt Switch, setting up Stealth Rock or Spikes will punish them every time they try to run away.