Zapdos is screaming at you. You’re staring down a Jolteon in a high-stakes competitive ladder match, or maybe you're just trying to get through a gym leader without burning through a dozen Revives. It's frustrating. Electric types are fast, they’re usually offensive powerhouses, and they have exactly one weakness. Just one.
If you want to know what is best against electric pokemon, you have to look past the basic type chart. Everyone knows Ground beats Electric. It’s the first thing we learn in Pallet Town or whatever starting zone you grew up in. But honestly, just slapping a "Ground" move on a random monster isn't enough anymore. The meta has shifted. Abilities like Levitate or items like Air Balloon change the math instantly.
The Ground-Type Hegemony
Ground is the king. It’s the only type that deals super-effective damage to Electric types. Period. That’s a lonely spot to be in on the type chart, but it makes Ground-type moves like Earthquake or Earth Power absolutely essential for any balanced team.
But here is the kicker: it’s not just about the damage. Being a Ground type grants you a total immunity to Electric attacks. You don't just "resist" the spark; you swallow it. This means your Garchomp or Great Tusk can switch in on a predicted Thunderbolt and take zero damage. That’s a free turn. In competitive Pokemon, a free turn is basically gold.
Most people mess up by forgetting about the secondary types. Take Zapdos. It’s Electric/Flying. If you use Earthquake, it does nothing. Zero. Because Zapdos is "flying" over the ground, the most common counter in the game is rendered useless. This is where you need to get creative with coverage. Smack Down or Stone Edge suddenly becomes your best friend because it brings those birds back down to earth—literally.
Why Speed is the Secret Counter
Electric Pokemon are notoriously twitchy. They’re fast. Regieleki, for instance, has a base Speed stat of 200. That’s absurd. You aren't outspeeding that with a chunky Golem.
This is why "priority moves" are often the secret sauce when deciding what is best against electric pokemon. If you can’t outrun them, you have to strike first anyway. Moves like Extreme Speed or Sucker Punch can finish off a frail Jolteon before it can click Volt Switch and run away. Volt Switch is the bane of most trainers' existence. It deals damage and lets the opponent swap out, maintaining what we call "momentum." If you can't stop the switch, you're constantly playing catch-up.
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The Problem with Paralyze
Getting paralyzed sucks. It cuts your speed by 50% (as of the Gen 7 mechanical shift) and gives you a 25% chance to just... not move. Electric types love spreading Thunder Wave or using Discharge to fish for that 30% paralysis chance.
Ground types are immune to being paralyzed by Electric-type moves, which is a massive hidden benefit. But what if you aren't using a Ground type? You need a "Guts" user. Think Ursaluna or Conkeldurr. If they get paralyzed, their Attack stat actually skyrockets. It turns the Electric type's greatest weapon against them. It’s a risky play, but it’s incredibly satisfying to watch a Luxray try to paralyze your Pokémon only to realize they just made it twice as dangerous.
Abilities That Break the Rules
Sometimes the best against electric pokemon isn't a type at all, but an Ability. There are three big ones you should memorize:
- Volt Absorb: Instead of taking damage, you actually heal. Lanturn is a classic example. It’s an Electric type itself, but it eats opposing Thunderbolts for breakfast.
- Lightning Rod: This is huge in Double Battles. It draws all Electric attacks to the Pokemon with the ability and boosts their Special Attack. Raichu often carries this to protect its partner.
- Motor Drive: Electivire gets a Speed boost when hit by Electric moves. It’s like a turbocharger.
If you’re playing on the ladder, you have to expect these. Nothing feels worse than clicking a powerful move only to see your opponent's health bar go up because they predicted your play and swapped in a Volt Absorb user.
High-Level Strategy: Beyond the Type Chart
Let’s talk about the "Electric Terrain" problem. With the rise of Miraidon and various Paradox Pokemon like Iron Valiant, Electric Terrain is everywhere. It boosts Electric-type moves by 30% (it used to be 50%, but they nerfed it). If you want to beat these teams, you have to change the weather or the terrain.
Rillaboom is a fantastic "soft counter" because its Grassy Surge ability immediately overwrites Electric Terrain. Suddenly, that terrifying Thunderbolt isn't so terrifying anymore. You’ve stripped away their field advantage.
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Also, don't sleep on Dragon, Grass, or Electric types as defensive pivots. All three of these types resist Electric attacks. While they don't hit back for super-effective damage, they can soak up the hits. A Grass type like Amoonguss is a nightmare for Electric types because it resists their main STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves and can put them to sleep with Spore.
Real Examples from the World Championships
If you look at VGC (Video Game Championships) data from the last few years, the most successful counters aren't always the obvious ones. In the 2023-2024 seasons, Ting-Lu became a massive wall. It’s Ground/Dark, meaning it’s immune to Electric and incredibly tanky. Its ability, Vessel of Ruin, lowers the Special Attack of everyone else on the field. Since most Electric moves are Special, Ting-Lu basically shuts down the entire archetype just by existing.
Then you have Clodsire. It's goofy-looking, sure. But with the ability Unaware or Water Absorb, and its natural Ground typing, it becomes an immovable object. It’s a "stall" master. It sits there, takes the hits, and slowly whittles down the opponent with Toxic or Earthquake. It's proof that you don't need a legendary dragon to win; you just need the right mechanics.
Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think Water/Ground types like Swampert or Quagsire are the "perfect" counters. They’re called "Mud-boys" in the community. While they are immune to Electric, they have a glaring 4x weakness to Grass. Smart Electric-type users often carry a move called Grass Knot or Energy Ball specifically to lure in and kill Swampert.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking a Ground type makes you invincible. Always check for coverage moves. If that Galvantula has Giga Drain, your Golem is in serious trouble.
Essential Moves to Look For
If you're building a team today, these are the moves you need to keep in your back pocket:
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- Earthquake: The gold standard. 100 Power, 100 Accuracy.
- Earth Power: The special version of Earthquake. Great for mons like Nidoking or Landorus-Therian.
- High Horsepower: A physical Ground move that only hits one target—essential for Double Battles where you don't want to hit your teammate.
- Stomping Tantrum: If your previous move failed, this doubles in power. It’s a great "punish" move.
Tactical Next Steps
To effectively dismantle an Electric-heavy team, stop focusing solely on "who beats what" and start looking at "how do I stop them from moving."
Step 1: Identify the Speed Tier. Check if your opponent's Electric type is faster than your lead. If it is, do not start with a glass cannon. Start with a tanky Ground type or someone with a priority move.
Step 2: Force the Switch. Most Electric users will try to Volt Switch out the moment they see a Ground type. Use "Entry Hazards" like Stealth Rock or Spikes. When they switch out to avoid your Ground move, they take damage from the rocks. Do this enough times, and their fast, frail sweepers will be in KO range before they even realize it.
Step 3: Manage the Terrain. If you see a Pokemon that sets Electric Terrain, bring a Terrain-setter of your own or a move like Ice Spinner, which physically breaks the terrain underfoot.
Beating Electric types is a game of chess. You have to anticipate the Volt Switch, respect the Speed stat, and always have a Ground-type backup plan that isn't afraid of a little coverage. Once you stop fearing the Spark, the game opens up completely.