Lightning Rod (Ability)

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Lightning Rod ひらいしん
Lightning Rod
Flavor text
Generation III
Draws electrical moves.
Generation IV
The Pokémon draws in all Electric-type moves.
Generation V
Draws in all Electric-type moves to up Sp. Attack.
Generation VI
Draws in all Electric-type moves to boost its Sp. Atk stat.
Generation VII
The Pokémon draws in all Electric-type moves. Instead of being hit by Electric-type moves, it boosts its Sp. Atk.
Generation VIII
The Pokémon draws in all Electric-type moves. Instead of being hit by Electric-type moves, it boosts its Sp. Atk.
Generation IX
The Pokémon draws in all Electric-type moves. Instead of taking damage from them, its Sp. Atk stat is boosted.

Lightning Rod (Japanese: ひらいしん Lightning Rod), formatted as Lightningrod prior to Pokémon X and Y, is an Ability introduced in Generation III.

Effect

In battle

Lightning Rod forces single-target Electric-type moves to target the Pokémon with this Ability.

If another Pokémon becomes the center of attention, Electric-type moves will be directed to it instead of the Pokémon with Lightning Rod.

In Triple Battles, Lightning Rod cannot redirect Electric-type moves if the Pokémon is out of range.

Generation III

Only the moves used by foes are redirected.

Lightning Rod cannot redirect Electric-type Hidden Power.

Generation IV

Moves used by allies are now redirected as well.

Electric-type moves used by foes and allies will now never miss the Pokémon with this Ability, unless it is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly (Thunder will never miss a Pokémon in the semi-invulnerable turn of Fly or Bounce).

Lightning Rod cannot redirect Electric-type Judgment or Natural Gift.

Generations V and VI

Along with its previous effects, Lightning Rod also gives the Pokémon immunity to all Electric-type moves, and raises the Pokémon's Special Attack by one stage whenever it is hit by an Electric-type move. Electric-type multistrike moves (such as multistrike moves affected by Electrify or Electric-type moves affected by Parental Bond) will only activate this effect once. If the Pokémon is protected from the move or immune to the move due to being Ground-type, its Special Attack will not increase.

If a Pokémon with Lightning Rod is targeted by an Electric-type move while holding a Cell Battery, Lightning Rod absorbs the move, so the Cell Battery's effect is not triggered.

Lightning Rod can now redirect Electric-type Hidden Power, Judgment, and Natural Gift.

Generation VII onward

A Ground-type Pokémon will now activate Lightning Rod and boost its Special Attack.

The Abilities Propeller Tail and Stalwart bypass the targeting effect of Lightning Rod but not the Electric-type immunity.

Outside of battle

Generation III

In Pokémon Emerald, Trainers registered with the PokéNav's Match Call function will call twice as often if a Pokémon with Lightning Rod is in the first place in the party (even if fainted).

Generation VIII

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, if a Pokémon with Lightning Rod is in the first place in the party (even if fainted), there is a 51% chance the game will force an encounter with a Electric-type Pokémon, if one is possible. In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the chance is 50%. It shares this effect with Static.

Generation IX

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, this Ability has no effect outside of battle, with its former field function effectively being replaced by Meal Powers.

Pokémon with Lightning Rod

# Pokémon Types First Ability Second Ability Hidden Ability
0025 Pikachu Pikachu
Electric Electric Static None Lightning Rod
0025 Pikachu Pikachu
Cosplay Pikachu
Electric Electric Lightning Rod None None
0026 Raichu Raichu
Electric Electric Static None Lightning Rod
0104 Cubone Cubone
Ground Ground Rock Head Lightning Rod Battle Armor
0105 Marowak Marowak
Ground Ground Rock Head Lightning Rod Battle Armor
0105 Marowak Marowak
Alolan Form
Fire Ghost Cursed Body Lightning Rod Rock Head
0111 Rhyhorn Rhyhorn
Ground Rock Lightning Rod Rock Head Reckless
0112 Rhydon Rhydon
Ground Rock Lightning Rod Rock Head Reckless
0118 Goldeen Goldeen
Water Water Swift Swim Water Veil Lightning Rod
0119 Seaking Seaking
Water Water Swift Swim Water Veil Lightning Rod
0172 Pichu Pichu
Electric Electric Static None Lightning Rod
0254 Sceptile Sceptile
Mega Sceptile
Grass Dragon Lightning Rod None None
0309 Electrike Electrike
Electric Electric Static Lightning Rod Minus
0310 Manectric Manectric
Electric Electric Static Lightning Rod Minus
0311 Plusle Plusle
Electric Electric Plus None Lightning RodGen VI+
0464 Rhyperior Rhyperior
Ground Rock Lightning Rod Solid Rock Reckless
0522 Blitzle Blitzle
Electric Electric Lightning Rod Motor Drive Sap Sipper
0523 Zebstrika Zebstrika
Electric Electric Lightning Rod Motor Drive Sap Sipper
0777 Togedemaru Togedemaru
Electric Steel Iron Barbs Lightning Rod Sturdy
0871 Pincurchin Pincurchin
Electric Electric Lightning Rod None Electric Surge
Please note that Abilities marked with a superscript are only available in the stated generation or later.
  • For Generation III and IV games, ignore Hidden Abilities.

Pokémon that formerly had Lightning Rod

# Pokémon Types First Ability Second Ability Hidden Ability
0145 Zapdos Zapdos
Electric Flying Pressure None Lightning RodGen V
Please note that Abilities marked with a superscript are only available in the stated generation or later.
  • For Generation III and IV games, ignore Hidden Abilities.
  • In Generation V games, Zapdos has Lightning Rod as its Hidden Ability, but it cannot be obtained by any legitimate means. It is replaced with Static as its Hidden Ability in Generation VI.

In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, Explorers of Time and Darkness, a Pokémon with Lightning Rod draws in all enemy Electric-type attacks on the floor, completely neutralizing them. Unlike the main series, Lightning Rod is capable of attracting moves that target multiple Pokémon.

In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, the effect is now only room-wide.

Starting from Gates to Infinity, Lightning Rod now also increases the Pokémon's Special Attack.

Description

Games Description
MDRB Attracts Electric-type moves.
MDTDS Draws Electric-type moves to the Pokémon without harm.
BSL でんきタイプの わざを あつめて そのわざの こうかをうけない
Conq. Absorbs all Electric-type moves to raise Attack.
MDGtI Draws Electric-type moves from nearby foes, absorbs them, and raises Special Attack.*
The Electric-type moves of enemies in the room are drawn to the Pokémon and absorbed, which also raises its Special Attack!*
SMD The Electric-type moves of enemies in the same room are drawn to the Pokémon and absorbed. When the Pokémon absorbs Electric-type moves, its Sp. Atk goes up!
MDRTDX The Electric-type moves of enemies in the same room are drawn to the Pokémon and absorbed. When the Pokémon absorbs Electric-type moves, its Sp. Atk goes up.


In animation

Pokémon animated series

Scientist Rhydon Lightning Rod.png
Rhydon
Sawyer Mega Sceptile Lightning Rod.png
Mega Sceptile
Sophocles Togedemaru Lightning Rod.png
Togedemaru
The Pokémon draws in Electric attacks.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
Rhydon When Rhydon's opponent uses an Electric attack, the attack changes direction and hits Rhydon's horn instead.
A Scientist's Rhydon Tag! We're it...! Debut
Sceptile When Mega Sceptile is hit by an Electric-type move, it takes no damage.
Sawyer's Sceptile Valuable Experience for All! None
Togedemaru When Togedemaru's opponent uses an Electric attack, the attack changes direction and hits Togedemaru instead, who takes no damage from that attack. Togedemaru can then use the absorbed electricity to power up its own Electric-type moves.
Sophocles's Togedemaru The Guardian's Challenge! None


In the manga

Be the Best! Pokémon B+W


Pokémon Adventures


Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!


Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 避雷針 Beihlèuihjām
Mandarin 避雷針 / 避雷针 Bìléizhēn
Denmark Flag.png Danish Lightning Rod*
Lynafleder
The Netherlands Flag.png Dutch Bliksemstaaf
Finland Flag.png Finnish Ukkosenjohdatin
France Flag.png French Paratonnerre
Germany Flag.png German Blitzfänger
India Flag.png Hindi Bijli Ka Rod
Italy Flag.png Italian Parafulmine
South Korea Flag.png Korean 피뢰침 Piroechim
Norway Flag.png Norwegian Lightning Rod*
Lynavleder*
Poland Flag.png Polish Piorunochron
Portugal Flag.png Portuguese Para-Raios
Russia Flag.png Russian Громоотвод Gromootvod
Spanish CELAC Flag.png Latin America Caña de luz
Spain Flag.png Spain Pararrayos
Sweden Flag.png Swedish Lightning Rod*
Åskledare*
Thailand Flag.png Thai สายล่อฟ้า
Vietnam Flag.png Vietnamese Cột thu lôi


Move-drawing Abilities
Lightning RodStorm Drain
Stat raising Abilities
JustifiedLightning RodMotor DriveRattledSap SipperSpeed BoostStorm Drain
Abilities that alter type effectiveness
Dry SkinFlash FireHeatproofSap SipperLevitateLightning RodMotor DriveThick FatStorm DrainVolt AbsorbWater Absorb


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