With the implementation of Pikachu as the Pokémon mascot, the popularity of the Electric-type became assured. Many Pocket Monsters have two types, which can give them offensive and defensive advantages. However, Pikachu, like many others, has only one typing. Depending on the battling situation, this can help or hurt the Pokémon.
For Electric specifically, it only has one weakness — Ground — making it a reliable defensive type. On the other hand, Electric attacks are only super-effective against Water and Flying. Despite this offensive limitation, this typing can be effective in the main series games, especially when a powerful Pokémon boasts it.
10 Ampharos
The Generation II pure Electric-type Ampharos is not as powerful as it could be, but it is still capable. Its sub-par Speed stat leaves it slower than many opponents, but its reasonable bulk lets it deal with the damage. It also has the Ability Static, which has the chance to paralyze enemies that make physical contact with it. This is not an exceptional Ability, but it can come in handy.
When it attacks, Ampharos excels at using Special moves, of which it has plenty. However, with less impressive stats than many others, this Pokémon is not the best option. Mega Ampharos may be one of the worst designed Mega Evolutions, but it makes Ampharos much more viable. It has a secondary Dragon typing, though, making it ineligible as a pure Electric-type.
9 Eelektross
All around decent, Eelektross is a reliable Electric-type pick. Its Attack and Special Attack are both fairly high, giving it options against opponents that specialize in either Physical or Special Defense. With low Speed, it rarely moves first, but it is bulky enough to deal with this.
Eelektross’s biggest appeal is its Levitate Ability. This prevents it from being hit by most Ground-type moves, giving Eelektross effectively no type weaknesses. The biggest downside to using this Pokémon, though, is its limited move pool. It can withstand a lot of damage, but without access to a variety of great attacks, Eelektross falls behind other Electric-types.
8 Jolteon
Jolteon is a decent Pokémon that suffers from a few unfortunate weaknesses. On the one hand, its Special stats are high, and its Speed gives it the chance to move before most opponents. On the other hand, its Physical stats are quite low, which is a problem when Jolteon cannot defeat enemies in one strike.
In addition, Jolteon’s move pool is lacking in the Special department, featuring more Physical moves than Special moves via leveling up. The few Special attacks it has are good, but there are few coverage options. Jolteon can end battles quickly in favorable or neutral matchups, but it can easily run into trouble.
7 Luxray
One of the most popular Generation IV Electric-types, Luxray is also one of the more powerful. Its Attack stat is great and its Special Attack, while lower, is also commendable. Like some other Electric-types, though, Luxray’s level-up move pool is not as expansive as it could be, limiting the Pokémon a bit. Trainers may have to use valuable TMs or TRs to provide Luxray with more coverage options, but this may be worth it.
Its Speed is underwhelming, which leaves it to rely on its decent bulk to survive. While these HP and defensive stats are not impressive, they can often allow Luxray to stay in for several turns, which gives it more opportunities to use its great offensive power.
6 Electivire
Added in a later Pokémon generation than its previous evolution Electabuzz, Electivire was a significant improvement to the Pokémon line. Fairly fast and powerful in both offensive categories, it is more than capable of defeating enemies that have high defensive stats. Access to some great Physical and Special moves only helps it further.
Electivire falls a bit short defensively, and especially regarding its Defense stat. While its HP and Special Defense are not terrible, Electivire is more comfortable using its offensive capabilities to act decisively. Long battles can be difficult for Electivire, but it rarely needs much time to utilize its sheer strength.
5 Raikou
A Legendary Pokémon with some of the best lore in the series, Raikou is a fan favorite among Electric-types. It may not be the best Pokémon of its classification, but as a Legendary, it can hold its own in battle. Its specialty is striking quickly and effectively by using its high Speed and Special Attack.
If it cannot finish off opponents, it can take a decent amount of damage as well, especially from Special moves. Its Defense is a fair amount lower, though, making this its worst vulnerability. If it can out-speed opponents, which is not difficult for it, Raikou can be excellent.
4 Mega Manectric
In its usual form, Manectric is not amazing when compared to many Electric-types. It is decent enough for early-game battles, but it is quickly outclassed by a variety of other options. However, Mancentric is much more capable in battle. It is not the best Mega Evolution by any means, but it can be powerful on an in-game team. Its Speed and Special Attack are great, and its defensive stats get a slight boost as well.
Unfortunately, it only learns a small number of Special moves through leveling up. As with Luxray, trainers may have to use items to give it a strong move set. With the right moves, though, it can be an exceptional Special glass cannon.
3 Xurkitree
The Electric-type Ultra Beast Xurkitree has one of the highest Special Attack stats in the series. While its Speed is not awful, it is not incredible either. It also has underwhelming defensive stats, although they are usually high enough to deal with several strikes. If it can take a hit without fainting, Xurkitree is a destructive force.
All of the Special moves it learns from leveling up are Electric, which limits coverage, but as long as it does not face a Ground-type, these are enough to tear through many teams. It also has the Beast Boost Ability, which further raises its Special Attack when it knocks out an enemy. Foes must deal with Xurkitree quickly or face an absurd amount of damage.
2 Zeraora
Extremely fast and dangerous, Zeraora is one of the best Electric-types out there. Its Attack is slightly higher than its Special Attack, but both stats are more than capable. As such, this Pokémon can effectively use attacks like Discharge and Wild Charge, two of the most powerful Electric moves, even though they are of different categories.
Plasma Fists, its signature move, is strong and can be helpful for its secondary effect, although this effect is only situationally useful. Zeraora’s defensive stats and HP are unimpressive by Mythical standards, but with its exceptional Speed and powerful strikes, it often does not need to take a hit.
1 Regieleki
With the highest Speed currently in the franchise, Regieleki is a monster to face. It also has fairly high values for both of its offensive stats. This is at the sacrifice of its Defense and Special Defense, but this Pokémon rarely needs bulk. With its signature Ability Transistor, its Electric moves increase in power even further.
Regieleki also has access to the move Magnet Rise, which effectively gives it temporary immunity to Ground-type moves. Although the Legendary must use a turn to activate this effect, its Speed makes the action less risky. While most of its moves are Electric, it can also learn several moves of other types through leveling up, giving it more coverage options. Regieleki is undoubtedly one of the best Pokémon introduced in Generation VIII.
