Pokemon GO: Where to Find and Catch Pikachu

Pikachu in Pokemon GO

Pikachu is one of the most beloved critters in the entire Pokemon series, so of course it would be made available in Pokemon GO as well. Listed in this article are a few ways you can capture the electric mouse, but it should also be noted that as with all other Pokemon, it takes a certain element of luck to get it to show up and to actually capture it.

That said, if you’re looking to increase your chances of encountering a cute Pikachu while you’re out venturing with the Pokemon GO app, here are some methods you can try to make your life a bit easier.

Pikachu as a Starter

Most are probably aware of this by now, but there’s actually a way to get Pikachu as your starter Pokemon instead of choosing from the default three when you start a new account in Pokemon GO. When Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur show up on your screen for the first time, simply walk away from them until they despawn from the area. This will cause them to pop up again closer to your new location. You’ll want to keep walking away from them, and make sure they actually disappear from your screen, a few times until Pikachu shows up along with the three starters.

Do note that you’ll have to do this a few times in order to get Pikachu to appear. Some have reported that it worked on their fourth attempt, while others have mentioned it only worked on their sixth. Regardless, it shouldn’t take too long for Pikachu to show up.

Once Pikachu shows up with the other three regular starters, head to their location, and capture it like any other normal Pokemon. Congratulations, you now get to start off your Pokemon GO journey with a Pikachu in tow.

Go to Places Associated With Electricity

Pikachu is an electric-type Pokemon, so you can try to increase your chances of encountering one by visiting locations that are associated with its natural habitat, like power plants or electric grids. Users have also reported that science centers and zoos are also a possible area for the electric mouse to show up.

An important thing to note is that you have to make sure the locations you visit are recgonized by Google or Apple Maps, as unmarked power plants will not count as Pikachu’s natural habitat or as an area associated with electricity.

Try Looking During Different Times of Day

If you notice that you’re only getting the same handful of Pokemon encounters each day in a certain area, you might want to try coming back at a different time of day. This gives you a chance of encountering different Pokemon that might only show up in the area during the nighttime. Visiting familiar areas during the early hours of the morning might also allow you to find different Pokemon too.

A lot of Pokemon GO users have reported seeing Pikachu show up randomly in areas they’ve already been to, so it’s highly likely that its appearance is tied to the time of day when you’re in that area. Be sure to check back regularly to see if a Pikachu might show up at night!