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You don’t need to wait for a particular level: in the games covered by the official guides below, Pikachu evolves when you use a Thunder Stone. There are exceptions based on which Pikachu you have: the partner Pikachu in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and the special Gigantamax-capable Pikachu in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield cannot evolve.
How does Pikachu evolve?
For the games covered by the official guides cited here, use a Thunder Stone on an eligible Pikachu. Evolution is triggered by the item, not by reaching a certain level. The official Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl trainer guide also lists Raichu as evolving from Pikachu with a Thunder Stone.
Which Pikachu cannot evolve?
Partner Pikachu in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!
The partner Pikachu cannot evolve. The official Let’s Go postgame guide says players who want to evolve Pikachu must catch a wild one instead; the partner Pokémon “cannot and does not want to evolve.”
Special Gigantamax-capable Pikachu in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield
The special Pikachu obtainable through Let’s Go play records cannot evolve, according to the official Sword and Shield Gigantamax Pokémon page. This restriction applies to that special Pikachu, not necessarily every Pikachu in those games.
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What should you do in your game?
- If you have an ordinary eligible Pikachu: use a Thunder Stone; no specific level is required in the cited examples.
- If you have the Let’s Go partner Pikachu: keep it as your partner, or catch a wild Pikachu if you want one to evolve.
- If you have the special Gigantamax-capable Pikachu in Sword or Shield: it cannot evolve.
The cited official guides cover Let’s Go, Sword and Shield, and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl; they do not establish a rule for every Pokémon game. Check the specific game and Pikachu you have if it is not one of these cases.
Quick Recap
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Rank #2
- POKÉMON PLUSH: Choose to cuddle Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon.
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- AUTHENTIC DETAILS: Pikachu looks like it jumped out of the Pokémon Animated Series.
- TEAM BUILDING: Collect other 12-inch Pokémon plush and build your own unique team.
- OFFICIAL PRODUCT: Officially licensed Pokémon product from Jazwares.
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