For most players, evolve Pikachu after it learns Thunderbolt at level 26. If you want Agility, wait until level 33, because Agility cannot be restored by the Move Relearner once Pikachu has evolved. Pikachu evolves into Raichu when exposed to a Thunder Stone, and that evolution has no level requirement, so the level you choose only controls which Pikachu moves you collect first.
Why level 26 is the default
Level 26 is the point where Pikachu learns Thunderbolt, one of its strongest electric moves. PokéTools’ FireRed Pikachu page lists Thunderbolt at level 26. Evolving at that point does not cost you Thunderbolt, because the Pokémon Database Generation III learnset for Raichu lists Thunderbolt among Raichu’s level-up moves at level 1. That makes level 26 a clean compromise: you have finished Pikachu’s core electric moveset, and you can evolve as soon as you want Raichu’s higher base stats, which PokéTools cites as the main advantage of the evolved form.
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This is a recommendation, not a game threshold. Pikachu can be evolved at any level once you have a Thunder Stone.
Pikachu’s FireRed level-up moves
These are the level-up milestones listed for Pikachu in FireRed on PokéTools. Use them to decide how many moves you want Pikachu to learn before you evolve it.
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| Level | Move learned |
|---|---|
| 1 | Thunder Shock, Growl |
| 6 | Tail Whip |
| 8 | Thunder Wave |
| 11 | Quick Attack |
| 15 | Double Team |
| 20 | Slam |
| 26 | Thunderbolt |
| 33 | Agility |
| 41 | Thunder |
| 50 | Light Screen |
Timing options compared
The table below compares the three practical windows. The Raichu column depends on the level-up list in the Pokémon Database Generation III learnset, which places Quick Attack, Tail Whip, ThunderShock and Thunderbolt at level 1 for Raichu.
| Evolve at | Pikachu moves you have by then | What you keep or lose on Raichu |
|---|---|---|
| Level 26, after Thunderbolt | Everything through Thunderbolt, including Slam | Keeps Thunderbolt and the level-1 Raichu moves. Agility is lost, since it is not on Raichu’s list and the Move Relearner cannot restore it. |
| Level 33, after Agility | Everything through Agility | Keeps Agility. Thunder and Light Screen remain available later, as described below. |
| Level 41 or later | Everything through Thunder | Keeps Thunder. Light Screen can still be taught by TM16 if you wait for it. |
Recovering moves after evolution
Evolving does not lock out every Pikachu move. Per PokéTools, some moves can be taught to Raichu by tutor or TM, while others cannot be recovered at all.
| Pikachu move | Learned at level | Recovery on Raichu (per PokéTools) |
|---|---|---|
| Thunder Wave | 8 | Tutor |
| Double Team | 15 | TM32 |
| Slam | 20 | Not available from the Move Relearner after evolving |
| Agility | 33 | Not available from the Move Relearner after evolving |
| Thunder | 41 | TM25 |
| Light Screen | 50 | TM16 |
The Move Relearner, located on Two Island in FireRed, only teaches moves from the current form’s level-up list at or below the Pokémon’s level. That rule is why Slam and Agility cannot be recovered once Pikachu becomes Raichu.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Limits of this advice
- The timing recommendation rests on move tables, not on a stat comparison. The sources cited here describe Raichu’s base stats as higher in qualitative terms only and give no numerical values, so the stat trade-off should be judged from in-game data.
- The move data applies to Generation III FireRed and LeafGreen. Move lists in other games may differ.
- The TM and tutor availability described here depends on your progress through the game. Check your bag and the relevant tutor before committing to a delay.
In practice, the choice comes down to whether you want Agility. If you do not, evolving at 26 is the simplest route. If you do, hold Pikachu until 33.
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