For main-series competitive play, Timid is the safest default nature for Alolan Raichu: it raises Speed and lowers Attack, which standard special-attacking builds do not use. Choose Modest when your team can reliably set Electric Terrain and you want more damage. The right pick still depends on the format and the Speed benchmarks you need to meet.
This advice is for the main-series games, including Scarlet and Violet competitive formats. Pokémon UNITE handles Alolan Raichu differently: its official character page says Pikachu evolves into Alolan Raichu at level 5, so main-series nature advice does not apply there. Pokémon UNITE’s Alolan Raichu page
Timid or Modest: which nature should you choose?
| Nature | Stat tradeoff | Choose it when | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timid | Raises Speed; lowers Attack | You need to outspeed more opponents, including when Electric Terrain is not active. | It gives up Modest’s extra damage. |
| Modest | Raises Special Attack; lowers Attack | Your team reliably provides Electric Terrain and your format rewards immediate damage. | Its lower Speed can matter without terrain or when you miss a Speed benchmark. |
For a general Speed-first special attacker, use Timid. Modest is a reasonable format- and team-dependent alternative, not a universal upgrade. A Scarlet/Violet National Dex Monotype analysis specifically presents Modest as an option for extra damage under terrain while keeping Alolan Raichu very fast in that condition; it also emphasizes Timid Speed investment for targets outside terrain. Smogon’s Scarlet/Violet National Dex Monotype analysis
Why Speed matters even with Surge Surfer
Alolan Raichu is an Electric/Psychic-type Pokémon with base stats of 60 HP, 85 Attack, 50 Defense, 95 Special Attack, 85 Special Defense, and 110 Speed. Its ability, Surge Surfer, doubles its Speed while Electric Terrain is active. That boost can make a damage-focused Modest choice appealing, but it does not remove the value of Speed when terrain is absent. Opponents, format rules, and how consistently your team establishes terrain all affect the choice. Smogon’s Scarlet/Violet Alolan Raichu strategy entry
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What a standard special-attacking spread tells you
Smogon’s Scarlet/Violet strategy entry lists a standard spread of 252 Special Attack / 4 Special Defense / 252 Speed with Timid. This supports Timid as a broad starting point: the build invests in both damage and Speed, while its nature further favors Speed and reduces unused Attack. It is a competitive set recommendation, not an official rule or a prescription for every format. Smogon’s Scarlet/Violet Alolan Raichu strategy entry
How to make the choice for your team
- Start with your format. Competitive recommendations are format-specific; a set for one ruleset may not suit another.
- Check the opponents you need to outspeed without terrain. If losing those matchups would cost you, favor Timid.
- Assess terrain reliability. Consider whether your team can establish Electric Terrain consistently, not just whether Alolan Raichu benefits from it when active.
- Choose Modest only when the damage tradeoff is worth it. If your format and team let you rely on Surge Surfer’s terrain boost, Modest can prioritize stronger special attacks; account for the reduced Speed when terrain is down.
These are decision criteria, not a guarantee of any particular matchup result. No single nature is best across every format and team.
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Does this advice apply to Pokémon UNITE?
No. The recommendation above concerns main-series nature mechanics and competitive builds. Pokémon UNITE has a separate character implementation; its official page describes Pikachu evolving into Alolan Raichu at level 5. Do not apply the Timid-versus-Modest choice to UNITE. Pokémon UNITE’s Alolan Raichu page
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