Evolve it?

This is always a matter of debate among Pokémon fans, I've noticed. So let me ask: do the people here evolve their pikachu or not?
Most people choose not to evolve it because of the influence of the anime, in which pikachu often beats raichu on a test of speed. There also seems to be some weird moral dilemma in evolving him, which I never understood. But the fact of the matter is that all of raichu's stats are higher than pikachu's, including those for speed. The only difference between the two is that raichu can only learn moves by TM/HM. But even at that pikachu stops learning moves at level 45.
I always evolve my pikachu. But then again, I think raichu is the most adorable thing ever, so perhaps I'm prejudiced. =P

wobbles

Yes i evolved my pikachu. But ive never seen the attraction to pikachu in the first place. Im not into the wole cute thing. I like pokemon that are badass, which raichu is

TheChrisD

Then again this argument can apply to nearly anything that evolves via an elemental stone, since they either stop learning moves or they only learn one or two more moves at a really high level once they evolve...

TheChrisD

TheChrisD wrote: »

Then again this argument can apply to nearly anything that evolves via an elemental stone, since they either stop learning moves or they only learn one or two more moves at a really high level once they evolve...

Yeah Ninetales and Arcanine are the same

looking_around

...tbh.... I never really liked pikachu .... I love pichu :P... but raichu is cool (so ya..I evolve'em) ...

Buzzthebatgirl

Let's see, Pikachu can use the Light Ball that doubles it's Attack and Special Attack. Raichu has higher base stats and therefor packs more of a punch, but pales in comparison to a Light Ball Pikachu. Pikachu is a middle stage 'mon, so is more of a surprise to see in a battle, surprise can throw battlers off.

Banjo Fella

Yeah, I have to agree - Light Ball Pikachu is the way to go! Though Raichu's slightly bulkier stats can come in handy too, especially if you would rather not be instantly KO'd in the way Pikachu probably would.

Thomas-G

STRONGRAPEMON Used EARTHQUAKE
The attack was super effective
ENEMY Pikachu died

Or.....

STRONGRAPEMON Used EARTHQUAKE
The attack was super effective
ENEMY Raichu died

Ah electric pokemon, you will never escape your fate at being at the mercy of one of the best most accurate attacks in the game, and your types typical low defence

On a sidenote, I just realized that I said dies instead of fainted. Nuzlocke is breaking my mind :eek:

Thomas-G

Thomas-G wrote: »

STRONGRAPEMON Used EARTHQUAKE
The attack was super effective
ENEMY Pikachu died

Or.....

STRONGRAPEMON Used EARTHQUAKE
The attack was super effective
ENEMY Raichu died

Ah electric pokemon, you will never escape your fate at being at the mercy of one of the best most accurate attacks in the game, and your types typical low defence

On a sidenote, I just realized that I said dies instead of fainted. Nuzlocke is breaking my mind :eek:

Well the same effect can be gotten by using type-advantage in ANY battle

And @the people bragging about light ball pikachu; raichu can hold a light ball, too =/ all you have to do is evolve your LB pikachu. Besides, ALL of raichu's stats are almost double a normal pika's, not just attack and special

Fluorescence

In Red I ALWAYS evolved it, because Raichu is bad-ass and Pikachu isn't. :P In Platinum I evolved it too and slapped some more thunder boosting items into it's little paws. Good times

Banjo Fella

Deleted User wrote: »

And @the people bragging about light ball pikachu; raichu can hold a light ball, too =/ all you have to do is evolve your LB pikachu. Besides, ALL of raichu's stats are almost double a normal pika's, not just attack and special

That's true, but Raichu doesn't get any stat boosts from holding a Light Ball. It only works for Pikachu. =/

Raichu's perfectly awesome anyway, I loved having one on my team while playing Emerald! Who couldn't love this adorable guy?

TheChrisD

Banjo Fella wrote: »

Who couldn't love this adorable guy?

*raises hand*

TheChrisD

TheChrisD wrote: »

*raises hand*

*HISSSSSS*

Banjo

Pikachu is the archetypal glass cannon, trying to protect the poor little bugger is half the fun. Raichus look like fat, old, past-it Pikachus, can't imagine why you'd ever want one unless you were involved in some sort of nuzlockesque "putting the team back together" rp run.

Banjo

Banjo wrote: »

Pikachu is the archetypal glass cannon, trying to protect the poor little bugger is half the fun. Raichus look like fat, old, past-it Pikachus, can't imagine why you'd ever want one unless you were involved in some sort of nuzlockesque "putting the team back together" rp run.

Lol you think so? You've obviously never seen raichu in action.

Banjo

I have. That's why I know what it looks like.... the clue was in the post.

Thomas-G

Deleted User wrote: »

Lol you think so? You've obviously never seen raichu in action.

If anything, Banjo has seen too much, things that can't be unseen

elekid

Evolve it, I'm sick of seeing Pikachus smug little face everywhere

Urizen

I evolved it. Never bothered getting a Light Ball Pikachu anyway, and I never use Legendaries, so Raichu was a decent option.

Anyway, I use Luxray as Electric now. So I no longer care about Pikachu beyond the cute. So I've got a Raichu AND a Pikachu now. And use neither.