How Do You Get Pikachu in Pokémon Go 2025
Pikachu is not just another Pokémon; it's the undeniable mascot of the Pokémon world. Whether you're a brand-new Trainer or a seasoned player chasing the elusive shiny variant, Pikachu holds a special place in our hearts (and our Pokédex). In this guide, I'll walk you through all the current ways to get Pikachu in Pokémon GO, including hidden tricks, wild encounters, special events, and more.
- Part 1. Get Pikachu As A Starter in Pokémon GO
- Part 2. Catch Pikachu in the Wild
- Part 3. Get Pikachu Through Tasks and Eggs
- Part 4. Get Pikachu in Pokémon GO Battles & Special Events
- Part 5. Get Pikachu in Special Costume via Trade
- Part 6. How to Get Pikachu in Pokémon Go without Moving HOT
- Part 7. FAQs on Getting Pikache in Pokémon GO
Part 1. Get Pikachu As A Starter in Pokémon GO [For New Starters]
Did you know you can actually start your Pokémon GO journey with Pikachu as your first Pokémon? It's a useful trick, but many new players miss it.
Here's how to make Pikachu your very first buddy:
Step 1. Start the game after registration: When you begin, Professor Willow will introduce you to three classic starter Pokémon - Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. You'll see them appear on the map.
Step 2. Walk away: Instead of selecting one, physically move away from their location. As you walk, the trio will disappear and reappear near your new position.
Step 3. Repeat the walk: Ignore the starters and keep walking away. You'll need to repeat this process four times.
Step 4. Pikachu appears! On the fifth time they respawn, Pikachu will appear alongside the original three. Tap on Pikachu to start the encounter and catch it!
Make sure you have a bit of space to walk safely - parks or wide sidewalks work best for this trick. Also, this method only works when you first start the game, so don't miss your chance if you're new!
Part 2. How to Catch Pikachu in Pokémon GO Wild
If you've already started your Pokémon GO adventure and missed the starter Pikachu trick - don't worry. Pikachu can still be found in the wild! While it's not the rarest Pokémon out there, its spawns can be a little unpredictable. But where to find Pikachu in Pokémon GO? Luckily, there are a few solid strategies you can use to boost your chances.
🔎 Tip 1. Take Advantage of Rainy Weather and High-Density Areas
Since Pikachu is an Electric-type Pokémon, its spawn rate increases during Rainy weather in the game. So on a rainy day, don't forget to open the app - you may just see more Pikachu pop up on your map and get higher potential to catch Pikachu in Pokémon GO wild!
From experience, the best places to find Pikachu are parks, commercial areas, and locations near water. So if you live in a rural area, it's highly recommend heading to a nearby city or a park with multiple PokéStops. That's where Pikachu tends to show up more often.
Use an Incense or Lure Module to draw Pokémon directly to your location for a limited period (30/60 minutes). This is especially helpful if you're stuck indoors or in a low-spawn area.
🔎 Tip 2. Find a Pikachu Nest to Catch More Pikachu
One of the best ways to catch multiple Pikachu is to find a nest. Nests are real-world locations, usually parks, where one specific Pokémon spawns in high numbers for a few weeks. If you find a Pikachu nest, you can easily catch a dozen or more in one visit.
To find nests near you, check local Pokémon GO communities on Discord or Facebook Groups. Some websites also provide an updated Pokémon GO Nest Map for your convenience.
If you're lucky enough to find one, you could catch dozens of Pikachu in just one visit!
Part 3. How to Get Pikachu in Pokémon GO Through Tasks and Eggs
Besides wild encounters, there are other reliable ways to get Pikachu - especially through Field Research tasks and by hatching Pichu, its pre-evolution.
🧾 Option 1. Field Research Tasks (Available in August 2025)
Every month, the available Field Research tasks and their rewards change. These tasks are picked up by spinning PokéStops, and they often include surprise encounters. For example, in Augest 15 - 17, you can get a new Versity Jacket Pikachu (even a shiny one) after finishing the Field Research tasks during the 2025 Wolrd Championships event.
🥚 Option 2. Hatch Pichu from 5km Eggs & Evolve It
You can't hatch Pikachu directly from eggs, but you can hatch its baby form - Pichu - from 5km Eggs. Pichu is not only adorable (and often has special hats during events), but it also comes with a decent amount of Pikachu Candy when you hatch it. Just feed it some extra candy, and you can evolve it straight into a Pikachu.
Part 4. Get Pikachu in Pokémon GO Raid Battles & Special Events
Outside of regular gameplay, some of the most unique Pikachu variants in Pokémon GO are available only during special in-game events. These events, launched by Niantic, often feature costumed Pikachu or limited-time Raid Bosses that you won't find anywhere else.
Whether it's Pikachu in a festive hat or sporting a regional outfit, these versions are highly sought after by collectors. If you're serious about catching them all, keep an eye on the official Pokémon GO event calendar, or stay updated through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or your local Pokémon GO Discord groups.
Upcoming Pikachu Events – August 2025
Here're some events on Augest 2025, plan ahead and don't miss them!
#1. Pokémon GO Goal Time with Pikachu Event in Indonesia
✨ Pikachu wearing an Indonesia football jersey
📆 Event Dates: August 4, 10:00 AM – August 9, 8:00 PM (local time)
📍 Where to Catch: Indonesia exclusive. Join local 1-star Raids, complete special Field Research tasks during the Goal Time with Pikachu event, or finish the Collection Challenge to encounter this unique version.
#2. World Championship 2025 Event
✨ Debut: Pikachu Wearing a Varsity Jacket
📆 Event Dates: August 15 - August 17, 2025
📍 Where to Catch: Anaheim, California. Trigger during the World Championship event Field Research and 1-star Raids
These event Pokémon are time-limited. Use daily free Raid Passes or Remote Raid Passes to increase your chances.
Part 5. Get Pikachu in Special Costume via Trade [For Expired Events]
Some Pikachu variants are one-time event exclusives - once the event ends, they're gone from the wild and no longer available via Raids or Field Research. That's where trading comes in.
If you missed an event or couldn't attend, don't worry - you can still get those rare versions by trading with other Trainers.
✅ Use Lucky Trades for Lucky Pokémon to boost IVs and reduce Stardust cost;
✅ Join local or online trading communities;
✅ Make sure you're at Good Friend level or higher to trade special Pokémon.
Whether you're filling your collection or hunting down that elusive shiny in a witch hat, trading is your best bet for those hard-to-find versions of Pikachu.
Part 6. How to Get Pikachu in Pokémon GO without Moving
Can't get out and explore? Don't worry - there are still ways to catch Pikachu without leaving your home! Many players use tools like TunesKit Location Changer to virtually move around the map in Pokémon GO, allowing them to access distant Pikachu nests, weather-boosted zones, or join remote Raid Battles - all without physically walking.
Even better, TunesKit is designed with spoofing safety in mind with a Cooldown Timer, helping reduce the risk of account penalties when used responsibly.
🚀 Simulate Travel for Pikachu via TunesKit Location Changer
TunesKit Location Changer is a reliable tool that lets you change GPS location on your Android/iPhone, helping you explore Pikachu-rich areas without leaving home.
Here's how I've used it effectively to get Pikachu in Pokémon GO:
🗺️ Safely Move to Pikachu's Location
You can teleport your in-game location to known Pikachu nests, special event areas, or cities experiencing Rainy weather, which boosts Electric-type spawns like Pikachu.
If there's an event Pikachu (like the Indonesia football Pikachu), you can simulate travel to those regions, complete event Field Research tasks, and even join Raids - without hopping on a plane.
🚶♂️ Use Joystick Mode to Find More Pikachu
Instead of jumping instantly (which can raise red flags with Niantic), use Joystick Mode to mimic walking naturally. This lets you explore high-spawn areas, complete walking-based tasks, and increase incense effectiveness - all while staying in one place.
Part 7. FAQs on Getting Pikache in Pokémon GO
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1. Is Pikachu Rare in Pokémon GO?
Not exactly. Pikachu isn't considered a rare Pokémon, but you won't see it as often as super common ones like Pidgey or Rattata. Its spawn rate increases during special events, rainy weather, and in Pikachu nests. If you're wondering where to find Pikachu in Pokémon GO, your best bet is in parks or during events.
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2. Can You Evolve Pikachu in Pokémon GO?
Yes! You can evolve Pikachu into Raichu using 50 Pikachu Candy. However, you cannot evolve Pikachu into Alolan Raichu - that form must be caught separately, usually through Raid Battles when it's featured.
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3. What Are Different Types of Pikachu in Pokémon GO?
There are many unique Pikachu forms in the game, including: Standard Pikachu, Shiny Pikachu (a slightly darker orange), and many costumed Pikachu such as Santa Hat Pikachu, Party Hat Pikachu, Halloween Pikachu, etc.
Pokémon GO frequently introduces new costumes during seasonal and regional events. Want to see them all? Check out a complete list of Pikachu variants in Pokémon GO to track your collection. You can search your Pokémon storage with keywords like Pikachu&costume or shiny to quickly find your rarest ones. -
4. Can You Get a Shiny Pikachu in Pokémon GO?
Yes, Shiny Pikachu is available in the game! While the standard spawn rate is around 1 in 500, your odds improve significantly during certain events. Your best chance is to check as many Pikachu as possible - especially during global events like the World Championships.
Part 8. Conclusion
That's all about how to get Pikachu in Pokemon GO. Whether you're looking to add your first Pikachu, collect every costume version, or hunt down the rare shiny, there's a method for every type of player. For global hunters, it's suggested to use TunesKit Location Changer to explore Pikachu spawns worldwide without leaving your home.
With the right tools and timing, every Pikachu, from the classic to the costumed, is within your reach. So grab your PokéBalls, check the event calendar, and happy hunting!