Lightning Rod (Ability): Difference between revisions

Lightning Rod (Japanese: ひらいしん Lightning Rod), formatted as Lightningrod prior to Generation VI, is an Ability introduced in Generation III. Fifteen Pokémon can have this Ability.

Effect

In battle

Generations III and IV

Lightning Rod forces all single-target Electric-type attacks and Thunder Wave to strike the Pokémon with this Ability in Double Battles, including those used by allies. In a Single Battle, it will cause the Pokémon with this Ability to always be hit by Electric-type moves. Lightning Rod cannot redirect Electric-type Hidden Power or Judgment.

If another Pokémon becomes the center of attention, Electric-type moves will be directed to it instead of the Pokémon with Lightning Rod.

Generation V

Along with its previous effects, Lightning Rod also gives the Pokémon immunity to all Electric-type attacks, along with the paralyzing effect of Thunder Wave, and raises the Pokémon's Special Attack by one stage whenever they are hit by one. If the Pokémon is Ground-type, its type-granted immunity will take place before the activation of the Ability's new effect and the Special Attack will not be raised unless it is holding a Ring Target.

Lightning Rod can now redirect Electric-type Hidden Power.

Generation VI

Unlike other Electric-type moves, using Eerie Impulse or Electrify on a Ground-type Pokémon with Lightning Rod will give it a Special Attack boost. Lightning Rod does not redirect Electric Terrain or Ion Deluge.

Outside of battle

In Pokémon Emerald, Trainers registered with the PokéNav's Match Call function will call more often if a Pokémon with Lightning Rod leads the party.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon

In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, a Pokémon with Lightning Rod draws in all Electric-type attacks used within the same floor, and (like Generation V) takes no damage or side effects from the attack. Unlike the main series, Lightning Rod will attract and neutralize the effect of multi-target Electric-type attacks.

Dungeon enemies that have the Ability Lightning Rod can also negate the Lightning Rod of the player's team member(s).

Pokémon with Lightning Rod

#	Pokémon		Types		First Ability	Second Ability	Hidden Ability
0025		Pikachu	Electric		Electric	Static	None	Lightning Rod
0026		Raichu	Electric		Electric	Static	None	Lightning Rod
0104		Cubone	Ground		Ground	Rock Head	Lightning Rod	Battle Armor
0105		Marowak	Ground		Ground	Rock Head	Lightning Rod	Battle Armor
0111		Rhyhorn	Ground	Rock	Lightning Rod	Rock Head	Reckless
0112		Rhydon	Ground	Rock	Lightning Rod	Rock Head	Reckless
0118		Goldeen	Water		Water	Swift Swim	Water Veil	Lightning Rod
0119		Seaking	Water		Water	Swift Swim	Water Veil	Lightning Rod
0172		Pichu	Electric		Electric	Static	None	Lightning Rod
254M	Sceptile	Sceptile	Grass	Dragon	Lightning Rod	None	None
0309		Electrike	Electric		Electric	Static	Lightning Rod	Minus
0310		Manectric	Electric		Electric	Static	Lightning Rod	Minus
0311		Plusle	Electric		Electric	Plus	None	Lightning Rod
0464		Rhyperior	Ground	Rock	Lightning Rod	Solid Rock	Reckless
0522		Blitzle	Electric		Electric	Lightning Rod	Motor Drive	Sap Sipper
0523		Zebstrika	Electric		Electric	Lightning Rod	Motor Drive	Sap Sipper
Please note that abilities marked with a superscript are only available in the stated generation or later. For Generation III and IV games, ignore Hidden Abilities.

• In Generation V games, Zapdos has Lightning Rod as its Hidden Ability, but it cannot be obtained by any legitimate means. It is replaced with Static as its Hidden Ability in Generation VI.
• Plusle does not have a Hidden Ability in Generation V.

In the anime

File:Rhydon Lightningrod.png Rhydon
The user draws in Electric attacks.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	When Rhydon's opponent uses an electric attack, the attack changes direction and hits Rhydon's horn instead.
Unknown Trainer's Rhydon	Tag! We're it...!		Debut

In the manga

In the Be a Master!! Pokémon BW manga

File:Ranger Zebstrika Lightningrod PBW.png Zebstrika
When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the attack is sent to the user instead.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the attack is redirected to Zebstrika.
A Ranger's Zebstrika	PBW3		Debut

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Rhydon Electrike
When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the user redirects the attack to itself.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, Electrike raises its tail in the air and can redirect the electric attack to hit its tail instead.
Wattson's Electrike	VS. Electrike II		Debut
	When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the attack is redirected to Rhydon's horn instead.
Silver's Rhydon	Activate: The Ultimate Attack		None

In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! manga

Rhyperior
When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the user redirects the attack to itself.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the attack is redirected to Rhyperior's horn instead.
Saturn's Rhyperior	The Battle Rages On		Debut

Trivia

• In Riddle Me This, Pikachu is able to defeat Blaine's Rhydon by aiming its electric attack at the Rhydon's horn, with it being stated that the horn acts as a lightning rod, apparently allowing Pikachu to overcome Rhydon's normal immunity to Electric attacks, ironically working exactly the opposite way that the later Lightning Rod Ability would.

In other languages

Language Title Mandarin Chinese 避雷針 Bìléizhēn Finnish Ukkosenjohdatin French Paratonnerre German Blitzfänger Hindi Bijli Ka Rod Italian Parafulmine Korean 피뢰침 Piroechim Portuguese Para-Raio Spanish Pararrayos

This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.