Lightning Rod (Ability): Difference between revisions

Lightning Rod (Japanese: ひらいしん Lightning Rod), formatted as Lightningrod prior to Pokémon X and Y, is an Ability introduced in Generation III.

Effect

In battle

Generation III

Lightningrod forces all single-target Electric-type moves used by foes to target the Pokémon with this Ability. Electric-type moves used by foes will never miss the Pokémon with this Ability, unless it is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly (Thunder will never miss it if it is in the semi-invulnerable turn of Fly or Bounce).

Lightningrod cannot redirect Electric-type Hidden Power.

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

Generation IV

Lightningrod now also forces all single-target Electric-type moves used by allies to target the Pokémon with this Ability. Electric-type moves used by allies will now never miss the Pokémon with this Ability, unless it is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly (Thunder will never miss it if it is in the semi-invulnerable turn of Fly or Bounce).

Lightningrod cannot redirect Electric-type Judgment or Natural Gift.

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

Generation V onward

Along with its previous effects, Lightning Rod also gives the Pokémon immunity to all Electric-type moves, and raises the Pokémon's Special Attack by one stage whenever they are hit by one. This effect will not activate if the Pokémon is protected from the Electric-type move.

If the Pokémon is Ground-type, its type-granted immunity to damaging Electric-type moves and Electric-type Thunder Wave takes precedence over the Ability so the Pokémon's Special Attack will not be raised, unless it is holding a Ring Target.

Lightning Rod can now redirect Electric-type Hidden Power, Judgment, and Natural Gift.

If a Pokémon with Lightning Rod is holding a Cell Battery, Lightning Rod absorbs the move so the Cell Battery's effect is not triggered.

In Triple Battles, Lightning Rod cannot redirect Electric-type moves if the Pokémon is out of range.

Outside of battle

In Pokémon Emerald, Trainers registered with the PokéNav's Match Call function will call more often if a Pokémon with Lightningrod is in the first place in the party (even if fainted).

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, 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
025Co	Pikachu	Pikachu	Electric		Electric	Lightning Rod	None	None
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
105A	Marowak	Marowak	Fire	Ghost	Cursed Body	Lightning Rod	Rock Head
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
0777		Togedemaru	Electric	Steel	Iron Barbs	Lightning Rod	Sturdy
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

Rhydon Mega Sceptile Togedemaru
The Pokémon 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.
A Scientist's Rhydon	Tag! We're it...!		Debut
	When Mega Sceptile is hit by an Electric-type move, it takes no damage.
Sawyer's Sceptile	Valuable Experience for All!		None
	When Togedemaru's opponent uses an Electric attack, the attack changes direction and hits Togedemaru instead, taking no damage in the process. Togedemaru can then use the absorbed electricity to power up its own Electric-type moves.
Sophocles's Togedemaru	The Guardian's Challenge!		None

In the manga

In the Be the Best! Pokémon B+W manga

Zebstrika
When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the attack is sent to the Pokémon 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	The Battle for More Friends!		Debut

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Manectric Rhydon Electrike
When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the Pokémon 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	Plugging Past Electrike II		Debut
	When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the attack is redirected to Rhydon's horn instead.
Blue's Rhydon	Double Dealing with Deoxys		None
	Manectric raises its tail in the air and can redirect the electric current near it to hit its tail instead.
X's Élec	Pyroar Breathes		None

• In volume 42, Crystal's Bonee was revealed to have Lightning Rod as his Ability.
• In volume 42, Silver's Rhyperior was revealed to have Lightning Rod as his Ability.

In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! manga

Rhyperior
When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the Pokémon 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. However, in Generations III and IV, it didn't affect type immunity at all, and nullifies Electric damage in Generations V and on.
• Prior to becoming an Ability, Lightning Rod appeared as a TCG Attack.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 避雷針 Beihlèuihjām Mandarin 避雷針 / 避雷针 Bìléizhēn Danish Lynafleder Dutch Bliksemstaaf Finnish Ukkosenjohdatin French Paratonnerre German Blitzfänger Hindi Bijli Ka Rod Italian Parafulmine Korean 피뢰침 Piroechim Norwegian Lightning Rod Polish Piorunochron Portuguese Para-Raios Russian Громоотвод Gromootvod Spanish Latin America Caña de luz Spain Pararrayos Swedish Åskledare Vietnamese Cột thu lôi

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.