Electric type Pokémon are weak to ground type moves

Ground type is the single most effective type against electric Pokémon. Any ground type move will deal double damage to an electric type opponent, regardless of what the electric Pokémon's other type is. This is the primary weakness you should exploit when you face an electric type in battle.

The reason ground type is so effective comes down to how the type matchup system works in Pokémon games. Electric moves travel through the air or along surfaces, but ground type moves literally come from the earth itself — they short-circuit electrical attacks and neutralize the electric Pokémon's advantage. Moves like Earthquake, Dig, and Mud Bomb all deal this doubled damage.

Water type moves also deal super-effective damage to electric types, though not as dramatically. Water conducts electricity, which means water type moves deal 1.5 times normal damage rather than the 2 times damage you get from ground type. This makes water a secondary option when you do not have a ground type move available.

Key Takeaways

  • Ground type moves deal double damage to electric Pokémon and are the most reliable counter in any battle.
  • Water type moves deal 1.5 times normal damage to electric types, making them a useful secondary option.
  • Electric type Pokémon resist flying and steel type moves, so avoid using those types against them.
  • The best strategy is to switch to a ground type Pokémon or use a Pokémon that knows ground type moves before your electric opponent can attack.

How to use ground type moves effectively

Ground type moves work best when you use them before the electric Pokémon gets a turn. Electric types are often fast, so you want a Pokémon that is either faster or can switch in safely. Pokémon like Rhyhorn, Golem, Sandslash, and Mamoswine all learn strong ground type moves and have decent speed stats.

The move Earthquake is the most powerful ground type attack in the game — it deals 100 base power damage and hits with 100 percent accuracy. If your Pokémon can learn Earthquake, that is almost always your best choice against an electric type. Other reliable options include Dig, which takes two turns but cannot be interrupted, and Mud Bomb, which is faster but slightly weaker.

Keep in mind that some electric types have a secondary type that resists ground moves. An electric and flying type like Zapdos takes normal damage from ground moves instead of doubled damage, because flying types resist ground. In those cases, you still deal super-effective damage overall, but the advantage is smaller than against a pure electric type.

Water type as a backup strategy

When you do not have access to a ground type Pokémon or move, water type is your next best option. Water type moves like Surf, Hydro Pump, and Aqua Jet all deal 1.5 times normal damage to electric types. This is less effective than ground type, but it is still a significant advantage in battle.

Water types also have the benefit of resisting fire, water, ice, and steel type moves, which means they can often survive hits from other Pokémon on your opponent's team. A water type Pokémon like Lapras, Gyarados, or Blastoise can switch in safely against an electric type and deal super-effective damage while taking reduced damage from many other attacks.

What electric types resist and what they are weak to

Electric type Pokémon resist flying and steel type moves, which means those moves deal only 0.5 times normal damage. This is why you should never use a flying type Pokémon against an electric type — your attacks will be weak, and the electric type will likely be faster and hit you hard. Steel types have the same problem, even though they resist electric moves themselves.

Electric types take normal damage from most other types in the game. Psychic, normal, poison, bug, rock, ghost, dragon, and dark type moves all deal regular damage. The only types that deal reduced damage are flying, steel, and other electric types. This means your options are limited — ground and water are really your only super-effective choices.

Common electric types and what counters them best

Pikachu, one of the most recognizable electric types, is fast but not particularly bulky. A ground type move from almost any Pokémon will knock it out quickly. Zapdos is tougher because it is also flying type, but ground moves still deal super-effective damage and are your best bet.

Magnezone and other steel-electric types resist ground moves slightly because of their steel typing, but ground moves still deal super-effective damage overall. Lanturn, which is water-electric type, resists ground moves even more because water resists ground. Against Lanturn, you might need to use a grass type move instead, since grass is super-effective against water.

Rotom-Heat and other electric-type variants with secondary types follow the same rule — ground moves always deal super-effective damage to the electric part, but the secondary type might reduce that advantage. Check what the secondary type resists before you commit to your strategy.

Type matchup chart for reference

Electric type matchups are straightforward once you memorize the basic rule: ground deals double damage, water deals 1.5 times damage, and flying and steel resist electric moves. Most competitive players keep a type chart handy during battles, especially when they are learning the game.

The official Pokémon games include a type matchup screen that you can access during battle on newer games. If you are playing on an older game or emulator, you can find type charts online that show every matchup at a glance. Knowing these matchups by heart takes time, so do not feel bad about looking them up while you are learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a ground type move always deal double damage to electric types?

Yes, ground type moves deal double damage to any electric type Pokémon, regardless of what the electric type's secondary type is. The doubled damage applies to the electric part of the matchup. If the electric Pokémon also has a secondary type that resists ground, the overall damage might be lower, but it is still super-effective.

Can an electric type Pokémon survive a ground type move?

Yes, depending on the specific move, the specific Pokémon, and how much damage the electric type has already taken. A weak ground type move like Mud Slap might not knock out a bulky electric type in one hit. Earthquake, the strongest ground type move, will knock out most electric types in one or two hits, but not all of them.

What if my Pokémon is slower than the electric type?

If your Pokémon is slower, the electric type will attack first and might knock you out before you get a turn. In that case, you should switch to a faster Pokémon that knows a ground type move, or switch to a Pokémon with high defense that can survive the hit and attack back. Priority moves like Quick Attack do not help against electric types because they are not super-effective.

Is water type as good as ground type against electric?

No, water type is noticeably weaker. Water deals 1.5 times damage while ground deals 2 times damage. If you have a choice between a water type move and a ground type move, always use ground. Water is only better when your ground type move is much weaker or when your water type Pokémon is much faster.

What secondary types make electric Pokémon harder to counter?

Electric-flying types like Zapdos resist ground moves slightly because flying resists ground, but ground is still super-effective overall. Electric-water types like Lanturn resist ground moves more because water resists ground. Against those types, you might need a different strategy, like using a grass type move against the water part or a rock type move against the flying part.