Raikou
| Raikou | |
|---|---|
  Raikou's official artwork from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. | |
| Games | Melee |
| Move | Spark |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Article on Bulbapedia | Raikou (Pokémon) |
Raikou (ライコウ, Raikou) is a fictional creature in the Pokémon media franchise.
Origin
Raikou is an Electric-type Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation II, and is categorized within the Pokédex at #243 as the "Thunder Pokémon". Along with Entei and Suicune, Raikou is part of a trio commonly referred as the legendary beasts: in Pokémon Gold and Silver and their remakes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver they can be found in the Burned Tower; however, when interacted with, they run away. Raikou can then be found randomly in any route, and will attempt to run away whenever it gets a free turn unless it gets trapped by a move like Mean Look or an ability like Shadow Tag: however, any damage and status conditions received will be retained.
Spark is an Electric-type physical move with 65 base power, 100% accuracy and a 30% chance to inflict the Paralysis status on the target. Raikou can learn it naturally in every game.
In Super Smash Bros. Melee
As a Poké Ball Pokémon
Raikou is treated as a "legendary" Poké Ball Pokémon; its chance of appearing is much rarer than most of the others, and in return its effect is more powerful. Raikou uses Spark as its attack. A current of electricity will form around Raikou. Any character (other than the summoner) that makes contact with the ground within the current of electricity will take 20% damage (up to 180% damage is possible, if all possible hits connect) and be thrown a short distance up into the air, similar to Venusaur's Earthquake, though more powerful and in a much larger area.
Trophy
Raikou features as a collectible trophy, unlocked as one of the trophies that can be collected randomly in the Trophy Lottery, though it only appears once all characters have been unlocked.
- Raikou
- These Thunder Pokémon travel near and far, blasting out electrified whirlwinds. They carry storm clouds on their backs, so they can produce lightning regardless of the local weather; it's even said that they descended to the earth with via lightning bolts. Their extreme quickness lends itself to flight, so they're very hard to capture.
- (Pokémon Gold & Silver 10/00)
In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Trophy
Raikou only appears as a random trophy. It is part of the Legends of Johto Trophy Box.
- Raikou
Was that a bolt of lightning flashing by, on the ground instead of the air? Then it could have been Raikou. A rumble of thunder in the distance, but not a cloud in the sky? Sounds like Raikou's roar to us. It is said that this wild Pokémon perished in the Johto region once, but Ho-Oh was so filled with sorrow at the loss that Raikou was resurrected.
If you see a bolt of lightning flash across the ground instead of from the sky, you may have just caught a glimpse of Raikou. And if you hear a peal of thunder that lasts longer than it should, that may be Raikou's roar. It's said that this wild yet majestic Pokémon once perished in the Johto region, but Ho-Oh, filled with sorrow, resurrected it.
: Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver (10/2000)
: Pokémon X and Pokémon Y (10/2013)
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Spirit
Raikou appears as a Primary Spirit with Entei & Suicune.
| No. | Image | Name | Type | Class | Slot | Ability | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 482 |  |
Raikou, Entei, & Suicune |  |
★★★ | 1 | Speed ↑ | Pokémon Series |
Gallery
Raikou's Spark in Melee.
Raikou's hitbox information.
Trivia
- Raikou is the only Legendary Pokémon that debuted in Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version to lack any appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
- Raikou is the only member of the "Legendary beasts" not to reappear as a Poké Ball Pokémon (or stage hazard like its trio master, Ho-oh) past Melee.
- Raikou has the biggest hitbox in Smash history when viewed in the debug menu.
- Raikou's trophy in Smash for Wii U matches its official artwork for Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
| Non-playable Pokémon in Super Smash Bros. Melee | |
|---|---|
| Poké Ball | Articuno · Bellossom · Blastoise · Celebi · Chansey · Charizard · Chikorita · Clefairy · Cyndaquil · (Ditto) · Electrode · Entei · Goldeen · Ho-Oh · Lugia · Marill · Mew · Moltres · Porygon2 · Raikou · Scizor · Snorlax · Staryu · Suicune · Togepi · Unown · Venusaur · Weezing · Wobbuffet · Zapdos |
| Poké Floats | Chansey · Chikorita · Geodude · Goldeen · Lickitung · Onix · Porygon · Psyduck · Seel · Slowpoke · Snorlax · Sudowoodo · Squirtle · Unown · Venusaur · Weezing · Wobbuffet · Wooper |
| Trophy only | Bulbasaur · Cleffa · Crobat · Ditto · Eevee · Heracross · Igglybuff · Meowth · Poliwhirl · Steelix · Totodile |
| Opening movie | Abra · Cubone · Drowzee · Electabuzz · Elekid · Gligar · Hitmonlee · Krabby · Machop · Magmar · Natu · Oddish · Phanpy · Pineco · Pinsir · Rhydon · Sentret · Slowbro · Snubbull · Ursaring · Weepinbell |
