Thunderbolt

Electric

Thunderbolt is a Charged Attack of type Electric in Pokémon GO. In Gym and Raid battles, it deals 80 damage and it costs 50 energy. In GO Battle League, Thunderbolt deals 90 damage and costs 55 energy. Explore its damage and energy stats in battles, its effectiveness against various Pokémon types, and see which Pokémon wield it best.

Thunderbolt effectiveness against other Pokémon types

NormalFightingFlyingPoisonGroundRockBugGhostSteelFireWaterGrassElectricPsychicIceDragonDarkFairy
Electric×1.0×1.0×1.6×1.0×0.4×1.0×1.0×1.0×1.0×1.0×1.6×0.6×0.6×1.0×1.0×0.6×1.0×1.0

Thunderbolt Adventure Effects

Thunderbolt has no Adventure Effects.

Thunderbolt in Gym and Raid Battles

Gym and Raid Battles Stats

CategoryCharged Attack
TypeElectric
Power80
Energy50
Animation Duration2.5s
Damage Window1.8s - 2.3s
DPS32 Damage per second
DPE1.6 Damage per Energy

Similar moves in Gym and Raid Battles

ElectricDischarge65332.5s26
ElectricParabolic Charge70503.0s23.33
ElectricThunder Punch50332.0s25
ElectricThunder1001002.5s40
ElectricThunderbolt80502.5s32
ElectricWild Charge90502.5s36
ElectricZap Cannon1401003.5s40
ElectricTechno Blast1201002.0s60
ElectricFusion Bolt1401002.0s70
ElectricWildbolt Storm1501002.5s60

Thunderbolt in Trainer Battles

Trainer Battles Stats

CategoryCharged Attack
TypeElectric
Power90
Energy55
DPE1.64 Damage per Energy
TagsHigh Energy

Special effects

Thunderbolt has no special effects.

Similar moves in Trainer Battles

ElectricDischargeSpam / Bait1.385540
ElectricParabolic ChargeGeneralBoost
Special effectsSpecial

Parabolic Charge has a 100.0% chance to:

  • Increase User's Defense by 25.0%
1.47050
ElectricThunder PunchSpam / Bait1.56040
ElectricThunderHigh Energy1.6710060
ElectricThunderboltHigh Energy1.649055
ElectricWild ChargeGeneralSelf-Debuff
Special effectsSpecial

Wild Charge has a 100.0% chance to:

  • Decrease User's Defense by 33.3%
2.2210045
ElectricZap CannonNukeDebuff
Special effectsSpecial

Zap Cannon has a 33.0% chance to:

  • Decrease Target's Attack by 20.0%
1.8815080
ElectricTechno BlastNuke2.1812055
ElectricFusion BoltGeneral29045
ElectricWildbolt StormGeneralDebuff
Special effectsSpecial

Wildbolt Storm has a 100.0% chance to:

  • Decrease Target's Attack by 20.0%
1.336045

Strongest Pokémon with Thunderbolt

1.Mega Mewtwo Y (Mega Y)Mega Mewtwo YPsychicConfusionElectricThunderbolt18.6120.35501.47785s28
2.Mega Mewtwo X (Mega X)Mega Mewtwo XFightingCounterElectricThunderbolt18.320.17457.97799s31
3.Shadow Thundurus (Therian Forme) (Therian Shadow)Shadow Thundurus (Therian Forme)ElectricVolt SwitchElectricThunderbolt15.3718.19238.44958s60
4.Shadow Mewtwo (Shadow)Shadow MewtwoPsychicConfusionElectricThunderbolt15.1517.47272.13970s53
5.Shadow Zapdos (Shadow)Shadow ZapdosElectricThunder ShockElectricThunderbolt14.6516.8273.771,002s52
6.Shadow Raikou (Shadow)Shadow RaikouElectricThunder ShockElectricThunderbolt14.0516.08266.011,045s54
7.Thundurus (Therian Forme) (Therian)Thundurus (Therian Forme)ElectricVolt SwitchElectricThunderbolt13.4715.53244.281,091s59
8.MewtwoMewtwoPsychicConfusionElectricThunderbolt13.0614.73275.321,122s52
9.ZapdosZapdosElectricThunder ShockElectricThunderbolt12.6614.21277.751,158s52
10.Shadow Magmortar (Shadow)Shadow MagmortarFireFire SpinElectricThunderbolt12.5114.91188.021,178s76

Best Master League Pokémon with Thunderbolt

Master League

Mega and Primal Pokémon that boost Thunderbolt

All Pokémon that can learn Thunderbolt

25PikachuPikachuElectricThunderboltReleasedStandard learnset
30NidorinaNidorinaElectricThunderboltReleasedStandard learnset
30Shadow Nidorina (Shadow)Shadow NidorinaElectricThunderboltReleasedStandard learnset
74Alolan Geodude (Alola)Alolan GeodudeElectricThunderboltReleasedStandard learnset
74Shadow Alolan Geodude (Alola Shadow)Shadow Alolan GeodudeElectricThunderboltReleasedStandard learnset
75Alolan Graveler (Alola)Alolan GravelerElectricThunderboltReleasedStandard learnset
75Shadow Alolan Graveler (Alola Shadow)Shadow Alolan GravelerElectricThunderboltReleasedStandard learnset
81MagnemiteMagnemiteElectricThunderboltReleasedStandard learnset
81Shadow Magnemite (Shadow)Shadow MagnemiteElectricThunderboltReleasedStandard learnset
100VoltorbVoltorbElectricThunderboltReleasedStandard learnset

Thunderbolt FAQ

How does Thunderbolt compare with other moves of the same type?

In raids, Thunderbolt has lower move-only DPS compared with Fusion Bolt: 32 versus 70. This compares damage during the attack animation, not a Pokémon’s complete moveset.

In Trainer Battles, Thunderbolt deals less damage per energy compared with Volt Tackle (1.64 versus 2.25 DPE), and costs more energy (55 versus 40). Higher DPE uses energy more efficiently; a lower cost lets you reach the attack sooner.

Alternatives have the same type and attack category and at least one released Pokémon that learns them. The raid comparison uses the alternative with the highest move-only DPS; the PvP comparison uses the highest DPT for Fast Attacks or DPE for Charged Attacks. Stats alone do not account for buffs, debuffs, typing, or the other moves a Pokémon can learn.

How are the best PvP users selected?

These tables show Pokémon whose recommended moveset in our imported PvPoke rankings includes this move as the Fast Attack or either Charged Attack. The rank is their position in the full league ranking, not just among users of this move. Both recommended Charged Attacks are shown. Being able to learn the move does not automatically make a Pokémon a recommended user.

How are the strongest Pokémon with Thunderbolt ranked?

Pokémon are ranked by eDPS (effective DPS), which accounts for damage, survivability, and time lost when rejoining. The default ranking uses Level 40 attackers and average raid boss weaknesses. Every moveset includes this attack. TTW estimates the time to win, and faints estimates how many attackers faint during the battle. Changing the settings can change the order.

How are tiers assigned?

Tiers group attackers by similar scores, emphasizing differences near the top. We use eight groups, labelled SS, S, A, B, C, D, E and F, when there are enough distinct scores; otherwise, fewer tiers are used. Group sizes are determined by the scores, not fixed rank cutoffs. Tiers update with the simulation settings and stay the same when you sort or change pages.

How do opponent choice and rejoin time affect the rankings?

Scores attackers against the configured T4+ raid boss pool, including Mega, Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. Outgoing damage reflects how effective each move type is against the bosses; incoming damage reflects the attacker’s resistances to their moves. Per-type rankings use bosses weak to that type. Types without super-effective matchups use the full pool. Unavailable Pokémon are excluded from the boss pool.

The dummy boss uses neutral effectiveness (1.0×) for every move, with incoming damage based on Defense alone. This can favor attackers whose moves the raid pool resists, or whose weaknesses make them take more damage in raids. The dummy has a fixed 25,000 HP, regardless of raid tier.

Time to return after a team of six faints. Applies to eDPS and estimated battle time.

How do Mega and Primal Pokémon boost Thunderbolt?

The Pokémon in the Mega and Primal section above boost other Trainers’ Thunderbolt damage by 30% (1.3×) in Raid Battles. The boost follows the attack’s type, not the attacking Pokémon’s type.

Standard Mega Pokémon must be on the battlefield. Primal Kyogre, Primal Groudon, and Mega Rayquaza provide their boost while in the current battle party, including after fainting. Multiple Mega or Primal boosts do not stack; the strongest applicable boost is used.

Explore all Mega and Primal type boosts

Does the ranking include Mega and Primal boosts to teammates?

No. The Mega Level setting adjusts the attacker’s own bonuses. Damage boosts provided to teammates are not included in this ranking.

What does the complete learnset list include?

It includes all Pokémon and forms that have access to Thunderbolt, whether they have been released in Pokémon GO or not.

What do legacy and exclusive moves mean?

Legacy moves were once available to a Pokémon but can no longer be learned through standard methods, such as a regular TM. Legacy and exclusive moves may require an event, an Elite TM, or another special method to obtain. Some legacy moves cannot be taught with an Elite TM.