When generation III Pokémon games rolled around with Ruby and Sapphire, it brought with it one of the biggest changes to gameplay yet that has impacted both casual and competitive play since its introduction: abilities. With each Pokémon having one of a few different special effects that activate in battle, it went a long way in improving the skill aspect of Pokémon battles.
For the most part, the abilities that could be used by Electric-type Pokémon were fairly limited in the beginning, as there weren’t that many Electric-type Pokémon by Ruby and Sapphire, but as more Pokémon games have been released and more Pokémon with them, they have had a chance to gain some truly powerful abilities.
10 Motor Drive
Motor Drive is a fairly simple ability that can be used by Electivire, Zebstrika, and Emolga through its hidden ability. When struck with an Electric-type move, Motor Drive will increase the Pokémon’s speed instead of them taking damage and is an excellent way of absorbing a powerful Thunderbolt or Wild Charge. Although it’s powerful, it has a major problem with how few Pokémon can actually have it, meaning it’s not hitting its true potential.
9 Static
The most stock standard ability on many Electric-types is Static, and it is also one of the most annoying in both normal gameplay and competitive play. When struck with a physical attack, the opposing Pokémon has a 30% chance of being inflicted with the Paralyze status, which reduces their speed by half and has a chance for them to not act for a turn. While Static is a decent ability, its problem comes with how Electric-type Pokémon’s stats are usually distributed, with high speed and either attack or special attack, but little in the way of defenses. This means that any attack that lands on the Pokémon will likely knock them out so they can’t make use of the status they have inflicted
8 Volt Absorb
There aren’t many abilities that allow Pokémon to receive attacks and take no damage, and even fewer that heal the Pokémon instead. Volt Absorb is one of those few that can be used by Jolteon, Lanturn, Thundurus, Zeraora, Minun, Pachirisu, and the new Electric-type fossil Pokémon, Arctozolt and Dracozolt.
Although Water Absorb is the more commonly seen version of this ability, it doesn’t detract from the usefulness of Volt Absorb, especially if the player is using a Pokémon like Gyarados that is four times weak to Electric-type attacks.
7 Lightning Rod
Known by a handful of Electric-type Pokemon such as Raichu, Zebtrika, and Togedemaru, but also non-Electric-type Pokemon like Alolan Marowak, Rhydon, and, strangely, Seaking, it is essentially a better version of Volt Absorb. Rather than having to move Pokémon around on the battlefield to make sure the Pokémon with Volt Absorb is the one hit with an Electric-type move, Lightning Rod draws the Electric-type attack to the Pokémon who has the ability, giving them a boost in special attack in the process while taking no damage. Lightning Rod is particularly great in double and triple battles, though still has its use in single battles.
6 Electric Surge
Once the signature ability of Tapu Koko, this ability was one of the reasons why it was so strong in generation VII competitive battles, despite the fact most builds used its far weaker special attack stat for attacking moves. When a Pokémon with Electric Surge is sent onto the battlefield, it summons Electric Terrain, which prevents Pokémon from being put to sleep while also increasing the power of Electric-type moves by 50%. It is now also known by Pincurchin, but it isn’t able to use this ability anywhere near as well as Tapu Koko, mainly because of its horrible speed and how Max moves constantly change terrains.
5 Magnet Pull
Magnet Pull is somewhat of a niche ability, but it is very powerful for its niche. Usable by Alolan Golem and Magnezone, this ability will prevent any Steel-type Pokémon from switching out of battle, forcing them to fight with whatever has the ability. The main use of this is for trapping annoying Steel/Flying-type Pokémon, though was mainly used in generation VII for Celesteela. Now that Corviknight and Skarmory are both in the same game, as well as the likelihood of Ultra Beasts returning to the game, it is likely that this ability’s usage will only increase with time, as all three are particularly good at being very annoying to deal with in battle.
4 Intimidate
Of all the abilities to have ever been introduced, Intimidate may be the most used and most powerful ever seen in competitive play and is one of the most useful to have in a standard playthrough. When a Pokémon with Intimidate is sent out, it reduces the attack of any opposing Pokémon by one stage, which is particularly great for Electric-type Pokémon that have poor defenses.
3 Galvanize
The signature ability of Alolan Golem, this works like similar abilities such as Aerialate and Pixilate, changing Normal-type moves into Electric-type moves. Alolan Golem already has access to powerful Electric-type moves such as Wild Charge and Thunder Punch, but this allows it to use even more powerful Normal-type moves like Return, Double Edge, and Explosion as Electric-type attacks. Although exploding Pokémon is a niche strategy, it does see some play in doubles, usually using Snorlax with Self Destruct or Galarian Weezing with Misty Explosion.
2 Teravolt
Zekrom and Kyurem Black’s signature ability, this simply acts like another ability, Mold Breaker, but with a different name. This allows moves to be used regardless of abilities that might block or weaken them, meaning that Zekrom and Kyurem Black can use Electric-type attacks on Pokémon with Volt Absorb or Lightning Rod while still dealing damage. Both of the Pokémon that can use this ability aren’t in Sword and Shield yet, but considering how often players have a Pokémon with Lightning Rod on their online teams, particularly Alolan Marowak, they could see a surge in usage when The Crown Tundra is released.
1 Levitate
The best ability on an Electric-type Pokémon, and the main ability that makes the various Rotom forms so powerful, is Levitate. Since Electric-type Pokémon are only weak to Ground-type moves, taking away that one weakness goes a long way in increasing a Pokémon’s longevity in battle. Although Rotom’s forms are the most widely used, the best user of Levitate has to be Eelektross, as it’s pure Electric-typing means that it is one of the only Pokémon in the game that inherently has no weaknesses, something that was removed from Pokémon like Sableye and Spiritomb when Fairy-type Pokémon were introduced.
