How to Get Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y in Pokémon Champions, Plus the Best Build for Each

Raichu has spent most of its competitive life as the Pokémon you settle for. Fast, mildly annoying, occasionally useful for supporting something stronger, but never the reason a team won. There was almost always a different Electric type doing its job better. Pokémon Champions is the first time that stops being true, and it does it in a way nobody really expected: instead of one Mega Evolution, Raichu gets two, and they barely resemble each other.

Mega Raichu X turns Raichu into a fast disruptor that sets Electric Terrain the second it transforms and forces the opening turn onto its own terms. Mega Raichu Y goes the other direction entirely, becoming one of the format's scarier special attackers because its ability deletes the one flaw that used to hold its best moves back. Neither one is a straight upgrade over the other. They exist to do completely different jobs, and picking between them says more about your team than it does about Raichu itself.

This guide covers how to unlock both Mega Evolutions, what each one actually does in Regulation M-B right now, and the builds worth copying for both.

How to Get Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y

Unlike most Mega Evolutions in Champions, you do not need to grind a quest line or climb ranked to get your hands on Raichu's Mega Stones. Every player who logs in during the current launch distribution gets a mailbox gift containing a Raichu, a Raichunite X, and a Raichunite Y.

The distribution runs from June 17, 2026 through September 2, 2026, so there is no need to rush. Once you have claimed it, equip whichever Mega Stone matches the build you want to run before entering battle. Raichunite X unlocks Mega Raichu X, Raichunite Y unlocks Mega Raichu Y, and there is nothing stopping you from claiming both even if you only plan to build one right away. Worth doing anyway, since the meta is still shifting and you may end up wanting the other later.

Can Alolan Raichu Mega Evolve?

No. Only the original Kantonian Raichu can use either Mega Stone. Alolan Raichu is a separate Pokémon that keeps its own strengths, and slapping a Raichunite on it simply will not trigger a Mega Evolution in battle. This trips people up constantly since both share a Pokedex family, so if either build is the goal, make sure the Raichu you are training is the standard one.

Is Mega Raichu Good in Pokémon Champions?

Yes, though the answer splits depending on which form you pick. Mega Raichu X is built around speed, disruption, and keeping teammates safe. The instant it Mega Evolves it sets Electric Terrain, which boosts Electric-type damage across the field and blocks grounded Pokémon from falling asleep, and it carries Fake Out, arguably the single best tempo move available in Doubles right now.

Mega Raichu Y skips the support angle completely. It is built around No Guard, an ability that makes Zap Cannon and Focus Blast land every single time, removing the accuracy gamble that normally keeps both moves out of serious competitive sets. That single change turns Mega Raichu Y into a wallbreaker that most of the format simply cannot switch into comfortably.

Mega Raichu X fits naturally on balanced teams that want utility and speed control. Mega Raichu Y belongs on offense, where the plan is to overwhelm the opponent before they get a chance to stabilize. Knowing which lane you are in decides which Mega Stone you should actually be using.

Mega Raichu X Overview

If Mega Raichu Y is about raw damage, Mega Raichu X is about momentum. Electric Surge fires the moment it transforms, setting Electric Terrain without needing a dedicated setter the way weather teams usually do. Its Speed stat lets it move ahead of most of the Regulation M-B roster, which is exactly what makes Fake Out so valuable here. Volt Tackle and Knock Off round the set out, giving it real damage alongside the ability to strip a Focus Sash or Choice item at the worst possible time for the opponent.

It will never out-damage Mega Raichu Y in a straight fight. What it does instead is make every one of your opponent's turns harder to play correctly, and over a full match that adds up to more than people expect from a support-leaning Electric type.

Best Mega Raichu X Build

Why This Is the Best Mega Raichu X Build

This set looks simple on paper, but every move is doing something specific. Fake Out is the reason Mega Raichu X shows up on so many successful teams in the first place. Forcing one opposing Pokémon to flinch buys a free turn for a teammate to set Tailwind, get Trick Room up, Mega Evolve safely, or just remove a threat before it gets to act. Few Pokémon combine Fake Out with this kind of Speed, and tournament data keeps putting it near the top of Mega Raichu X's most-used moves for exactly that reason.

Volt Tackle is the payoff move once Electric Terrain is up. The terrain boost turns a respectable physical Electric attack into something that genuinely threatens Water and Flying types trying to switch in for free. Yes, the recoil means you cannot spam it every turn without a plan, but the extra damage is usually worth the trade against anything that thinks it can tank a hit safely.

Knock Off is the move that keeps paying off even when it does not knock anything out. Modern Doubles revolves around held items, and stripping a Focus Sash before a teammate attacks, or removing a recovery berry before a long game drags on, can swing a match on its own.

Protect is the safest fourth slot for most teams, giving Mega Raichu X a turn to scout, stall an opposing Tailwind, or dodge a double target while it repositions. Some more aggressive builds swap it for Helping Hand to boost a heavy-hitting partner, and Fake Tears is worth trying alongside teams leaning on special attackers who want that Special Defense drop.

Best Teammates for Mega Raichu X

• Swampert: Handles Ground, Rock, and Fire types that Mega Raichu X cannot deal with on its own, while benefiting from the tempo Fake Out creates against opposing leads.
• Pelipper: Drizzle does not interact with Electric Terrain directly, but Pelipper adds offensive flexibility and threatens the Ground types that try to switch into Raichu.
• Sylveon: Covers Dragon types cleanly and appreciates the free turn Fake Out provides to attack without getting punished first.
• Farigiraf: Armor Tail blocks priority moves from hitting Mega Raichu X, making it much harder for opponents to revenge kill after it commits to an attack.
• Incineroar: Intimidate softens physical attackers while Raichu controls the pace of the match through Fake Out and its terrain.

Strengths

• One of the fastest Fake Out users currently in Regulation M-B.
• Sets Electric Terrain automatically through Electric Surge.
• Strong utility profile between Knock Off and Fake Out.
• Fits comfortably onto both balanced and offensive Doubles teams.
• Wins games through momentum rather than raw damage output.

Weaknesses

• Volt Tackle recoil adds up fast in longer battles.
• Respectable physical bulk, but special attackers still cut through it quickly.
• Ground types are a constant problem without proper coverage nearby.
• Deals noticeably less immediate damage than Mega Raichu Y.

Mega Raichu Y Overview

Mega Raichu Y exists for one job: overwhelming offensive pressure. Its defensive stats barely change from the base form, so it stays just as frail as ever. Everything else about it changes completely. A base 160 Special Attack paired with base 130 Speed already makes it one of the fastest special attackers in the format, but the real story is No Guard.

Zap Cannon and Focus Blast are normally balanced by accuracy problems that scare most players away from running them. Zap Cannon hits like a truck and guarantees paralysis, but only connects half the time. Focus Blast has a similar reputation for missing at the worst possible moment. No Guard removes that drawback entirely, and the result is a Pokémon that fires off two of the game's scariest attacks with zero risk attached. Tournament usage backs this up directly, with Zap Cannon showing up on nearly every serious Mega Raichu Y build and Focus Blast trailing close behind.

Best Mega Raichu Y Build

Why This Is the Best Mega Raichu Y Build

Mega Raichu Y is one of the rare Pokémon in Champions whose entire strategy hangs on a single ability. No Guard makes both signature moves fully reliable, and once that risk is gone, there is very little reason not to run them.

Zap Cannon is the centerpiece. Beyond the raw power, it guarantees paralysis on every hit, so opponents are not just eating a huge chunk of damage, they are also losing Speed and risking a wasted turn later in the match. A single connected Zap Cannon against an offensive team is often enough to flip the pace of the entire battle. Focus Blast fills the gap Zap Cannon leaves open, clearing out the Steel, Rock, and Dark types that would otherwise wall an Electric attacker without much trouble, and since No Guard erases its accuracy problem, there is little downside to keeping it in the last attacking slot.

The final move usually comes down to team needs. Grass Knot punishes bulky Ground types like Swampert and Gastrodon that expect to switch in safely, and it is the more common pick on offensive builds according to tournament usage. Volt Switch is worth considering instead if your team values pivoting into a safer matchup over raw coverage. Protect is close to mandatory in Doubles, giving Mega Raichu Y a way to dodge double targets, stall opposing Tailwind, or sidestep an incoming Ground-type attack.

Timid over Modest is generally the right call. Mega Raichu Y already hits hard enough that the extra Speed to outrun more of the format matters more than squeezing out additional damage, and that shows in how most successful tournament sets are built.

Best Teammates for Mega Raichu Y

• Whimsicott: Prankster Tailwind solves most Speed problems instantly, and Encore punishes any opponent trying to Protect or set up. Fake Tears is another strong option that helps Zap Cannon secure knockouts it would otherwise just miss.
• Garchomp: Pressures the Electric resists that usually give Raichu trouble while Mega Raichu Y handles the Flying and Water types that threaten Garchomp in return.
• Incineroar: Fake Out and Intimidate buy Mega Raichu Y the openings it needs to fire off Zap Cannon without getting punished first.
• Sinistcha: Hospitality healing and Rage Powder support keep Mega Raichu Y alive long enough to matter in longer games.
• Basculegion: Benefits massively once opponents start getting paralyzed by Zap Cannon, making it far harder for the other side to stop once Raichu has softened the field.

Strengths

• One of the strongest special attackers currently in Regulation M-B.
• No Guard removes the accuracy drawback from both Zap Cannon and Focus Blast.
• Guaranteed paralysis from Zap Cannon creates real momentum on its own.
• Outstanding Speed lets it pressure offensive teams from the moment it enters.
• Threatening immediately, with no setup required.

Weaknesses

• Extremely frail with poor physical bulk.
• Ground types remain its single biggest weakness.
• Entirely dependent on Mega Evolution to function.
• Struggles if the opponent pressures it before it gets a turn to attack.

Mega Raichu X vs Mega Raichu Y

Same base Pokémon, two completely different jobs. Pick Mega Raichu X if the team needs Fake Out support, automatic Electric Terrain, item disruption through Knock Off, or a fast utility piece that keeps generating momentum turn after turn. Pick Mega Raichu Y if the goal is immediate offensive pressure, a fast special attacker, reliable Zap Cannon, and genuine wallbreaking potential.

Neither one is objectively the stronger pick. Mega Raichu X contributes more the longer a game drags on, while Mega Raichu Y is built to end things before the opponent gets a chance to stabilize.

Singles Strategy

Mega Raichu Y is generally the better pick in Singles. Its Speed and immediate damage force constant switches, and since No Guard removes the chance of Zap Cannon ever missing, every prediction the opponent makes carries real weight. Mega Raichu X still works in Singles, but Fake Out loses much of its value without a second target on the field, which strips away a big part of what makes it worthwhile in Doubles.

Doubles Strategy

This is where both forms genuinely shine. Mega Raichu X thrives on the momentum it builds through Fake Out, Electric Terrain, and Knock Off, letting teammates execute their own plans safely while the opponent scrambles through a disrupted opening turn. Mega Raichu Y takes the opposite path entirely. Rather than supporting the rest of the team, it becomes the Pokémon everyone else is protecting, with Tailwind, Intimidate, and Rage Powder support all existing to keep it firing Zap Cannon for as long as possible.

Biggest Threats to Watch For

Ground types are the one problem both forms share. Garchomp and Swampert can threaten either version comfortably if Grass Knot or a supporting teammate is not around to handle them. Priority users like Kingambit are another concern for Mega Raichu Y specifically, since its poor bulk gives it very little room to take a hit first. Bulky special walls capable of surviving a Zap Cannon can also force it out, particularly if Focus Blast is not enough to finish the job on its own.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Running Mega Raichu Y without enough team support to keep it alive long enough to matter.
• Forgetting about Volt Tackle recoil when playing Mega Raichu X over a long match.
• Treating Mega Raichu X as a pure attacker instead of the momentum piece it is designed to be.
• Ignoring Ground-type coverage when building around either Mega Evolution.
• Picking Modest over Timid on Mega Raichu Y without checking the Speed benchmarks it is meant to clear.

Team Building Tips

Mega Raichu X wants teammates that can capitalize on the free turns Fake Out creates, so setup sweepers and Tailwind users tend to get the most out of it. Mega Raichu Y needs the opposite kind of support. It is not going to generate its own safety, so Intimidate users, Rage Powder support, and reliable speed control all become far more valuable when it is the Pokémon your win condition depends on.

Which Mega Raichu Should You Use?

For balanced teams, Mega Raichu X is the safer, more flexible pick. It slots into a wide range of compositions and does something useful in nearly every matchup it faces. For aggressive teams looking to overwhelm the opponent quickly, Mega Raichu Y is the clear choice, provided the rest of the roster can keep it alive long enough to fire off its Zap Cannons.

The decision ultimately comes down to how your team wants to win. If controlling the pace of the match through positioning and utility sounds like your style, build Mega Raichu X. If forcing immediate pressure and closing games out fast is more your speed, Mega Raichu Y is currently one of the most explosive Mega Evolutions available in Regulation M-B.

Build recommendations are based on data from Pokémon Zone and other publicly available sources.