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As part of the 25th anniversary celebration for the Pokemon franchise, Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have made sure that 2021 was stockpiled with new events across its portfolio of games. Pokemon GO held a number of special events for its player base, the massively popular Pokemon Card Game launched a Celebrations expansion, and Nintendo even announced a couple of new game releases earlier in the year.
For 2021, fans were getting remakes of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl on their own 15 year anniversary. The games would retain the story and gameplay longtime fans expected, but features a overhauled visual style and updated game features including new zones like Ramanas Park and an expanded Grand Underground section.
The return of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl also means the return of exclusive Pokemon to each version. One such exclusive that's also difficult to find is the electric type Elekid. Here's how players can find this elusive creature as well as how to evolve it into its more powerful forms.
Updated April 12th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: There were are a ton of different Pokemon to catch in Sword & Shield during its original release, but once Game Freak began adding in the National Pokedex via DLC content, the game grew much, much larger. Because of this, it can be difficult for players to decide what Pokemon they want to take with them throughout their Galar journey, as well as the post-game. Those looking for a pure Electric-type may want to consider Elekid's unique evolutionary line, which eventually ends in Electivire, a fairly strong Pokemon with a lot of type coverages thanks to its move pool. To better showcase where to find Elekid in Pokemon Sword & Shield, how to evolve it, and a deeper look at its stats and abilities, the following guide has been updated to include more content about this Pokemon and its evolutions.
Finding Elekid
Considered a rare spawn, Elekid can only be found within the Grand Underground. Unfortunately, Elekid is a Brilliant Diamond exclusive Pokemon, joining the likes of Cranidos, Stunky, Murkrow, Scyther, Caterpie, Ekands, Growlithe, Seedot, Mawile, Zangoose, Solrock, Seel, Kecleon, Larvitar, Mime Jr., Gligar, and more. Unfortunately, while Shining Pearl players won't have a chance to capture it in their game, they still have a chance if they can trade for it from somone with the Brilliant Diamond version.
The Grand Underground can be explored starting at the second gym in Eterna City where Gardenia awaits. Once at this city, players should head to a house to the right of the Pokemon Center where they'll meet the Underground Man. He'll give players the Explorer Kit, which then unlocks access to the Grand Underground zone.
While the Grand Underground is a massive area, players should concentrate on Dazzling Cave, Whiteout Cave, Stargleam Cavern, and Glacial Cavern. Thankfully, players will be able to see the Pokemon in these zones walking around, so if an Elekid is not present, players should exit and reenter the zones until one appears. Remember, Elekid is a rare spawn so it may take a few tries before one shows up. Once it appears, players will need to battle it, weaken it enough, and then capture it using a Pokeball, just like any other encounter.
Players can also place Electric-type statues inside of their secret base for a slight boost to spawn rates. However, to benefit from the boost, players will need to ensure that the only statues placed are electric-types.
Evolving Elekid to Electabuzz
With Elekid now part of the team, players will need to level them up until they get to level 30. At this point, their next evolution will trigger, turning them into the original generation 1 electric type, Electabuzz. However, getting this newly evolved Pokemon into its powerful final form is going to take a bit of luck and effort.
Evolving Electabuzz into Electivire
While the Elekid evolutionary line is considered one of the best electric types in the game, one of the main draws of finding this pokemon is due to a special item that it can carry. Called an Electrizer, they only have a 5% chance to spawn with a wild Elekid. Alternatively, players can use a TM move called Thief to attempt to steal the item away from Elekid. This can be found east of the Team Galactic building in Eterna City by using cut on a tree and following a hidden path.
The reason this item is so important is that it is needed in order to trigger the final evolution into Electivire. With the item attached to Electabuzz, players will then need to trade it, preferably to a friend who can then trade it back, which will trigger the final evolution. After the final evolution, the Electrizer item will be consumed, unable to be used again.
This process will likely be familiar to Shining Pearl players attempting to get a Magmortar, as they'll be following a very similar process in terms of catching a Magby with a Magmarizer item.
The Stats For Elekid And Its Evolutions
Players that grew up with the original 151 Pokemon might have had a soft spot for the uniquely-designed Electabuzz. The 125th Pokemon was a cool Electric-type for players to use on their team but it never really offered much utility in later games. Thankfully, Game Freak eventually gave an overhaul to the pocket monster and gave it access to a first and final stage evolution. This new line, starting with Elekid, gives players access to a pure Electric-type that can pack a punch when fully evolved and trained.
Here's a look at Elekid's Stats, as well as those of its evolutionary forms:
Elekid's Stats
HP: 45
Attack: 63
Special Attack: 65
Defense: 37
Special Defense: 55
Speed: 95
Total Base Stats: 360
Electabuzz's Stats
HP: 63
Attack: 85
Special Attack: 95
Defense: 57
Special Defense: 85
Speed: 105
Total Base Stats: 490
Electivire's Stats
HP: 75
Attack: 123
Special Attack: 95
Defense: 67
Special Defense: 85
Speed: 95
Total Base Stats: 540
The Best Build For Electivire
Electivire is a solid Pokemon with 540 total base stats, although it does have a fairly middling Defense at only 67. Its pure Electric typing makes it weak only to Ground (2x) and gives it some resistances to Electric, Flying, and Steel-type moves. It comes with the Motor Drive ability, which isn't insanely useful against opponents that are well-aware of type resistances and advantages but will raise Electivire's Speed if it's hit by an Electric-type move. It also has the Vital Spirit hidden ability, which makes it immune to the Sleep status effect.
Those that want to get the most out of Electivire should try to find one with a Naive nature, to help increase its Speed to outpace opponents. Since Electivire works well as a wallbreaker, and it has a lower HP stat, it can be given a Life Orb to help increase its Attack power. Moves that pair well with Electivire are Thunderbolt, Earthquake, Ice Punch, Focus Blast, Volt Switch, and Flamethrower.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl are available on the Nintendo Switch.
