Raikou is a part of the Legendary Beasts trio from the Johto Region, and as of the Indigo Disk, it can be caught in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. Much like every other returning Legendary, you can only catch Raikou if you've completed the Indigo Disk storyline and caught Terapagos. After this, you'll need to speak to someone named Mr. Snacksworth at Blueberry Academy to get a special food item for the Thunder Pokemon.

Getting Raikou in Pokemon Scarlet may be easier than getting it in Pokemon Violet. This is due to the Blueberry Quests (BBQs) system at Blueberry Academy/Terarium. Regardless of whichever one you own, it's possible to get Raikou in both versions, thus eliminating the need to trade for it.

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How to Get Raikou Treat (Where to Find Snacksworth)

10 BBQs (Scarlet), 1 Group BBQ (Violet)

After you've caught Terapagos, you'll be returned to your dorm room at Blueberry Academy. You're told to visit Ms. Briar about her findings on Terastal energy, but you can visit Snacksworth immediately following the Indigo Disk storyline. Go to the Entrance of Blueberry Academy, and Snacksworth will be standing in front of the row of seats on the right (facing the reception desk).

Snacksworth gives out Treats for Legendary Pokemon. These are Key Items that are used to "spawn" the Legendary Pokemon somewhere in Paldea. He will give one Treat for every 10 BBQ completed. Unfortunately, the Treat he hands out is randomized, so it could take a while until you get the Raikou Treat, or you may get it right off the bat. In Pokemon Scarlet, the Raikou Treat is one of the rewards for completing Solo BBQs. As their name indicates, these are BBQs that you can complete in Terarium without having to join a Union Circle.

Getting Raikou Treat in Pokemon Violet

If you're playing Pokemon Violet, you'll need to complete Group BBQs. For these, you'll need to be in a Union Circle. If you're playing locally/offline, you won't need a Nintendo Online Membership. Likewise, if you're connecting with people online, then you will need the Nintendo Online Membership subscription.

Group BBQs are unlocked after you've completed three "red" BBQs in your group. You can check the level/color of a BBQ by tapping right on the directional pad. Once you've completed three red BBQs, you should get a Group BBQ. You'll be able to tell whether it's a Group BBQ by its background color (i.e, gold). There are a total of 12 Group BBQs that you'll need to complete to get all the Legendary Pokemon. Since Treats are randomized for Group BBQs, too, you may or may not have to complete a few of them until you can get the Raikou Treat.

Raikou Location in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

East Province (Area One)

Upon receiving the Raikou Treat, Snacksworth will give you the following hint:

"Speaking of Raikou... I do recall this one particular encounter when I was a younger feller. Yes, there was a day me and ol' Raikou went racing up a mountain together. That Raikou—it's no slouch, that's for sure! Kept dashing past me and taking the lead. I was huffing and puffing and muttering some colorful things as I chased that wily Pokémon. But in the end, we were sitting side by side atop that peak, gazing out upon the massive and majestic desert that covers the land to the north."

The "massive majestic desert" is the Asado Desert, and the mountain he's referring to is the mountain where you fought the Titan Bombirdier. Specifically, you'll find Raikou on the other side of the river/lake hugging the mountain where you found the Titan Bombirdier. The area you'll want to look in is next to the Icerend Shrine.

Refer to the orange objective flag on the above image for the exact location.

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Raikou's Moves and Weaknesses

Type: Electric

The Raikou in Scarlet/Violet is level 70. Make sure you save your game before confronting it. As an Electric-type Pokemon, Raikou only has one type weakness, but you'll want to be careful not to knock it out.

• This Raikou's moveset isn't too impressive, but Reflect will halve your Pokemon's physical moves, and Rain Dance will enhance the power of Discharge. Extrasensory is a Psychic-type move that has a chance of making the opponent flinch. Since Raikou's a fast Pokemon, it's likely that it'll be moving first in battle, so avoid bringing Pokemon that are weak to Psychic-type moves.
• Raikou can't be paralyzed via moves like Thunder Wave, so if you're going to inflict a status ailment, you may want to try Sleep or Frozen (given your Pokemon isn't overleveled).
• Ultra Balls and Timer Balls are recommended when you go to catch a Legendary Pokemon. You can try using a Dusk Ball, too, if it's night out when you confront Raikou.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Franchise

Pokemon

Platform(s)

Switch

Released

November 18, 2022

Developer(s)

Game Freak

Publisher(s)

Nintendo , The Pokemon Company