Lightning Rod (Ability)
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Lightning Rod (Japanese: ひらいしん Lightning Rod), formatted as Lightningrod prior to Pokémon X and Y, is an Ability introduced in Generation III. Fifteen Pokémon can have this Ability.
Effect
In battle
Generations III and IV
Lightning Rod forces all single-target Electric-type attacks and Thunder Wave to strike the Pokémon with this Ability in Double Battles, including those used by allies. In a Single Battle, it will cause the Pokémon with this Ability to always be hit by Electric-type moves. Lightning Rod cannot redirect Electric-type Hidden Power or Judgment.
If another Pokémon becomes the center of attention, Electric-type moves will be directed to it instead of the Pokémon with Lightning Rod.
Generation V
Along with its previous effects, Lightning Rod also gives the Pokémon immunity to all Electric-type attacks, along with the paralyzing effect of Thunder Wave, and raises the Pokémon's Special Attack by one stage whenever they are hit by one. If the Pokémon is Ground-type, its type-granted immunity will take place before the activation of the Ability's new effect and the Special Attack will not be raised unless it is holding a Ring Target.
Lightning Rod can redirect Electric-type Hidden Power.
Outside of battle
In Pokémon Emerald, Trainers registered with the PokéNav's Match Call function will call more often if a Pokémon with Lightning Rod leads the party.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, a Pokémon with Lightning Rod draws in all Electric-type attacks used within the same floor, and (like Generation V) takes no damage or side effects from the attack. Unlike the main series, Lightning Rod will attract and neutralize the effect of multi-target Electric-type attacks.
Dungeon enemies that have the Ability Lightning Rod can also negate the Lightning Rod of the player's team member(s).
Pokémon with Lightningrod
In the anime
| The user draws in Electric attacks. | |||
| Pokémon | Method | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| User | First Used In | Notes | |
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When Rhydon's opponent uses an electric attack, the attack changes direction and hits Rhydon's horn instead. | ||
| Unknown Trainer's Rhydon | Tag! We're it...! | Debut | |
In the manga
In the Be a Master!! Pokémon BW manga
| When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the attack is sent to the user instead. | |||
| Pokémon | Method | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| User | First Chapter Used In | Notes | |
|
When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the attack is redirected to Zebstrika. | ||
| A Ranger's Zebstrika | PBW3 | Debut | |
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
 Rhydon  Electrike | |||
| When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the user redirects the attack to itself. | |||
| Pokémon | Method | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| User | First Chapter Used In | Notes | |
|
When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, Electrike raises its tail in the air and can redirect the electric attack to hit its tail instead. | ||
| Wattson's Electrike | VS. Electrike II | Debut | |
|
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When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the attack is redirected to Rhydon's horn instead. | ||
| Silver's Rhydon | Activate: The Ultimate Attack | None | |
In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! manga
 Rhyperior
| |||
| When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the user redirects the attack to itself. | |||
| Pokémon | Method | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| User | First Chapter Used In | Notes | |
|
When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the attack is redirected to Rhyperior's horn instead. | ||
| Saturn's Rhyperior | The Battle Rages On | Debut | |
Trivia
- In Riddle Me This, Pikachu is able to defeat Blaine's Rhydon by aiming its electric attack at the Rhydon's horn, with it being stated that the horn acts as a lightning rod, apparently allowing Pikachu to overcome Rhydon's normal immunity to Electric attacks, ironically working exactly the opposite way that the later Lightning Rod Ability would.
In other languages
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This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games. |
