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.
Effect
In battle
Generation III
Lightningrod forces all single-target Electric-type moves used by foes to target the Pokémon with this Ability. Electric-type moves used by foes will never miss the Pokémon with this Ability, unless it is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly (Thunder will never miss it if it is in the semi-invulnerable turn of Fly or Bounce).
Lightningrod cannot redirect Electric-type Hidden Power.
If another Pokémon becomes the center of attention, Electric-type moves will be directed to it instead of the Pokémon with Lightningrod.
Generation IV
Lightningrod now also forces all single-target Electric-type moves used by allies to target the Pokémon with this Ability. Electric-type moves used by allies will now never miss the Pokémon with this Ability, unless it is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly (Thunder will never miss a Pokémon in the semi-invulnerable turn of Fly or Bounce).
Lightningrod cannot redirect Electric-type Judgment or Natural Gift.
Generations V-VI
Along with its previous effects, Lightning Rod also gives the Pokémon immunity to all Electric-type moves, and raises the Pokémon's Special Attack by one stage whenever it is hit by an Electric-type move. If the Pokémon is protected from the move or immune to the move due to being Ground-type, its Special Attack will not increase.
Lightning Rod can now redirect Electric-type Hidden Power, Judgment, and Natural Gift.
If a Pokémon with Lightning Rod is holding a Cell Battery, Lightning Rod absorbs the move, so the Cell Battery's effect is not triggered.
In Triple Battles, Lightning Rod cannot redirect Electric-type moves if the Pokémon is out of range.
Generation VII
Even if the Pokémon would be immune to the move due to being Ground-type, Lightning Rod activates and boosts the Pokémon's Special Attack.
Outside of battle
In Pokémon Emerald, Trainers registered with the PokéNav's Match Call function will call twice as often if a Pokémon with Lightningrod is in the first place in the party (even if fainted).
Pokémon with Lightning Rod
- In Generation V games, Zapdos has Lightning Rod as its Hidden Ability, but it cannot be obtained by any legitimate means. It is replaced with Static as its Hidden Ability in Generation VI.
- Plusle does not have a Hidden Ability in Generation V.
In other games
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series
A Pokémon with Lightning Rod draws in all Electric-type attacks used within the same room without taking any damage, and since Gates to Infinity also increases the Pokémon's Special Attack. Unlike the main series, Lightning Rod also attracts 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).
Description
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In the anime
 Rhydon  Mega Sceptile  Togedemaru | |||
| The Pokémon 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. | ||
| A Scientist's Rhydon | Tag! We're it...! | Debut | |
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When Mega Sceptile is hit by an Electric-type move, it takes no damage. | ||
| Sawyer's Sceptile | Valuable Experience for All! | None | |
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When Togedemaru's opponent uses an Electric attack, the attack changes direction and hits Togedemaru instead, taking no damage in the process. Togedemaru can then use the absorbed electricity to power up its own Electric-type moves. | ||
| Sophocles's Togedemaru | The Guardian's Challenge! | None | |
In the manga
In the Be the Best! Pokémon B+W manga
 Zebstrika
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| When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the attack is sent to the Pokémon 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 | The Battle for More Friends! | Debut | |
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
 Manectric  Rhydon  Electrike | |||
| When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the Pokémon redirects the attack to itself. | |||
| Pokémon | Method | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| User | First Chapter Used In | Notes | |
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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 | Plugging Past Electrike II | Debut | |
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When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the attack is redirected to Rhydon's horn instead. | ||
| Blue's Rhydon | Double Dealing with Deoxys | None | |
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Manectric raises its tail in the air and can redirect the electric current near it to hit its tail instead. | ||
| X's Élec | Pyroar Breathes | None | |
- In volume 42, Crystal's Bonee was revealed to have Lightning Rod as his Ability.
- In volume 42, Silver's Rhyperior was revealed to have Lightning Rod as his Ability.
In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! manga
 Rhyperior
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| When the opponent uses an Electric-type attack, the Pokémon redirects the attack to itself. | |||
| Pokémon | Method | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| User | First Chapter Used In | Notes | |
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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. However, in Generations III and IV, it didn't affect type immunity at all, and nullifies Electric damage in Generations V and on.
- Prior to becoming an Ability, Lightning Rod appeared as a TCG Attack.
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. |
