Voltorb
Usually found in power plants. Easily mistaken for a POKé BALL, they have zapped many people.
Base Stats
Best Moveset
Move Breakdown
As Voltorb's trusted Electric STAB option, Thunderbolt benefits from the 1.5x damage multiplier. This move should be your go-to attack in most situations, especially against opponents vulnerable to Electric types.
Thunder serves as Voltorb's main Electric-type STAB attack. The same-type bonus increases its effective power by 50%, and with Voltorb's Special Attack of 55, it can threaten significant damage against anything weak to Electric.
Thunder Punch is the STAB anchor of this set. The Electric-type damage combined with the 50% same-type bonus makes it Voltorb's most consistent damage output, particularly when targeting opponents with Electric weaknesses.
Shock Wave adds Normal coverage to Voltorb's arsenal. This move catches opponents off guard who switch in expecting only Electric damage, providing neutral coverage.
Strengths
- ▸Voltorb's Electric typing gives its STAB moves like Thunderbolt and Thunder a 50% damage bonus, hitting notably hard against matching weaknesses
- ▸Type resistances to Electric, Flying, Steel allow Voltorb to switch in safely against these attack types
- ▸An impressive 100 speed stat lets Voltorb outspeed most opponents
Weaknesses
- ▸The Ground weakness is the primary reason Voltorb requires careful team building around it
- ▸With only 30 attack, Voltorb struggles to deal damage
- ▸The 330 BST means Voltorb needs significant team support to overcome its raw stat deficiency
Pro Tips
Channel VP into Special Attack and Speed to make Voltorb a potent special sweeper. Consider Life Orb or Choice Scarf to boost Voltorb's damage or speed further. Use Voltorb's resistances to Electric, Flying to find safe entry points. Voltorb works best as a support or niche pick rather than a primary win condition.
Competitive Role
Voltorb fills the balanced utility Pokemon role within the competitive landscape. With a 330 base stat total led by its speed of 100, Voltorb relies on strategic play to overcome its stat limitations. Its Electric typing creates vulnerabilities to Ground types, requiring careful team support to cover these gaps. Conversely, resistances to Electric, Flying, Steel provide switch-in opportunities. Success with Voltorb depends on leveraging its strengths while minimizing exposure to its weaknesses.
Detailed Strategy Analysis
At 330 BST, Voltorb sits below the competitive average. The recommended moveset combines STAB options (Thunderbolt, Thunder) with coverage moves (Shock Wave), giving Voltorb answers to a wide range of opponents. Type weaknesses to Ground mean Voltorb must be played carefully against these matchups. Resistances to Electric, Flying, Steel provide safe switch-in opportunities. At Tier C, Voltorb is best used in specific niche strategies or lower-tier formats. Special Attack should be the primary investment for Voltorb, with a Modest or Timid nature to maximize its special damage potential.
Key Matchup Notes
Against Ground-type opponents: Voltorb is at a severe disadvantage. Never leave Voltorb in against Ground types—switch immediately to a teammate that resists Ground. If forced to fight, use Thunderbolt and hope for a KO before taking a hit. Against Electric-type opponents: Voltorb has the advantage here. Its Electric typing reduces incoming Electric damage, allowing Voltorb to tank hits and retaliate with Thunderbolt. Use these matchups to gain momentum. Speed matchups: With 100 Speed, Voltorb outspeeds most of the unboosted metagame. It will move first against anything slower than base 100, giving it initiative in most matchups. Watch out for Choice Scarf users and priority moves. Against Ground-type opponents: Voltorb has the offensive advantage. Its STAB Electric moves deal super-effective damage to Ground types, making these favorable matchups. Lead with Voltorb when you expect Ground types on the opponent's team.
Battle Strategy Guide
In the opening turns, Use Voltorb when you anticipate the opponent leading with something Voltorb can threaten with its Electric STAB moves.
With a speed stat of 100, Voltorb functions best as a supportive role player.
The key is to identify matchups where Voltorb can either deal damage safely or force the opponent to switch, giving you tempo advantage.
Avoid leading with it against Ground types, as they can punish Voltorb heavily.
During the mid-game, Voltorb's role shifts to maintaining pressure while conserving HP.
Switch Voltorb out when facing its weakness to Ground, and bring it back in when the opponent fields something Voltorb can handle.
Use Thunder Punch as coverage to punish predicted switches.
The key to mid-game success with Voltorb is prediction—anticipate what the opponent will do and respond accordingly.
By the endgame, Voltorb should be used as a support piece rather than a primary finisher.
With 330 total stats, it's best deployed to weaken the last opponent Pokemon for a teammate to finish.
Use Thunderbolt to chip damage, then switch to your win condition.
The tier C rating indicates Voltorb needs team support to succeed.
Evolution Chain
Team Synergy
- ▸Pair Voltorb with a Grass-type partner to absorb Ground attacks that Voltorb is weak to
- ▸Pair Voltorb with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses and benefit from its resistances
- ▸Pair Voltorb with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses and benefit from its resistances
How to Counter
- ▸Any Ground-type attacker can threaten an OHKO on Voltorb due to the typing disadvantage
- ▸Paralyze Voltorb to cut its Speed and remove its initiative advantage
- ▸Strong physical attackers can exploit Voltorb's low Defense (50) for quick KOs with neutral physical moves
- ▸Special attackers target Voltorb's weak Special Defense (55) for guaranteed damage
Team Composition Ideas
Balance Core: Pair Voltorb with a Grass-type Pokemon that can switch into Ground attacks. This defensive core covers Voltorb's primary weakness while Voltorb handles the matchups its partner struggles with.
Support Core: Use Voltorb alongside a heavy hitter that benefits from Voltorb's defensive typing. Switch Voltorb in to absorb hits with its Electric, Flying resistances, then pivot to your attacker for damage.
Stall Core: Voltorb can function in a stall-oriented team by using its resistances to Electric, Flying to wall specific attackers. Add entry hazard setters and other defensive Pokemon to gradually wear down the opponent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:Is Voltorb good in Pokemon Champions?
A:Voltorb is rated Tier C in Pokemon Champions, making it a lower-tier option. With 330 total stats, it faces stiff competition from stronger alternatives. However, Voltorb can still work in casual play or specific niche strategies with the right team support.
Q:What's the best item for Voltorb?
A:The best items for Voltorb are Life Orb (for extra damage with the cost of some HP), Choice Scarf (to outspeed even more threats), or Focus Sash (to guarantee survival against a super-effective hit). Given Voltorb's high Speed of 100, Life Orb is often the optimal choice for maximizing damage output.
Q:What nature should I use for Voltorb?
A:Modest (+Special Attack, -Attack) is recommended for Voltorb, boosting its stronger special stat. Timid (+Speed, -Attack) is an alternative if speed is critical. With Special Attack at 55 vs Attack at 30, special builds are clearly superior for Voltorb.
Q:How do I counter Voltorb?
A:Voltorb's biggest counters are Ground-type Pokemon, who exploit its typing weakness for super-effective damage. Other threats include faster Pokemon that can KO Voltorb before it acts, especially given its 100 Speed. To beat Voltorb, use Ground STAB moves or priority attacks to bypass its speed.