Monstrous Physique — Pikachu

I’m back it at it again with the pocket monsters. You may remember my previous Pokémon entry in celebration of the game’s latest release. This time, I made sure the most famous Pokémon had the share of the spotlight. I chose Pikachu! Let’s take a look.

This small, yellow rodent sports long ears and a long tail. Sparks of electricity arc from its bright cheeks.


Pikachu                                            CR 3
XP 800
N Small magical beast
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +7
DEFENSE
AC 15, touch 15, flat-footed 11 (+1 dodge, +3 Dex, +1 size)
hp 30 (4d10+8)
Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +1
Defensive Abilities agility
Weaknesses vulnerability to rock
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee slam +8 (1d8–1)
Ranged thundershock +8 (3d6)
Special Attacks thunderbolt
STATISTICS
Str 8, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 15
Base Atk +4; CMB +2; CMD 15
Feats Dodge, Weapon Finesse
Skills Acrobatics +10, Perception +7
Languages Common (cannot speak)
ECOLOGY
Environment temperate forests and plains
Organization solitary, pair, or pack (3–10)
Treasure none
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Agility (Ex) Pikachu gains a 10% miss chance until the end of its turn if it moves at least 10 feet in 1 round.
Thunderbolt (Ex) Pikachu can deliver a massive bolt of electricity as a standard action a number of times per day equal to its constitution modifier (1 time per day for a typical Pikachu). This is a ranged touch attack with a range of 30 feet. On a successful hit, the thunderbolt deals 6d6 points of electricity damage.
Thundershock (Ex) Pikachu can fire small sparks of electricity as a standard action. This is a ranged touch attack with a range of 30 feet. On a successful hit, the sparks deal 3d6 electricity damage.
Vulnerability to Rock (Ex) Pikachu takes half again (+50%) as much damage from rocks and stones. This includes sling stones, attacks from creatures with the earth subtype, and spells such as spike stones.

Pikachu is one of many strange monsters that hails from a faraway land where people and monster work in unison. Pikachu is capable of producing electricity from sacs in its cheeks. Depending on the expertise of the creature, these can produce anywhere from simple sparks to great bolts rivaling lightning. Pikachu tend to be playful and loving and are sometimes even a bit mischievous. Gathering a large number of Pikachu together is usually dangerous as their electricity arcs between each other and can even create great lightning storms. A typical Pikachu stands a little over 1 foot tall and weighs 13 pounds.

The Lightning Rodents
A powerful storm attracts a large number of Pikachu to an area. Together, the massive amount of Pikachu attract powerful bolts of lightning to their area. The PCs have to work to break up the group of rodents before they call down more destruction.

Missing Best Friend
A local’s Pikachu has gone missing. A trio of thieves stole the creature in hopes of using its power for their own nefarious purposes. The PCs have to locate the trio and rescue the Pikachu before the thieves rocket away.

Surfing Contest
A local Pikachu learned how to surf and is now the local champion. The PCs enter the contest and have to try to best the unusual champion.

I feel like most anyone nowadays will recognize Pikachu. Whether you have played the game, watched the anime, or encountered any of the merchandise, Pikachu was there. Pikachu is the mascot for the franchise and probably the most recognizable of the pocket monsters. Considering I’ve stated up Pokémon before, it was only fitting that Pikachu got a spot on this blog as well. Most of my basis for this entry stems from the anime. In the show, Pikachu stands alongside his trainer, Ash Ketchum, adventuring and battling throughout the world. A few particular staples from Pikachu’s repertoire include agility, which allows Pikachu to dodge an opponent’s attacks with ease, thundershock, which is Pikachu’s bread and butter attack, and thunderbolt, a more powerful version of the shock. In this case, I wanted to make sure that these attacks were all available to Pikachu in a recognizable fashion. I feel like this was easy enough to translate to Pathfinder. Let me know what you think!

That’s it for this week! Please let me if you would like to see more Pokémon. If you end up up introducing Pikachu into your game or you have any request for a future Monstrous Physique, please drop me a line at KnowDirection@hotmail.com.

Luis Loza

Luis Loza is a developer at Paizo, working on the Pathfinder Lost Omens line and formerly on Campaign Setting and Player Companion lines. He's done freelance for Paizo Inc, Legendary Games, Rogue Genius Games, and more third-party publishers. His hobbies include gaming both tabletop and video, making jokes, obsessing over time travel, taking naps with Nova his cat, and walks with his wife. He is eternally plagued with a hunger for tacos. Consider checking his material on his Patreon at patreon.com/luisloza