[_frog]

Yep I've been totally outclassed. I've only recently started getting into the online aspect of Pokémon so I still have a ton to learn with regards to strategy. Though does the speed stat really matter all that much outside of first mover advantage?

[omnipath]

Yes. Most pokemon battles, unless they're designed to stall, or there are a lot of misses, pokemon as a rule usually faint within two to three hits. Unless Pikachu's stats are totally a bad fit for a special attacker, and Bulbasaur's stats are totally for special walling, chances are even with attacking with Thunderbolt, Pikachu could take down Bulbasaur within 4 rounds. With Hidden Ice, holding the Light Ball, probably 2 rounds.

Now, let's say we gave Bulbasaur all the extra ev training into special attacking. It would still take about two hits to knock out Pikachu. Problem is, since Pikachu is faster, it'll get in two hits before Bulbasaur does. This is why both Pikachu and Bulbasaur are considered LC (Little Cup) or NU (Never Used), as they have a lot of problems dealing with a lot of different pokemons that occur in battling.

May I suggest you try a website called Pokemon Showdown? It's an online simulator which allows you to try out different strategies, and test them against other people. http://play.pokemonshowdown.com/