The Psychic type (Japanese: エスパータイプ Esper type) is one of the eighteen types. Notable Trainers that specialize in Psychic-type Pokémon are Sabrina of Saffron City, Will of the Johto Elite Four, Tate and Liza of Mossdeep City, Lucian of the Sinnoh Elite Four, and Caitlin of the Battle Castle and the Unova Elite Four. Prior to changes in Generation IV all Psychic-type moves were special, but they may now also be physical depending on the attack.


Statistical averages

Overall

Stat
HP: 68.43
Attack: 65.54
Defense: 71.68
Sp.Atk: 88.58
Sp.Def: 83.14
Speed: 72.22
Total: 449.60


Fully evolved

Stat
HP: 77.72
Attack: 80.09
Defense: 82.96
Sp.Atk: 101.19
Sp.Def: 94.77
Speed: 85.13
Total: 521.85


Battle properties

Generation I

Offensive   Defensive
Power Types   Power Types
 
 
½×  
 
½×    
None  


Generation II-onward

Offensive   Defensive
Power Types   Power Types
 
 
½×  
 
½×  
 
 
 
 
  None


Characteristics

Offense

Psychic-type Pokémon have been fairly popular since Generation I. Offensively, they can act as a special sweeper due to their typically high Speed and Special Attack. Furthermore, Psychic-type Pokémon can often learn moves of other types to deal with a multitude of types, especially their weaknesses to Dark, Ghost, and Bug. However, the greatest disadvantage is that Psychic-type moves are unable to affect Dark-type Pokémon. This immunity can be eliminated by using Miracle Eye (Leaving Steel as the only other type capable of resisting Psychic types thus allowing them to otherwise sweep freely).

Defense

Their defensive capabilities are generally poor, with low Defense and HP despite excellent Special Defense. Possibly compensating for their relatively insubstantial Defense and HP, Psychic-type Pokémon have access to moves such as Recover. Still, they can often only survive special-based hits, but can easily be defeated by one or two high-powered moves from a Pokémon with an average or above-average Attack stat. Psychic-type Pokémon also often fall to a single Crunch or Night Slash due to the high Attack of many Dark-type Pokémon. There are exceptions to this, such as Bronzong or Metagross, who have high defenses and lack a weakness to Dark-type moves. Psychic is, however, useful for it's resistance to Fighting (Though their typically paper thin Defenses don't do them favors against other popular Physical types).

Contest properties

When used in Contests, Psychic-type moves are typically Smart moves, but can also be of the other four Contest types, excluding Tough.

Pokémon

As of Generation V, there are 67 Psychic-type Pokémon or 10.32% of all Pokémon, making it the fifth most common type.

Pure Psychic-type Pokémon

# Name
063   Abra
064   Kadabra
065   Alakazam
096   Drowzee
097   Hypno
122   Mr. Mime
150   Mewtwo
151   Mew
196   Espeon
201   Unown
202   Wobbuffet
280   Ralts
281   Kirlia
282   Gardevoir*
325   Spoink
326   Grumpig
358   Chimecho
360   Wynaut
386   Deoxys
433   Chingling
439   Mime Jr.
480   Uxie
481   Mesprit
482   Azelf
488   Cresselia
517   Munna
518   Musharna
574   Gothita
575   Gothorita
576   Gothitelle
577   Solosis
578   Duosion
579   Reuniclus
605   Elgyem
606   Beheeyem

Half Psychic-type Pokémon

Primary Psychic-type Pokémon

# Name Type 1 Type 2
177   Natu Psychic Flying
178   Xatu Psychic Flying
249   Lugia Psychic Flying
251   Celebi Psychic Grass
282   Gardevoir* Psychic Fairy
475   Gallade Psychic Fighting
494   Victini Psychic Fire
527   Woobat Psychic Flying
528   Swoobat Psychic Flying
561   Sigilyph Psychic Flying

Pokéstar Studios opponents

# Name Type 1 Type 2
N/A   UFO 2 Psychic Electric

Secondary Psychic-type Pokémon

# Name Type 1 Type 2
079   Slowpoke Water Psychic
080   Slowbro Water Psychic
102   Exeggcute Grass Psychic
103   Exeggutor Grass Psychic
121   Starmie Water Psychic
124   Jynx Ice Psychic
199   Slowking Water Psychic
203   Girafarig Normal Psychic
238   Smoochum Ice Psychic
307   Meditite Fighting Psychic
308   Medicham Fighting Psychic
337   Lunatone Rock Psychic
338   Solrock Rock Psychic
343   Baltoy Ground Psychic
344   Claydol Ground Psychic
374   Beldum Steel Psychic
375   Metang Steel Psychic
376   Metagross Steel Psychic
380   Latias Dragon Psychic
381   Latios Dragon Psychic
385   Jirachi Steel Psychic
436   Bronzor Steel Psychic
437   Bronzong Steel Psychic
555   Darmanitan* Fire Psychic
648   Meloetta* Normal Psychic
???   Inkay Dark Psychic
???   Malamar Dark Psychic

Pokéstar Studios opponents

# Name Type 1 Type 2
N/A   Brycen-man Dark Psychic

Moves

Gen Move Category Contest Power Accuracy PP Target Description
I Agility Status Cool % 30 (max 48)
     
     
Self
The user relaxes and lightens its body to move faster. It sharply boosts the Speed stat.
V Ally Switch Status % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Self
The user teleports using a strange power and switches its place with one of its allies.
I Amnesia Status Cute % 20 (max 32)
     
     
Self
The user temporarily empties its mind to forget its concerns. It sharply raises the user's Sp. Def stat.
I Barrier Status Cool % 30 (max 48)
     
     
Self
The user throws up a sturdy wall that sharply raises its Defense stat.
III Calm Mind Status Smart % 20 (max 32)
     
     
Self
The user quietly focuses its mind and calms its spirit to raise its Sp. Atk and Sp. Def stats.
I Confusion Special Smart 50 100% 25 (max 40)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The target is hit by a weak telekinetic force. It may also leave the target confused.
III Cosmic Power Status Cool % 20 (max 32)
     
     
Self
The user absorbs a mystical power from space to raise its Defense and Sp. Def stats.
I Dream Eater Special Smart 100 100% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user eats the dreams of a sleeping target. It absorbs half the damage caused to heal the user's HP.
III Extrasensory Special Cool 80 100% 30 (max 48)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user attacks with an odd, unseeable power. It may also make the target flinch.
II Future Sight Special Smart 100 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
Two turns after this move is used, a hunk of psychic energy attacks the target.
IV Gravity Status Beauty % 5 (max 8)
     
     
All Pokémon
Gravity is intensified for five turns, making moves involving flying unusable and negating Levitation.
V Guard Split Status % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user employs its psychic power to average its Defense and Sp. Def stats with those of its target's.
IV Guard Swap Status Cute % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user employs its psychic power to switch changes to its Defense and Sp. Def with the target.
IV Heal Block Status Cute 100% 15 (max 24)
     
     
All foes
For five turns, the user prevents the opposing team from using any moves, Abilities, or held items that recover HP.
V Heal Pulse Status % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Anyone
The user emits a healing pulse which restores the target's HP by up to half of its max HP.
IV Healing Wish Status Cute % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Self
The user faints. In return, the Pokémon taking its place will have its HP restored and status cured.
V Heart Stamp Physical 60 100% 25 (max 40)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user unleashes a vicious blow after its cute act makes the target less wary. It may also make the target flinch.
IV Heart Swap Status Cool % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user employs its psychic power to switch stat changes with the target.
I Hypnosis Status Smart 60% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user employs hypnotic suggestion to make the target fall into a deep sleep.
III Imprison Status Smart % 10 (max 16)
     
     
All foes
If the opponents know any move also known by the user, the opponents are prevented from using it.
I Kinesis Status Smart 80% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user distracts the target by bending a spoon. It lowers the target's accuracy.
I Light Screen Status Beauty % 30 (max 48)
     
     
All allies
A wondrous wall of light is put up to suppress damage from special attacks for five turns.
IV Lunar Dance Status Beauty % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Self
The user faints. In return, the Pokémon taking its place will have its status and HP fully restored.
III Luster Purge Special Smart 70 100% 5 (max 8)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user lets loose a damaging burst of light. It may also reduce the target's Sp. Def stat.
III Magic Coat Status Beauty % 15 (max 24)
     
     
Self
A barrier reflects back to the target moves like Leech Seed and moves that damage status.
V Magic Room Status % 10 (max 16)
     
     
All Pokémon
The user creates a bizarre area in which Pokémon's held items lose their effects for five turns.
I Meditate Status Beauty % 40 (max 64)
     
     
Self
The user meditates to awaken the power deep within its body and raise its Attack stat.
IV Miracle Eye Status Cute % 40 (max 64)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
Enables a Dark-type target to be hit by Psychic-type attacks. It also enables an evasive target to be hit.
II Mirror Coat Special Beauty Varies 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Self
A retaliation move that counters any special attack, inflicting double the damage taken.
III Mist Ball Special Smart 70 100% 5 (max 8)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
A mistlike flurry of down envelops and damages the target. It may also lower the target's Sp. Atk.
V Power Split Status % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user employs its psychic power to average its Attack and Sp. Atk stats with those of the target's.
IV Power Swap Status Beauty % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user employs its psychic power to switch changes to its Attack and Sp. Atk with the target.
IV Power Trick Status Cool % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Self
The user employs its psychic power to switch its Attack with its Defense stat.
I Psybeam Special Beauty 65 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The target is attacked with a peculiar ray. It may also cause confusion.
I Psychic Special Smart 90 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The target is hit by a strong telekinetic force. It may also reduce the target's Sp. Def stat.
III Psycho Boost Special Smart 140 90% 5 (max 8)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user attacks the target at full power. The attack's recoil harshly reduces the user's Sp. Atk stat.
IV Psycho Cut Physical Cool 70 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user tears at the target with blades formed by psychic power. Critical hits land more easily.
IV Psycho Shift Status Cool 90% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
Using its psychic power of suggestion, the user transfers its status problems to the target.
V Psyshock Special 80 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user materializes an odd psychic wave to attack the target. This attack does physical damage.
V Psystrike Special 100 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user materializes an odd psychic wave to attack the target. This attack does physical damage.
I Psywave Special Smart Varies 80% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The target is attacked with an odd psychic wave. The attack varies in intensity.
I Reflect Status Smart % 20 (max 32)
     
     
All allies
A wondrous wall of light is put up to suppress damage from physical attacks for five turns.
I Rest Status Cute % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Self
The user goes to sleep for two turns. It fully restores the user's HP and heals any status problem.
III Role Play Status Cute % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user mimics the target completely, copying the target's natural Ability.
III Skill Swap Status Smart % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user employs its psychic power to exchange Abilities with the target.
V Stored Power Special 20 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user attacks the target with stored power. The more the user's stats are raised, the greater the damage.
V Synchronoise Special 70 100% 15 (max 24)
     
     
All adjacent Pokémon
Using an odd shock wave, the user inflicts damage on any Pokémon of the same type in the area around it.
V Telekinesis Status % 15 (max 24)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user makes the target float with its psychic power. The target is easier to hit for three turns.
I Teleport Status Cool % 20 (max 32)
     
     
Self
Use it to flee from any wild Pokémon. It can also warp to the last Pokémon Center visited.
III Trick Status Smart 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user catches the target off guard and swaps its held item with its own.
IV Trick Room Status Cute % 5 (max 8)
     
     
All Pokémon
The user creates a bizarre area in which slower Pokémon get to move first for five turns.
V Wonder Room Status % 10 (max 16)
     
     
All Pokémon
The user creates a bizarre area in which Pokémon's Defense and Sp. Def stats are swapped for five turns.
IV Zen Headbutt Physical Beauty 80 90% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user focuses its willpower to its head and attacks the target. It may also make the target flinch.
All details are accurate to Generation VII games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual move's page. Target data assumes user is in the lower left.

Balance issues

Psychic-type Pokémon were at the center of a balance issue in the Generation I games.[1] The issue arose from the lack of an effective countermeasure against Psychic types caused by the absence of any powerful Bug-type moves (at the time the only weaknesses of Psychic types). Strengthening the gap was the fact that the only actual Bug-type Pokémon to know the only potentially good Bug move was also part Poison-type, creating a vulnerability to Psychic moves, and that in the first-generation games, Ghost-type moves were not only ineffective against Psychic Pokémon, the only Ghost Pokémon at the time were part-Poison, also creating a vulnerability, not to mention the fact that the only Ghost-type move that would be affected by type matchups at the time was exceedingly weak.

The issue was rectified in later generations with the addition of Steel and Dark types, an added weakness to Ghost-type moves, and more powerful Bug- and Ghost-type moves.

Trivia

  • Generation III introduced the most Psychic-type Pokémon of any generation, with 20, and Generation IV introduced the least Psychic-type Pokémon, with nine.
  • Generation I introduced the most Psychic-type moves of any generation, with 15, and Generation II introduced the least Psychic-type moves, with two.
  • Psycho Cut, Zen Headbutt and Heart Stamp are the only physical Psychic-type moves. As these moves were introduced after Generation III, this makes Psychic the only former special type not to have any of its moves changed into physical moves.
  • Psychic is the most common type for legendary Pokémon, with at least two Psychic-type legendary Pokémon introduced in each generation for a total of 14.
  • Psychic is the only type that shares its name with a move and a Trainer Class.
  • Despite the balance issue during Generation I, it was not until Generation IV that a Pokémon and its evolution with a double weakness to Psychic-type moves were introduced.
  • There has been one Elite Four member or Gym Leader specializing in Psychic-type Pokémon in every generation.
  • A Pokémon cannot have a double resistance to Psychic without being a Psychic type itself.
    • However, a Psychic-type Pokémon also cannot have a double resistance to more than one type.
  • The Psychic type could be considered a special counterpart to the Fighting type:
    • The Psychic type highest average stat is Special Attack, while the Fighting type is Attack.
    • The Psychic type is the only former special type to not have any of old moves changed into physical moves, while the Fighting type is the only former physical type to not have any of old moves changed into special moves.
    • Counter and Mirror Coat, moves countering physical and special attacks are, respectively, Fighting- and Psychic-type moves.
  • Two of the types that are super-effective against Psychic share a weakness with it. Dark types are also weak to Bug, and Ghost types are weak to Dark and Ghost.
    • Also, both Dark and Ghost types are immune to a type Psychic resists.

References

  1. Sugimori, Ken "Psychic Pokémon seemed to dominate in the previous Pokémon game, so we needed to come up with new Pokémon and types to make Gold and Silver more balanced." Nintendo Power 134 (July 2000) p. 79 (retrieved August 16, 2010)

In other languages

Language Title
  Japanese エスパー Esper
Mandarin Chinese 超能力 Chāonénglì
  Danish Psykisk
  Dutch Psychisch (anime)
Paranormaal (magazine)
  Finnish Meedio
Psyykkinen
  French Psy
  German Psycho
  Greek Μέντιουμ Medium
  Hebrew על חושי Al Hushi
  Italian Psico
  Korean 에스퍼 Esper
  Norwegian Psykisk
  Polish Psychiczny
  Portuguese Psíquico
  Romanian Psihic
  Russian Психический Psikhicheskii
  Spanish Psíquico
  Swedish Psykisk
  Thai พลังจิต or สะกดจิต or เอสเปอร์