Introduction
Pokémon battles can be tough, especially when you come against Psychic type Pokémon. Known for their high Special Attack and Special Defense, psychic types are a formidable opponent. It’s important to understand what Pokémon types are super effective against them, and how to build a team that can take them down. In this guide, we’ll cover the best Pokémon types to use, specific moves and abilities, and strategies to defeat psychic type Pokémon.
Top 6 Pokémon Types That are Super Effective Against Psychic Type
Before we dive into specific Pokémon and strategies, let’s first understand the concept of type matchups. Each Pokémon has one or two types, and some types are strong or weak against other types. The six types listed below are super effective against Psychic type Pokémon:
- Dark: The Dark type is immune to Psychic-type moves, which makes them a great counter. Some popular Dark-type Pokémon include Umbreon and Tyranitar.
- Bug: Bug-types deal double damage to Psychic-types, making them another effective choice. Scizor and Heracross are some great Bug-type Pokémon to use.
- Ghost: Ghost-type moves are super effective against Psychic-types, and some Ghost-type Pokémon even have immunity to Normal and Fighting-type moves. Key Ghost-type Pokémon include Gengar and Chandelure.
- Ground: Ground-type moves deal double damage to Electric and Poison types, as well as Normal types that use Minimize. But they’re also super effective against Psychic types, which makes them valuable. Dugtrio and Garchomp are powerful Ground-type Pokemon.
- Rock: Rock-types have high Defense and are strong against Fire, Flying, and Bug types. They’re also super effective against Psychic types, due to their sturdy nature. Rock-solid Pokémon include Golem and Aggron.
- Steel: Steel-type Pokémon have high Defense and are immune to Poison attacks. They’re also super effective against Psychic types. Steel-types include Metagross and Scizor.
Psychic vs Everything: A Breakdown of the Best Counters
So, we know the six types that are most effective against Psychic types, but what about all the other types? Let’s take a look at how Psychic types stack up against the rest:
- Normal: Psychic types deal double damage to Normal types, but are weak to the Fighting type.
- Fire: Fire-type moves are not effective against Psychic types, but Fire types are not weak to Psychic-type moves either.
- Water: Water-types are somewhat neutral against Psychic types, and are only weak to Dark-type moves.
- Grass: Grass-types are also neutral against Psychic types, but they are weak to Bug-type moves.
- Electric: Electric-types are not effective against Psychic types, but they’re immune to paralysis by Electric-type moves.
- Flying: Flying-types are not strong against Psychic types, but they can easily avoid Ground-type moves, which makes them a solid counter.
- Poison: Poison-types are not very effective against Psychic types, but they do have some resistance to Poison-type attacks.
- Fighting: Fighting-types do quadruple damage to Normal and Ice types, which means they’re a great counter to Psychic types, which are weak to Fighting-type moves.
- Ice: Ice-type moves do normal damage to Psychic types, but Ice types are weak to Fighting-type moves.
- Dragon: Dragon-types are not effective against Psychic types, but they have a high Special Defense, which makes them resistant to Psychic-type moves.
Rock, Ghost, and Dark: The Psychic Type’s Worst Enemies
As previously mentioned, Dark, Bug, Ghost, Ground, Rock, and Steel types all do double damage or more to Psychic types. However, Rock, Ghost, and Dark types are especially effective against Psychic types. Let’s take a closer look:
- Rock: Rock-types resist Fire, Flying, and Normal-type moves, and even though they’re weak to Grass-type moves, they can resist the powerful Psychic-type moves. Some great Rock-type Pokémon include Cradily and Aerodactyl.
- Ghost: Ghost-types are immune to Normal-type moves and are super effective against Psychic-types. They are also immune to Fighting-type moves, which makes them an excellent choice. Popular Ghost-type Pokémon include Mismagius and Banette.
- Dark: As previously mentioned, Dark-types are immune to Psychic-type moves. In addition to that, they’re also immune to Psychic infatuation, as well as resistant to Ghost-type moves. Popular Dark-type Pokémon include Darkrai and Umbreon.
Mastering the Matchup: Strategies for Taking Down Psychic Type Pokémon
Aside from using the aforementioned types and their corresponding moves, there are some additional strategies to consider when battling Psychic type Pokémon:
- Multiple Types: Using a Pokémon with multiple types can help negate some of the damage dealt by Psychic-type moves. Some examples include Steel/Fighting type Lucario, and Water/Psychic type Starmie.
- Status Effects: Status effects like confusion, paralysis, and sleep can all hinder a Psychic-type Pokémon’s abilities. Using moves like Thunder Wave or Toxic can help apply these effects.
- Psychic Terrain: Certain moves like Psychic or Psychic Fangs can create a Psychic Terrain that boosts Psychic-type moves while hindering non-Psychic-type moves. If a Psychic type Pokémon is using this move, then it’s best to switch to a Pokémon type that can resist Psychic-type moves.
Why Fighting Type Pokémon are the Most Effective Against Psychic Type and How to Use Them
Fighting-type Pokémon are the ultimate counter to Psychic type Pokémon. Because of their high Attack stats and ability to resist Psychic-type moves, Fighting types will almost always win against Psychic types.
- Counter: Counter is a Fighting-type move that counters any physical move, dealing double the damage back to the opponent. Using this move against a Pokémon like Alakazam can deal massive damage.
- Move Pool: Fighting-type moves are among the strongest in the game and can easily take down Psychic type Pokémon. Look for moves like Close Combat and High Jump Kick to deal heavy damage.
- Types: Fighting-types resist Normal, Rock, and Dark-type moves, all of which are commonly used against Psychic type Pokémon. In addition, Fighting types do neutral damage to most other types, giving them a broad coverage.
The Ultimate Guide to Building a Team That Can Take Down Any Psychic Type Opponent
So, we’ve gone over the best types, specific moves, and strategies to use against Psychic type Pokémon. But how can we build a team that can handle any Psychic-type opponent out there?
- Diversity: A well-rounded team includes a mix of types, moves, and abilities. Make sure you have a balance of physical and special attackers, as well as Pokémon that can use status moves like Thunder Wave or Toxic.
- Moveset: Make sure each Pokémon on your team has a diverse moveset. Using Pokémon with STAB (same type attack bonus) moves will give you an advantage. Use moves like Close Combat or Shadow Ball against Psychic type Pokémon, for example.
- Roles: Each Pokémon should serve a specific purpose on the team. Consider roles like a tank, a physical or special sweeper, and a support Pokémon.
- Pokémon: Stick to Pokémon that have good moves and abilities that work well against Psychic type Pokémon. Examples include Tyranitar, Chandelure, Scizor, Lucario, Gyarados, and Mamoswine.
Conclusion
Defeating Psychic type Pokémon can be tough, but with the right knowledge and strategy, anyone can come out on top. Remember to use types that are super effective, moves that create an advantage, and a well-rounded team that can handle any opponent thrown your way.