Psychic-typePokémonare some of the strongest Pokémon inPokémon Scarlet and Violet. Many Psychic types boast high stats and have access to a huge move pool, but with so many moves to choose from, teaching the wrong moves can make these incredibly powerful Pokémon into pushovers. This list will go over which Psychic-type moves are the best moves worth teaching to your team to give you a fighting chance in the Paldea region.
Related:Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Best Psychic-Type Pokemon, Ranked
Not all moves on this list can be learned by every Psychic Pokémon, and some attacks may be better suited for certain Pokémon and not others. This list will not feature unique moves such asLumina CrashorExpanding Force,as they are exclusive to one Pokémon.
10Mirror Coat
Mirror Coat is a retaliatory move that requires a bit of know-how but can be devastating if used correctly. This Special Attack has no base power but deals damage based on how much damage the user received from the opponent in the same turn.
For example, if the foe’sPikachuusesThunderboltand deals 120 damage to yourTatsugiri, then Mirror Coat will deal a whopping 240 damage back at Pikachu! This move only works if the user is hit with a Special Attack. Mirror Coat will fail if it’s a Physical Attack, so bear that in mind.
9Dream Eater
Dream Eater is a Special Attack with 100 base power, 100 accuracy, and heals the user for up to 50% of the damage dealt to the opponent. The main drawback of this move is that it can only be used when the target is asleep. Otherwise, this attack will fail.
Putting your opponent to sleep is a doable task in battle but requires patience, as even novice players will swap out their Pokémon when their Pokémon can’t fight back. Luckily, NPCs will almost always keep their Pokémon in the battle even if they’re asleep, making this attack a huge threat.
Turn order is determined by the Speed stat of both Pokémon on the field, and moving first will usually give you and your team a leg up on the competition. Even if your Pokémon is slower, one use of Agility can quickly shift the tide of battle.
Related:Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Best Grass-Type Pokémon, Ranked
Agility is a Status move that increases the Speed stat of the user by two stages (one stage = 50%), which is oftentimes enough to allow your Pokémon to attack first in a turn. Setups that utilize theNormal-typemove Baton Pass can make great use of Agility.
7Psycho Cut
Psycho Cut is a favorite among Pokémon with high Attack stats, such asCeruledge, Veluza, andIron Valiant, the paradox version of Gallade. This Physical Attack has 70 base power and has a heightened chance of dealing critical damage to the target.
Critical hits deal 50% more damage compared to regular attacks, and if used by a Psychic type, it will deal even more thanks to STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus). With all of those factors combined, this attack can deal upwards of 140 damage, making this attack incredibly powerful.
Psyshock is a Special Attack with 80 base power and the peculiar effect of dealing Physical damage, instead of Special damage. Most Psychic-type Pokémon have impressive Special Attack stats but lack decent Attack power. This gives these Pokémon the option to deal damage based on their target’s Defense and not their Special Defense.
This is great in situations when you’re up against aPokémon like Sylveon, who has an amazing Special Defense stat but a poor Defense stat. Having access to Psyshock allows you to exploit your opponent’s weakness and deal maximum damage.
Rest is the signature move of the sleeping Pokémon,Snorlax, but it can be used by most fully evolved Pokémon. Rest puts the user to sleep for two turns while fully restoring their HP and curing them of any Status Condition like Burn or Poison.
This move is great for Pokémon like Houndstone, which have high Defensive stats that are made to withstand hits, and less so for Pokémon like Espathra, who are meant to deal damage. While it does put your Pokémon in a vulnerable position, fully healing a Pokémon is tremendous.
4Psychic Fangs
Psychic Fangs is another Physical Attack that can be taught to many Pokémon since it’s available as aTM in the game. This Attack has 85 base power, 100 accuracy, and breaks barriers set up by the opponent, such as Light Screen and Reflect.
Related:Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Best Dark-Type Moves
Barrier moves used by your opponent can be a nuisance, as they negate incoming damage and prolong the life of their Pokémon. That is precisely why Psychic Fangs is fantastic, as it will destroy your enemy’s defenses with ease. You may not always need this attack, but when you do, it’ll save a ton of labor for your team.
Dream Eater, mentioned earlier on this list, is usable only if the opponent is asleep, and the best way to put a Pokémon to sleep is to use Hypnosis. This Status move deals no damage but will put the target to sleep if it connects.
This drawback to this move, like many other powerful moves, is its painfully low accuracy. Hypnosis has a 60% chance of hitting the target. While these odds are low, they are still almost certainly worth it, as putting a Pokémon to sleep will make them extremely vulnerable since they can no longer fight back.
2Calm Mind
As mentioned earlier, most Psychic-type Pokémon have impressive Special Attack and Special Defense stats, and boosting them even further is a no-brainer. Calm Mind is a Status move that increases the Special Attack and Special Defense stats of a Pokémon by 50%.
Increasing one stat may be good, but increasing two complimenting stats is fantastic. It’s the reason why moves likeDragon Danceand Defend Order are so popular. Two uses of Clam Mind can do in two turns what other moves can do in four turns. Calm Mind is one of the best moves in the game, period.
Psychic is perhaps the most recognizable Psychic-type move in the entire franchise. This classic Special Attack has 90 base damage, 100 accuracy, and has the added chance of lowering the target’s Special Defense, making them susceptible to even more damage a second time around.
This move is truly powerful and one that you will see many times throughout your journey since most Psychic-type Pokémon can learn it on their own or have it taught to them via TM.
Honorary mentions:Reflect, Light Screen, Trick Room, Cosmic Power, Healing Pulse, Extrasensory, Power Trick, Zen Headbutt.
