What are the weaknesses of Psy-type Pokémon?

Want to knock out the Psychic-type Pokemon ? Here's the short answer: A Psychic-type Pokémon has three main weaknesses. It takes double damage from attacks of the Spectrum, Insect and Darkness. On the other hand, it is resistant to Fighting- and Psychic-type attacks, and has no defensive immunities.

In this article, we've compiled a list of Psychic-type Pokémon's weaknesses, as well as their resistances, their effectiveness in battle, and how the type chart has evolved over the generations. The data is based on the official type chart (referenced at Bulbapedia and Pokémon DB). Let's go!

Discover the Complete List of Pokémon Weaknesses in our comprehensive guide.

• 1. Which types are effective against Psychic-type Pokémon?
• 2. The Unique Characteristics of Psychic-Type Pokémon
• 3. What are the weaknesses of Psychic-type Pokémon in the Scarlet/Violet versions?
• 4. List of Psychic-type Pokémon
• 5. Guide to Boosting Your Attack in the Game

Which types are effective against Psy-type Pokémon?

The Psychic-type Pokemon have three clear weaknesses: they take double damage from Ghost-, Bug-, and Dark-type attacks. These three types are therefore the most effective at neutralizing a Psychic-type Pokémon in battle. Only the interactions in the type chart determine effectiveness, as documented in Bulbapedia and PokemonDB.

Here are the details on super-effective attacks against the Psychic type.

1. Spectre-type Pokémon

Psychic-type Pokémon are vulnerable to attacks from Spectrum type. A Ghost-type attack deals ×2 damage (super effective) to a Psychic-type Pokémon. This is often the best offensive response, since many Ghost-type Pokémon are not vulnerable to Psychic-type attacks in return.

2. Insect-type Pokémon

Psychic-type Pokémon also take double damage from attacks from insect type. This is an interesting option, since Bug-type attacks are still fairly rare at high power levels, which can catch an unprepared Psychic-type opponent off guard.

Did you know ?

• First generation (Pokémon Rouge et Bleu), the Psychic-type was nearly unbeatable: it had only one theoretical weakness—Ghost-type.
• Even worse, due to a programming bug, Ghost-type attacks actually had no effect on Psychic-type Pokémon, even though they should have been super effective. On top of that, all Ghost-type Pokémon in that generation were dual-type Ghost/Poison, making them weak against Psychic-type attacks.
• The second generation fixed this issue and introduced the Dark and Steel types, which finally provided effective counters to the Psychic type.

3. Darkness-type Pokémon

A Psy-type Pokémon is weak to attacks from Darkness type, which also deal ×2 damage. The Dark type is the most reliable counter: not only is it super effective against Psychic-type attacks, but Dark-type Pokémon have also been completely immune to Psychic-type attacks since Generation II. A Psychic-type Pokémon simply cannot hit a Dark-type with its own attacks.

Characteristics of Psy-type Pokémon

the Psychic type is a unique type: it has few defensive stats but, more importantly, few weaknesses, which made it formidable in the first generation. Back in the days of Pokémon Rouge et Bleu, the Psychic-type was even considered nearly unbeatable. The reason: Ghost-type attacks, which were supposed to be super effective against it, actually had no effect at all due to a programming bug. Combined with the lack of powerful Bug-type attacks in that generation, this made the Psychic type virtually unbeatable.

This issue was fixed in the second generation, in Pokémon Or et Argent, with the arrival of the Darkness type (and Steel-type). Since then, Psychic-type Pokémon have had three clear weaknesses: Ghost, Bug, and Dark. It’s also worth noting an important offensive quirk: Psychic-type attacks have no effect on Dark-type Pokémon, which are immune to them.

How resistant are Psy-type Pokémon?

On the defensive side, Psychic-type Pokémon have no immunities, but they are resistant to two types of attacks. During battle, keep in mind that Psychic-type Pokémon are more vulnerable to certain moves and much more resilient against others.

The Psychic-type is resistant (damage halved) to the following attacks:

• Psychic-type attacks: A Psychic-type Pokémon is naturally equipped to face and defend against other Psychic-type attacks.
• Attacks by type Combat.

On the offensive, the Psychic-type is formidable. Its attacks are super effective (double damage) against Fighting- and Poison-type Pokémon. It’s this dual role—withstanding Fighting-type attacks while dealing heavy damage—that explains the offensive reputation of Pokémon like Alakazam Where Mewtwo.

What are the weaknesses of Psychic-type Pokémon in the Scarlet/Violet versions?

In Pokémon Écarlate et Violet, Psychic-type weaknesses have not changed from previous generations: the type chart remains the same. A Psychic-type Pokémon therefore takes ×2 damage (super effective) from attacks of these three types:

• The Insect type
• The Dark type
• The Spectre type

On the defensive, the Psychic-type is resistant (×0.5) to Fighting-type attacks and to Psychic-type attacks themselves. It has no defensive immunities: all types can at least scratch it.

On the offensive side, its Psychic-type attacks are super effective against Fighting- and Poison-type Pokémon. Be aware, however, of one major limitation: since Generation II, Psychic-type attacks have no effect on Dark-type Pokémon. It is this offensive immunity that makes the Psychic type far less dominant than it was in the first generation.

Pokémon Écarlate et Violet were released on November 18, 2022, on Nintendo Switch and usher in the 9th generation in an open world. Data types there follow the same logic as that documented in references such as Bulbapedia Where Poképédia.

List of Psy-type Pokémon

Here is a list of pure Psychic-type Pokémon (without dual types) from across the various generations. Some of them are among the most powerful in the game thanks to their high Special Attack stats: Mewtwo, Alakazam or Mentali are offensive stats. Conversely, they all share the same weaknesses against Ghost-, Bug-, and Dark-type attacks.

• Abra
• Alakazam (among the best)
• Arceus (Normal by default; becomes Psy with the appropriate badge)
• Bibichut
• Chapotus
• Cosmog
• Cosmovum
• Créfadet
• Créfollet
• Créhelf
• Cresselia
• Deoxys
• Éoko
• Flotillon
• Groret
• Hypnomade
• Kadabra
• Korillon
• Lewsor
• Méga-Alakazam
• Méga-Mewtwo Y
• Mentali (among the best)
• Mewtwo
• Mistigrix
• Munna
• Neitram
• Nucléos
• Okéoké
• Psystigri
• Méios
• Mesmérella
• Mew
• Mushana
• Necrozma
• Ponyta de Galar
• Qulbutoké
• Scrutella
• Silvallié (Normal by default; becomes Psy with the Psy Disc, one of the 18 discs)
• Spoink
• Symbios
• Zarbi
• Ramoloss de Galar
• Sidérella
• Soporifik

Note that Arceus and Silvallié are not Psychic-type Pokémon by nature: they only adopt that type when equipped with the appropriate item, and can take on any of the 18 types. To verify a Pokémon’s exact type and stats, the official Pokédex remains the most reliable source.

Guide to boosting your in-game attack

Attacks and Pokemon are assigned to one or two types. Each type of Pokémon has strengths and weaknesses, both in attack and defense. Mastering the type chart is therefore the key to winning battles more quickly.

During a battle, use Pokémon or moves that have a type advantage over your opponent. The move will then deal much more damage than usual.

• A type advantage doubles the damage—for example, a Water-type attack against a Pokémon of type Soil. Type advantages stack for a dual-type Pokémon: a double type advantage quadruples the damage. In both cases, the game displays the message «This is super effective.».
• Conversely, a single or double disadvantage deals half or a quarter of the normal damage. The game then displays the message «This isn’t very effective.».

There is another offensive bonus: the STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus). It applies to all types, not just the Psychic type.

• If your attacking Pokémon uses an attack of its own type (a Psychic-type Pokémon using a Psychic-type attack, for example), the power of that attack is multiplied by 1.5.
• Be sure to compare the base power of your moves: a Psychic-type attack boosted by STAB is often your best option against Fighting- or Poison-type Pokémon.

Here is a table summarizing the strengths and weaknesses of all Pokémon by type, including the Psychic type:

How to read this table of types:

• 2 in green: super-effective attack (double damage)
• 1/2 in red: low-efficiency attack (reduced damage)
• 0 in black: completely ineffective attack (for example, a Psychic-type attack against a Dark-type Pokémon)

To learn more about the weaknesses of other types of Pokémon:

• Normal-type Pokémon weaknesses
• Steel-type Pokémon weaknesses
• Fire-type Pokémon weaknesses
• Weaknesses of water-type Pokémon
• Weaknesses of Electrik-type Pokémon
• Plant-type Pokémon weaknesses
• Ice-type Pokémon weaknesses
• Vol-type Pokémon weaknesses
• Rock-type Pokémon weaknesses
• Dragon-type Pokémon weaknesses
• Weaknesses of Fairy-type Pokémon

So, are you ready to take on Psychic-type Pokémon? If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment on the article.