You've been there. You're cruising through a Gym or a ranked ladder match when suddenly an Alakazam or a Mewtwo hits the field. Your health bar vanishes. Psychic types have always been the "brainiacs" of the Pokemon world, but let's be real—they're mostly just bullies. Since the Red and Blue days, they’ve carried this aura of invincibility. Back then, they literally had no weaknesses because the coding for Ghost moves was broken.
But things changed.
If you want to know what's good against psychic pokemon, you have to stop thinking about brute force and start thinking about the literal fears of the human mind. Game Freak designed Psychic weaknesses based on common phobias: bugs, darkness, and ghosts. It’s a flavor-win that also happens to be your best tactical roadmap.
The Three Pillars of Psychic Destruction
Dark-type Pokemon are the undisputed kings here. Why? Because they are completely immune to Psychic-type damage. Zero. Zip. Nada. If you switch a Tyranitar or a Hydreigon into a Psychic or Psystrike, you take no damage at all. It’s the ultimate "get out of jail free" card. Dark types also hit Psychics for super effective damage. Using moves like Crunch, Dark Pulse, or the incredibly annoying Knock Off—which also removes their held item—can end a match in a single turn.
Then you have the Ghost types. This is high-risk, high-reward territory. See, Ghost moves like Shadow Ball or Shadow Claw hit Psychic types like a freight train because Psychic-type defense is notoriously flimsy. The problem is that many Ghost types, like Gengar, are also Poison-type or just generally "glass cannons." If you don't outspeed that Espeon, you're the one going down.
Don't sleep on the Bugs.
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Seriously.
Bug-type moves like U-turn are arguably the most important tools in competitive play. First Impression is another one—it’s a massive priority move that only works on the first turn the Pokemon is out. If you have a Golisopod or a Slither Wing, you can often delete a Psychic type before they even blink. Plus, most people don't respect Bug types. They think "Oh, it's just a moth." Then Quiver Dance happens, and suddenly your "god-tier" Psychic type is being swept by a butterfly.
Why Speed and Special Defense Matter More Than You Think
Psychic types are almost always Special Attackers. They aren't going to punch you; they’re going to melt your brain from across the stadium. This means that if you're trying to figure out what's good against psychic pokemon, you need to look at your team's Special Defense stat.
A Pokemon like Blissey or Chansey can sit in front of a Psychic type all day. They have so much HP and Special Defense that even a Psychic from a legendary barely leaves a scratch. You can just stall them out or chip away with Seismic Toss.
But speed is the real killer.
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Psychic types like Alakazam or Iron Valiant rely on hitting first because they have the physical durability of a wet paper towel. If you can outspeed them with a fast physical attacker—think Weavile or Dragapult—you can usually OHKO (One-Hit Knock Out) them with a physical move. They hate physical contact. Moves like Sucker Punch are legendary here because they prioritize your attack, hitting the Psychic type right as they try to blast you.
Steel is the Secret Shield
If you don't have a Dark type handy, Steel is your next best bet. Steel-type Pokemon resist Psychic moves, taking only half damage. Corviknight, Metagross (ironically a Psychic type itself), or Gholdengo can comfortably switch in.
Steel types often have high physical attack, too. While a Steel move like Iron Head isn't super effective against Psychic types, the sheer resistance allows you to stay in the fight long enough to wear them down. It's about attrition.
The Moves You Need to Carry
- Knock Off: Honestly, this is the best move in the game. It’s Dark-type, so it hits Psychics hard, and it gets rid of their Focus Sash or Choice Specs.
- U-turn: Great for Bug-type chip damage while switching to a safer counter.
- Shadow Sneak: A priority Ghost move. Perfect for finishing off a weakened, faster Psychic type.
- Pursuit: (Note: This is mostly for older generations or specific meta-games like Smogon's National Dex). It hits Pokemon as they try to switch out. It’s the ultimate trap for a scared Psychic type.
Common Pitfalls: What NOT to do
Don't bring Fighting or Poison types anywhere near a Psychic user unless they have a secondary typing that saves them. A Machamp or a Toxapex is just a sitting duck. I've seen so many players try to "power through" with a strong Fighting move, only to realize that Psychic types resist Fighting. You're basically hitting them with a pillow.
Also, watch out for the "Coverage Move."
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Good players know you're going to switch in a Dark type. That's why many Psychic Pokemon carry Focus Blast (Fighting-type) or Dazzling Gleam (Fairy-type). These moves will wreck your Dark types. This is why "predicting" the switch is the difference between a master and a casual player. If you suspect a Focus Blast is coming, maybe don't switch your Tyranitar in just yet.
Real-World Counter Strategies
Let’s look at a specific example: Mewtwo. In Restricted formats or Ubers, Mewtwo is a nightmare. But it has a massive weakness to Sucker Punch because it's almost always trying to use an attacking move. A Pokemon like Yveltal or Kingambit can absolutely ruin a Mewtwo’s day by utilizing that priority.
In the lower tiers or during a casual playthrough, something as simple as an Orbeetle or a Kleavor can do the trick. Kleavor's Stone Axe doesn't hit for super effective damage against Psychics, but the sheer pressure and the secondary Bug typing make it a risky target for the Psychic type to stay in against.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Battle
To effectively shut down Psychic types, you need a plan that doesn't just rely on "hitting them hard." You need layers.
- Check your team's Dark-type coverage. Even if you don't have a Dark-type Pokemon, do you have someone who can learn Crunch or Throat Chop? Most Physical attackers can.
- Evaluate your Speed Tiers. Check if your primary "Psychic Killer" actually outspeeds common threats like Starmie, Espeon, or Alakazam. If they don't, give them a Choice Scarf.
- Utilize the "Pivot." Use a bulky Steel type to soak up a Psychic hit, then use U-turn or Volt Switch to bring in a fragile Ghost or Dark attacker safely.
- Prioritize Priority. Always have at least one move like Sucker Punch, Extreme Speed, or Shadow Sneak on your team. Psychic types are fast, and priority moves bypass that speed entirely.
- Watch the Item. If a Psychic type is doing way too much damage, they're likely holding Choice Specs or a Life Orb. Using Knock Off or Trick to swap their item can neuter their offensive pressure instantly.
Psychic Pokemon aren't the invincible monsters they used to be in Gen 1. They are fragile, predictable, and highly susceptible to the "scary" elements of the game. Exploit their low physical defense, use their speed against them with priority, and always keep a Dark type in your back pocket to invalidate their best moves.