Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl: Best Psychic Pokemon & Where To Catch Them

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are returning to Generation 4's Sinnoh region, bringing new experiences and nostalgic memories to both new and returning players. Every player wants to have a strong Pokemon team as they play through the remakes, and the Sinnoh region gives players many options for that.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have some iconic and fan-favorite Pokemon for players to choose from when building their teams to take on the Elite Four. Every great Pokemon team needs a strong Psychic-type attacker, and since some players may have forgotten what Generation 4's Psychic options are, or are new to the Pokemon series entirely, a refresher on the best Psychic-type options would be helpful.

Updated on April 1, 2022, by Kirkland Fortner: Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl continues to bring in new players every day. When a player is looking to build a strong and effective Pokemon team, it is always better to have more options. With that in mind, we are expanding this list with three more entries of the best Psychic-type Pokemon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl that players can find, catch, and train to help build their teams into winners.

13 Slowbro / Slowking (Pokemon Shining Pearl Exclusive)

Slowbro and Slowking are two different options for players looking for a Psychic-type Pokemon, but they are so similar that they both hold the same spot. They have 'Slow' in their name, and their stats really show it! With both Pokemon having a 30 Speed stat, it is tough to find a Pokemon that can't outpace them in battle. They make up for this by having Special Attack, Special Defense, and Defense stats though, and can still be viable in battle during the right situations.

Slowbro and Slowking both evolve from Slowpoke, which can be found on Route 205 using the Poke Radar or in the Grand Underground. Slowpoke will evolve into Slowbro at level 37 and will evolve into Slowking when traded holding Kings Rock. Slowbro is exclusively found in Pokemon Shining Pearl.

Slowbrow's Stats	Slowking's Stats
HP: 95 Attack: 75 Special Attack: 100 Defense: 110 Special Defense: 80 Speed: 30 Total: 490	HP: 95 Attack: 75 Special Attack: 100 Defense: 80 Special Defense: 110 Speed: 30 Total: 490

12 Bronzong

Bronzong is a decent choice of Psychic-type Pokemon but due to its incredibly low Speed stat, it is overshadowed by other Pokemon. Its Steel and Psychic Dual-typing do give it great advantages in battle though, as it has many resistances (Normal, Flying, Rock, Steel, Grass, Ice, Dragon, Fairy, and Psychic-type moves) and complete immunity to Poison-type moves.

Bronzor, Bronzong's lower evolution, can be found in tall grass in Mt. Coronet and also Route 206, and will evolve into Bronzong at level 33. Players will have no trouble leveling this Pokemon before reaching the Elite Four due to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's Exp. Share being constantly in play.

Bronzong's Stats
HP: 67 Attack: 89 Special Attack: 79 Defense: 116 Special Defense: 116 Speed: 33 Total: 500

11 Alakazam

While Alakazam holds a low HP, Attack, and Defense stats, its high Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed stats make up for it. With few weaknesses, Alakazam is a fan-favorite choice for Psychic-type Pokemon to catch early in the game. Alakazam also has a great move pool for players to choose from as they level it up to take on the Elite Four.

Abra, Alakazam's early evolution, can be caught in tall grass on Route 203 and Route 215, and can also be found in the Grand Underground. Abra will evolve into Kadabra at level 16, but will need to be traded to evolve into Alakazam.

Alakazam's Stats
HP: 55 Attack: 50 Special Attack: 135 Defense: 45 Special Defense: 95 Speed: 120 Total: 500

10 Claydol

Claydol's unique Psychic and Ground Dual-typing give it a useful immunity to Electric-type moves. This sets it apart from some other Psychic-type Pokemon options. It also has impressive Defense and Special Defense stats, making it able to take most of the hits thrown at it.

Claydol's unevolved form, Baltoy, can be caught in tall grass on Route 206 using the Poke Radar, and can also be found in the Grand Underground in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. It will evolve into Claydol at level 36.

Claydol's Stats
HP: 60 Attack: 70 Special Attack: 70 Defense: 105 Special Defense: 120 Speed: 75 Total: 500

9 Gallade

Gallade is an extremely useful Dual-type Psychic and Fighting Pokemon. Its unique typing sets it apart from other Psychic Pokemon, including its fellow Ralts evolution Gardevoir, and provides a lot of diversity in its move options. With moves like Close Combat and Focus Punch matched with Gallade's decent Speed stat make it a real threat to opponents in combat.

Both of Gallade's previous evolutions, Ralts and Kirlia, can be caught in the wild by walking in tall grass on Route 204 and Route 203 using Poke Radar, though players must use a Dawn Stone on a male Kirlia in order to get a Gallade.

Gallade's Stats
HP: 68 Attack: 125 Special Attack: 65 Defense: 65 Special Defense: 115 Speed: 80 Total: 518

8 Starmie

Starmie is often overlooked as a great Psychic-type Pokemon, though its stats make it a viable option at any point in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Its impressive Speed stat helps it get through battles with Electric-type Pokemon, which it is weak to and proves useful against most opponents.

Staryu, Starmie's unevolved form, can be caught using a fishing rod in Sunyshore City and is also available to catch in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's Grand underground. Staryu will evolve into Starmie after players use a Water Stone, which can be found on Route 213.

Starmie's Stats
HP: 60 Attack: 75 Special Attack: 100 Defense: 85 Special Defense: 85 Speed: 115 Total: 520

7 Gardevoir

Gardevoir's enormous Special Attack stat that rivals some legendary Pokemon, along with its Dual Fairy and Psychic-typing, make it a great fit on any team and a nice complimentary Pokemon to any starter the player chooses. An added bonus of its unique typing is a complete immunity to Dragon-type moves, which already pose a serious threat to most players due to their high damage.

Ralts and Kirlia, Gardevoir's prior evolutions, can both be caught on Route 203 and Route 304, and can also be found in the game's Grand Underground. Ralts will evolve into Kirlia at level 20 and Gardevoir at level 30.

Gardevior's Stats
HP: 68 Attack: 65 Special Attack: 125 Defense: 65 Special Defense: 115 Speed: 80 Total: 518

6 Exeggutor

Exeggutor has an impressive Special Attack stat that is difficult for most Pokemon to rival. Its low Speed stat does hinder this a bit, but with access to great Grass-type and Psychic-type moves, this Pokemon can blow through most opponents in only a few turns. The biggest downside of Exeggutor is its 4X damage weakness to Bug-type moves, though this can usually be avoided.

Exeggcute can be caught in Great Marsh by walking in tall grass and evolved into Exeggutor at any level using a Leaf Stone. Players can find a Leaf Stone on Route 225 or in the Great Marsh itself.

Exeggutor's Stats
HP: 95 Attack: 95 Special Attack: 125 Defense: 85 Special Defense: 75 Speed: 55 Total: 530

5 Espeon

Espeon is an iconic Eevee evolution and strong Psychic-type Pokemon. With few weaknesses or resistances, and a strong Special Attack stat, Espeon can hold its own in almost any situation. With a higher HP stat, this Pokemon could excel even more, but it is useful despite it. It also has one of the coolest shiny forms in the game, going from its natural color to a bright green hue.

Eevee can be caught with ease in Trophy Garden by walking in tall grass, though evolving it will require players to raise Eevee's happiness value to 220 during the daytime to evolve into Espeon.

Espeon's Stats
HP: 65 Attack: 65 Special Attack: 130 Defense: 60 Special Defense: 95 Speed: 110 Total: 525

4 Metagross

With a staggering 135 Attack stat and 130 Defense stat, the Pseudo-Legendary Pokemon Metagross is not only one of the best Psychic Pokemon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, but one of the best overall. With stats that rival, if not best, a handful of legendaries, there are very few situations where Metagross isn't useful. An immunity to Poison-type moves and a wide range of other resistances only add to the power of this Pokemon.

Beldum, Metagross' unevolved form, can be caught rarely in tall grass on Route 228 and can be found in the game's Grand Underground. Beldum will evolve into Metang at level 20 and Metagross at level 45.

Metagross' Stats:
HP: 80 Attack: 135 Special Attack: 95 Defense: 130 Special Defense: 90 Speed: 70 Total: 600

3 Medicham

Medicham is a Fighting/Psychic Pokemon. This typing is good overall. While it only has two resistances in Rock and Fighting, it also only has three weaknesses in Ghost, Flying, and Fairy. Offensively it's pretty strong. It hits seven types – Rock, Steel, Normal, Ice, Poison, Fighting, and Dark – for double damage, with only Psychic resisting both STABs.

Medicham's movepool is more than usable, as it learns good attacking moves from both Fighting and Psychic, the elemental punches, and some good supporting moves.

Medicham only has two Abilities, Telepathy and Pure Power. Telepathy simply makes it so that in Double Battles, Medicham cannot hit its partner Pokemon with moves like Surf or Discharge. Only useful in Doubles, and definitely inferior to Pure Power. Pure Power has a very basic but powerful effect. Simply put, it doubles whatever Medicham's current Attack stat is. This actually makes Medicham's mediocre Attack stat very strong, allowing it to KO Pokemon easily.

Wild Meditite are located on Routes 208, 210, 211, 216, 217, the Acuity Lakefront, and Mt. Coronet.

Medicham's Stats
HP: 60 Attack: 60 Special Attack: 60 Defense: 75 Special Defense: 75 Speed: 80 Total: 410

2 Xatu

Xatu standing in a misty forest in the Pokemon anime

Xatu is a Psychic-Flying type Pokemon. Psychic/Flying as a combination is rather average. It has five weaknesses in Ghost, Electric, Dark, Ice, and Rock, and it has some decent resistances to Grass, Psychic, a 4x resistance to Fighting, and an immunity to Ground.

Xatu hits Fighting, Poison, Grass, and Bug for super effective damage, although neither of its types can hit Steel for neutral damage, which is somewhat of a big deal. Xatu is also held back by its somewhat lacking offensive movepool.

Xatu's Abilities are Synchronize, Early Bird, and Magic Bounce. Synchronize passes any status conditions it receives onto its opponent. Very useful. Early Bird reduces the number of turns Xatu is asleep for. Situational, not the best. Magic Bounce reflects the effect of all stat-lowering status moves status conditions moves, entry hazards, and moves like Taunt and Torment, back to the opponent. This is extraordinarily helpful, this is definitely the Ability to get.

Wild Natu (Xatu's pre-evolution) can be found on Route 224 as a Swarm.

Xatu's Stats
HP: 65 Attack: 75 Special Attack: 95 Defense: 70 Special Defense: 70 Speed: 70 Total: 470

1 Wobbufett

Wobbuffet's stats are weird. However, this is one of the best Psychic Pokemon to use in the single-player game. Wobbuffet's defining trait is that it cannot attack, it can only counterattack. As such, the Moves Counter and Mirror Coat are Wobbuffet's only attacking options. This isn't what makes it good, however.

Wobbufett has a ridiculously high HP stat, meaning it can survive some heavy hits even with its low defenses. The way Counter and Mirror Coat work is that they take the last Physical or Special hit respectively, and hits the opponent with it for double the damage Wobbuffet has taken. Think about that. Double the damage. That is an insane multiplier. Because of this, Wobbuffet can KO Pokemon significantly stronger than it.

Also, thanks to its Shadow Tag Ability which prevents non-Ghost Pokemon from escaping, most opponents fighting Wobbufett are forced to stay until they KO it. What makes this strategy so effective in single-player is that Pokemon AI is very predictable. All the player needs to do is know when to use Counter or Mirror Coat at the right time, and suddenly they'll be getting a bunch of easy KO's.

Wild Wobbufett can be found at any of the 3 lakes using the Poke Radar.