With the powers that Psychic-type Pokémon seem to possess, their moves sometimes work in strange or unusual ways. These mysterious Pokémon have captured fans' attention since Generation I, and players love working out the secrets behind them.
Since they tend towards high Special Attack, Psychic-types have the potential to do massive damage in Pokémon battles. Every generation has contributed new ways for these Pokémon to harness their mental powers—but which generation gave the best new attack? With the exception of game-exclusive Z-Moves and Max Moves, here's a ranking of the strongest Psychic-type attack from every generation of Pokémon games.
8 Gen IV: Zen Headbutt
With its base damage clocking in at 80, Zen Headbutt does impressive damage and carries a 20% chance to make the target flinch. Its base accuracy, though, measures at only 90%: not bad, but not the best, especially for a move with under 100 power.
As one of only a handful of physical Psychic-type attacks, Zen Headbutt adds a bit of variety to the move pool and helps make this type more versatile. It is by no means a weak move, especially with the flinching effect. However, its base damage and accuracy rank a bit lower than most other moves on this list.
7 Gen VI: Hyperspace Hole
At 80 base power, Hyperspace Hole feels a little lackluster compared to Hoopa's other signature move, which has 100. However, it shares the distinction of bypassing accuracy checks to hit every time. It can even affect opposing Pokémon under the effects of moves like Protect. This makes it a good method of taking out slippery foes.
Since Hoopa is a mythical Pokémon, though, its signature move is equally rare and many players may never get the chance to use it. Its PP is also low for a move of its base power, at only five. It's a powerful attack, but it comes with drawbacks.
6 Gen VIII: Freezing Glare
Galarian Articuno's signature move boasts 90 base power and 100% accuracy, making this legendary bird a worthy addition to any team. With this legendary bird's incredibly high Special Attack, it can use Freezing Glare to take out even the toughest of foes.
This attack is also the only Psychic-type move capable of freezing the target. With a 10% chance to inflict this status condition, Freezing Glare has the potential to not only cause impressive damage, but incapacitate opponents as well. However, even with 90 base damage, other moves on this list allow Psychic-types to take their power to even greater levels.
5 Gen I: Dream Eater
Any move that simultaneously heals the user and damages opponents deserves a place in a Pokémon team's move pool. With 100 base power and 100% accuracy, this HP-stealing move restores the user by 50% of the damage done to the target.
Dream Eater only works if the target is asleep, usually requiring the player to take an extra turn inducing this status. Fortunately, many Pokémon who can learn this attack can also learn sleep-inducing moves such as Hypnosis. Pairing two such moves together makes an excellent combination, disabling opponents and then draining their health.
4 Gen V: Synchronoise
A massively powerful move, Synchronoise also boasts 100% accuracy, rare for a move with 120 base power. However, this attack only does damage if the target shares at least one type with the user, making it a bit more niche and situational than some other Psychic-type attacks.
This attack also affects ally Pokémon in double battles; however, players can circumvent this issue by using allies of different types. All in all, Synchronoise is a powerful move, but it's important for the player to be aware of their opponent's types when using it.
3 Gen II: Future Sight
The drawback to Future Sight is that the player waits not just one, but two turns before it hits its target. However, with 120 base power and 100% accuracy, the wait is worth it. Learnable by dozens of Pokémon across the franchise, this move deals devastating damage when it finally lands.
If the original target faints or is withdrawn, Future Sight will still hit whatever Pokémon replaced it. It even ignores the effects of protection moves, like Detect or Baneful Bunker. With ten PP, Future Sight can be used to sweep opposing teams—as long as players have a little patience.
2 Gen III: Psycho Boost
With 140 base damage and 90% accuracy, Psycho Boost is a worthy signature move for the otherworldly Deoxys. However, as recoil for the huge power it unleashes, this attack lowers the user's Special Attack by two stages. Thus, it's best used only once or twice per battle, since its strength drastically decreases with each use.
Like Hyperspace Hole, this attack is incredibly rare due to being a mythical Pokémon's signature move. For example, since no Deoxys event has been held in Gen VIII, no Sword and Shield players can currently use Psycho Boost.
1 Gen VII: Prismatic Laser
Packing a whopping 160 base power, this is an appropriately powerful signature move for the legendary Necrozma. In addition to its staggering damage, Prismatic Laser also boasts 100% accuracy and ten PP. Such a high chance to hit and so many uses are unprecedented for such a powerful move.
The only drawback to this attack is its recharge time. After expending so much energy, the user cannot move on its next turn. However, this is a small price to pay for the blinding power that Prismatic Laser lets loose upon Necrozma's foes.