Highlights

  • Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduced new Psychic-type Pokemon that are both visually appealing and powerful.
  • Rabsca and Grumpig are excellent choices for trainers looking to add strong Psychic-types to their team.
  • The legendary Pokemon Iron Boulder, Iron Crown, Metagross, and Lugia are top choices for players seeking powerful and formidable Psychic-type options.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet continue to raise the bar when it comes to creating new Pokemon for players to discover, evolve, and use in battle. This continues to be the case across all eighteen types that Pokemon can be a part of, and the Psychic type is no stranger to this. These great special attackers are super effective against opposing Pokemon that are Fighting or Poison-types.

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Generation 9 saw a couple of new Psychic-types added to the roster, all of which are not only interesting in design but also quite powerful. These are by far the best Psychic-types in the game, including some old must-have Pokemon.

Updated December 21, 2023, by Megan Smith: Paldea Psychic types are some of the best Pokemon in the entirety of the Pokemon franchise, with many players praising these new additions for not only their looks but also the sheer power behind them. It's a surprise to see that so many more were added when the most recent DLC, The Indigo Disk, was released for this generation.

Psychic Paldea Pokemon have therefore increased in number thanks to the addition of entirely new Pokemon and also the return of many classic Pokemon, too. With this in mind, the most powerful, and therefore, the best Paldea Psychic types have changed.

12 Rabsca

EV Yield: 2 Special Attack

The pokedex cover for Rabsca in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

HP

75

Attack

50

Defense

85

Special Attack

115

Special Defense

100

Speed

45

Total

470

Rabsca is quite the hidden gem when it comes to Psychic-types, especially as this is the secondary typing it receives from evolving. Many players don't stop to consider the simple Bug-type Pokemon they encounter while exploring Paldea, and therefore, a good deal of fans fail to realize Rellor's final potential.

After traveling 1000 steps with the Let's Go feature, Rellor will evolve into its Bug/Psychic form of Rabsca. This makes this Pokemon a worthwhile investment for a player's team. Although it doesn't have any signature moves, it still has the potential to learn from a wide range of attacks.

11 Grumpig

EV Yield: 2 Special Defense

The pokedex cover for Grumpig in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

HP

80

Attack

45

Defense

65

Special Attack

90

Special Defense

110

Speed

80

Total

470

Lechonk may be the newest pig in the region, but players shouldn't forget about the once much-loved Grumpig from the third generation of Pokemon games. Another purely Psychic-type Pokemon, its pre-evolution, Spoink, can be found early on. Grumpig is a great addition to any beginner trainer's team, as it only evolves at level thirty-two.

Players can thank Grumpig for the move Magic Coat, as before Gen 4, this was once a signature move of the manipulative psychic pig. Many fans still adore this Pokemon, though it may no longer be as useful.

10 Veluza

EV Yield: 2 Attack

The pokedex cover image for Veluza in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

HP

90

Attack

102

Defense

73

Special Attack

78

Special Defense

65

Speed

70

Total

478

Veluza may not be as powerful as other Psychic-types throughout the Pokemon franchise. However, this fish can still make a decent addition to a Pokemon Scarlet and Violet player's team.

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Although its design may suggest that Veluza would be a Steel-type, it is actually a Water/Psychic type that even comes with its own signature move. Fillet Away increases Veluza's damage significantly at the cost of half its health. This can, therefore, make it quite a dangerous opponent if used at the right moment.

9 Espathra

EV Yield: 2 Speed

The pokedex cover for Espathra in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

HP

95

Attack

60

Defense

60

Special Attack

101

Special Defense

60

Speed

105

Total

481

The pure Psychic-type, Espathra, may not be one of the greatest Psychic-types available. However, the positive of this Ostrich Pokemon comes from how easily players can evolve one from the start of the game. Flittle is incredibly common, and therefore, players in dire need of a Psychic-type are sure to stumble upon this option.

Similar to Veluza, Espathra is another Pokemon that has a signature move. Players have the chance to learn Lumina Crash with it. Not only is this an incredibly deadly shape of light, but it also drastically lowers the opponent's Special Defense.

8 Gardevoir

EV Yield: 3 Special Attack

Gardevoir raid battle in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

HP

68

Attack

65

Defense

65

Special Attack

125

Special Defense

115

Speed

80

Total

518

One of the most-loved Pokemon in the entirety of the Pokemon franchise, this Gen 3 Pokemon is by far one of the best Psychic-type Pokemon available to players. While the alternate evolution, Gallade, is just as powerful, the combination of Psychic/Fairy is not something many should go up against.

As one of the few Psychic-types to have three evolutions, Gardevoir was unrivaled by many as one of the best Psychic-types until Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

7 Farigiraf

EV Yield: 3 HP

Girafraig evolving into Farigiraf in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

HP

120

Attack

90

Defense

70

Special Attack

110

Special Defense

70

Speed

60

Total

520

In addition to entirely new Pokemon being added, Game Freak has also included new evolutions for already existing members of the franchise. One Psychic-type example of this is Girafarig's evolution. If a player levels up this Long Neck Pokemon while it knows the move Twin Beam, the Pokemon will evolve to its new form.

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Twin Beam is a new Psychic-type move introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, which only these two Pokemon can learn. However, the reason players will want to evolve them further is the new special ability, Armor Tail, which only Farigiraf can have.

6 Armarouge

EV Yield: 2 Special Attack

The pokedex cover for Armarouge in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

HP

85

Attack

60

Defense

100

Special Attack

125

Special Defense

80

Speed

75

Total

525

The new Fire-type Pokemon, Charcadet, has two possible evolutions, depending on the version of the game. In Scarlet, it's Armarouge, turning this tiny knight into a warrior of Fire/Psychic abilities. It's also the only Pokemon to know the special move Armor Cannon, which not only deals damage but also lowers the target's defensive stats.

However, those that have Pokemon Violet will not be able to evolve Charcadet to this evolution due to it being a Scarlet exclusive. Those who have Violet will instead evolve Charcadet to Ceruledge, a Fire/Ghost-type Pokemon. Players will need to trade to get this Pokemon otherwise.

5 Scream Tail

EV Yield: 3 HP

The pokedex cover for Scream Tail in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

HP

115

Attack

65

Defense

99

Special Attack

65

Special Defense

115

Speed

111

Total

570

Dethroning the queen of Psychic-types is the Scarlet-exclusive Paradox Pokemon, Scream Tail. Its appearance suggests that Scream Tail may have been an ancestor of Jigglypuff. Unlike the Gen 1 Normal/Fairy type, Scream Tail is instead a Fairy/Psychic-type like Gardevoir, making it incredibly overpowered to use in battle.

Unfortunately, as it is a Scarlet exclusive, those who own Pokemon Violet will not be able to catch this Pokemon in the wild. They will instead need to trade with a trainer to have their own Scream Tail.

4 Iron Boulder

EV Yield: 3 Speed

Iron Boulder in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

HP

90

Attack

120

Defense

80

Special Attack

68

Special Defense

108

Speed

124

Total

590

The latest DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet saw a variety of Psychic Pokemon being added to the game. Many of these were legendary Pokemon that players are sure to want to catch, not only to complete the Pokedex but also to have on their team.

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Although the Iron Boulder may be a large Pokemon that is a dual-type of Psychic and Rock, it is surprisingly agile, allowing it to certainly be the first to move during a turn with a heavy force of damage behind each hit.

3 Iron Crown

EV Yield: 3 Special Attack

Iron Crown from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

HP

90

Attack

72

Defense

100

Special Attack

122

Special Defense

108

Speed

98

Total

590

Alternatively to Iron Boulder is another legendary Pokemon known as Iron Crown. This combines the types of Psychic with Steel, making for a perfect addition to a team that is looking for a Pokemon that can hit hard while being vulnerable to only a few things.

Besides only being available to players that have The Indigo Disk DLC, this is another Pokemon like Iron Boulder that can only be caught by those that have Pokemon Violet. Therefore, those with Scarlet can only get this prize pocket monster through trading with someone with a Violet copy of the game.

2 Metagross

EV Yield: 3 Defense

Metagross in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

HP

80

Attack

135

Defense

130

Special Attack

95

Special Defense

90

Speed

70

Total

600

Besides legendary Pokemon returning to The Indigo Disk, players can also catch a variety of Psudo-legendary Pokemon, too. These tiny pocket monsters can evolve three times, and therefore, with enough dedication, a player can once again have the brutal Metagross on their team.

This Pokemon, like Iron Crown, is a dual-type Pokemon that combines Psychic with Steel, though this one has a much higher defense while also having a great attack buff, making it a brilliant addition to any player's team, especially when competing in double-battles.

1 Lugia

EV Yield: 3 Special Defense

Lugia vocalizes a screech in the deep ocean in Pokemon

HP

106

Attack

90

Defense

130

Special Attack

90

Special Defense

154

Speed

110

Total

680

The Indigo Disk also provides players with plenty of other legendary Pokemon from past games. One great example of this is the glorious Flying Psychic-type, Lugia. This glorious Pokemon can be found hanging out in the water of Paldea, waiting to be captured by the player.

Once they have caught the game mascot of Pokemon Silver, players will feel as if their team has truly been completed. With The Indigo Disk installed, it's possible to have a whole team of legendaries, and Lugia is the best option to include.

pokemon scarlet and violet games
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Platform(s)
Switch
Released
November 18, 2022
Developer(s)
Game Freak
Genre(s)
RPG