With a unique set of designs and sky-high stats, it’s no wonder why Psychic-types have become a fan-favorite for many. And if you’re revisiting Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire (or any of the Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald games) then here’s a list of some great Psychic-types for your Hoenn journey.
5. Claydol
Claydol is a unique Psychic-type, focusing on defense and support rather than all-out attack. We’ll have to get a little creative to bring out this underrated Pokémon’s potential. Let’s start with Toxic, the move we’ll be using as soon as Claydol enters the battlefield, to whittle down the opponent whilst Claydol tanks their hits. Toxic (TM06) can be found in the Fiery Path that connects the two halves of Route 112. Once you have that set up, use Light Screen (found in Lilycove Department Store) to buff the entire party’s special defense for the next five turns. To make the most of the party’s limited-time buff, we’ll send Claydol out with a bang by using Self-Destruct to deal some massive damage (and faint Claydol in the process). We’ll then fill Claydol’s final move slot with Extrasensory, in case you need to use this ‘mon as a last-resort attacker. Extrasensory is learned naturally at level 31. How to catch: Catch Baltoy in the Route 111 Desert, then raise it to level 36 to evolve it into Claydol.
4. Gallade
Gallade is too often overlooked by its fan-favorite sister. Its rare Psychic/Fighting-typing, as well as its focus on physical attack, make it a unique choice that deserves to be considered. Although Gallade received a mega form in ORAS, we unfortunately won’t be able to make use of it until we get its mega stone – right at the end of the post-game Delta Episode. So for this build we’ll start off with Swords Dance to buff its already high attack stat, then follow it up with a Close Combat or Psycho Cut, Gallade’s best STAB moves. And all three moves are learned naturally:
Swords Dance (Level 26) Close Combat (Level 53) Psycho Cut (Level 31)
Make sure to also temporarily teach Gallade Focus Blast to make sure it has some Fighting-type STAB on the long journey to level 53. Then for Gallade’s final move, we’ll cover its weakness to Flying-type attacks by teaching it the Stone Edge with TM71, found in Lilycove Department Store. How to catch: Catch a Male Ralts on Route 102, then raise it to level 20 to evolve it into Kirlia. Find a Dawn Stone in Victory Road, Sea Mauville, or through completing the bonus Super Training mission, ‘Those Long Shots Are No Long Shot!’. Then use the Dawn Stone on Kirlia to evolve it into Gallade. Bear in mind that since Gallade is a Gen 4 Pokémon, it will only appear in the Gen 6 Hoenn games.
3. Espeon
Espeon is a great example of the quintessential Psychic-type Pokémon: a fast and powerful attacker with low HP and physical defense. Let’s set it up to sweep the enemy team by using Calm Mind to buff its special stats, before launching into some high-powered special moves. You’ll pick up TM04 for Calm Mind after beating Mossdeep City Gym. For STAB, Espeon will learn Psybeam at level 20, which can be replaced by the superior Psychic at level 37. We can then use the remainder of Espeon’s moves to cover some of its weaknesses, starting with Ghost-types. Shadow Ball can be picked up from Mt.Pyre, and should deal with any Ghost-types, as long as Espeon can outspeed them. If you’re playing the Gen 6 games, we can pick up Dazzling Gleam from Route 123 to one-shot any Dark-types that would take out Espeon. How to catch: Catch an Eevee on Route 116, then evolve it into Espeon by raising its happiness during the day. Make sure to avoid training it at night, since then it will evolve into Umbreon.
2. Alakazam
Alakazam is probably the most iconic Psychic-type Pokémon – and it’s for good reason. Its special attack is sky-high, and its STAB moves are ultra-powerful. Add in a new Mega form and Alakazam might be one of the best Pokémon of any type. For a moveset, Reflect is up first at level 26 – this is a move that we can use to offset Alakazam’s low physical defense. We can also combine this with Calm Mind (learned at level 41) if we want to buff its already strong special stats. For offensive moves, we’ll use Psychic (learned at level 38) for STAB damage, as well as Dazzling Gleam for some coverage. Once you reach Slateport City, make sure to head to the market to pick up the Alakazite to unlock Alakazam’s full potential. How to catch: Catch an Abra in Granite Cave, then level it until level 16 where it’ll evolve into Kadabra. Trade Kadabra to another Gen 3 or 6 game (depending on the version you’re playing) and then back again to get your Alakazam.
1. Gardevoir
Gardevoir tops Alakazam. And it’s all thanks to its new Fairy-typing. Prior to Gen 6, Gardevoir was already a fan-favorite Psychic-type, with all the high speed and special stats you’d expect from a Psychic sweeper. Add on the Fairy-type and Gardevoir gains the upper hand against the horde of Dragons you’ll be against towards the end of the game – as well as some coverage for Psychic’s Dark-type weakness. For a moveset build we’ll start with Gardevoir’s new Fairy STAB move, Dazzling Gleam, which will join Psychic as Gardevoir’s primary offensive moves. To make up for the inaccessible Gardevoirite (found in the post-game), we’ll buff these moves with Calm Mind, or protect the team with Light Screen to add some utility to Gardevoir’s moveset. Finally, you can teach Gardevoir Focus Blast to make up for the Steel weakness that the Fairy-typing brings with it. How to catch: Catch a Ralts on Route 102, then evolve it into Kirlia at level 20, followed by Gardevoir at level 30.
