Psychic (type)

The **Psychic type** (Japanese: **エスパータイプ** *Esper type*) is one of the eighteen types. Notable Trainers who specialize in Psychic-type Pokémon are Sabrina of Saffron City, Will of the Indigo Plateau Elite Four, Tate and Liza of Mossdeep City, Lucian of the Sinnoh Elite Four, Caitlin of the Battle Castle and the Unova Elite Four, Olympia of Anistar City, Dexio, and Faba of the Aether Foundation. Prior to changes in Generation IV, all damaging Psychic-type moves were special, but they may now also be physical depending on the attack.

## Characteristics

### Defense

Prior to Generation VI, {{Steel}}/Psychic types were exempt from Psychic's three weaknesses, but since Steel no longer resists Dark and Ghost, this is no longer the case.

### Offense

A drawback of Psychic-type moves is that they do not affect Dark Pokémon, although this immunity can be removed with Miracle Eye. The immunity, along with resistances to Psychic, can also be circumvented with coverage moves such as Ground attacks.

When Psychic Terrain is in effect, the power of Psychic-type moves are increased by 50% if the user is on the ground.

### Contest properties

When used in Contests, Psychic-type moves are typically Clever moves, but can also be of the other four Contest types, excluding Tough.

### Generation I balance issues

In the Generation I games, Psychic-type Pokémon were at the center of a balance issue. As the results, the issue was rectified since Generation II with the addition of {{Steel}} and {{Dark}} types, an added weakness to Ghost moves (as opposed of previously being immune to them), as well as some moves that are strong against Psychic types.

## Pokémon

As of Generation VII, there are 85 Psychic-type Pokémon or 10.5% of all Pokémon (counting those that are Psychic-type in at least one of their forms, including Alola Forms), making it the 5th most common type.

## Abilities

### Interacting with the Psychic type

A Pokémon with Color Change, Protean, Imposter, RKS System, or Multitype will become a Psychic-type Pokémon if (respectively) it is hit with a Psychic-type move, uses a Psychic-type move, is sent out against a Psychic-type opponent, is holding a Psychic Memory, or is holding a Mind Plate or Psychium Z.

A Darmanitan with Zen Mode will also change from a Fire-type into a dual Fire/Psychic-type form upon losing more than 50% of its HP.

### Exclusive Abilities

Only Psychic-type Pokémon can have these Abilities. This does not include signature Abilities.

## In the TCG

*Main article: Psychic (TCG)*
Due to the decreased amount of types in the TCG, Psychic generally adopts all Ghost Pokémon under its typing. It also adopted Poison Pokémon after the Template:TCG set, whereas previously they were a part of the Template:TCG-type.

Similar to the games, Psychic-type Pokémon in the TCG are generally weak to other Psychic Pokémon, with no resistances. Psychic-type Pokémon are strong against Template:TCG (until Diamond & Pearl), Template:TCG and Template:TCG Pokémon, whilst Template:TCG, Template:TCG and Template:TCG Pokémon can resist this type.

## Trivia

* Generation III introduced the most Psychic-type Pokémon of any generation, with 20, and Generation VI introduced the fewest Psychic-type Pokémon, with six.
* Generation I introduced the most Psychic-type moves of any generation, with 15, and Generation VI introduced the fewest Psychic-type moves with only one.
* Psychic is the most common type for Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, with at least two Psychic-type Legendary or Mythical Pokémon introduced in each generation (except Generation VI, which has only introduced one) for a total of 19 (out of 71).
* Psychic is the only type that shares its name with a move and a Trainer Class.
* There has been one Psychic-type type expert in every generation.
* The Psychic type could be considered a special counterpart to the {{Fighting}} type:
	+ The Psychic type's highest average stat is Special Attack, while the Fighting type's is Attack.
	+ The Psychic type is the only former special type to not have any of its old moves changed into physical moves, while the Fighting type is the only former physical type to not have any of its old moves changed into special moves.
	+ Counter and Mirror Coat, moves countering physical and special attacks are, respectively, Fighting- and Psychic-type moves.
	+ Bulk Up and Calm Mind, moves raising physical and special stats are, respectively, Fighting- and Psychic-type moves.
* A Pokémon cannot have a double resistance to Psychic without being a Psychic type itself.
	+ However, a Psychic-type Pokémon also cannot have a double resistance to more than one type.
* Rattled, an Ability introduced in Generation V, is affected by the weaknesses of the Psychic type.

## References

1. ↑  Sugimori, Ken *"Psychic Pokémon seemed to dominate in the previous Pokémon game, so we needed to come up with new Pokémon and types to make Pokémon Gold and Silver more balanced."* Nintendo Power 134 (July 2000) p. 79 (retrieved August 16, 2010)

de:Psycho
es:Tipo psíquico
fr:Psy
it:Psico
ja:エスパー
zh:超能力（属性）