Get a peek at Solgaleo's Radiant Sun phase and Lunala's Full Moon phase! #PokemonSunMoon https://t.co/nrEkLTWxXw pic.twitter.com/rrTo8f48rg
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) June 14, 2016
Psychic types were vicious in the first generation. Unchecked, it was next to impossible to one-shot them because all Bug Pokemon would faint before you could even land a good hit. That dual Poison-typing was not doing them any favors. However since then, Psychic-types have downgraded by gaining weaknesses to Ghost and Dark-type moves. However these Pokemon are still highly favored because Psychic moves still do pack a punch and most Psychic Pokemon come with a good to insane Sp. Attack stat.
The advent of more powerful Bug Pokemon and more means that psychic types have to become more creative. Diverse movepools and more are necessary. But who is good in the new Sun & Moon games? Let’s take a look at the new ones!
5. Alolan Raichu
The Raichu in Alola have two types—Electric and Psychic! #PokemonSunMoon pic.twitter.com/zToXChBVTX
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) August 11, 2016
- National Pokedex: 26
Sadly, up until this point, Raichu has not only been a pain in the neck to get, it was not worth the effort put into it. It was a pure Electric-type which left it wide open to Ground-type attacks that would rip a hole into it. While it still does have that weakness, the new Psychic-typing addition really helps it. If you use it correctly, that is. Alolan Raichu has Surge Surfer which doubles its speed when Electric Terrain is in effect. Useful for sure, but it already has a 110 in Speed meaning that not a whole lot is going to outspeed it. However, you can certainly put that to use and your benefit. It has a 95 in Sp. Attack and an 85 in both Sp. Defense and Attack. Sadly, its Defense is a measly 50, so you really have to tread lightly.
For moves, either Thunderbolt or Thunder needs to be carried over from Pikachu. You can keep Psychic from when it evolves into Raichu to get your STAB moves. As for the other two moves, the choice is really yours. Since its stats lean towards sweeping, Volt Switch would be a good idea for when you have types switch in where you do not have the upper hand. That being said though, Grass Knot is a good idea for those Ground-types that will trip you up. You can teach it Brick Break, if you do not mind the downgrade in power, or you can teach it Focus Blast, if you do not mind the gamble with accuracy, for those pesky Dark-types. The choice is yours for how you will run it.
4. Tapu Lele
Tapu Lele is Akala Island's guardian deity. Its Ability, Psychic Surge, is one that no Pokémon has had before! #PokemonSunMoon pic.twitter.com/QQvNA7u4YB
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) October 27, 2016
- National Pokedex: 786
Tapu Lele drove us nuts while we tried to capture it. Yet again, this poke is another one of the Guardian Deities and lesser legendary pokemon within the game. Tapu Lele is Psychic/Fairy in type and comes with a great amount of resistances and only three weaknesses: Poison, Dark, and Ghost. Its ability is Psychic Surge triggers Psychic Terrain. This means a few things for your team that you should be aware of. Nature power now becomes Psychic. If the pokemon is on the ground, then all psychic moves are powered up by 50%. Also anything with a Speed Priority of one or more is ignored.
For stats, it has a fantastic 130 in Sp. Attack, 115 in Sp. Defense, and a 95 in Speed. The other stats are okay and you can certainly allocate EVs to Defense if you would like to make it more bulky, but still be able to pack a punch. Keep Psychic on your list of moves for STAB because you would be foolish not to. Moonblast will help with your Fairy-type STAB move. It can learn Shadow Ball to help with Ghost types but the closest you can get to a Steel-effective move is Grass Knot if you want accuracy, or if you know you can tank a hit, then Focus Blast. Really though, the choice is yours. Just be careful not to get checked easily.
3. Lunala
Lunala is constantly absorbing light and converting it into energy. #PokemonSunMoon pic.twitter.com/QjpnNxXOAy
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) June 2, 2016
- National Pokedex: 792
Lunala is the legendary of Pokemon Moon and is nothing short of a terror in battle and either game, if you can get it that is. Night ghost/bat thing Lunala comes with the ability Shadow Shield which allows it to take less damage if its HP is at full. Psychic and Ghost in type, it has no normal weaknesses, but it does have two 4x weaknesses. These are Dark and Ghost. It’s ugly and true, but there are easy ways to make sure that those types and moves do not check you. Before moves though, let’s look at stats.
Lunala’s HP and Sp. Attack are tied for an insane 137, a 113 in Attack, 107 in Sp. Attack. It also has 97 in Speed. What have we learned about this Pokémon? It may not always strike first, but with Shadow Shield, it will always be around to land that falling blow on the opponent. In fact, it really only needs three moves to be set. Moongeist Beam ignores all typing, meaning that you can get that 137 STAB attack off without blinking and sends fragile Ghost-types packing. Moonblast makes your Dark-type foes faint while Psychic is just there for STAB. So what to do with the final spot? Easy. Roost. This will allow Lunala to top off its HP and set it up for multiple Shadow Shields. Don’t take our word for it; try it out yourself!
2. Solgaleo
Solgaleo's body holds a vast amount of energy, and it shines with light when it is active. #PokemonSunMoon pic.twitter.com/P6pfMYQ4WY
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) June 2, 2016
- National Pokedex: 791
Solgaleo looks cool as all get out in Shiny form, and he is the legendary for Pokémon Sun. Steel/Psychic in type, it is a beast, but it does trade what Lunala has in two 4x weaknesses, for four normal weaknesses; namely Fire, Ground, Darkness, and Ghost. Three of which are commonly used, but don’t let that intimidate you; he is still good. Its ability, Full Metal Body, renders all stat changes against it useless, however this really only excels the best with its Steel-type signature move Sunsteel Strike. But let us not get ahead of ourselves. Solgaleo has a 137 in HP and Attack while having a 113 in Sp. Attack, a 107 in Defense and a 97 in Speed.
Those stats are very similar to Lunala’s stats but slightly shuffled to help Solgaleo excel in its own typing. It should also be obvious that you need to focus on physical moves as well as building your move set around what resists Sunsteel Strike. Like Lunala, Solgaleo is going to be banned to Uber tiers so you have to think big competitively. Zen Headbutt is a good deal for your STAB, while you should definitely consider Choice-Banding this beast for Earthquake. You gotta be careful with those Ground and Fire pokes. Primal Groudon is a danger to you. After those basics are covered, think about what else you can use on it. Flare Blitz looks good on paper, but if you are going to be using him competitively, then Wild Charge is better for bulky water types and flying types. The choice is yours, but be smart about it.
1. Necrozma
- National Pokedex: 800
Necrozma is one of the final legendaries that you can catch/receive in Pokemon Sun and Moon. Its pokedex entry hints towards it appearing like Ultra Beasts, but in reality, it appears to have come from another time. Could this be another hint towards a Sinnoh Remake? Anyway, Necrozma is pure Psychic in type and its ability is Prism Power. This ability powers down all super effective moves by 25 percent. It boasts a 127 in Sp. Attack, Lunala has 138, a 101 in Defense, 89 in Sp. Defense, and a 79 in Speed. That Speed is an issue.
Automoize is one way that you can power through it, but at the end of the day, your special defense is still 89. Not bad, but not amazing. However, you could use it as a lead Pokémon and set up Stealth Rock while healing yourself with Moonlight. You can attack with Prismatic Laser if you want power, or Psychic if you don’t want that nasty one turn rest. You could have it throw up a reflect as well. If you want it to attack, then go for Prismatic Laser, Dark Pulse, Mirror Shot, Hidden Power anything or Moonlight to be able to heal yourself. Either way, Necrozma is a serious contender and a terror to behold.
Final Thoughts
Psychic types may struggle a little bit more in this new game since there are so many pokes that can check it. However, that is not going to stop these beasts. Clearly they are still being favored by Game Freak because the type is frequently being used in conjunction major Pokémon. What will come next, is anyone’s guess! What are you using in the new games and who is your favorite Psychic-type? Let us know below!
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