Is Alakazam Good in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Playthrough?
Trade evolution unlocks one of the fastest, hardest-hitting special attackers available. Tears through Maylene, and reusable TMs let it carry Shadow Ball for Fantina plus Focus Blast for Byron. Glass cannon, but the Sinnoh gauntlet favors speed.
Abra trades roughly evenly with Roark's team.
Kadabra trades roughly evenly with Gardenia's team.
Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Maylene's team.
Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.
Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.
Byron's typing presses Alakazam's defenses.
Alakazam has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.
Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.
Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Aaron's team.
Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Bertha's team.
Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.
Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.
Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.
Catch Abra on Route 203 (walking, Lv 4-5, uncommon).
Your Abra should hit Level 16 before you reach Gardenia, at typical leveling pace.
Most players are ready to trade before reaching Maylene.
How to Get Alakazam in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The chain to Alakazam requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Abra at decent rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
How to Obtain Alakazam in BDSP
To get Alakazam, start by catching Abra through walking encounters at Lv. 4-47. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Alakazam Weakness
Bug, Ghost, and Dark moves hit Alakazam for super-effective damage. Alakazam's special bulk (base 95 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Bug, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fighting, Psychic |
What is Alakazam Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Alakazam
 Kricketune Bug | C | |
 Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Surskit builds →Shadow Ball 2x35-42% Thief 2x30-37% | ||
 Beautifly Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Beautifly builds →Bug Buzz 2x87-104%KO Shadow Ball 2x54-65% Thief 2x50-61% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Surskit builds →Shadow Ball 2x37-43% Thief 2x33-39% | ||
 Masquerain Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Masquerain builds →Bug Buzz 2x87-102%KO Shadow Ball 2x51-61% Thief 2x45-54% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Beautifly Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Beautifly builds →Bug Buzz 2x87-102%KO Shadow Ball 2x51-61% Thief 2x49-59% | ||
 Haunter GhostPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Haunter builds →Shadow Ball 2x87-102%KO Dark Pulse 2x57-68% | ||
 Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Absol builds →Night Slash 2x139-165%KO X-Scissor 2x107-127%KO Shadow Claw 2x93-110%KO | ||
Masquerain Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Masquerain builds →Bug Buzz 2x87-102%KO Shadow Ball 2x51-61% Thief 2x45-54% | ||
Haunter GhostPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Haunter builds →Shadow Ball 2x87-102%KO Dark Pulse 2x57-68% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Beautifly Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Beautifly builds →Bug Buzz 2x87-102%KO Shadow Ball 2x51-61% Thief 2x49-59% | ||
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Absol builds →Night Slash 2x138-163%KO X-Scissor 2x106-125%KO Shadow Claw 2x92-108%KO | ||
Masquerain Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Masquerain builds →Bug Buzz 2x84-100%KO Shadow Ball 2x49-58% Thief 2x44-52% | ||
Haunter GhostPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Haunter builds →Shadow Ball 2x82-97% Dark Pulse 2x54-65% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Beautifly Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Beautifly builds →Bug Buzz 2x84-100%KO Shadow Ball 2x49-58% Thief 2x49-58% | ||
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Absol builds →Night Slash 2x138-163%KO X-Scissor 2x104-122%KO Shadow Claw 2x92-109%KO | ||
 Skuntank PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Skuntank builds →Sucker Punch 2x104-122%KO Shadow Claw 2x69-82% | ||
Masquerain Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Masquerain builds →Bug Buzz 2x82-96% Shadow Ball 2x50-58% Thief 2x43-50% | ||
Haunter GhostPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Haunter builds →Shadow Ball 2x82-96% Dark Pulse 2x54-64% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Absol builds →Night Slash 2x138-162%KO X-Scissor 2x104-123%KO Shadow Claw 2x92-108%KO | ||
Skuntank PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Skuntank builds →Sucker Punch 2x103-122%KO Shadow Claw 2x68-81% | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Weavile builds →Assurance 2x110-130%KO X-Scissor 2x96-114%KO Shadow Claw 2x86-101%KO | ||
Masquerain Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Masquerain builds →Bug Buzz 2x82-97% Shadow Ball 2x49-58% Thief 2x42-50% | ||
Beautifly Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Beautifly builds →Bug Buzz 2x82-97% Shadow Ball 2x49-58% Thief 2x47-56% | ||
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Absol builds →Night Slash 2x138-162%KO X-Scissor 2x104-123%KO Shadow Claw 2x92-108%KO | ||
Skuntank PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Skuntank builds →Sucker Punch 2x103-122%KO Shadow Claw 2x68-81% | ||
Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Weavile builds →Assurance 2x110-130%KO X-Scissor 2x96-114%KO Shadow Claw 2x86-101%KO | ||
Masquerain Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Masquerain builds →Bug Buzz 2x82-97% Shadow Ball 2x49-58% Thief 2x42-50% | ||
Beautifly Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Beautifly builds →Bug Buzz 2x82-97% Shadow Ball 2x49-58% Thief 2x47-56% | ||
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Absol builds →Night Slash 2x140-165%KO X-Scissor 2x107-127%KO Shadow Claw 2x93-110%KO | ||
Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Weavile builds →Night Slash 2x131-154%KO X-Scissor 2x99-117%KO Shadow Claw 2x87-103%KO | ||
Skuntank PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Skuntank builds →Sucker Punch 2x107-126%KO Shadow Claw 2x71-84% | ||
 Cacturne GrassDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Cacturne builds →Dark Pulse 2x81-96% Pin Missile 2x31-37% | ||
 Banette Ghost | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Banette builds →Phantom Force 2x163-192%KO Sucker Punch 2x84-99% | ||
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Dragapult can KO Alakazam with Shadow Ball (136-160%). Toxapex's Knock Off hits Alakazam for 43-51%. Genesect's U-turn also KOs at 163-191%.
 Dragapult DragonGhost | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityInfiltrator ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Dragapult builds →Draco Meteor110-129%KO U Turn 2x79-93% Shadow Ball 2x136-160%KO Flamethrower51-60% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemBlack Sludge NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Toxapex builds →Scald15-18% Knock Off 2x43-51% | ||
 Genesect BugSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDownload ItemChoice Scarf NatureHasty Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Genesect builds →U Turn 2x163-191%KO | ||
 Hydreigon DarkDragon | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Alakazam View Hydreigon builds →Dark Pulse 2x158-186%KO Draco Meteor128-151%KO Flamethrower59-70% | ||
Alakazam Evolutions
Alakazam evolved from Abra's chain using a trade. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Abra eggs (average hatch time). The evolution from Abra pushed Alakazam to 500 total stats. Sp.Def saw the largest single gain at +40. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Alakazam to get Abra eggs easily using 39 partners from the Humanshape egg group. Notable egg moves include Ally Switch, Confusion, Encore and 9 more.
BDSP Alakazam Best Moveset
Held A-tier through the remake with hidden AbilityMagic Guard blocking all indirect damage and the Gen 6 Sp. Def buff pushing it to 95. 135 Sp. Atk at 120 Speed gives the moveset one of the fastest special attacks in the format. The original Gen 4 Alakazam was fast and strong; this version is fast, strong, and immune to gradual damage.
Best Build
Alakazam best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Energy Ball
Moves List
Coverage runs deep. Alakazam can hit 10 types beyond STAB, including Electric and Fairy. The offense anchors on Future Sight and Dream Eater while TMs handle everything else.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
Its superb memory lets it recall everything it has experienced from birth. Its IQ exceeds 5,000.
Its highly developed brain is on par with a supercomputer. It can use all forms of psychic abilities.
Alakazam Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Guide
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Alakazam looks average on paper at 500 BST. But Magic Guard is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. B-Tier sweeper on our tier list. Shadow Ball with Life Orb is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, but Alakazam does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Alakazam hits 600 BST.
No. Alakazam is not catchable in the wild. It only comes from trade-evolving Kadabra. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Kadabra to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required.
Alakazam gets Magic Guard, Synchronize, and Inner Focus. But Magic Guard is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that. With base 120 Speed, Magic Guard gives Alakazam an edge before opponents can react.
Game Availability
Available since Red & Blue, Alakazam appears in 21 games spanning 10 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained a Mega form in Generation 6.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves