Psyduck's stats barely vary. None sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 1 Sp. Atk EV, medium-fast 1M XP curve to max.
It is constantly wracked by a headache. When the headache turns intense, it begins using mysterious powers.
If its chronic headache peaks, it may exhibit odd powers. It seems unable to recall such an episode.
Type-wise, Psyduck takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
Sinistcha's Shadow Ball hits Psyduck for 46-55%. Magnezone threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (219-258%). Kartana deals 45-54% with Knock Off.
 Sinistcha GrassGhost | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityHospitality ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Psyduck View Sinistcha builds →Shadow Ball46-55% | ||
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityAnalytic ItemChoice Specs NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Psyduck View Magnezone builds →Flash Cannon49-57% Volt Switch 2x171-202%KO Thunderbolt 2x219-258%KO | ||
 Kartana GrassSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Psyduck View Kartana builds →Knock Off45-54% | ||
 Rotom ElectricGhost | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Psyduck View Rotom builds →Volt Switch 2x85-100%KO Shadow Ball48-56% Thunderbolt 2x108-127%KO | ||
Psyduck evolves into Golduck. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A massive partner pool for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 180 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Psyduck easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups.
Psychic coverage is what separates a good sweep from a wasted boost. After Nasty Plot, Psyduck threatens a wide range with spread EVs and Eviolite backing every hit.
Best Build
Psyduck best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Surf
- Nasty Plot
- Ice Beam
- Psychic
Recommended Teammates
Special Attacker Moveset
- Unknown
- Surf
- Metronome
- Clear Smog
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Pivot Moveset
- Flip Turn
- Skill Swap
- Encore
- Fling
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Psychic
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Rain Dance
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Encore
- Disable
- Helping Hand
- Vacuum Wave
Recommended Teammates
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Rain Dance
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Clear Smog
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Rain Dance
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Clear Smog
Recommended Teammates
Moves
TMs define Psyduck's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Hydro Pump and Aqua Tail, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 8 types. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Psyduck's movepool balances level-up moves with TM options. Consistent STAB comes from Hydro Pump and Aqua Tail, and coverage across 7 types keeps opponents from switching in for free. No major gaps here.
Stall teams hate this. Psyduck can spread damage across 10 types, with Normal and Psychic punishing common defensive pivots. STAB from Hydro Pump and Aqua Tail keeps the pressure honest on everything else.
Breeding's the move. Clear Smog and Confuse Ray give Psyduck options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 9 types already covers a decent range on top of Hydro Pump and Aqua Tail. The egg moves push it further.
decent spawn rates for Psyduck across 62 locations in early-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Best Locations to Catch Psyduck in Scarlet & Violet
You can catch Psyduck through 62 walking encounters from Lv. 5-37, but availability differs between Scarlet and Violet. Some spots are exclusive to one version.
Psyduck starts showing up in mid-game routes at decent spawn rates across 7 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Best Locations to Catch Psyduck in Legends: Arceus
Walking encounters at walking across 7 spots for Psyduck. Sorted by progression so you can see what's reachable at your current point in the game.
high spawn rates in early-game water routes across 76 locations. Psyduck's one of the easier catches on the list. Two different catch methods are in play here. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations to Catch Psyduck in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
You can catch Psyduck through 76 surfing and walking encounters from Lv. 5-40, but availability differs between Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Some spots are exclusive to one version.
Psyduck is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 24 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations to Catch Psyduck in Sword & Shield
24 walking encounters at Lv. 10-18 for Psyduck across Sword and Shield. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
Psyduck evolves into Golduck at level 33. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 320 BST.
Psyduck evolves into Golduck at level 33. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.
Psyduck does the job early-game if you need a Water type on your team. Evolve it into Golduck before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Psyduck shows up in 21 games, making it one of the more widely available Pokemon in the series. First catchable in Scarlet & Violet, most recently in Yellow and Red & Blue.
Psyduck has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 21 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves