Utility
Balanced
320Low
55Slow
DTier

Psyduck is technically a pre-evolution of Golduck, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Swift Swim doubles its Speed in rain, adding extra value. Known as the Duck Pokemon. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets.

Psyduck's stats barely vary. 0 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.

Base Stats
320Avg
HP50
D
Attack52
D
Defense48
D
Sp. Atk65
C
Sp. Def50
D
Speed55
D
Total320
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Psyduck yields +1 SpA
HPAtkDefSpA+1SpDSpe
Details
Catch190EasyMedium Fast1M XP0.8m / 2'07"19.6kg / 43.2 lbs64Base XP
Pokedex Entries

PSYDUCK uses a mysterious power. When it does so, this POKéMON generates brain waves that are supposedly only seen in sleepers. This discovery spurred controversy among scholars.

Ruby

If it uses its mysterious power, PSYDUCK can’t remember having done so. It apparently can’t form a memory of such an event because it goes into an altered state that is much like deep sleep.

Sapphire

Psyduck Weakness

Good

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.

Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
4xCriticali
None
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Scorei0
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
DampPrevents self destruct, explosion, and aftermath from working while the Pokémon is in battle.
Cloud NineNegates all effects of weather, but does not prevent the weather itself.
Swift SwimHADoubles Speed during rain.

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.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Psyduck
Water
Golduck
Water
HP
50
80+30
ATK
52
82+30
DEF
48
78+30
SP.ATK
65
95+30
SP.DEF
50
80+30
SPE
55
85+30
BST
320D-Tier
500C-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Mixed
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed Psyduck easily with 102 breeding partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Cross Chop, Foresight, Future Sight and 5 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
GroundWater1
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
8moves
Breed With (best first)
raichuazumarillpikachunidokinggolduckampharosblastoiseferaligatrkingdraswampertrhydonslowbro

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 3.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Breeding's the move. Cross Chop and Foresight give Psyduck options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 7 types already covers a decent range on top of Hydro Pump and Surf. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Scratch
4010035Normal
Lv 1
Water Sport
15Water
Lv 5
Tail Whip
10030Normal
Lv 10
Disable
5520Normal
Lv 16
Confusion
5010025Psychic
Lv 23
Screech
8540Normal
Lv 31
Psych Up
10Normal
Lv 40
Fury Swipes
188015Normal
Lv 50
Hydro Pump
120805Water

TM Moves

Src
TM40
Aerial Ace
6020Flying
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
120705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
7510015Fighting
TM04
Calm Mind
20Psychic
TM28
Dig
6010010Ground
HM08
Dive
6010010Water
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
HM05
Flash
7020Normal
TM01
Focus Punch-3
15010020Fighting
TM21
Frustration
10020Normal
TM07
Hail
10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
9510010Ice
TM23
Iron Tail
1007515Steel
TM17
Protect+4
10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
5Water
TM44
Rest
10Psychic
TM27
Return
10020Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
2010015Fighting
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
HM03
Surf
9510015Water
TM06
Toxic
8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
6010020Water
HM07
Waterfall
8010015Water

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Cross Chop
100805Fighting
Egg
Foresight
10040Normal
Egg
Future Sight
12010010Psychic
Egg
Hypnosis
6020Psychic
Egg
Light Screen
30Psychic
Egg
Psybeam
6510020Psychic
Egg
Psychic
9010010Psychic
Egg
Refresh
20Normal

Tutor Moves

Psyduck can't learn any Tutor moves

Psyduck's scattered across 4 spots in mid-game water routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.

Best Locations

Psyduck appears in 4 surfing locations at Lv. 20-35 across Ruby and Sapphire. Not all encounters show up in every version, so check which ones match your game.

Safari Zone - Northwest
RubySurfing on waterLv.20-35CommonMidFacility
EASY
Safari Zone - Northwest
SapphireSurfing on waterLv.20-35CommonMidFacility
EASY
Safari Zone - Southwest
RubySurfing on waterLv.20-35CommonMidFacility
EASY
Safari Zone - Southwest
SapphireSurfing on waterLv.20-35CommonMidFacility
EASY
  • Psyduck isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Golduck to unlock its full potential. At 320 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.

  • Psyduck's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric) and Exeggutor (Grass), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Psyduck evolves into Golduck at level 33. Psyduck is the base form of this evolutionary line.

  • Run Swift Swim on Psyduck. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Psyduck also gets Damp and Cloud Nine, but they don't compare.

  • Psyduck fills the balanced role. It's leaning toward the special side (base 65 Sp. Atk). At base 55 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.

  • Psyduck appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.

Psyduck has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 21 titles across all 9 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.