Summary
Throughout thePokemongames and anime, Psychic-type Pokemon have been a staple. They’re not the most common type — actually, they tend to be pretty rare to find. However, they can be one of the most powerful when used correctly and are always valuable assets to have on one’s team in anyPokemongame.
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Based on intimidation, adorability, and sheer strength, there are a bunch of factors that determine which Kanto-based Psychic-type Pokemon is better than another. But taking everything into account, a trainer can have a pretty good idea. Here’s how they stack up.
Updated August 01, 2025, by Ben Painter:Psychic-type Pokemon were way overpowered back in Generation 1, with the Dark-type introduced in Generation 2 as a way to weaken it. The original 151 Psychic types have a special place in the older fan’s hearts as they remember the time when they were unstoppable. There are 14 of the original mystical Pokemon, two of those being Mythical and Legendary Pokemon. Generation 6 brought fans new versions of the original Pokemon, regional variants, although they are technically new Pokemon they are still classed as the same Pokemon when it comes to the Pokedex. This update adds the regional variant Pokemon that have been given the Psychic-type in later generations.
21Abra
Abra is cute, but the reality is, this Pokemon just isn’t powerful enough to warrant anything other than last place on a list of the Gen I Psychics. In the show, it doesn’t seem to be able to do much until it evolves into Kadabra. This idea is present in the games too, with its only real move being Teleport.
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If the player wants any chance of catching this Pokemon, they need to put it to sleep or paralyze it pretty much immediately so it can’t teleport away. It’sworth catching for the evolutions, but since players can’t really battle with it, they might want to attach an experience share.
20Drowzee
Drowzee is far less cute than Abra but a decent range of attacks means it can be a good asset in battle. Drowzee is fairly common — it can be caught fairly early in some of the games (such asGold&Silver) and it’s very common in certain countries when it comes toPokemonGO.
Ultimately, it’ll serve players in battle if they need a Psychic-type Pokemon, but it’s not a special one to chase after.
On the other hand, some fans have found Drowzee’s mechanic quite enjoyable to mess around with in-game, especially if they have a handy Dream Eater TM stored away. Once Drozwee has sufficiently hypnotized its opponent, it can happily heal while the other Pokemon’s HP is slowly depleted, creating an easy win for this underrated Psychic-type.
19Slowpoke
Slowpoke is a dual-type Pokemon, with both Water and Psychic features at its disposal. This can give it an advantage against Fire-type Pokemon, but a huge disadvantage against Grass orElectric-types. Unfortunately, the Water/Psychic typing doesn’t do much to cover for either type’s weaknesses. What’s more, both the show and the stats demonstrate that this Pokemon is extremely slow, so the dual type isn’t enough to rank it any higher.
However, Slowpoke certainly becomes more valuable from the 2nd Generation onwards, as the introduction of Slowking raises this pink Pokemon’s coolness factor up a notch. Although it is not from a direct evolution, combining a Shellder with a Slowpoke or a Slowbro produces some interesting results.
18Galarian Slowpoke
What Slowpoke can do, slowly, Galarian Slowpoke can do better, removing its Water-type’s Galarian cousin is pure Psychic which means it has less weakness to work with.
First found inPokemon Sword & Shield,The Isle of ArmorDLC, the only difference, visually is that this form has a yellow head and tip of the tail. It still evolves into Slowbro or Slowking but with a Galarian Cuff or Galarian Wreath, respectively. It is with its evolutions that things start to get interesting.
17Exeggcute
Exeggcute is a dual type, which gives it some advantage. Otherwise, though it doesn’t rank very highly in terms of Psychic-type power. What’s more, its Grass/Psychic combination gives it a 4xweakness to Bug-Type attacks.
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Its move set isn’t particularly impressive and, let’s be honest, the Pokemon itself isn’t too aesthetically pleasing. Exeggcute’s stats are mediocre at best; however, this Pokemon improves drastically when it evolves into Exeggutor.
16Galarian Mr. Mime
A very forgettable Pokemon this one, Galarian Mr. Mime was introduced inSword & Shieldand Mr. Mime did need something else added to it and this Ice/Psychic type was a decent addition, but it wasn’t really too memorable.
What the Galar form has over the original is an evolution in Mr. Rime, who is a very distinguished gentleman. The Galar form just doesn’t have the icon status that it originally had, this was mainly due to its appearances as Ash’s stepdad in the anime. Galarian Mr. Mime’s stats are more balancedthan the original, but there isn’t a killer stat which makes it stand out.
15Galarian Ponyta
Galarian Ponyta is a Pokemon that is iconic, given the Psychic typing, along with the Fairy typing, the design of Ponyta is perfect and arguably suits it better than the original, and it looks something straight out ofMy Little Pony.
It still evolves into Rapidash at level 40, but can learn a host of new moves, including the Psychic, Confusion, Psybeam and Psychic. It has a deserving spot among the Psychic types of Generation 1, despite the fact it is more associated with being a Fairy-type ‘mon.
14Hypno
Drowzee’s evolution, Hypno, isn’t that uncommon but can be very powerful. It can learn some awesome status attacks such as Hypnosis, which can be really handy when struggling against another Pokemon. There’s nothing special needed to evolve Drowzee into Hypno; simply raise it to level 26.
While Hypno’s offensive capabilities are somewhat lacking when compared to the likes of those higher on this list,its solid Special Defensecan withstand an opponent’s Special Attack-focused offense. This psychic Pokemon can be a good asset to any team, but it’s not necessarily worth a trainer’s time to go out of their way to get it.
13Slowbro
Fans are told that Slowbro is a peaceful Pokemon, but that doesn’t mean it can’t pack a punch when it needs to. Considerably more powerful than Slowpoke, Slowbro is an asset to have on any team. It’s a dual Water/Psychic-type and has some interesting lore to it too. With usually defense stats andsome powerful moves, it’s worth having, especially against a fire Pokemon. Just avoid those grass and electric moves, because they’ll take it down quickly.
Competitively, one of the biggest selling points to Slowbro is its mega evolution, which is an incredible physical wall. This form boasts 180 defense and access to the Shell Armor ability, which prevents it from suffering damage from critical hits.
12Mr. Mime
For those who’ve watched the show, Mr. Mime has a special place in the hearts of fans. Ash Ketchum’s mother owned a Mr. Mime who seemed to do her housework and, well, everything else she needed, so he’s been a permanent fixture in the hearts of fans. In the games, he boasts decent Special Attack and Special Defense and hasaccess to some good Psychic-type moves.
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Mr. Mime is pretty rare inPokemonGOtoo (an exclusive to the continent of Europe), so if players can get their hands on one, he’s pretty special. Sadly, he’s not the most powerful, but he’s a lovely novelty nonetheless.
