Psywave (move)

Psywave サイコウェーブ Psycho Wave

Battles Type  Psychic Category  Special PP  15 (max. 24) Power  — Accuracy  100% Priority  0 Does not make contact Affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Affected by Mirror Move Affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user

Availability Introduced  Generation I TM46 in Generation I

Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jam  1 ♥ Badly startles all Pokémon that made good appeals.

Super Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ A basic performance using a move known by the Pokémon.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Clever Appeal  1 ♥ Jamming  0   Effectiveness varies depending on when it is used.

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Psywave (Japanese: サイコウェーブ Psycho Wave) is a damage-dealing Psychic-type move introduced in Generation I. It is TM46 in Generation I. In Generation II, it was the signature move of Misdreavus, but other Pokémon could still inherit it via breeding.

Effect

Generation I

Psywave inflicts a random amount of damage, varying between 1 damage and 1.5× the user's level.

In a link battle, the damage dealt varies between 1 damage and 1.5× the user's level on the user's side, and between 0 damage and 1.5× the user's level on its opponent's side in a link battle. As a result, if a 0 is generated in a link battle, it causes the games to desynchronize as the target will receive 0 damage on the opponent's game, while the user's side will keep generating pseudorandom numbers until it produces a number between 1 and 1.5× the user's level. Additionally, the game will freeze if a Level 0, 1, or 171 Pokémon uses the move, though Pokémon cannot normally be obtained at these levels without the use of glitches.

In Pokémon Stadium, Psywave always deals at least 1 damage.

Psywave has an accuracy of 80%

Generation II

Psywave inflicts a random amount of damage, varying between 1 HP and 1.5× the user's level. The damage is always rounded down; however, Psywave will always deal at least 1 HP of damage.

Psywave does not take weaknesses or resistances into account; however, type immunity is not ignored.

Generations III and IV

Psywave inflicts damage equal to $\left\lfloor {\frac {Level_{user}\times (10r+50)}{100}}\right\rfloor$, where r is a random number from 0 to 10. However, if this calculation produces a value of 0, Psywave deals 1 HP of damage instead.

Psywave can be used as the second move of a Pokémon Contest combination, with the user gaining 2 bonus appeal points if Calm Mind was used in the previous turn.

Generation V

Psywave inflicts damage equal to $\left\lfloor {\frac {Level_{user}\times (r+50)}{100}}\right\rfloor$, where r is a random number from 0 to 100. However, if this calculation produces a value of 0, Psywave deals 1 HP of damage instead.

Generations VI and VII

Psywave's accuracy is now 100% instead of 80%.

Generation VIII onwards

Psywave cannot be selected in a battle.

Description

Games Description StadStad2 A Psychic-type attack of varying intensity. It occasionally inflicts heavy damage. GSC An attack with variable power. RSEColoXD Attacks with a psychic wave of varying intensity. FRLG The foe is attacked with an odd, hot energy wave that varies in intensity. DPPtHGSSPBR The foe is attacked with an odd, hot energy wave. The attack varies in intensity. BWB2W2 XYORAS SMUSUMPE The target is attacked with an odd psychic wave. The attack varies in intensity. SwShBDSPLA SV This move can't be used. It's recommended that this move is forgotten. Once forgotten, this move can't be remembered.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII
												SMUSUM	PE
0120		Staryu		Water 3		Water 3	−	−	−	−	−	13ORAS	13	4
0121		Starmie		Water 3		Water 3	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	1
0122		Mr. Mime		Human-Like		Human-Like	−	−	−	−	15B2W2	15	15	20
0150		Mewtwo		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	−	−	−	−	−	−	1	1
0151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	33
0200		Misdreavus		Amorphous		Amorphous		1	1	1	1	1	1
0325		Spoink		Field		Field			7	7	7	7	7
0326		Grumpig		Field		Field			1, 7	1, 7	1, 7	1, 7	1, 7
0337		Lunatone		Mineral		Mineral			25	23	23BW 17B2W2	17XY 13ORAS	13
0338		Solrock		Mineral		Mineral			25	23	23BW 17B2W2	17XY 13ORAS	13
0358		Chimecho		Amorphous		Amorphous			30	30	30	30XY 16ORAS	16
0380		Latias		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			1	1	1	1	1
0381		Latios		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			1	1	1	1	1
0429		Mismagius		Amorphous		Amorphous				1	1	1	1
0436		Bronzor		Mineral		Mineral				−	15B2W2	15	15
0437		Bronzong		Mineral		Mineral				−	15B2W2	15	15
0517		Munna		Field		Field					1	1	1
0561		Sigilyph		Flying		Flying					8	8	8
0577		Solosis		Amorphous		Amorphous					1	1	1
0578		Duosion		Amorphous		Amorphous					1	1	1
0579		Reuniclus		Amorphous		Amorphous					1	1	1
0686		Inkay		Water 1	Water 2						13	13
0687		Malamar		Water 1	Water 2						13	13
0779		Bruxish		Water 2		Water 2							25
0786		Tapu Lele		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							8
0793		Nihilego		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							13
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By breeding

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Egg Move
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII
											SMUSUM
0092		Gastly		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0109		Koffing		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By TM

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Compatibility
						I
						TM46
0012		Butterfree		Bug		Bug	✔
0035		Clefairy		Fairy		Fairy	✔
0036		Clefable		Fairy		Fairy	✔
0039		Jigglypuff		Fairy		Fairy	✔
0040		Wigglytuff		Fairy		Fairy	✔
0048		Venonat		Bug		Bug	✔
0049		Venomoth		Bug		Bug	✔
0060		Poliwag		Water 1		Water 1	✔
0061		Poliwhirl		Water 1		Water 1	✔
0062		Poliwrath		Water 1		Water 1	✔
0063		Abra		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
0064		Kadabra		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
0065		Alakazam		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
0079		Slowpoke		Monster	Water 1	✔
0080		Slowbro		Monster	Water 1	✔
0092		Gastly		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔
0093		Haunter		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔
0094		Gengar		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔
0096		Drowzee		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
0097		Hypno		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
0102		Exeggcute		Grass		Grass	✔
0103		Exeggutor		Grass		Grass	✔
0113		Chansey		Fairy		Fairy	✔
0120		Staryu		Water 3		Water 3	✔
0121		Starmie		Water 3		Water 3	✔
0122		Mr. Mime		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
0124		Jynx		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
0125		Electabuzz		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
0126		Magmar		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
0131		Lapras		Monster	Water 1	✔
0137		Porygon		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0143		Snorlax		Monster		Monster	✔
0150		Mewtwo		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

In other games

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Pokken

Pokémon GO

Psywave
Fast Attack
Gyms & Raids Power 4 Energy boost 7 Duration 0.5 seconds Damage window 0.3-0.6 seconds
Trainer Battles Power 3 Energy boost 4 Turns 1
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility By Elite Fast TM By GO Snapshot As Shadow Pokémon As Purified Pokémon Formerly eligible None

Trainer Battles

• September 3, 2024
  • Energy boost: 2 → 4

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Psywave deals a variable amount of damage depending on the user's level. In the Rescue Team and Explorers series, the move will deal damage between 1/2 and 383/256 (~1.49×) of the user's level. It is affected by type matchup and STAB unlike in the main series. Before accounting for type matchup and STAB, the move is guaranteed to deal at least 1 HP of damage, but no more than 199 (although that number is impossible to achieve under normal gameplay).

In Super Mystery Dungeon, Psywave is no longer affected by type matchup. The move will deal damage approximately between 1 HP damage to 1.5× the user's level.

Game Base Power Max Power Base PP Max PP Base Accuracy Max Accuracy Range Target Cuts corners MDRB - - 19 - 100% - 10 tiles away All Yes MDTDS - - 19 - 95% - 10 tiles away All Yes BSL - - 19 - 95% - 10 tiles away All Yes MDGtI - - 15 50 75% 98% Front Enemy Yes SMD - - 15 30 75% 98% Front Enemy Yes With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games: MD Rescue Team = Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. MD Time and Darkness = Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. MD Sky = Pokémon Platinum. MD Adventure Squad = ??. MD Gates to Infinity = Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. Super Mystery Dungeon = Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. MD Rescue Team DX = Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Psywave

★
Attack power	31.55416
Charge time	0.82 seconds
Range type	Wide Shot
Number of hits	1
Number of projectiles	1
Critical hit rate	1.5%
Additional effect	None

Pokémon Masters EX

Name	Category	State	Base power	Max power	Target	Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair
Sync move
ESP Prodigy Psywave	Special	Default 6★ EX	160	192	An opponent	—	Become Mega Alakazam until the end of battle. The sync buff is doubled the first time a sync move is used.	Sabrina & Alakazam

Description

Games Description MDRB Inflicts damage on the target, even at a distance. The amount of damage depends on the user's level. MDTDS Inflicts damage on the target, even at a distance. The higher the user's level, the greater the damage. BSL はなれたポケモンに ダメージをあたえる じぶんの レベルがたかいほど ダメージが おおきくなりやすい MDGtI Its damage varies. The higher your level, the greater the possible damage.* It damages even a faraway Pokémon. The higher your level, the greater the damage.* SMD Its damage varies. The higher your level, the greater the possible damage.* It damages an enemy. The higher your level, the greater the damage.*

In animation

Pokémon animated series

Exeggutor Solrock Mismagius Duosion
The user attacks the target with an odd psychic wave.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Jynx's eyes glow and she raises her hands in the air. The opponent then lifts up into the air, and by waving her arms, Jynx can control wherever the opponent goes.
Santa Claus's Jynx	Holiday Hi-Jynx		Debut
	Exeggutor's eyes glow green and it bends down, firing a white ring of energy at the opponent from the middle of its leaves.
Mandi's Exeggutor	Round One - Begin!		None
	Gastly shoots the fog around its body at the opponent and the fog morphs into an arrow-like shape that hits the opponent.
Officer Jenny's Gastly	Pikachu Re-Volts		None
	Mr. Mime raises its hands and then brings them down in the shape of a circle and a white circle appears in front of it. It then fires the ring at the opponent.
Toku's Mr. Mime	The Psychic Sidekicks!		None
	Solrock's body becomes outlined in light blue, and its eyes also glow light blue. Solrock then fires light blue rings at the opponent from its body.
Brandon's Solrock	Pace - The Final Frontier!		None
	Mismagius becomes surrounded by a light blue aura and it releases a wave of energy out of its body. When it hits the opponent, its body glows multicolored and Mismagius can control the opponent; or, Mismagius's body becomes outlined in light blue energy and it fires invisible or light blue shockwaves at the opponent from its body, or the gems on Mismagius's body glow pink and its body becomes outlined in light blue. It then fires multiple light blue tentacles from the outline at the opponent; or, Mismagius's eyes become surrounded in multicolored energy and it fires a beam of multicolored energy from its eyes at the opponent.
Cocoa's Mismagius	Arriving in Style!		None
Fantina's Mismagius	Playing the Leveling Field!		None
Zoey's Mismagius	Coming Full - Festival Circle!		None
Grings Kodai's Mismagius	Zoroark: Master of Illusions		None
	Chimecho's body becomes outlined in light blue and it releases multiple light blue rings of energy from its mouth at the opponent.
Maya's Chimecho	Mastering Current Events!		None
	Reuniclus puts its hands together in front of it and fires a multicolored beam of energy from its hands at the opponent.
Damon's Reuniclus	White—Victini and Zekrom		None
	Duosion puts its arms out in front of it and a ball of multicolored energy forms in front of its body. A wavy multicolored beam of energy then fires from the ball at the opponent.
Officer Jenny's Duosion	Beheeyem, Duosion, and the Dream Thief!		None
	Mega Mewtwo Y creates a white force field that expands rapidly from around it and explodes on contact with the opponent.
Mewtwo (M16)	Genesect and the Legend Awakened		Mewtwo cannot legally know Psywave in Generation V
	Grumpig fires a beam of multicolored energy from between its hands at the opponent.
A wild Grumpig	An Oasis of Hope!		None
	Spoink fires a beam of multicolored energy from between its hands at the opponent.
Multiple wild Spoink	An Oasis of Hope!		None
	Sigilyph's two eyespots on its body start to glow. Then, it fires a beam of multicolored energy from them at the opponent.
Carrie's Sigilyph	Cloudy Fate, Bright Future!		None

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Jynx Mewtwo (tornado) Mewtwo (spoon) Mewtwo (fork)
The user attacks the target with an odd psychic wave.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Jynx releases a powerful wave of psychic energy from her body that distorts the air around the opponent and creates a horrible sound in the target's head.
Ken's Jynx	The Jynx Jinx		Debut
	Mewtwo releases a powerful tornado from its body that traps the opponent inside, or Mewtwo creates a spoon out of psychic energy and hits the opponent with it. When in the spoon form, Mewtwo can fire the energy from the spoon by transforming it into a fork and extending it.
Blaine's Mewtwo	And Mewtwo Too?!		None
	Misdreavus releases a beam of energy from its face at the opponent.
Morty's Misdreavus	Misdreavus Misgivings		None
	Girafarig releases a powerful wave of psychic energy from its antennae that distorts the air around and causes the opponent's head to hurt.
Harry's Girafarig	Great Girafarig		None
	Solrock glares at the opponent and releases a powerful wave of psychic energy at the opponent from its body.
Tate's Solrock	You Can Fight Day or Night With Lunatone & Solrock		None
	Mega Mewtwo X creates a spoon out of psychic energy and hits the opponent with it.
Blaine's Mewtwo	Mewtwo Angered		None

Phantom Thief Pokémon 7

Mismagius Mime Jr.
The user attacks the target with an odd psychic wave.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Mismagius glows and shoots a blast of energy at the opponent.
Lily's Mismagius	A Fated Reunion		Debut
	Mime Jr. glows and shoots a blast of energy at the opponent.
Hiori's Mime Jr.	Lily Regains Her Memories!		Used via Mimic

Pokémon Try Adventure

Spoink
The user attacks the target with an odd psychic wave.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Spoink fires a beam of psychic energy at the opponent.
Soro's Spoink	TA30		Debut

In other generations

Core series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Side series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Spin-off series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Trivia

• In Generation I, Psywave was responsible for two glitches, one of which could desynchronize games connected for a link battle in normal gameplay.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 精神波 Jīngsàhn Bō * 幻象波 Waahnjeuhng Bō * 幻像波浪 Waahnjeuhng Bōlohng * Mandarin 精神波 Jīngshén Bō * 幻象波 Huànxiàng Bō * Czech Psychická Vlna Dutch Psygolf Finnish Psykoaalto French Vague Psy German Psywelle Greek Ψυχοκύμα Psychokýma Hindi मानसिक लहर Maansik Leher Indonesian Psywave Italian PsicondaIII+ Psico-OndaI–II Korean 사이코웨이브 Saikoweibeu Polish Psychofala Brazilian Portuguese Onda Psíquica Romanian Psywave Serbian Psihički Talas Spanish Latin America Psicoonda (EP075, EP086, AG190–present) Ola Psíquica (AG013) Onda Psíquica (EP156) Psicoondas (Holiday Hi-Jynx) Spain PsicoondaIII+ Psico-OndaI–II Swedish Psykvåg Hypnos* Vietnamese Sóng Tâm Linh

This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.