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Psyduck is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a Water-type Pokémon that made its first appearance in the first Pokémon generation in the Red and Blue games. It evolves into Golduck at level 33.
Physiology and Behavior[]
Psyduck is a duck-like Pokémon. On top of its head are three thick strands of black hair, and it has a wide, flat cream-colored beak. Psyduck's eyes seem vacant and have tiny pupils. Its legs and tail are stubby, and it has cream-colored webbed feet. There are three claws on each of its hands.
Psyduck is constantly stunned by its headache and is unable to think very clearly. It usually stands immobile, trying to calm its headache. However, when its headache becomes too severe, Psyduck releases tension in the form of strong psychic powers. The use of these powers produces brain waves identical to those seen in sleepers, and the Pokémon is unable to recall these episodes. Psyduck lives in freshwater lakes and small ponds, but can be seen in rivers in tropical areas as shown in Pokémon Snap.
Appearances[]
Main Pokémon games[]
In the Sinnoh games, a group of Psyduck can be found blocking the northern fork of Route 210. After the player obtains the Badges in Veilstone City and Pastoria City, Cynthia will hand over a Secret Medicine to cure their headaches.
Pokémon spin-offs[]
Pokémon Pinball: A Psyduck appears on the Blue Table, and earns the player points when it is hit.
Super Smash Bros.[]
In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Psyduck is the third Pokéfloat to appear. Fighting occurs on its head and beak. It then floats up and off the top of the screen as the fighting moves onto Chikorita.
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Psyduck is a Grab type, Novice class, Primary Spirit. When equipped on a fighter, the fighter's PSI Attack is raised.
In the anime[]
Misty's Psyduck
Psyduck debuted in Hypno's Naptime, where it was accidentally caught by Misty. Despite being generally shown as dimwitted and oblivious, when its headache gets bad enough, it has been shown to use phenomenally powerful Psychic-type moves, which far exceed its normal ability.
In Pokémon Origins, Red hooked a Psyduck and eventually caught it.
A Psyduck appeared in Detective Pikachu, under the ownership of a journalist named Lucy Stevens.
A Psyduck appeared in Pokémon Concierge, under the ownership of Haru.
In-game information[]
Pokédex entries[]
| Title | Entry |
|---|---|
| First Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Red and Blue | While lulling its enemies with its vacant look, this wily Pokémon will use psychokinetic powers. |
| Pokémon Yellow | Always tormented by headaches. It uses psychic powers, but it is not known if it intends to do so. |
| Pokémon Stadium | Appears unaware and totally vacant. However, if its chronic headache worsens, it starts exhibiting peculiar powers. |
| Second Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Gold | It has mystical powers but doesn't recall that it has used them. That is why it always looks puzzled. |
| Pokémon Silver | If its chronic headache peaks, it may exhibit odd powers. It seems unable to recall such an episode. |
| Pokémon Crystal | The only time it can use its psychic power is when its sleeping brain cells happen to wake. |
| Third Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Ruby | 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. |
| Pokémon Sapphire | 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. |
| Pokémon Emerald | When its headache intensifies, it starts using strange powers. However, it has no recollection of its powers, so it always looks befuddled and bewildered. |
| Pokémon FireRed | It is constantly wracked by a headache. When the headache turns intense, it begins using mysterious powers. |
| Pokémon LeafGreen | While lulling its enemies with its vacant look, this wily Pokémon will use psychokinetic powers. |
| Fourth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Diamond | If its usual headache worsens, it starts exhibiting odd powers. It can't remember doing so, however. |
| Pokémon Pearl | It never remembers using its odd powers, so it always tilts its head in puzzlement. |
| Pokémon Platinum | Overwhelmed by enigmatic abilities, it suffers a constant headache. It sometimes uses mysterious powers. |
| Pokémon HeartGold | It has mystical powers but doesn't recall that it has used them. That is why it always looks puzzled. |
| Pokémon SoulSilver | If its chronic headache peaks, it may exhibit odd powers. It seems unable to recall such an episode. |
| Fifth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Black | Overwhelmed by enigmatic abilities, it suffers a constant headache. It sometimes uses mysterious powers. |
| Pokémon White | Overwhelmed by enigmatic abilities, it suffers a constant headache. It sometimes uses mysterious powers. |
| Pokémon Black 2 | When headaches stimulate its brain cells, which are usually inactive, it can use a mysterious power. |
| Pokémon White 2 | When headaches stimulate its brain cells, which are usually inactive, it can use a mysterious power. |
| Sixth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon X | It is constantly wracked by a headache. When the headache turns intense, it begins using mysterious powers. |
| Pokémon Y | It has mystical powers but doesn't recall that it has used them. That is why it always looks puzzled. |
| Pokémon Omega Ruby | 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. |
| Pokémon Alpha Sapphire | 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. |
| Seventh Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Sun | As a result of headaches so fierce they cause it to cry, it sometimes uses psychokinesis without meaning to. |
| Pokémon Moon | This Pokémon is troubled by constant headaches. The more pain it's in, the more powerful its psychokinesis becomes. |
| Pokémon Ultra Sun | Using psychokinesis gives it a headache, so it normally passes the time spacing out and doing as little as possible. |
| Pokémon Ultra Moon | It has been found that its brain cells are 10 times more active when Psyduck is experiencing a headache. |
| Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu |
Always tormented by headaches. It uses psychic powers, but whether it intends to do so is not known. |
| Pokémon Let's Go Eevee |
Always tormented by headaches. It uses psychic powers, but whether it intends to do so is not known. |
| Eighth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Sword | Psyduck is constantly beset by headaches. If the Pokémon lets its strange power erupt, apparently the pain subsides for a while. |
| Pokémon Shield | As Psyduck gets stressed out, its headache gets progressively worse. It uses intense psychic energy to overwhelm those around it. |
| Pokémon Brilliant Diamond | If its usual headache worsens, it starts exhibiting odd powers. It can't remember doing so, however. |
| Pokémon Shining Pearl | It never remembers using its odd powers, so it always tilts its head in puzzlement. |
| Pokémon Legends: Arceus | Suffers perpetual headaches. If the agony grows too great, Psyduck’s latent power erupts, contrary to Psyduck’s intent. Ergo, I am exploring ways to ease the pain. |
| Ninth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Scarlet | It is constantly wracked by a headache. When the headache turns intense, it begins using mysterious powers. |
| Pokémon Violet | If its chronic headache peaks, it may exhibit odd powers. It seems unable to recall such an episode. |
Game locations[]
| Title | Location(s) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Pokémon generation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Red and Blue | Routes 4*, 24, and 25, Cerulean City, Cerulean Gym, Safari Zone (Super Rod) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Yellow | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Second Pokémon generation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Gold | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Silver | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Crystal | Routes 6 and 35, Ilex Forest , National Park | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Third Pokémon generation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Ruby | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Sapphire | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Emerald | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon FireRed | Routes 6, 22, 23, and 25, Viridian City, Fuchsia City, Safari Zone], Cape Brink, Berry Forest, Four Island, Cerulean Cave (Surfing) Routes 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, and 24, Water Labyrinth, Resort Gorgeous, Memorial Pillar, Green Path, Outcast Island, Tanoby Ruins, Pallet Town, Cerulean City, Vermilion City, Cinnabar Island, One Island, Five Island, Trainer Tower (Super Rod only) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fourth Pokémon generation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Diamond | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Pearl | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Platinum | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon HeartGold | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon SoulSilver | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fifth Pokémon generation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Black | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon White | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Black 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon White 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sixth Pokémon generation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon X | Route 22 (walking and surfing) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Y | Route 22 (walking and surfing) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Omega Ruby | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Alpha Sapphire | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seventh Pokémon generation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Sun | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Moon | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Evolution[]
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Base Stats[]
| HP | 50 |
| Attack | 52 |
| Defense | 48 |
| Sp. Attack | 65 |
| Sp. Defense | 50 |
| Speed | 55 |
| Total | 320 |
Moveset[]
Gallery[]
| Main article: Psyduck/gallery |
Sprites[]
Reception[]
Described as "silly" by GameSpy and The New York Times, Psyduck has been well received by the media, identified as one of the most popular characters in the original games by GamesRadar+ and Kotaku. GameDaily staff felt it was among the more unique Pokémon designs, while IGN felt it was a cult favorite among fans due to its "bizarre, bewildered appearance." It was also cited as a favorite character by IGN staff. The Coventry Evening Telegraph also praised its design, stating the character was "more interesting" in comparison to more commonly seen Pokémon such as Squirtle. James Stephanie Sterling of Destructoid was critical, calling it "annoying" and "irritating." Psyduck has also been criticized for associations to the occult. Author Cindy Jacobs criticized Psyduck's occult powers, while Pastor Phil Arms discussed how its psychic powers reflected the "New Age concept that parallels this ability falls under the heading of an altered state of consciousness."
Psyduck's appearance in Pokémon Concierge has been received positively. James Whitbrook, writing for Gizmodo, found Psyduck and its relationship with the show's protagonist, Haru, a relatable centerpiece of the show. He highlighted their relationship as a relatable and welcoming message. Jade King, writing for TheGamer, found Psyduck's role and emotions in the show akin to feelings of social anxiety, and praised the messages delivered by Psyduck overcoming its own anxieties to befriend Haru. Ana Diaz, writing for Polygon, also praised Psyduck's role in the show, stating that "Every scene with Psyduck is like viewing a brief, but fleeting moment of pure, unadulterated thoughtless bliss." She also highlighted how the show helped portray Psyduck in a more positive light, primarily in comparison in its role in the Pokémon anime series. Emma Stefansky, writing for The Atlantic, cited similar sentiments, stating that the series "wisely recognizes the dramatic potential of Psyduck." She highlighted the usage of Psyduck, primarily used as comic relief, as a relatable figure in the series. Haru's Japanese voice actress Rena Nonen cited that it had become her favorite Pokémon as a result of the series.
Trivia[]
- Junichi Masuda has revealed that Psyduck was considered for the role of Pikachu's counterpart in Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! instead of Eevee, but it was ultimately not chosen due to it being deemed too similar in color to Pikachu.
- Psyduck is Junichi Masuda's favorite Pokémon.
External links[]
- Psyduck at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Psyduck (Pokémon) at Bulbapedia, the Pokémon wiki.
- Psyduck at Pokémon Wiki, the Fandom wiki on Pokémon.