Psyduck

Psyduck in the games: the Duck Pokémon with a headache

Psyduck is a pure Water type that evolves into Golduck at level 33. Its standard abilities are Damp, which stops any Pokémon on the field from using self-destructing moves, and Cloud Nine, which cancels the effects of weather, and its hidden ability is Swift Swim. It stands 0.8 meters tall and weighs 19.6 kilograms.

Its Pokédex entries tie its psychic power to the headaches that constantly trouble it. Game director Junichi Masuda has named Psyduck among his favorite Pokémon, and in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl he appears at Hotel Grand Lake with one beside him.

Psyduck in the anime: Misty's ever-present headache

Psyduck debuted in "Hypno's Naptime," where Misty caught it by accident. Usually dim and oblivious, it has shown that when its headache gets bad enough it can unleash Psychic moves far beyond its normal ability. A different Psyduck, owned by Marina in "Bye Bye Psyduck," was far less dopey and strong enough to beat Misty's Staryu.

Psyduck on cards: Fossil to Misty's Psyduck

Psyduck's earliest English cards come from the WOTC era: Fossil #53 (1999) and Wizards Black Star Promo #20, both illustrated by Kagemaru Himeno. Neo Destiny and Aquapolis followed with new commons.

Unified Minds (2019) paired it with Slowpoke on the Slowpoke & Psyduck GX tag team card, printed in four versions including a secret rare. 151 (2023) and Ascended Heroes (2026) each gave it an illustration rare, by Whisker and REND, and Destined Rivals (2025) named one after its most famous owner: Misty's Psyduck, an illustration rare by OKACHEKE.

Why collectors care about Psyduck

Psyduck's run with Misty made it one of the anime's familiar faces, and Misty's Psyduck puts that partnership on a card. With illustration rares in 151, Destined Rivals and Ascended Heroes, its modern cards sit comfortably beside the WOTC originals in a Kanto collection.

Cards to know

• Psyduck (Wizards Black Star Promos #20)

  One of Psyduck's earliest English cards, a WOTC-era promo illustrated by Kagemaru Himeno.

• Slowpoke & Psyduck GX (Unified Minds #35)

  The regular print of the 2019 tag team card pairing Psyduck with Slowpoke, illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita.

• Psyduck (151 #175)

  An illustration rare by Whisker from the 2023 set built around the original 151 Pokémon.

• Misty's Psyduck (Destined Rivals #193)

  A 2025 illustration rare named for Psyduck's most famous anime owner, illustrated by OKACHEKE.

• Psyduck (Ascended Heroes #226)

  An illustration rare from Ascended Heroes (2026), illustrated by REND.