Alakazam
Its brain can out perform a super computer. Its intelligence quotient is said to be 5,000.
Base Stats
Best Moveset
Move Breakdown
Psychic serves as Alakazam's main Psychic-type STAB attack. The same-type bonus increases its effective power by 50%, and with Alakazam's Special Attack of 135, it can threaten significant damage against anything weak to Psychic.
Psybeam serves as Alakazam's main Psychic-type STAB attack. The same-type bonus increases its effective power by 50%, and with Alakazam's Special Attack of 135, it can threaten significant damage against anything weak to Psychic.
Confusion is the STAB anchor of this set. The Psychic-type damage combined with the 50% same-type bonus makes it Alakazam's most consistent damage output, particularly when targeting opponents with Psychic weaknesses.
Dream Eater adds Normal coverage to Alakazam's arsenal. This move catches opponents off guard who switch in expecting only Psychic damage, providing neutral coverage.
Strengths
- ▸Thanks to its Psychic typing, Alakazam can leverage STAB-boosted Psychic and Psybeam to punch through opponents weak to Psychic attacks
- ▸Type resistances to Fighting, Psychic allow Alakazam to switch in safely against these attack types
- ▸An impressive 135 spAtk stat lets Alakazam deal significant damage
- ▸Alakazam's 500 base stat total, while not top-tier, is well-distributed enough to serve its intended role
Weaknesses
- ▸Alakazam takes 2x super-effective damage from Bug, Dark, Ghost type attacks, requiring careful positioning
- ▸An below-average defense (45) means Alakazam is vulnerable when facing attacks targeting this stat
- ▸Limited coverage options restrict Alakazam's ability to handle diverse threats
Pro Tips
Build Alakazam with Special Attack VP investment and a Modest nature for optimal damage. Consider Life Orb or Choice Scarf to boost Alakazam's damage or speed further. Predict Bug moves and double-switch to preserve Alakazam for later. Build teams that cover Alakazam's weaknesses while it handles the matchups it's strong against.
Competitive Role
As a Tier A Pokemon, Alakazam serves as a fast offensive sweeper in team compositions. With a 500 base stat total led by its spAtk of 135, Alakazam has the raw stats to compete at higher tiers. Its Psychic typing creates vulnerabilities to Bug, Dark, Ghost types, requiring careful team support to cover these gaps. Conversely, resistances to Fighting, Psychic provide switch-in opportunities. When used correctly, Alakazam can consistently contribute to wins.
Detailed Strategy Analysis
Statistically, Alakazam features 500 total base stats with spAtk (135) as its defining attribute and defense (45) as its weakest point. The recommended moveset combines STAB options (Psychic, Psybeam) with coverage moves (Dream Eater), giving Alakazam answers to a wide range of opponents. Type weaknesses to Bug, Dark, Ghost mean Alakazam must be played carefully against these matchups. Resistances to Fighting, Psychic provide safe switch-in opportunities. Its Tier A rating places Alakazam in the upper competitive bracket, where it can consistently contribute to team success. Special Attack should be the primary investment for Alakazam, with a Modest or Timid nature to maximize its special damage potential.
Key Matchup Notes
Against Bug-type opponents: Alakazam is at a severe disadvantage. Never leave Alakazam in against Bug types—switch immediately to a teammate that resists Bug. If forced to fight, use Psychic and hope for a KO before taking a hit. Against Fighting-type opponents: Alakazam has the advantage here. Its Psychic typing reduces incoming Fighting damage, allowing Alakazam to tank hits and retaliate with Psychic. Use these matchups to gain momentum. Speed matchups: With 120 Speed, Alakazam outspeeds most of the unboosted metagame. It will move first against anything slower than base 120, giving it initiative in most matchups. Watch out for Choice Scarf users and priority moves. Against Bug-type opponents: Alakazam has the offensive advantage. Its STAB Psychic moves deal super-effective damage to Bug types, making these favorable matchups. Lead with Alakazam when you expect Bug types on the opponent's team.
Battle Strategy Guide
When starting a battle with Alakazam, your first priority is establishing board position.
As a offensive sweeper with 500 total base stats, Alakazam should be brought in when you can predict a favorable matchup.
If the opponent has Bug coverage, save Alakazam for later in the match.
The opening moves should focus on dealing damage with Psychic and Psybeam while assessing the opponent's team composition.
As the battle progresses, Alakazam should be used strategically rather than recklessly.
The Psychic typing means Alakazam has specific matchups it wins and loses—identify these early and play accordingly.
Against Bug types, switch out immediately.
Against opponents weak to Psychic, stay in and attack.
Psychic should be your primary attack, with Psybeam for coverage when needed.
Late game, Alakazam becomes a powerful cleanup sweeper.
Once the opponent's Bug users are removed, Alakazam can run through the remaining team.
The combination of 135 spAtk and STAB Psychic moves makes it a genuine threat in the endgame.
Position Alakazam to land the finishing blows.
Evolution Chain
Team Synergy
- ▸Add Fire typing to your team to switch in when Alakazam faces Bug-type threats
- ▸Add a Speed-boosting teammate (Tailwind, Trick Room) to give Alakazam the initiative in battle
- ▸Combine with a pivot (Volt Switch, U-turn) user to bring Alakazam in safely on favorable matchups
How to Counter
- ▸Send in a Bug-type Pokemon with STAB Bug moves to exploit Alakazam's type weakness for super-effective damage
- ▸Paralyze Alakazam to cut its Speed and remove its initiative advantage
- ▸Strong physical attackers can exploit Alakazam's low Defense (45) for quick KOs with neutral physical moves
- ▸Alakazam's low HP (55) means even neutral hits can KO it—apply constant offensive pressure
Team Composition Ideas
Balance Core: Pair Alakazam with a Fire-type Pokemon that can switch into Bug attacks. This defensive core covers Alakazam's primary weakness while Alakazam handles the matchups its partner struggles with.
Offensive Core: Combine Alakazam with a setup sweeper that benefits from Alakazam's ability to weaken walls. Use Psychic to chip down tanks, then bring in your sweeper to clean up. Add a priority user to handle faster threats.
Trick Room Team: Alakazam's Speed of 120 makes it a candidate for Speed control support. Pair with a Trick Room setter and other slow attackers to dominate the speed tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:Is Alakazam good in Pokemon Champions?
A:Alakazam is a solid pick in Pokemon Champions, rated Tier A. With 500 total stats and a Psychic typing, it performs well in most team compositions. While not the strongest option available, Alakazam is reliable and can win games when used correctly.
Q:What's the best item for Alakazam?
A:The best items for Alakazam are Life Orb (for extra damage with the cost of some HP), Choice Scarf (to outspeed even more threats), or Focus Sash (to guarantee survival against a super-effective hit). Given Alakazam's high Speed of 120, Life Orb is often the optimal choice for maximizing damage output.
Q:What nature should I use for Alakazam?
A:Modest (+Special Attack, -Attack) is recommended for Alakazam, boosting its stronger special stat. Timid (+Speed, -Attack) is an alternative if speed is critical. With Special Attack at 135 vs Attack at 50, special builds are clearly superior for Alakazam.
Q:How do I counter Alakazam?
A:Alakazam's biggest counters are Bug-type Pokemon, who exploit its typing weakness for super-effective damage. Other threats include faster Pokemon that can KO Alakazam before it acts, especially given its 120 Speed. To beat Alakazam, use Bug STAB moves or priority attacks to bypass its speed.
Alakazam Competitive Depth Guide
Competitive Overview
Alakazam is the fastest relevant special attacker in Pokemon Champions, with 120 base Speed outpacing nearly every non-Mega Pokemon in the game. Its 135 base Special Attack combined with 105 base Speed (pre-Mega) makes it a premier revenge killer, while Mega Alakazam pushes these to 175 Special Attack and 150 Speed, making it the fastest Mega in many metagames. Alakazam's Psychic typing is both a blessing and a curse: it resists Fighting and Psychic, but is weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark. With only 55 base HP and 45 base Defense, Alakazam is destroyed by any physical attack that connects. The Magic Guard ability is Alakazam's saving grace, making it immune to entry hazard damage, poison/burn chip, and weather damage. This allows Alakazam to function on any team without worrying about Stealth Rock or Toxic Spikes. Focus Sash Alakazam is the standard build, guaranteeing it survives one hit and can retaliate with a Counter or a KO move.
Recommended Build
252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Timid (+Speed, -Attack)
Focus Sash or Alakazite
Magic Guard
Psychic or Fairy
Moveset Analysis
Primary STAB at 90 base power. This is Alakazam's most reliable damage option, 2HKOing most neutral targets and OHKOing Fighting and Poison types.
Ghost coverage at 80 base power that hits other Psychic types and Gengar. This is essential for the mirror match and for hitting Ghost types neutrally.
Fighting coverage at 120 base power for Steel, Rock, and Dark types. This is the only move that can threaten Tyranitar, but 70% accuracy makes it unreliable.
Encore locks the opponent into their last move, punishing setup attempts. Counter with Focus Sash lets Alakazam survive a physical hit and reflect double damage back, KOing most physical attackers.
Key Matchup Analysis
Speed tie at 110 (both pre-Mega). Shadow Ball from either side is a potential OHKO. Mega Alakazam at 150 Speed outspeeds Mega Gengar at 130, giving it the edge if it Mega Evolves first.
Terrible. Pursuit traps Alakazam, and Crunch OHKOs. Focus Blast is the only chance, but 70% accuracy + Sand damage from Focus Sash break makes this a desperation play.
Terrible. Bullet Pick OHKOs Alakazam regardless of Focus Sash (technician-boosted). Alakazam's only chance is to outspeed and use Focus Blast, but Scizor resists Psychic.
Unwinnable. Snorlax's Special Defense walls everything. Encore can lock Snorlax into a non-threatening move, but Alakazam can't damage it. Switch out immediately.
Team Archetypes
Focus Sash Revenge Killer
Alakazam comes in after a teammate faints, survives one hit with Focus Sash, and KOs the attacker. Pair with slow pivots that can bring Alakazam in safely.
Mega Alakazam Speed Control
Mega Alakazam at 150 Speed outspeeds everything except Choice Scarf users. Use it as a late-game cleaner once priority users are eliminated.
Encore Lock
Alakazam with Encore punishes setup sweepers. Bring it in on a predicted Swords Dance or Dragon Dance, Encore them, then switch to a counter.
Advanced Strategy Tips
Alakazam's defining trait is its fragility. With 55 HP and 45 Defense, even resisted physical hits can 2HKO it. Focus Sash is the standard item for this reason, but Magic Guard means Alakazam is one of the few Focus Sash users that can preserve its Sash through entry hazards. This is a massive advantage: opponents cannot break Alakazam's Sash with Stealth Rock before it enters the field. The Encore + Focus Sash combo is Alakazam's most valuable contribution: switch in on a setup move, Encore the opponent into that move, and either attack or switch to a setup sweeper of your own. Counter is a niche option that pairs perfectly with Focus Sash: survive a physical hit, then Counter for double damage, OHKOing physical attackers like Snorlax, Tyranitar, and Machamp. Mega Alakazam gains Trace, which copies the opponent's ability. This can steal incredible abilities like Intimidate (from Gyarados), Protean, or Swift Swim, but it can also copy useless abilities. Trace is high-variance but can swing games. Tera Fairy is the best defensive Tera for Alakazam, removing its Dark and Bug weaknesses while gaining Dragon immunity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Using Alakazam as a lead without knowing the opponent's team composition, risking an unfavorable matchup
- ✗Forgetting that Magic Guard prevents Focus Sash from being broken by entry hazards, a key advantage over other Sash users
- ✗Mega Evolving Alakazam when Focus Sash is still intact, wasting the Sash for marginal stat gains
- ✗Using Focus Blast on targets that Psychic or Shadow Ball can handle, risking the 30% miss