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Psyduck is one of the most iconic Pokemon in the entire franchise, and Pokemon Scarlet & Violet players will have ample opportunities to catch one. The water-type Pokemon is a fixture of the series and is likely to be a steady presence throughout the story for every player.
While there have been many “vermin” Pokemon over the years that players get tired of after regular encounters, that’s not yet the case with Psyduck. The Pokemon is found almost everywhere in the Paldea region, but the ever-lovable Psyduck still remains a favorite among Pokemon Scarlet & Violet players.
Updated on January 29, 2025 by Renri Seong: Psyduck and its evolution Golduck have been a part of the Pokemon world from the very beginning. Since then, both of the Duck Pokemon have appeared in every mainline game, sometimes as version-exclusive (FireRed) or DLC (Sword/Shield). Gen 9’s Scarlet/Violet introduces new Water-type Pokemon and brings back other Water-types from previous generations. Because of this, Psyduck and Golduck may have a harder time making a name for themselves in the Paldea region. Regardless of whether you use it in battle, you’re going to need to catch both Psyduck and Golduck to complete your Pokedex. The following guide has been revamped to include updated information on how to get Psyduck/Golduck, as well as a section on Golduck’s stats/type effectiveness.
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Where to Find Psyduck in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Psyduck Locations
Psyduck is one of the most common Pokemon you’ll find in Scarlet/Violet. You can catch one as early as Poco Path Lighthouse around level 4, or you can catch a stronger Psyduck at Casseroya Lake. Psyduck is located in the following areas:
- South Province (Area One, Four, Five, Six)
- West Province (Area One, Two)
- East Province (Area Two, Three)
- North Province (Casseroya Lake)
- Glaseado Mountain
You can also get Psyduck from 2-star Tera Raids, which are readily available for players when they start their Treasure Hunt. A Psyduck from a 2-star Tera Raid will be level 20. Its Tera type may also be different from its original typing (ie: Water).
The easiest place to find Psyduck is by the bridge between Poco Path (Lighthouse) and Los Platos (East). As mentioned, this Psyduck will be around level 4. If you need a Water-type Pokemon on your team, then Psyduck can fill the role until you find more Water-types.
How to Evolve Psyduck into Golduck
How to Get Golduck
Psyduck evolves into Golduck at level 33. Depending on where you caught Psyduck, it may be past its evolution level, requiring you to level it up once to evolve it. The quickest way to level up Psyduck is to give it Exp. Candy. Otherwise, you can make it auto-battle Pokemon that it has a type advantage over (ie: Fire, Ground, Rock).
Where to Find Golduck in the Wild
If you’d rather skip the process of evolving Psyduck, then just catch Golduck instead. You may want to have Koraidon/Miraidon’s ability to swim. Golduck is found in the higher-level areas of Paldea, such as:
- North Province (Area One, Three)
- Casseroya Lake
- Area Zero
Another way to get Golduck is to catch it from 4-star Tera Raids. Pokemon in 4-star Raids are level 45. Much like Psyduck from Tera Raids, Golduck’s Tera type may be different from its original typing.
You won’t be able to attempt 4-star Raids until you’ve received 7 gym badges.
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Is Golduck Good?
Base Stats, Type Effectiveness, and More
Although it can learn Psychic-type moves, Golduck is a Water-type Pokemon and not Water/Psychic. Despite this, you can still have Golduck on your team if you need coverage against Poison or Fighting-type Pokemon. However, it won’t get any STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) from its Psychic-type moves, or other non-Water-type moves for that matter.
When compared to the other Water-types in Scarlet/Violet, including the Water-type start, Quaxly, Golduck doesn’t shine as much as it used to. However, you can still keep it on your team and give it a solid moveset to balance out its weak points.
Here are Golduck’s base stats and type effectiveness:
|
HP: |
80 |
|---|---|
|
Attack: |
82 |
|
Special Attack: |
95 |
|
Defense: |
78 |
|
Special Defense: |
80 |
|
Speed: |
85 |
|
Total: |
500 |
|
Super-effective against: |
Fire, Rock, Ground |
|---|---|
|
Weaknesses: |
Grass, Electric |
|
Resistances: |
Water, Fire, Steel, Ice |
|
Immunities: |
N/A |
As you can see, Golduck has a higher Special Attack than Attack, meaning it’s best to give it special moves such as Psychic or Surf. Unfortunately, most of the moves it has in its learnset calculate physical power instead of special. Thus, if you want a more-rounded Golduck, you’ll have to use TMs.
Some recommended moves for Golduck are:
- Ice Beam: Gives coverage against most Grass-type Pokemon, one of Golduck’s weaknesses.
- Psychic: Gives coverage against Poison and Fighting-type Pokemon. It’s also the better option over Confusion, which it learns via leveling.
- Hydro Pump: This move will give Golduck STAB. Hydro Pump has low accuracy (80%) in exchange for high power (110).
- Surf: If you’d prefer, you can have Golduck learn Surf, which has 100% accuracy and a power of 90. The downside to Surf is that it will hit everything surrounding Golduck, meaning it’s not a move you’ll want to use in Double Battles, unless the ally Pokemon can avoid/block it.
- A stat-raising status move, such as Calm Mind or Amnesia.
- Released
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November 18, 2022