Expanding Force

Psychic

Hits both foes and gains power on Psychic Terrain.

Technical data

Type
Psychic
Category
special
Power
80
Accuracy
100
PP
10
Priority
0
Target
adjacent
Contact
No
Spread
No
Protect blocks
Yes
Wide Guard blocks
No

Competitive value

On terrain it becomes a powerful spread move, defining Psychic-spam teams.

What this move does

Expanding Force is a Psychic-type special attack. It has 80 base power, 100% accuracy, 10 PP and targets a single adjacent target. Hits both foes and gains power on Psychic Terrain.

On terrain it becomes a powerful spread move, defining Psychic-spam teams.

When to consider it

Consider Expanding Force when its type and power cover targets your team otherwise struggles with. Single-target attacks are reliable and do not risk your own partner, but they can be redirected by Follow Me or Rage Powder. Evaluate the move alongside your team's speed tiers and overall coverage.

How to evaluate it in team building

In team building, Expanding Force is usually a coverage or primary STAB option. It shines when your team already has speed control or when it patches a matchup hole. Compare it with alternative moves of the same type and category to decide whether the extra power, accuracy or side effect justifies the slot over a more defensive option.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes with Expanding Force include: Using it without a clear plan for the turns it creates. Forgetting that Protect and Detect can block it, wasting a key turn. Spamming it predictably and letting the opponent switch into a resist. Not considering how redirectors like Follow Me and Rage Powder change targeting.

VGC interactions

Protect and Detect block this move. These interactions are situational, so test them in the team builder and matchup analyzer before committing to the moveslot.

Related tools and guides

Use the tools below to test Expanding Force in a full team context and compare it with alternative options.

VGC interactions

  • Protect / Detect: blocks this move.
  • Wide Guard: does not block this move.
  • Follow Me / Rage Powder: spread moves are not redirected.
  • Quick Guard: no effect (non-priority).

Frequently asked questions

Is Expanding Force good in VGC?

On terrain it becomes a powerful spread move, defining Psychic-spam teams.

Is Expanding Force affected by Protect?

Yes, Expanding Force is blocked by Protect and Detect.

Last updated: July 2026
All figures are estimated trends based on available data and do not guarantee competitive results. Matchups are situational.