Expanding Force
PsychicHits 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.
How to learn it
Pokémon that can learn or be taught this move, by method.
Level-up1 Pokémon
Armarouge
TM / HM90 Pokémon
Metagross Mega
Gardevoir Mega
Delphox Mega
Gallade Mega
Slowbro Mega
Malamar Mega
Hatterene Gmax
Armarouge
Farigiraf
Delphox
Gardevoir
Raichu Alola
Slowking Galar
Chimecho Mega
Oranguru
Hatterene
Slowbro Galar
Malamar
Meowstic Female
Gallade
Metagross
Slowbro
Wyrdeer
Espeon
Reuniclus
Medicham Mega
Espathra
Slowking
Chimecho
Meowstic Male
Medicham
Move Tutor91 Pokémon
Metagross Mega
Gardevoir Mega
Gallade Mega
Slowbro Mega
Malamar Mega
Alakazam Mega
Starmie Mega
Mr Rime
Hatterene Gmax
Alakazam
Gardevoir
Musharna
Raichu Alola
Slowking Galar
Oranguru
Hatterene
Slowbro Galar
Malamar
Meowstic Female
Gallade
Metagross
Slowbro
Espeon
Reuniclus
Starmie
Slowking
Meowstic Male
Pokémon that use this move
120 Pokémon, sorted by usage
Metagross Mega
Gardevoir Mega
Delphox Mega
Gallade Mega
Slowbro Mega
Malamar Mega
Alakazam Mega
Starmie Mega
Mr Rime
Hatterene Gmax
Armarouge
Alakazam
Farigiraf
Delphox
Gardevoir
Musharna
Raichu Alola
Slowking Galar
Chimecho Mega
Oranguru
Hatterene
Slowbro Galar
Malamar
Meowstic Female
Gallade
Metagross
Slowbro
Wyrdeer
Espeon
Reuniclus
Starmie
Medicham Mega
Espathra
Slowking
Chimecho
Meowstic Male
Medicham
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.