Why are Bug type moves good against Dark and Psychic?

Pleaselog inorregisterto add a comment.

The logic behind Bug being x2 against Psychic is thus:

The Psychic type is based on the mind, and the mind has irrational fears, namely the dark, ghosts and bugs. That’s why Psychic types are weak against those, but have a resistance to Fighting, because of the old “mind over substance” idea.

The logic behind Bug being x2 against Dark is thus:

Since most bugs are active at night, under the cover of darkness, they thrive in places in places that have little to no light, e.g. woodlice live in dark, dank places, usually under fallen trees. Hence why Fire is x2 against Bug because many real life species need to be in moist soil most of the time, ergo why bugs have a ground resistance.

This is mostly fan based logic though, but imo it makes sense.

I just answered this on another sight and I don’t know if I’m about to get a blast for necro-ing this discussion, but it’s the top result on a Google search of the subject so I’m going to do it anyway. My answer (confidant theory) is this:

Tackling Bug v Dark:

A key thing to note is that the Japanese name for the “Dark” type is more closely translated to “Evil” or “Sinister.” This is why dark types have many underhanded or villainous move names like “Quash,” “Sucker Punch,” “Fake Tears,” “Torment,” and “Nasty Plot.” Also why the Fairy type, which embodies goodness or purity, has a type advantage.

Alternatively, Fighting type embodies heroism or discipline. If you consider the culture of classic Japanese action films, the heroes who take down Evil are usually adept and disciplined in martial arts.

On the Bug side, insects obviously aren’t know to be the undoing of evil, but if you consider what things people (particularly the Japanese) associate with bugs, things become more clear:

So ultimately, Evil (Dark) is framed as being bested by discipline/heroism (Fighting), the collective effort of the masses (Bug), or pure goodness (Fairy).This whole relationship IS much more conceptual that of Ice v Grass or Steel v Fire, but Evil isn’t exactly an element.

Tackling Bug v Psychic:

Basically what everyone else has said: phobia that disrupts mental harmony or focus. You should stop reading here if all you care about is bugs.

BUT you may be saying, “Hey now, that flies in the face of the meaning of Dark as you laid out earlier! Evil isn’t a phobia!“Following YOUR tangent, shame on you, I would argue that Dark, introduced in Gen II, was not built in reference to Psychic’s weakness theme. Instead, Psychic was made to fit more in line with Dark’s theme by creating trifecta similar to Grass-Fire-Water using Psychic’s established relationship with Fighting.

Psychic has always had a “mind over matter” kind advantage against Fighting, and Fighting is, as explained above, a disciplined righteous counter to Dark’s evil or trickery.Dark can be seen as the Scar to Psychic’s Mufasa. Sure, Mufasa was wise, but Scar was a tricky and underhanded - enabling him to (spoilers) kill his brother.

If you’re into Shonen manga/anime consider this trope relationship:- the young martial arts hero (Fighting) trains under a wise and tactical sensei (Psychic) and can never outthink and defeat him- the sinister villain (Dark) underhandedly counters the sensei’s knowledge (Psychic), defeats him, and reigns supreme- our hero (Fighting) gets tripped up a bit by the tricks of the villain (Dark) but ultimately, through sheer willpower, avenges the sensei to punch the villain right in the face

So yes, Bug beats Psychic for phobic disruption of the mind, but Dark (as fun as fear of the Dark is) doesn’t beat Psychic for the same reasons, as was proposed previously. Don’t think of Bug and Dark in relation to Psychic, but instead Bug and Psychic in relation to Dark, the younger typing.

I’d probably say since alot of bugs are active during the night, they can ‘combat’ it so they’re most well equipped to exist in it (or fight it I suppose? xD).Errm. Bug is good against Psychic since Bugs make most people creeped out in their mind. Alternatively maybe something like Hive mind mentality? (Psychic enters a singular mind = no problem, enters a mind linked to thousands of other minds = overload!)

Other then that… Gamefreak logic :DThough some other people may know the answer to this question :D

OK, you’ve got to remember that it is all speculation and there is no true answer to this question.

Bug is super-effective to Psychic because the fear of bugs is a common phobia which can throw off the balance of the mind.

Bug is super-effective against Grass because bugs eat grass, plants, etc

This is the harder one. Dark is weak to Bug because bugs almost “own the night”. Its kind of hard to figure out because they aren’t the only nocturnal creature.

Yeah, please consider that none of this 100% correct because, again, there is no exact answer.

While many think that bug is strong against dark due to their nocturnal nature, this actually doesnt fully work out. In japan, “Dark” type is actually known as “Evil” type, and as such doesnt hold a direct connotation to dark. However, japan does have a strong association between the two in the form of Kamen Rider, a very famous, pop-culture relevant cyborg insect superhero. As such, bug type is meant to represent Kamen Rider fighting against evil in the name of justice, which can be seen in the Pokemon Ledian whose appearance is based on Kamen Rider and came out in the same generation Dark type was introduced! As for psychic, I’m uncertain but the fear of bugs explanation’s always worked for me!

Look at his for dark. I read somewhere that Psychic was meant to be like people. and the 3 most common fears people have are Death (Ghost), The dark (Dark) and Insects (Bug) so therefore these three are the types super effective against Psychic :D