Mid-stage Pokemon like Haunter rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Gengar, which is where the real potential kicks in. Normal and Fighting moves can't touch it, which offsets the 4 weaknesses somewhat. Known as the Gas Pokemon.
Haunter's built around special offense. Sp. Atk leads the charge, HP pays for it. Moderately hard to find, worth 2 Sp. Atk EVs. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It likes to lurk in the dark and tap shoulders with a gaseous hand. Its touch causes endless shuddering.
In total darkness, where nothing is visible, Haunter lurks, silently stalking its next victim.
Haunter Weakness
GoodGround, Psychic, Ghost, and Dark-type moves hit Haunter for super-effective damage. The upside? Normal and Fighting-type moves can't touch it at all. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Levitate grants an additional Ground immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Haunter leans toward special offense (base 115 Sp.Atk) instead of trying to wall anything.
Haunter is partway through a three-stage line between Gastly and Gengar. The chain involves a trade, so it's not a straightforward grind. So far, Sp.Def got the biggest boost (+20 from Gastly). The final form adds another 95 stats on top.
How to Evolve
Breed with Haunter to get Gastly eggs easily using 63 partners from the Indeterminate egg group.
Don't let the NFE status fool you. Haunter with Eviolite hits bulk numbers that compete with final forms. Max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs and Timid nature maximize that, and Levitate handles the rest.
Best Build
Best Haunter Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Destiny Bond
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
Need something that threatens multiple types? Haunter's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Gunk Shot and Poltergeist gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Without TMs, Haunter's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 8 types on top of Gunk Shot and Sludge Wave for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Haunter's movepool balances level-up moves with TM options. Consistent STAB comes from Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball, and coverage across 7 types keeps opponents from switching in for free. No major gaps here.
Without breeding, Haunter misses out on Astonish and Clear Smog. That's 12 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.
decent spawn rates across 6 locations for Haunter in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Haunter in Scarlet & Violet
The path to Haunter starts with Gastly at Lv. 2-54 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch GastlyEASYEast Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyRouteNightEASYEast Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyRouteNightEASYGlaseado MountainVioletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyCaveNightEASYGlaseado MountainVioletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyCaveNightEASYGlaseado MountainScarletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyCaveNightEASYGlaseado MountainScarletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyCaveNightEASYNorth Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyRouteNightEASYNorth Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyRouteNightEASYSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyRouteNightEASYSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyRouteNightEASYSouth Province (Area Four) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyRouteNightEASYSouth Province (Area Four) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyRouteNightEASYSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyRouteNightEASYSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyRouteNightEASYSouth Province (Area Two) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyRouteNightEASYSouth Province (Area Two) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyRouteNightEASYWest Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyRouteNightEASYWest Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.2-2425%EarlyRouteNightEASYEast Province (Area Three) - MineVioletOverworldLv.2-2415%EarlyRouteNightEASYEast Province (Area Three) - MineScarletOverworldLv.2-2415%EarlyRouteNightMODERATEAsado Desert - RuinsScarletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyDesertMODERATEAsado Desert - RuinsVioletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyDesertMODERATECasseroya Lake - RuinsScarletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyWaterMODERATECasseroya Lake - RuinsVioletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyWaterMODERATEEast Province (Area Two) - RuinsVioletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATEEast Province (Area Two) - RuinsScarletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATEGlaseado MountainVioletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyCaveMODERATEGlaseado MountainScarletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyCaveMODERATEGlaseado MountainScarletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyCaveMODERATEGlaseado MountainVioletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyCaveMODERATENorth Province (Area One) - RuinsScarletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATENorth Province (Area One) - RuinsVioletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Five) - RuinsVioletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Five) - RuinsScarletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Four) - RuinsVioletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Four) - RuinsScarletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area One) - RuinsVioletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area One) - RuinsScarletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Six) - RuinsScarletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Six) - RuinsVioletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Three) - RuinsScarletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Three) - RuinsVioletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Two) - RuinsScarletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Two) - RuinsVioletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATEWest Province (Area One) - RuinsVioletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATEWest Province (Area One) - RuinsScarletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATEWest Province (Area Three) - RuinsVioletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteMODERATEWest Province (Area Three) - RuinsScarletOverworldLv.2-248%EarlyRouteEASYNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsScarletOverworldLv.25-5415%MidRouteNightEASYNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsVioletOverworldLv.25-5415%MidRouteNightEASYNorth Province (Area One) - SnowVioletOverworldLv.25-5415%MidRouteNightEASYNorth Province (Area One) - SnowScarletOverworldLv.25-5415%MidRouteNight
Step 2Haunter ✓EASYNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsScarletOverworldLv.25-5415%MidRouteNightEASYNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsVioletOverworldLv.25-5415%MidRouteNightEASYNorth Province (Area One) - SnowVioletOverworldLv.25-5415%MidRouteNightEASYNorth Province (Area One) - SnowScarletOverworldLv.25-5415%MidRouteNightMODERATENorth Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.25-5412%MidRouteNightMODERATENorth Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.25-5412%MidRouteNightor evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
No wild encounters for Haunter in Legends: Z-A. Bring Gastly over from Red, Yellow, or FireRed, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
decent spawn rates for Haunter across 7 locations in mid-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Haunter in Legends: Arceus
The path to Haunter starts with Gastly at walking via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch GastlyEASYBolderoll RavineGrassUncommonNightEASYCelestica RuinsGrassUncommonRuinsNightEASYGapejaw BogGrassUncommonSwampNightEASYGolden LowlandsGrassUncommonNightEASYSacred PlazaGrassUncommonFacilityNightEASYScarlet BogGrassUncommonSwampNightEASYShrouded RuinsGrassUncommonRuinsNight
Step 2Haunter ✓EASYBolderoll RavineGrassUncommonNightEASYCelestica RuinsGrassUncommonRuinsNightEASYCottonsedge PrairieGrassUncommonNightEASYGapejaw BogGrassUncommonSwampNightEASYSacred PlazaGrassUncommonFacilityNightEASYScarlet BogGrassUncommonSwampNightEASYShrouded RuinsGrassUncommonRuinsNightor evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
A handful of locations for Haunter with high spawn rates across late-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Haunter in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Haunter, start by catching Gastly through walking encounters at Lv. 12-66. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch GastlyEFFORTLESSOld ChateauBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.12-16100%EarlyEFFORTLESSOld ChateauShining PearlGrassLv.12-16100%EarlyEFFORTLESSOld Chateau - 2F Room 2Shining PearlGrassLv.12-16100%EarlyEFFORTLESSOld Chateau - 2F Room 2Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.12-16100%EarlyEFFORTLESSOld Chateau - 2F Room 4Shining PearlGrassLv.12-16100%EarlyEFFORTLESSOld Chateau - 2F Room 4Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.12-16100%EarlyEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 1FBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.16-1850%MidBuildingMorning/dayEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 1FShining PearlGrassLv.16-1850%MidBuildingMorning/dayEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 2FShining PearlGrassLv.17-1950%MidBuildingMorning/dayEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 2FBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.17-1950%MidBuildingMorning/dayEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 3FShining PearlGrassLv.18-2050%MidBuildingMorning/dayEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 3FBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.18-2050%MidBuildingMorning/dayEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 4FBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.19-2150%MidBuildingMorning/dayEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 4FShining PearlGrassLv.19-2150%MidBuildingMorning/dayEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 5FBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.20-2250%MidBuildingMorning/dayEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 5FShining PearlGrassLv.20-2250%MidBuildingMorning/dayEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 1FShining PearlGrassLv.16-1840%MidBuildingNightEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 1FBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.16-1840%MidBuildingNightEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 2FShining PearlGrassLv.17-1940%MidBuildingNightEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 2FBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.17-1940%MidBuildingNightEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 3FShining PearlGrassLv.18-2040%MidBuildingNightEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 3FBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.18-2040%MidBuildingNightEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 4FBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.19-2140%MidBuildingNightEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 4FShining PearlGrassLv.19-2140%MidBuildingNightEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 5FBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.20-2240%MidBuildingNightEFFORTLESSLost Tower - 5FShining PearlGrassLv.20-2240%MidBuildingNightDazzling CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.16-20MidCaveDazzling CaveShining PearlGrassLv.16-20MidCaveMODERATERoute 209Shining PearlGrassLv.1610%MidRouteNightMODERATERoute 209Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.1610%MidRouteNightStargleam CavernShining PearlGrassLv.16-20MidCaveStargleam CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.16-20MidCave
Step 2Haunter ✓EFFORTLESSTurnback Cave - Section 1Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.44-4630%LateCaveEFFORTLESSTurnback Cave - Section 1Shining PearlGrassLv.44-4630%LateCaveEFFORTLESSTurnback Cave - Section 2Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.54-5630%PostCaveEFFORTLESSTurnback Cave - Section 2Shining PearlGrassLv.54-5630%PostCaveEFFORTLESSTurnback Cave - Section 3Shining PearlGrassLv.64-6630%PostCaveEFFORTLESSTurnback Cave - Section 3Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.64-6630%PostCaveor evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
Haunter isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Gengar to unlock its full potential. At 405 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Watch for Rhydon (Ground), Alakazam (Psychic), and Misdreavus (Ghost) when using Haunter. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Dark-type attackers are also a problem.
Run Levitate on Haunter. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche.
Haunter fills the cannon role. It's leaning toward the special side (base 115 Sp. Atk). Base 95 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Haunter appears in 22 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Haunter has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 22 titles across all 9 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A