High risk, high reward with Gengar. The offense is outstanding but the bulk won't survive much — 60 base HP is the weak link. Normal and Fighting moves can't touch it, which offsets the 4 weaknesses somewhat. Known as the Shadow Pokemon.
The stat budget goes to damage. Sp. Atk and Speed carry the offense, HP doesn't even come close. A Shadow Pokemon on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve, worth 3 Sp. Atk EVs per KO.
To steal the life of its target, it slips into the prey’s shadow and silently waits for an opportunity.
Hiding in people’s shadows at night, it absorbs their heat. The chill it causes makes the victims shake.
Gengar Weakness
GoodType-wise, Gengar takes extra damage from Ground, Psychic, Ghost, and Dark. Normal and Fighting moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. At base 110 Speed, Gengar outspeeds most threats and doesn't need to tank what it can outrun.
Getting Gengar requires a trade, not just grinding levels. The chain starts at Gastly. Breed this form to get Gastly eggs (average hatch time). Sp.Def grew the most through evolution (+40 over Gastly), and Gengar peaks at 500 total stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Gengar to get Gastly eggs easily using 63 partners from the Indeterminate egg group.
utility options gives Gengar answers even while choice-locked. Choice Scarf provides speed patching through item lock, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs with Cursedbody mean every prediction that lands hits hard.
Best Build
Best Gengar Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Trick
- Focus Blast
Recommended Teammates
Stall teams hate this. Gengar can spread damage across 10 types, with Dark and Psychic punishing common defensive pivots. STAB from Gunk Shot and Poltergeist keeps the pressure honest on everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
TMs carry this one. Gengar learns Gunk Shot and Sludge Wave naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Psychic and Ice and beyond give it real matchup play.
A solid spread overall. Gengar gets Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball for same-type damage alongside coverage across 9 types. It won't blow anyone away, but it doesn't leave you stuck either.
Breeding's the move. Astonish and Clear Smog give Gengar options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 9 types already covers a decent range on top of Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball. The egg moves push it further.
The chain to Gengar requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Gastly at decent rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
How to Obtain Gengar in Scarlet & Violet
To get Gengar, start by catching Gastly through walking encounters at Lv. 2-54. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
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 2Catch or Evolve HaunterEASYNorth 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)
Step 3Gengar ✓
Gengar isn't available in the wild in Legends: Z-A. Start by transferring Gastly from Red, Yellow, or FireRed. The evolution path from Gastly to Gengar is covered in the steps below.
Gengar's 3-stage chain starts with Gastly, which appears at decent rates in the locations below. Level through 3 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.
Where To Catch Gengar in Legends: Arceus
Gastly is your first catch on the way to Gengar. You'll find walking encounters from walking across 15 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch GastlyEASYBolderoll RavineGrassUncommonNightEASYCelestica RuinsGrassUncommonRuinsNightEASYGapejaw BogGrassUncommonSwampNightEASYGolden LowlandsGrassUncommonNightEASYSacred PlazaGrassUncommonFacilityNightEASYScarlet BogGrassUncommonSwampNightEASYShrouded RuinsGrassUncommonRuinsNight
Step 2Catch or Evolve HaunterEASYBolderoll RavineGrassUncommonNightEASYCelestica RuinsGrassUncommonRuinsNightEASYCottonsedge PrairieGrassUncommonNightEASYGapejaw BogGrassUncommonSwampNightEASYSacred PlazaGrassUncommonFacilityNightEASYScarlet BogGrassUncommonSwampNightEASYShrouded RuinsGrassUncommonRuinsNightor evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
Step 3Gengar ✓CHALLENGINGSpace-Time Distortion - Coronet HighlandsGrassRareDistortionor evolve from Haunter (Step 2)
Gengar's 3-stage chain starts with Gastly, which appears at solid rates in the locations below. Level through 3 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.
How to Obtain Gengar in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Gastly is your first catch on the way to Gengar. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 12-66 across 38 total spots in the chain.
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 2Catch or Evolve HaunterEFFORTLESSTurnback 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)
Step 3Gengar ✓
We rate Gengar A-Tier — a strong competitive pick. At 500 BST, it fits the sweeper role. Base 130 Sp. Atk stands out.
Gengar's biggest threats include Golem (Ground), Starmie (Psychic), and Misdreavus (Ghost), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Dark-type attackers are also a problem. Gengar's base 110 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
Cursed Body is the go-to ability for Gengar. It has a 30% chance of Disabling any move that hits the Pokémon. It's Gengar's only ability.
Base 110 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Gengar is a special attacker with base 130 Sp. Atk. Best used as a sweeper.
Gengar appears in 22 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Gengar has appeared in 22 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7 and a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- 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 VIORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwShGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A