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.
Type-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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground, Psychic, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Poison, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Normal, Fighting |
Torkoal can KO Gengar with Eruption (98-115%). Slowbro deals 42-49% with Scald.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemCharcoal NatureQuiet Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Torkoal builds →Eruption98-115%KO Heat Wave62-73% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySynchronize ItemRed Card NatureTimid Moves View Mew builds →
| ||
 SlowbroRecovers HP on switch via Regenerator, burns with Scald, threatens with Trick Room WaterPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Slowbro builds →Scald42-49% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIronfist ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves View Pawmot builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Avalugg builds →Avalanche43-51% | ||
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
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
Gengar best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Trick
- Focus Blast
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Focus Blast
- Destiny Bond
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Nasty Plot
- Sludge Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Destiny Bond
- Sludge Wave
- Sludge Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Attacker Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Destiny Bond
Recommended Teammates
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Trick
- Focus Blast
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Focus Blast
- Destiny Bond
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Nasty Plot
- Sludge Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Destiny Bond
- Sludge Wave
- Sludge Bomb
Doubles Special Attacker Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Destiny Bond
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Trick
- Giga Drain
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Energy Ball
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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 GastlyEast Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightEast Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightGlaseado MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave25%EarlyNightGlaseado MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave25%EarlyNightGlaseado MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave25%EarlyNightGlaseado MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave25%EarlyNightNorth Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightNorth Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Four) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Four) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Two) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Two) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightWest Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightWest Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightEast Province (Area Three) - MineVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route15%EarlyNightEast Province (Area Three) - MineScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route15%EarlyNightAsado Desert - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Desert8%EarlyAsado Desert - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Desert8%EarlyCasseroya Lake - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Water8%EarlyCasseroya Lake - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Water8%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyGlaseado MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave8%EarlyGlaseado MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave8%EarlyGlaseado MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave8%EarlyGlaseado MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave8%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Five) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Five) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Six) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Six) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Three) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Three) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyWest Province (Area One) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyWest Province (Area One) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - SnowVioletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - SnowScarletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNight
Step 2Catch or Evolve HaunterNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - SnowVioletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - SnowScarletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route12%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route12%MidNightor 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 GastlyBolderoll RavineGrassUncommonNightCelestica RuinsGrass RuinsUncommonNightGapejaw BogGrass SwampUncommonNightGolden LowlandsGrassUncommonNightSacred PlazaGrass FacilityUncommonNightScarlet BogGrass SwampUncommonNightShrouded RuinsGrass RuinsUncommonNight
Step 2Catch or Evolve HaunterBolderoll RavineGrassUncommonNightCelestica RuinsGrass RuinsUncommonNightCottonsedge PrairieGrassUncommonNightGapejaw BogGrass SwampUncommonNightSacred PlazaGrass FacilityUncommonNightScarlet BogGrass SwampUncommonNightShrouded RuinsGrass RuinsUncommonNightor evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
Step 3Gengar ✓Space-Time Distortion - Coronet HighlandsGrass DistortionRareor 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 GastlyOld ChateauBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.12-16100%EarlyOld ChateauShining PearlGrass Lv.12-16100%EarlyOld Chateau - 2F Room 2Shining PearlGrass Lv.12-16100%EarlyOld Chateau - 2F Room 2Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.12-16100%EarlyOld Chateau - 2F Room 4Shining PearlGrass Lv.12-16100%EarlyOld Chateau - 2F Room 4Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.12-16100%EarlyLost Tower - 1FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-18 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 1FShining PearlGrass Lv.16-18 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 2FShining PearlGrass Lv.17-19 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 2FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.17-19 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 3FShining PearlGrass Lv.18-20 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 3FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.18-20 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 4FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.19-21 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 4FShining PearlGrass Lv.19-21 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 5FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.20-22 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 5FShining PearlGrass Lv.20-22 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 1FShining PearlGrass Lv.16-18 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 1FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-18 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 2FShining PearlGrass Lv.17-19 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 2FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.17-19 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 3FShining PearlGrass Lv.18-20 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 3FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.18-20 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 4FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.19-21 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 4FShining PearlGrass Lv.19-21 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 5FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.20-22 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 5FShining PearlGrass Lv.20-22 Building40%MidNightDazzling CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidDazzling CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidRoute 209Shining PearlGrass Lv.16 Route10%MidNightRoute 209Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16 Route10%MidNightStargleam CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidStargleam CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMid
Step 2Catch or Evolve HaunterTurnback Cave - Section 1Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.44-46 Cave30%LateTurnback Cave - Section 1Shining PearlGrass Lv.44-46 Cave30%LateTurnback Cave - Section 2Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.54-56 Cave30%PostTurnback Cave - Section 2Shining PearlGrass Lv.54-56 Cave30%PostTurnback Cave - Section 3Shining PearlGrass Lv.64-66 Cave30%PostTurnback Cave - Section 3Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.64-66 Cave30%Postor 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 can Mega Evolve into Mega Gengar. That's 600 BST, up from 500. The stat redistribution often changes its best role. Mega Stone required, one per battle.
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.
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Gengar has appeared in 22 titles over 10 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.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves