Gengar Best Moveset
130 Sp. Atk at 110 Speed on Ghost/Poison TermStab with AbilityCursed Body having a 30% chance to disable the move that hits it. Held ItemFocus Sash guarantees surviving one hit to fire back. The moveset outspeeds most of the format and hits from the special side with coverage that few things resist cleanly. Tera Ghost amplifies the main TermStab.
Ghost/Poison with 130 Special was devastating in Gen I (Red & Blue). Hypnosis, Night Shade, and Explosion made Gengar one of the most versatile threats around.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Hypnosis
- Explosion
- Thunderbolt
- Psychic
Recommended Teammates
Special split gave it 130 Sp. Atk. Mean Look trapping plus Perish Song was a win condition that nothing could escape in Gen II (Gold & Silver).
Utility Moveset
- Ice Punch
- Explosion
- Thunderbolt
- Destiny Bond
Recommended Teammates
Levitate arrived in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire) and removed Gengar's Ground weakness entirely. Three immunities (Normal, Fighting, Ground) plus 130 Sp. Atk. Elite.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Punch
- Explosion
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Same Levitate plus three immunities formula in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Life Orb boosted its already scary damage output. Focus Blast handled Dark-types.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Substitute
- Explosion
Recommended Teammates
Five straight gens at the top. Gengar adapted to every metagame shift in Gen V (Black & White) thanks to incredible Speed, power, and type coverage.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Destiny Bond
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Six consecutive gens at the highest level. Mega Gengar with Shadow Tag was banned from standard play, but base Gengar with Levitate stayed dominant.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Focus Blast
- Sludge Wave
Recommended Teammates
Levitate was removed and replaced with Cursed Body in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Losing Ground immunity was massive. Earthquake threatened it for the first time in four gens.
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Destiny Bond
- Focus Blast
Recommended Teammates
Cursed Body was useful but no replacement for Levitate in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Gengar was still fast and powerful, just more vulnerable than it had been in years.
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Trick
- Giga Drain
Recommended Teammates
The decline continued without Levitate in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Gengar's frailty was more exploitable when Ground moves could hit it. Still decent, but a shadow of its peak.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Sludge Bomb
- Destiny Bond
Recommended Teammates
Gengar Weakness
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 |
What is Gengar Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Gengar
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemTerrain Extender NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Pincurchin builds →Scald26-31% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityEffect Spore ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Vileplume builds →Giga Drain14-17% Sludge Bomb8-10% | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNeutralizinggas ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves View Weezing-Galar builds →
| ||
Recommended Build AbilitySnow Warning ItemLightclay NatureTimid Moves View Ninetales-Alola builds →
| ||
Evolution
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.
How to Get Gengar
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.
Where To Catch Gengar in SV
To get Gengar, start by catching Gastly through walking encounters at Lv. 2-60. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch GastlyEast Province (Area One) - MountainLv.2-24OverworldRate 25%NightGlaseado MountainLv.2-24OverworldRate 25%NightNorth Province (Area One) - MountainLv.2-24OverworldRate 25%NightSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainLv.2-24OverworldRate 25%NightSouth Province (Area Four) - MountainLv.2-24OverworldRate 25%NightSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainLv.2-24OverworldRate 25%NightSouth Province (Area Two) - MountainLv.2-24OverworldRate 25%NightWest Province (Area One) - MountainLv.2-24OverworldRate 25%NightEast Province (Area Three) - MineLv.2-24OverworldRate 15%NightApple HillsLv.7-60OverworldNightMossfell ConfluenceLv.7-60OverworldNightOni MountainLv.7-60OverworldNightParadise BarrensLv.7-60OverworldNightWistful FieldsLv.7-60OverworldNightAsado Desert - RuinsLv.2-24OverworldRate 8%Casseroya Lake - RuinsLv.2-24OverworldRate 8%East Province (Area Two) - RuinsLv.2-24OverworldRate 8%Glaseado MountainLv.2-24OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area One) - RuinsLv.2-24OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Five) - RuinsLv.2-24OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Four) - RuinsLv.2-24OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area One) - RuinsLv.2-24OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Six) - RuinsLv.2-24OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Three) - RuinsLv.2-24OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Two) - RuinsLv.2-24OverworldRate 8%West Province (Area One) - RuinsLv.2-24OverworldRate 8%West Province (Area Three) - RuinsLv.2-24OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area One) - RuinsLv.25-54OverworldRate 15%NightNorth Province (Area One) - SnowLv.25-54OverworldRate 15%Night
Step 2Catch or Evolve HaunterNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsLv.25-54OverworldRate 15%NightNorth Province (Area One) - SnowLv.25-54OverworldRate 15%NightNorth Province (Area One) - MountainLv.25-54OverworldRate 12%NightMossfell ConfluenceLv.25-60OverworldNightOni MountainLv.25-60OverworldNightor evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
Step 3Gengar ✓Mossfell ConfluenceLv.25-60OverworldNightor evolve from Haunter (Step 2)
A trade step sits in Gengar's 3-stage chain from Gastly. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Gastly shows up at moderate rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
Where To Catch Gengar in LZA
The path to Gengar starts with Gastly at Lv. 9-64 via walking encounters. 3 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one 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 PLA
Gastly is your first catch on the way to Gengar. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 17-62 across 15 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch GastlyGolden LowlandsLv.17-20GrassRate 15%NightShrouded RuinsLv.17-24FloorRate 15%NightGapejaw BogLv.19-24GrassRate 15%NightBolderoll RavineLv.21-24GrassRate 15%NightCelestica RuinsLv.21-24FloorRate 15%NightSacred PlazaLv.21-24FloorRate 15%NightScarlet BogLv.21-24GrassRate 15%Night
Step 2Catch or Evolve HaunterGapejaw BogLv.25-28GrassRate 15%NightScarlet BogLv.25-28GrassRate 15%NightShrouded RuinsLv.25-30FloorRate 15%NightCottonsedge PrairieLv.33-36GrassRate 15%NightCelestica RuinsLv.39-42FloorRate 15%NightSacred PlazaLv.39-56FloorRate 15%NightBolderoll RavineLv.43-56GrassRate 15%Nightor evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
Step 3Gengar ✓Space-Time Distortion - Coronet HighlandsLv.48-62CaveRate 5%or 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 BDSP
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 ChateauLv.12-16GrassRate 100%Old Chateau - 2F Room 2Lv.12-16GrassRate 100%Old Chateau - 2F Room 4Lv.12-16GrassRate 100%Lost Tower - 1FLv.16-18FloorRate 50%Morning/dayLost Tower - 2FLv.17-19FloorRate 50%Morning/dayLost Tower - 3FLv.18-20FloorRate 50%Morning/dayLost Tower - 4FLv.19-21FloorRate 50%Morning/dayLost Tower - 5FLv.20-22FloorRate 50%Morning/dayLost Tower - 1FLv.16-18FloorRate 40%NightLost Tower - 2FLv.17-19FloorRate 40%NightLost Tower - 3FLv.18-20FloorRate 40%NightLost Tower - 4FLv.19-21FloorRate 40%NightLost Tower - 5FLv.20-22FloorRate 40%NightDazzling CaveLv.16-20CaveRoute 209Lv.16GrassRate 10%NightStargleam CavernLv.16-20Cave
Step 2Catch or Evolve HaunterTurnback Cave - Section 1Lv.44-46CaveRate 30%Turnback Cave - Section 2Lv.54-56CaveRate 30%Turnback Cave - Section 3Lv.64-66CaveRate 30%or evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
Step 3Gengar ✓
Base Stats
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.
Gengar Guide
We rate Gengar B-Tier: a solid choice for the right team. 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.
Gengar is obtained by trade-evolving Haunter. Catch or evolve a Haunter first, then trade. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Haunter to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required.
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.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Gengar has appeared in 22 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 6 and a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves