For Diamond & Pearl, we rate Gengar A-Tier: a strong pick in Diamond & Pearl's competitive scene. At 500 BST, it fits the sweeper role. Shadow Ball with Life Orb is the standard set.

Does Gengar mega evolve?

Mega Evolution isn't available in Diamond & Pearl, but Gengar does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Gengar hits 600 BST.

What is Gengar weak to?

In Diamond & Pearl, 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.

What is the best ability for Gengar?

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.

What role does Gengar play in battle?

Base 110 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Gengar is a mixed attacker with base 65 Attack and 130 Sp. Atk. Best used as a sweeper.

Gengar - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Mixed

Sweeper

ATier

110Speed · Fast

Stats & Training

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.

Base Stats

High

HP60

Attack65

Defense60

Sp. Atk130

Sp. Def75

Speed110

Total500

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging45 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Slow1.06M XP

Height1.5 m

Weight40.5 kg

Base XP250

Abilities

Cursed Body

Has a 30% chance of Disabling any move that hits the Pokémon.

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpA+3SpDSpe

Strong Special Attack training target

Pokedex Entries

It hides in shadows. It is said that if GENGAR is hiding, it cools the area by nearly 10 degrees F.

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. At base 110 Speed, Gengar outspeeds most threats and doesn't need to tank what it can outrun.

Gengar Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Ground, Psychic, Ghost, Dark
0.5x (Resist)	Grass
0.25x (Resist)	Poison, Bug
0x (Immune)	Normal, Fighting

Type ChartGood

4Weak

3Resist

2Immune

Score+3

Gen IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Ground Psychic Ghost Dark

½xResist

¼xResist

0xImmune

STAB (3)

How to Beat Gengar in Diamond & Pearl (Best Counters)

Bronzong SteelPsychic	A
Available Moves Moves Future SightLv. 43 Dream EaterTM85 EarthquakeTM26 PsychicTM29 Damage vs Gengar Future Sight 2x 105-125%KO Dream Eater 2x 88-104%KO Earthquake 2x 77-91% Psychic 2x 80-95% View Bronzong builds →
Steelix SteelGround	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 CrunchLv. 41 DigTM28 PaybackTM66 Damage vs Gengar Earthquake 2x 112-132%KO Crunch 2x 60-71% Dig 2x 90-106%KO Payback 2x 38-45% View Steelix builds →
Girafarig NormalPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Dream EaterTM85 EarthquakeTM26 PsychicTM29 Zen HeadbuttLv. 41 Damage vs Gengar Dream Eater 2x 98-115%KO Earthquake 2x 70-83% Psychic 2x 90-106%KO Zen Headbutt 2x 84-99% View Girafarig builds →
Drapion PoisonDark	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 DigTM28 Shadow BallTM30 Knock OffLv. 23 Damage vs Gengar Earthquake 2x 77-91% Dig 2x 62-74% Shadow Ball 2x 39-46% Knock Off 2x 76-90% View Drapion builds →
Spiritomb GhostDark	C
Obtain MethodRoute 209 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Dream EaterTM85 PsychicTM29 Shadow BallTM30 Sucker PunchLv. 31 Damage vs Gengar Dream Eater 2x 66-78% Psychic 2x 60-71% Shadow Ball 2x 80-95% Sucker Punch 2x 84-99% View Spiritomb builds →

Diamond & Pearl 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

3 Forms

#092Gastly

Level 25

#093Haunter

Trade

#094Gengar

Stat Comparison 3 Stages

Gastly

GhostPoison

Haunter

GhostPoison

Gengar

GhostPoison

45+15

60+15

ATK

50+15

65+15

DEF

45+15

60+15

SP.ATK

100

115+15

130+15

SP.DEF

55+20

75+20

SPE

95+15

110+15

BST

310C-Tier

405C-Tier+95

500A-Tier+95

ROLE

Attacker

Cannon

Sweeper

TYPE

Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Gengar to get Gastly eggs easily using 31 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Astonish, Explosion, Fire Punch and 7 more.

Egg Groups

Indeterminate

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

10moves

Breed With (best first)

Diamond & Pearl Gengar Best Moveset

Normal coverage keeps opponents guessing about Gengar's real targets. Life Orb provides extra damage on every hit for a health trade while max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs and Timid nature handle the stat profile. Levitate ties it together.

Best Build

Highly recommended

Special Sweeper

Ability

Levitate

Item

Life OrbPOWER

Best Nature for Gengar

Timid+SPE

Gengar best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

SpA

SpD

Spe

Special Sweeper Moveset

Shadow BallSTAB
Focus Blast
SubstituteUtility
ExplosionCoverage

Recommended Teammates

TyranitarDecent

MetagrossDecent

JirachiDecent

Moves

Breeding's the move. Astonish and Explosion give Gengar options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 8 types already covers a decent range on top of Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Hypnosis

D—7020Psychic

Lv 1

Lick

—2010030Ghost

Lv 1

Spite

——10010Ghost

Lv 5

Spite

——10010Ghost

Lv 8

Mean Look

D——5Normal

Lv 12

Curse

C——10Ghost

Lv 15

Night Shade

D—10015Ghost

Lv 19

Confuse Ray

D—10010Ghost

Lv 22

Sucker Punch+1

D801005Dark

Lv 25

Shadow Punch

—60—20Ghost

Lv 28

Payback

D5010010Dark

Lv 33

Shadow Ball

S8010015Ghost

Lv 39

Dream Eater

—10010015Psychic

Lv 44

Dark Pulse

C8010015Dark

Lv 50

Destiny Bond

D——5Ghost

Lv 55

Nightmare

——10015Ghost

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM31

Brick Break

D7510015Fighting

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

TM79

Dark Pulse

C8010015Dark

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM60

Drain Punch

D751005Fighting

TM85

Dream Eater

—10010015Psychic

TM63

Embargo

——10015Dark

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM53

Energy Ball

C8010010Grass

TM64

Explosion

B2501005Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM56

Fling

——10010Dark

TM52

Focus Blast

S120705Fighting

TM01

Focus Punch-3

C15010020Fighting

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM19

Giga Drain

C6010010Grass

TM68

Giga Impact

C150905Normal

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM15

Hyper Beam

B150905Normal

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM66

Payback

D5010010Dark

TM84

Poison Jab

C8010020Poison

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM77

Psych Up

———10Normal

TM29

Psychic

C9010010Psychic

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

HM06

Rock Smash

D4010015Fighting

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM30

Shadow Ball

S8010015Ghost

TM65

Shadow Claw

C7010015Ghost

TM48

Skill Swap

———10Psychic

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM36

Sludge Bomb

B9010010Poison

TM49

Snatch+4

———10Dark

HM04

Strength

D8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

B——10Normal

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM12

Taunt

B—10020Dark

TM46

Thief

—6010025Dark

TM25

Thunder

C1207010Electric

TM24

Thunderbolt

B9510015Electric

TM41

Torment

——10015Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—8510Poison

TM92

Trick Room-7

C——5Psychic

TM61

Will-O-Wisp

C—7515Fire

Egg Moves

Egg

Astonish

—3010015Ghost

Egg

Explosion

B2501005Normal

Egg

Fire Punch

D7510015Fire

Egg

Grudge

———5Ghost

Egg

Haze

D——30Ice

Egg

Ice Punch

D7510015Ice

Egg

Perish Song

D——5Normal

Egg

Psywave

——8015Psychic

Egg

Thunder Punch

D7510015Electric

Egg

Will-O-Wisp

C—7515Fire

Tutor Moves

Gengar can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Body Slam

D8510015Normal

Gen 3

Counter-5

D—10020Fighting

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 3

Dynamic Punch

D100505Fighting

Gen 3

Mega Kick

—120755Normal

Gen 3

Mega Punch

—808520Normal

Gen 3

Metronome

———10Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Gen 3

Seismic Toss

D—10020Fighting

How to Get Gengar in Diamond & Pearl

The chain to Gengar requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Gastly at solid rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.

Trade Evolution Required — Requires trading with another player

Where To Catch Gengar in Diamond & Pearl

To get Gengar, start by catching Gastly through walking and trade encounters at Lv. 12-66. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

Step 1Catch Gastly
Old Chateau
DiamondGrass Lv.12-16
CommonEarly
Old Chateau
PearlGrass Lv.12-16
CommonEarly
Old Chateau - 2F Room 2
DiamondGrass Lv.12-16
CommonEarly
Old Chateau - 2F Room 2
PearlGrass Lv.12-16
CommonEarly
Old Chateau - 2F Room 4
DiamondGrass Lv.12-16
CommonEarly
Old Chateau - 2F Room 4
PearlGrass Lv.12-16
CommonEarly
Lost Tower - 1F
DiamondGrass Lv.16-18 Building
CommonMid
Lost Tower - 1F
PearlGrass Lv.16-18 Building
CommonMid
Lost Tower - 2F
DiamondGrass Lv.17-19 Building
CommonMid
Lost Tower - 2F
PearlGrass Lv.17-19 Building
CommonMid
Lost Tower - 3F
PearlGrass Lv.18-20 Building
CommonMid
Lost Tower - 3F
DiamondGrass Lv.18-20 Building
CommonMid
Lost Tower - 4F
DiamondGrass Lv.19-21 Building
CommonMid
Lost Tower - 4F
PearlGrass Lv.19-21 Building
CommonMid
Lost Tower - 5F
DiamondGrass Lv.20-22 Building
CommonMid
Lost Tower - 5F
PearlGrass Lv.20-22 Building
CommonMid
Route 209
DiamondGrass Lv.16 Route
UncommonMid
Night
Route 209
PearlGrass Lv.16 Route
UncommonMid
Night
Train until Level 25
Step 2Catch or Evolve Haunter
Old Chateau
DiamondGrass Lv.16
UncommonMid
Dual-slot: any GBA game
Old Chateau
PearlGrass Lv.16
UncommonMid
Dual-slot: any GBA game
Old Chateau - 2F Room 2
DiamondGrass Lv.16
UncommonMid
Dual-slot: any GBA game
Old Chateau - 2F Room 2
PearlGrass Lv.16
UncommonMid
Dual-slot: any GBA game
Old Chateau - 2F Room 4
PearlGrass Lv.16
RareMid
Dual-slot: any GBA game
Old Chateau - 2F Room 4
DiamondGrass Lv.16
RareMid
Dual-slot: any GBA game
Turnback Cave - Section 1
PearlGrass Lv.44-46 Cave
CommonLate
Turnback Cave - Section 1
DiamondGrass Lv.44-46 Cave
CommonLate
Turnback Cave - Section 2
DiamondGrass Lv.54-56 Cave
CommonPost
Turnback Cave - Section 2
PearlGrass Lv.54-56 Cave
CommonPost
Turnback Cave - Section 3
DiamondGrass Lv.64-66 Cave
CommonPost
Turnback Cave - Section 3
PearlGrass Lv.64-66 Cave
CommonPost
Snowpoint City
PearlIn-game trade City
Limited
Trade for (give Medicham)
Snowpoint City
DiamondIn-game trade City
Limited
Trade for (give Medicham)
or evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
Trade
Step 3Gengar ✓
Old Chateau - 2F Room 4
PearlGrass Lv.16
RareMid
Dual-slot: any GBA game
Old Chateau - 2F Room 4
DiamondGrass Lv.16
RareMid
Dual-slot: any GBA game
or evolve from Haunter (Step 2)

Gengar Guide

For Diamond & Pearl, we rate Gengar A-Tier: a strong pick in Diamond & Pearl's competitive scene. At 500 BST, it fits the sweeper role. Shadow Ball with Life Orb is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Diamond & Pearl, but Gengar does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Gengar hits 600 BST.
In Diamond & Pearl, 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 mixed attacker with base 65 Attack and 130 Sp. Atk. Best used as a sweeper.

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 7 and a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.

Click a game to view version-specific details

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Want to tell us more?

What was most useful?

About:

What could be improved?

About:

Thanks for your feedback

Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Move Moves ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Gengar Confusion 2x 56-67% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Move Moves ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Gengar Confusion 2x 38-47% View Solrock builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Upcoming Move Moves Sand TombLv. 41 Learns Sand Tomb at Level 41 View Onix builds →
Geodude RockGround	C
Upcoming Move Moves EarthquakeLv. 29 Learns Earthquake at Level 29 View Geodude builds →
Cubone Ground	D
Available Move Moves Bone ClubLv. 7 Damage vs Gengar Bone Club 2x 56-67% View Cubone builds →

Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Move Moves ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Gengar Confusion 2x 54-65% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Move Moves ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Gengar Confusion 2x 38-46% View Solrock builds →
Murkrow DarkFlying	C
Available Moves Moves ThiefTM46 PursuitLv. 5 AstonishLv. 1 Damage vs Gengar Thief 2x 66-78% Pursuit 2x 46-55% Astonish 2x 23-28% View Murkrow builds →
Misdreavus Ghost	C
Available Moves Moves ThiefTM46 AstonishLv. 10 Damage vs Gengar Thief 2x 35-43% Astonish 2x 31-37% View Misdreavus builds →
Cubone Ground	D
Available Moves Moves Bone ClubLv. 7 ThiefTM46 BonemerangLv. 21 Damage vs Gengar Bone Club 2x 51-60% Thief 2x 31-37% Bonemerang 2x 38-46% View Cubone builds →

Bronzong SteelPsychic	A
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 PsychicTM29 ExtrasensoryLv. 19 Shadow BallTM30 Damage vs Gengar Earthquake 2x 78-92% Psychic 2x 84-99% Extrasensory 2x 74-88% Shadow Ball 2x 49-59% View Bronzong builds →
Spiritomb GhostDark	C
Obtain MethodRoute 209 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Dream EaterLv. 19 PsychicTM29 Shadow BallTM30 Feint AttackLv. 7 Damage vs Gengar Dream Eater 2x 67-80% Psychic 2x 61-73% Shadow Ball 2x 84-99% Feint Attack 2x 74-88% View Spiritomb builds →
Gligar GroundFlying	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 Knock OffLv. 12 Feint AttackLv. 23 ThiefTM46 Damage vs Gengar Earthquake 2x 105-124%KO Knock Off 2x 46-54% Feint Attack 2x 41-49% Thief 2x 41-49% View Gligar builds →
Graveler RockGround	C
TM Move Moves EarthquakeTM26 Damage vs Gengar Earthquake 2x 122-145%KO View Graveler builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 PaybackTM66 Damage vs Gengar Earthquake 2x 72-85% Payback 2x 26-31% View Onix builds →

Bronzong SteelPsychic	A
Available Moves Moves Dream EaterTM85 EarthquakeTM26 PsychicTM29 ExtrasensoryLv. 19 Damage vs Gengar Dream Eater 2x 89-106%KO Earthquake 2x 78-92% Psychic 2x 84-99% Extrasensory 2x 74-88% View Bronzong builds →
Girafarig NormalPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Dream EaterTM85 EarthquakeTM26 PsychicTM29 Shadow BallTM30 Damage vs Gengar Dream Eater 2x 101-120%KO Earthquake 2x 72-85% Psychic 2x 93-109%KO Shadow Ball 2x 53-64% View Girafarig builds →
Drapion PoisonDark	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 DigTM28 Shadow BallTM30 Knock OffLv. 23 Damage vs Gengar Earthquake 2x 80-94% Dig 2x 64-75% Shadow Ball 2x 40-47% Knock Off 2x 78-92% View Drapion builds →
Spiritomb GhostDark	C
Obtain MethodRoute 209 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Dream EaterTM85 PsychicTM29 Shadow BallTM30 Feint AttackLv. 7 Damage vs Gengar Dream Eater 2x 67-80% Psychic 2x 61-73% Shadow Ball 2x 84-99% Feint Attack 2x 74-88% View Spiritomb builds →
Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Dream EaterTM85 EarthquakeTM26 PsychicTM29 Shadow BallTM30 Damage vs Gengar Dream Eater 2x 105-124%KO Earthquake 2x 55-66% Psychic 2x 95-113%KO Shadow Ball 2x 55-66% View Lunatone builds →

Bronzong SteelPsychic	A
Available Moves Moves Dream EaterTM85 EarthquakeTM26 PsychicTM29 ExtrasensoryLv. 19 Damage vs Gengar Dream Eater 2x 89-105%KO Earthquake 2x 76-90% Psychic 2x 81-96% Extrasensory 2x 71-84% View Bronzong builds →
Girafarig NormalPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Dream EaterTM85 EarthquakeTM26 PsychicTM29 Shadow BallTM30 Damage vs Gengar Dream Eater 2x 96-114%KO Earthquake 2x 69-82% Psychic 2x 86-102%KO Shadow Ball 2x 52-62% View Girafarig builds →
Drapion PoisonDark	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 DigTM28 Shadow BallTM30 Knock OffLv. 23 Damage vs Gengar Earthquake 2x 76-90% Dig 2x 61-72% Shadow Ball 2x 39-46% Knock Off 2x 76-90% View Drapion builds →
Spiritomb GhostDark	C
Obtain MethodRoute 209 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Dream EaterTM85 PsychicTM29 Shadow BallTM30 Sucker PunchLv. 31 Damage vs Gengar Dream Eater 2x 66-78% Psychic 2x 59-70% Shadow Ball 2x 79-93% Sucker Punch 2x 84-99% View Spiritomb builds →
Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Dream EaterTM85 EarthquakeTM26 PsychicTM29 Shadow BallTM30 Damage vs Gengar Dream Eater 2x 102-120%KO Earthquake 2x 52-62% Psychic 2x 91-108%KO Shadow Ball 2x 54-64% View Lunatone builds →

UxieThreatens with Trick, excellent bulk Psychic	B
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureImpish Moves Stealth Rock U Turn Thunder Wave TrickUtility Damage vs Gengar U Turn 6-7% View Uxie builds →
CelebiRecovers with Recover, threatens with Psychic, cures status via Natural Cure PsychicGrass	B
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves RecoverRecovery Thunder Wave Grass Knot Hidden Power Fire View Celebi builds →
ClaydolResists Poison, threatens with Earthquake, walls special sets GroundPsychic	C
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves Rapid Spin Explosion EarthquakeSTAB Stealth Rock Damage vs Gengar Earthquake 2x 108-128%KO View Claydol builds →
CharizardRecovers with Roost FireFlying	C
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves Air Slash FlamethrowerSTAB Solar Beam Hidden Power Grass Damage vs Gengar Air Slash 69-80% Flamethrower 82-97% View Charizard builds →
SmeargleImmune to Ghost, puts to sleep with Spore, threatens with Spikes Normal	C
Recommended Build AbilityOwntempo ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves SporeUtility Stealth Rock ExplosionSTAB SpikesHazard View Smeargle builds →