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.
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
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 |
 Excadrill GroundSteel | S | |
Ground is super effective against GengarView Excadrill → | ||
 Gardevoir PsychicFairy | B | |
Psychic is super effective against GengarView Gardevoir → | ||
In Legends: Z-A, Slowbro's Scald hits Gengar for 42-49%. Avalugg's Avalanche hits Gengar for 43-51%.
 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% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Avalugg builds →Avalanche43-51% | ||
Legends: Z-A 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
Legends: Z-A Gengar Best Moveset
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
Doubles Special Attacker Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Destiny Bond
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Gengar in Legends: Z-A
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 Guide
For Legends: Z-A, we rate Gengar A-Tier: a strong pick in Legends: Z-A's competitive scene. At 500 BST, it fits the sweeper role. Shadow Ball with Choice Scarf is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Legends: Z-A, but Gengar does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Gengar hits 600 BST.
In Legends: Z-A, 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.
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
- 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