
Is Gengar Good in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Playthrough?
Gengar keeps AbilityLevitate in Gen 6, giving it Ground immunity on top of Ghost/Poison. Mega Gengar adds AbilityShadow Tag to trap opponents. One of the best Pokemon for Phoebe, Tate and Liza, and Steven's team. The double trade requirement is the only drawback.
Gastly trades roughly evenly with Roxanne's team.
Gastly has the type edge here and should clean up Brawly's team.
Gastly trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.
Gastly trades roughly evenly with Flannery's team.
Norman's team hits Gastly's weaknesses hard.
Gastly trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.
Gastly has the type edge here and should clean up Tate & Liza's team.
Gastly trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.
Gastly trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.
Gastly has the type edge here and should clean up Phoebe's team.
Gastly trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.
Gastly trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.
Gastly trades roughly evenly with Steven's team.
Gengar cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.
How to Get Gengar in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Gengar can't be caught in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire. Transfer Gastly from Red & Blue, Yellow, or FireRed & LeafGreen and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Gengar in ORAS
Step 1Obtain GastlyLATER APPEARANCEfrom Red & BlueNot TradeableAppears in Red & Blue via Walking · Pokémon Tower. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom YellowNot TradeableAppears in Yellow via Walking · Pokémon Tower. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Sprout Tower. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Walking · Sprout Tower. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Pokémon Tower. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Haunter
Step 3Gengar ✓
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
Sableye DarkGhost | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Sableye builds →Shadow Claw 2x73-86% Feint Attack 2x61-73% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Kadabra builds →Psybeam 2x80-94% Thief 2x26-31% | ||
Mightyena Dark | C | |
Shedinja BugGhost | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Shedinja builds →Shadow Claw 2x80-94% Thief 2x46-54% | ||
Zorua Dark | C | |
Kadabra Psychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Kadabra builds →Psychic 2x111-132%KO Thief 2x27-32% | ||
Sandile GroundDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Sandile builds →Crunch 2x77-91% Dig 2x77-91% | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
Obtain MethodMeteor Falls Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Lunatone builds →Psychic 2x93-110%KO Bulldoze 2x33-39% | ||
Sableye DarkGhost | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Sableye builds →Shadow Claw 2x71-84% Knock Off 2x68-80% Dig 2x54-63% Psychic 2x45-54% | ||
Sandslash Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Sandslash builds →Dig 2x99-117%KO Shadow Claw 2x57-68% Thief 2x51-61% | ||
Gardevoir PsychicFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Gardevoir builds →Psychic 2x117-138%KO Thief 2x37-44% | ||
Zoroark Dark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Zoroark builds →Foul Play 2x125-148%KO Dig 2x70-83% Shadow Claw 2x62-74% | ||
Krokorok GroundDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Krokorok builds →Crunch 2x87-103%KO Dig 2x87-103%KO Shadow Claw 2x51-60% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Kadabra builds →Psychic 2x110-131%KO Thief 2x25-30% | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
Obtain MethodMeteor Falls Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Lunatone builds →Psychic 2x93-110%KO Bulldoze 2x32-39% | ||
Latios DragonPsychic | B | |
Obtain MethodSouthern Island Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Latios builds →Psychic 2x122-143%KO Shadow Claw 2x55-65% Bulldoze 2x48-57% | ||
Latias DragonPsychic | B | |
Obtain MethodSouthern Island Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Latias builds →Psychic 2x104-124%KO Shadow Claw 2x51-61% Bulldoze 2x43-52% | ||
Gardevoir PsychicFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Gardevoir builds →Psychic 2x116-137%KO Thief 2x38-46% | ||
Zoroark Dark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Zoroark builds →Foul Play 2x127-150%KO Dig 2x72-85% Shadow Claw 2x62-74% | ||
Torterra GrassGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Torterra builds →Earthquake 2x138-163%KO Bite 2x57-67% | ||
Latios DragonPsychic | B | |
Obtain MethodSouthern Island Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Latios builds →Psychic 2x120-143%KO Shadow Ball 2x72-85% Bulldoze 2x48-57% | ||
Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Krookodile builds →Foul Play 2x139-165%KO Dig 2x119-140%KO Shadow Claw 2x70-82% | ||
Latias DragonPsychic | B | |
Obtain MethodSouthern Island Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Latias builds →Psychic 2x104-123%KO Shadow Ball 2x62-74% Bulldoze 2x44-52% | ||
Gardevoir PsychicFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Gardevoir builds →Future Sight 2x157-184%KO Shadow Ball 2x70-82% Thief 2x37-44% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x150-177%KO Shadow Ball 2x66-79% Thief 2x25-30% | ||
Latios DragonPsychic | B | |
Obtain MethodSouthern Island Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Latios builds →Psychic 2x118-139%KO Shadow Ball 2x70-83% Earthquake 2x77-91% | ||
Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 2x142-168%KO Foul Play 2x134-158%KO Shadow Claw 2x66-78% | ||
Latias DragonPsychic | B | |
Obtain MethodSouthern Island Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Latias builds →Psychic 2x104-122%KO Shadow Ball 2x61-72% Earthquake 2x69-82% | ||
Gardevoir PsychicFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Gardevoir builds →Future Sight 2x153-180%KO Shadow Ball 2x68-80% Thief 2x36-43% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x146-173%KO Shadow Ball 2x65-77% Thief 2x24-29% | ||
Latios DragonPsychic | B | |
Obtain MethodSouthern Island Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Latios builds →Dream Eater 2x133-157%KO Shadow Ball 2x71-84% Earthquake 2x78-91% | ||
Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 2x146-171%KO Foul Play 2x138-163%KO Shadow Claw 2x68-80% | ||
Deoxys Psychic | A | |
Obtain MethodSky Pillar Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Deoxys builds →Psycho Boost 2x210-247%KO Dark Pulse 2x81-95% Shadow Ball 2x81-95% | ||
Latias DragonPsychic | B | |
Obtain MethodSouthern Island Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Latias builds →Dream Eater 2x115-136%KO Shadow Ball 2x61-72% Earthquake 2x70-83% | ||
Gardevoir PsychicFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Gardevoir builds →Future Sight 2x154-181%KO Shadow Ball 2x69-81% Thief 2x36-43% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySynchronize ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves View Mew builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Breloom builds →Bullet Seed8-10% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Slowbro builds →Scald28-33% Ice Beam31-37% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemRocky Helmet NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Tangrowth builds →Knock Off 2x54-64% Giga Drain14-17% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Quagsire builds →Scald20-23% Earthquake 2x73-86% | ||
Gengar Evolutions
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 49 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Astonish, Clear Smog, Disable and 10 more.
ORAS Gengar Best Moveset
AbilityLevitate blocks Ground and Mega Gengar's AbilityShadow Tag prevents opponents from switching, locking targets into losing matchups. 130 Sp. Atk at 110 Speed fires Ghost/Poison TermStab before most threats. The moveset earns S-tier because Shadow Tag removes the opponent's ability to respond.
Best Build
Gengar best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Focus Blast
- Sludge Wave
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Stall teams hate this. Gengar can spread damage across 10 types, with Dark and Psychic punishing common defensive pivots. STAB from Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball keeps the pressure honest on everything else.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
Base Stats
Sometimes, on a dark night, your shadow thrown by a streetlight will suddenly and startlingly overtake you. It is actually a Gengar running past you, pretending to be your shadow.
Gengar Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Guide
For Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, we rate Gengar B-Tier: a solid option in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire for the right team. At 500 BST, it fits the sweeper role. Shadow Ball with Choice Specs is the standard set.
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, 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.
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, 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