High risk, high reward with Gengar. The offense is outstanding but the bulk won't survive much — 60 base HP is the weak link. Normal and Fighting moves can't touch it, which offsets the 4 weaknesses somewhat. Known as the Shadow Pokemon.
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.
Rumor has it that its gigantic mouth leads not into its body, filled with cursed energy, but instead directly to the afterlife.
It lays traps, hoping to steal the lives of those it catches. If you stand in front of its mouth, you’ll hear your loved ones’ voices calling out to you.
Gengar Weakness
GoodType-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.
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Gengar to get Gastly eggs easily using 43 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Astonish, Clear Smog, Disable and 6 more.
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
Best Gengar Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Trick
- Giga Drain
Recommended Teammates
Stall teams hate this. Gengar can spread damage across 10 types, with Dark and Psychic punishing common defensive pivots. STAB from Poltergeist and Sludge Wave keeps the pressure honest on everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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.
How to Obtain Gengar in Sword & Shield
To get Gengar, start by catching Gastly through walking encounters at Lv. 11-40. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch GastlyEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsShieldGrassLv.11-1430%EarlyBuildingOvercastMODERATEWatchtower RuinsSwordGrassLv.11-1410%EarlyBuildingOvercastMODERATENorth Lake MilochSwordGrassLv.14-1610%EarlyWaterOvercastMODERATENorth Lake MilochShieldGrassLv.14-1610%EarlyWaterOvercastEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2960%MidBuildingHeavy FogEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworldLv.26-2960%MidBuildingSandstormEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworldLv.26-2960%MidBuildingHeavy FogEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2960%MidBuildingSandstormEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2950%MidBuildingThunderstormEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworldLv.26-2950%MidBuildingThunderstormEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworldLv.26-2935%MidBuildingRainingEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2935%MidBuildingRainingEASYWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2925%MidBuildingOvercastEASYWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2925%MidBuildingSnowstormEASYWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworldLv.26-2925%MidBuildingOvercastEASYWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworldLv.26-2925%MidBuildingSnowstormMODERATEHammerlocke HillsSwordOverworldLv.29-3110%MidHeavy FogMODERATEHammerlocke HillsShieldOverworldLv.29-3110%MidHeavy FogEASYGiant's SeatShieldOverworldLv.33-3828%LateWaterOvercastEASYGiant's SeatSwordOverworldLv.33-3828%LateWaterOvercastEASYGiant's SeatSwordOverworldLv.33-3825%LateWaterIntense SunEASYGiant's SeatShieldOverworldLv.33-3825%LateWaterIntense SunMODERATEGiant's SeatShieldOverworldLv.33-3810%LateWaterHeavy FogMODERATEGiant's SeatSwordOverworldLv.33-3810%LateWaterRainingMODERATEGiant's SeatSwordOverworldLv.33-3810%LateWaterHeavy FogMODERATEGiant's SeatShieldOverworldLv.33-3810%LateWaterRaining
Step 2Catch or Evolve HaunterEASYGiant's SeatShieldGrassLv.30-3515%MidWaterOvercastEASYGiant's SeatSwordGrassLv.30-3515%MidWaterOvercastMODERATERoute 8ShieldGrassLv.38-4010%LateRouteAll WeatherMODERATERoute 8SwordGrassLv.38-4010%LateRouteAll Weatheror evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
Step 3Gengar ✓
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'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 leaning toward the special side (base 130 Sp. Atk). Best used as a sweeper.
Gengar appears in 22 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Gengar has appeared in 22 titles over 9 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.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwShGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A