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.
It hides in shadows. It is said that if Gengar is hiding, it cools the area by nearly 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hiding in people’s shadows at night, it absorbs their heat. The chill it causes makes the victims shake.
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 from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Astonish, Clear Smog, Disable and 10 more.
the remaining moves gives Gengar answers even while choice-locked. Choice Specs provides boosted special damage with move lock, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs with Levitate mean every prediction that lands hits hard.
Best Build
Best Gengar Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Focus Blast
- Sludge Wave
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
Gengar's 3-stage chain starts with Gastly, which appears in the wild 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 X & Y
Gastly is your first catch on the way to Gengar. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 31-58 across 24 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Obtain Gastly
Step 2Catch or Evolve HaunterEASYFrost Cavern - 1FXGrassLv.38-40UncommonLateIceEASYFrost Cavern - 1FYGrassLv.38-40UncommonLateIceEASYFrost Cavern - 2FXGrassLv.38-40UncommonLateIceEASYFrost Cavern - 2FYGrassLv.38-40UncommonLateIceEASYFrost Cavern - 3FYGrassLv.38-40UncommonLateIceEASYFrost Cavern - 3FXGrassLv.38-40UncommonLateIceCHALLENGINGRoute 14YGrassLv.31RareLateRouteNear waterCHALLENGINGRoute 14YGrassLv.31RareLateRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 14XGrassLv.31RareLateRouteNear waterCHALLENGINGRoute 14XGrassLv.31RareLateRouteEASYVictory Road - Cave 1YGrassLv.58UncommonPostCaveEASYVictory Road - Cave 1XGrassLv.58UncommonPostCaveEASYVictory Road - Cave 2YGrassLv.58UncommonPostCaveEASYVictory Road - Cave 2XGrassLv.58UncommonPostCaveEASYVictory Road - Cave 3YGrassLv.58UncommonPostCaveEASYVictory Road - Cave 3XGrassLv.58UncommonPostCaveEASYVictory Road - Cave 4XGrassLv.58UncommonPostCaveEASYVictory Road - Cave 4YGrassLv.58UncommonPostCaveCHALLENGINGRoute 19YGrassLv.47RarePostRouteNear waterCHALLENGINGRoute 19YGrassLv.47RarePostRouteYellow FlowerCHALLENGINGRoute 19XGrassLv.47RarePostRouteNear waterCHALLENGINGRoute 19YGrassLv.47RarePostRoutePurple flowersCHALLENGINGRoute 19XGrassLv.47RarePostRouteYellow FlowerCHALLENGINGRoute 19XGrassLv.47RarePostRoutePurple flowersor 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