Is Gengar Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?
AbilityLevitate makes Gengar immune to Ground in FRLG. Ghost/Poison with Ground immunity means only Psychic and Ghost hit super-effectively. Gengar is one of the fastest Pokemon in the game with Special to match. Handles Agatha, contributes against every E4 member, and outspeeds most of Blue's Championship team. Trade evolution required.
Gastly has the type edge here and should clean up Brock's team.
Gastly trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.
Gastly trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.
Haunter trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.
Gengar resists most of Koga's coverage and hits back hard.
Gengar has the type edge here and should clean up Sabrina's team.
Gengar has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.
Gengar has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.
Gengar resists most of Lorelei's coverage and hits back hard.
Gengar resists most of Bruno's coverage and hits back hard.
Gengar has the type edge here and should clean up Agatha's team.
Gengar has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.
Gengar has the type edge here and should clean up Terry's team.
Catch Haunter on Pokémon Tower (walking, Lv 20, rare).
- LV 25GhostShadow Punch90100%20
- After Erika
- TM36PoisonSludge Bomb135100%10
- TM24ElectricThunderbolt90100%15
- TM19GrassGiga Drain75100%10
- LV 31PsychicDream Eater100100%15
- After Sabrina
- TM29PsychicPsychic90100%10
- LV 45GhostShadow Ball120100%15
- Post-Game
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Most players are ready to trade before reaching Koga.
- After Brock
- TUTORNormalMega Kick12075%5
- After Erika
- TM36PoisonSludge Bomb135100%10
- TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
- TM24ElectricThunderbolt90100%15
- LV 31PsychicDream Eater100100%15
- After Koga
- TM01FightingFocus Punch150100%20
- LV 45GhostShadow Ball120100%15
- After Giovanni
- TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- Post-Game
- TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
How to Get Gengar in FireRed & LeafGreen
Haunter evolves into Gengar through a player-to-player trade. No wild Gengar, no NPC trade. On the original GBA you need a friend with a Link Cable or the Wireless Adapter. On the 2026 Nintendo Switch re-release, two Switch consoles trade over Switch local wireless — no accessory required.
Wild Gengar may be holding when caught:
Spell Tag (5% chance) An item to be held by a Pokemon. A sinister, eerie tag that boosts GHOST-type moves.Catch Gastly or Haunter at any of these 2 spots to eventually evolve into Gengar.
Encountered via tall grass encounters
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8How to Obtain Gengar in FRLG
To get Gengar, start by catching Gastly through walking encounters at Lv. 13-52. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch GastlyPokémon Tower - 3FLv.13-19FloorRate 90%Pokémon Tower - 4FLv.13-19FloorRate 86%Pokémon Tower - 5FLv.13-19FloorRate 86%Pokémon Tower - 6FLv.14-19FloorRate 85%Pokémon Tower - 7FLv.15-19FloorRate 75%Lost Cave - Room 1Lv.38-40CaveRate 25%Lost Cave - Room 2Lv.38-40CaveRate 25%Lost Cave - Room 3Lv.38-40CaveRate 25%Lost Cave - Room 4Lv.38-40CaveRate 25%Lost Cave - Room 5Lv.38-40CaveRate 25%Lost Cave - Room 6Lv.38-40CaveRate 25%Lost Cave - Room 7Lv.38-40CaveRate 25%Lost Cave - Room 8Lv.38-40CaveRate 25%Lost Cave - Room 9Lv.38-40CaveRate 25%Lost Cave - Room 10Lv.38-40CaveRate 25%Lost Cave - Room 11Lv.40CaveRate 25%Lost Cave - Room 12Lv.40CaveRate 25%Lost Cave - Room 13Lv.40CaveRate 25%Lost Cave - Room 14Lv.40CaveRate 25%
Step 2Catch or Evolve HaunterPokémon Tower - 7FLv.23-25FloorRate 15%Pokémon Tower - 6FLv.21-23FloorRate 6%Pokémon Tower - 4FLv.20FloorRate 5%Pokémon Tower - 5FLv.20FloorRate 5%Pokémon Tower - 3FLv.20FloorRate 1%Lost Cave - Room 1Lv.44-52CaveRate 30%Lost Cave - Room 2Lv.44-52CaveRate 30%Lost Cave - Room 3Lv.44-52CaveRate 30%Lost Cave - Room 4Lv.44-52CaveRate 30%Lost Cave - Room 5Lv.44-52CaveRate 30%Lost Cave - Room 6Lv.44-52CaveRate 30%Lost Cave - Room 7Lv.44-52CaveRate 30%Lost Cave - Room 8Lv.44-52CaveRate 30%Lost Cave - Room 9Lv.44-52CaveRate 30%Lost Cave - Room 10Lv.44-52CaveRate 30%Lost Cave - Room 11Lv.44-52CaveRate 30%Lost Cave - Room 12Lv.44-52CaveRate 30%Lost Cave - Room 13Lv.44-52CaveRate 30%Lost Cave - Room 14Lv.44-52CaveRate 30%or evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
Step 3Gengar ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Four Island Pokemon Day Care to receive a Gengar egg. Requires the Rainbow Pass to access Four Island.
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground, Psychic, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Poison, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Normal, Fighting |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
What is Gengar Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Gengar
 Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Kadabra builds →Confusion 2x66-78% Thief 2x36-44% | ||
 Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x116-138%KO Thief 2x26-32% | ||
 Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x126-150%KO Thief 2x30-36% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Kadabra builds →Confusion 2x66-78% Thief 2x36-44% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x116-138%KO Thief 2x26-32% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x126-150%KO Thief 2x30-36% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Kadabra builds →Psybeam 2x80-95% Thief 2x34-41% Shadow Ball 2x33-39% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x117-139%KO Shadow Ball 2x63-76% Thief 2x24-29% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x127-150%KO Shadow Ball 2x68-80% Thief 2x27-32% | ||
Gastly GhostPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Gastly builds →Dream Eater 2x70-83% Shadow Ball 2x49-59% Thief 2x28-34% | ||
 Hypno Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Hypno builds →Shadow Ball 2x54-63% Confusion 2x43-51% Thief 2x24-29% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x149-176%KO Thief 2x35-41% Shadow Ball 2x33-39% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x118-140%KO Shadow Ball 2x64-76% Thief 2x25-30% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x129-153%KO Shadow Ball 2x70-83% Thief 2x27-33% | ||
 Exeggutor GrassPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Exeggutor builds →Confusion 2x66-78% Thief 2x37-43% | ||
Haunter GhostPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Haunter builds →Dream Eater 2x80-96% Shadow Ball 2x63-75% Thief 2x35-41% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x149-176%KO Thief 2x35-41% Shadow Ball 2x33-39% | ||
Exeggutor GrassPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Exeggutor builds →Psychic 2x116-137%KO Thief 2x37-43% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x118-140%KO Shadow Ball 2x64-76% Thief 2x25-30% | ||
Hypno Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Hypno builds →Psychic 2x77-91% Shadow Ball 2x55-65% Thief 2x24-28% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x129-153%KO Shadow Ball 2x70-83% Thief 2x27-33% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x144-170%KO Thief 2x33-39% Shadow Ball 2x31-38% | ||
Exeggutor GrassPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Exeggutor builds →Psychic 2x112-132%KO Thief 2x35-41% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x116-137%KO Shadow Ball 2x62-74% Thief 2x24-28% | ||
Hypno Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Hypno builds →Psychic 2x74-87% Shadow Ball 2x52-61% Thief 2x22-27% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x126-149%KO Shadow Ball 2x68-80% Thief 2x25-30% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x149-176%KO Thief 2x33-40% Shadow Ball 2x33-39% | ||
Exeggutor GrassPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Exeggutor builds →Psychic 2x117-138%KO Thief 2x35-41% | ||
Hypno Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Hypno builds →Psychic 2x76-89% Shadow Ball 2x53-62% Thief 2x24-28% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x119-140%KO Shadow Ball 2x64-76% Thief 2x24-28% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x130-153%KO Shadow Ball 2x69-81% Thief 2x26-31% | ||
 Deoxys Psychic | A | |
Obtain MethodBirth Island Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Deoxys builds →Psycho Boost 2x211-248%KO Shadow Ball 2x95-112%KO Pursuit 2x41-49% | ||
 Mewtwo Psychic | S | |
Obtain MethodCerulean Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Mewtwo builds →Psychic 2x139-164%KO Earthquake 2x92-108%KO Shadow Ball 2x74-86% | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Tyranitar builds →Earthquake 2x108-128%KO Crunch 2x83-97% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x149-175%KO Thief 2x34-40% Shadow Ball 2x31-37% | ||
 Lugia Psychic | S | |
Obtain MethodNavel Rock Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Lugia builds →Psychic 2x88-104%KO Earthquake 2x77-91% Shadow Ball 2x62-74% | ||
In FireRed & LeafGreen, Forretress deals 77-90% with Earthquake.
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityKeeneye ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityShellarmor ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Cloyster builds →Surf28-33% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Forretress builds →Earthquake 2x77-90% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x84-99% Rock Slide31-37% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Altaria builds →Fire Blast28-34% | ||
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 22 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Astonish, Explosion, Grudge and 4 more.
FRLG Gengar Best Moveset
130 Sp. Atk and 110 Speed make Gengar the fastest high-power special attacker. AbilityLevitate grants Ground immunity on a Poison type, removing the biggest weakness. Ghost TermStab from MoveShadow Ball uses Attack (Ghost is physical), but MoveThunderbolt and special coverage fire from the dominant 130 Sp. Atk. Speed and power overcome the type split awkwardness.
Best Build
Gengar best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Punch
- Explosion
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Breeding's the move. Astonish and Explosion give Gengar options it can't learn any other way, and Psychic and Fighting coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball. The egg moves push it further.
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
Base Stats
It is said to emerge from darkness to steal the lives of those who become lost in mountains.
On the night of a full moon, if shadows move on their own and laugh, it must be GENGAR’s doing.
Gengar FireRed & LeafGreen Guide
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.
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