Is Gourgeist Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?
Gourgeist through trade evolution is a Ghost/Grass with size-dependent stats. Super Size has 85 HP and 122 Attack. AbilityFrisk reveals held items. Handles Allister (Shield) and Nessa. The size gimmick adds variety but doesn't dramatically change viability. Decent if you trade for one.
Pumpkaboo trades roughly evenly with Milo's team.
Gourgeist resists most of Nessa's coverage and hits back hard.
Gourgeist trades roughly evenly with Kabu's team.
Gourgeist has the type edge here and should clean up Bea's team.
Gourgeist trades roughly evenly with Opal's team.
Gourgeist has the type edge here and should clean up Gordie's team.
Gourgeist trades roughly evenly with Piers's team.
Gourgeist has the type edge here and should clean up Raihan's team.
Gourgeist has the type edge here and should clean up Bede's team.
Gourgeist trades roughly evenly with Leon's team.
Catch Pumpkaboo on Route 4 (overworld, Lv 14-16). All Weather.
Most players are ready to trade before reaching Nessa.
How to Get Gourgeist in Sword & Shield
Gourgeist's 2-stage line starts with Pumpkaboo, which appears at decent rates in the locations below. Level through 2 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.
How to Obtain Gourgeist in SwSh
Pumpkaboo is your first catch on the way to Gourgeist. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 14-31 across 88 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PumpkabooRoute 4Lv.14-16OverworldRate 10%All WeatherRoute 4Lv.14-16OverworldRate 5%All WeatherRoute 4Lv.14-16OverworldRate 1%All WeatherGiant's MirrorLv.28-30OverworldRate 25%Normal WeatherHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 20%ThunderstormGiant's MirrorLv.28-30OverworldRate 10%Normal WeatherHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 10%ThunderstormGiant's MirrorLv.28-30OverworldRate 5%Normal WeatherHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 5%Normal WeatherHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 5%RainingHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 5%SandstormHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 5%SnowstormHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 5%Intense SunHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 5%Heavy FogHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 5%ThunderstormHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 5%SnowingHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 5%OvercastHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 3%Heavy FogHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 3%RainingHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 3%Intense SunHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 3%SnowstormHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 3%SnowingHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 3%OvercastHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 3%Normal WeatherHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 3%SandstormHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 2%SnowingHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 2%Normal WeatherHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 2%OvercastHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 2%SandstormHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 2%SnowstormHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 2%RainingHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 2%Heavy FogHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 2%Intense SunGiant's MirrorLv.28-30OverworldRate 1%Normal WeatherHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 1%SnowstormHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 1%Normal WeatherHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 1%RainingHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 1%SandstormHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 1%ThunderstormHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 1%Heavy FogHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 1%Intense SunHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 1%SnowingHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 1%Overcast
Step 2Gourgeist ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Gourgeist egg.
Gourgeist Weakness
Gourgeist's Ghost/Grass typing leaves it vulnerable to Fire, Ice, Flying, Ghost, and Dark. It shrugs off Normal and Fighting-type attacks completely. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Gourgeist's physical bulk (base 122 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ice, Flying, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass, Ground |
| 0x (Immune) | Normal, Fighting |
What is Gourgeist Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Gourgeist
 Glaceon Ice | B | |
 Golett GroundGhost | D | |
 Stunky PoisonDark | C | |
 Nuzleaf GrassDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Nuzleaf builds →Payback 2x32-39% Air Cutter 2x32-39% Astonish 2x13-16% | ||
 Drifloon Ghost | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Drifloon builds →Shadow Ball 2x61-73% Gust 2x32-39% Brutal Swing 2x21-26% | ||
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodHoneycalm Island Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Gyarados builds →Crunch 2x44-53% Ice Fang 2x38-44% | ||
 Noctowl Normal | C | |
Glaceon Ice | B | |
 Farfetch'd Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Farfetch'd builds →Aerial Ace 2x42-50% Brutal Swing 2x28-33% | ||
 Thievul Dark | C | |
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodHoneycalm Island Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Gyarados builds →Crunch 2x44-53% Ice Fang 2x35-43% | ||
Noctowl Normal | C | |
Glaceon Ice | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Glaceon builds →Icy Wind 2x70-83% Bite 2x21-25% | ||
 Pelipper Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Pelipper builds →Air Slash 2x73-86% Payback 2x16-20% | ||
Farfetch'd Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Farfetch'd builds →Aerial Ace 2x41-49% Brutal Swing 2x28-33% | ||
 Arcanine Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Arcanine builds →Flare Blitz 2x91-108%KO Crunch 2x41-49% | ||
 Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
 Unfezant Normal | C | |
 Skuntank PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Skuntank builds →Sucker Punch 2x47-55% Flamethrower 2x48-56% Hex 2x34-41% | ||
 Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Obstagoon builds →Night Slash 2x47-55% Lick 2x15-17% | ||
Arcanine Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Arcanine builds →Flare Blitz 2x91-107%KO Crunch 2x40-48% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Unfezant Normal | C | |
 Corviknight Steel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Corviknight builds →Fly 2x58-69% Payback 2x21-26% | ||
Skuntank PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Skuntank builds →Sucker Punch 2x47-55% Flamethrower 2x48-57% Hex 2x36-42% | ||
 Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Darmanitan builds →Fire Punch 2x68-81% Bite 2x37-44% | ||
Arcanine Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Arcanine builds →Flare Blitz 2x87-103%KO Crunch 2x39-47% | ||
 Grimmsnarl DarkFairy | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Grimmsnarl builds →False Surrender 2x64-76% | ||
 Drapion PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Drapion builds →Night Slash 2x45-53% Fire Fang 2x29-34% Ice Fang 2x29-34% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x109-128%KO Bite 2x36-44% | ||
Drapion PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Drapion builds →Night Slash 2x45-53% Fire Fang 2x28-34% Ice Fang 2x28-34% | ||
Arcanine Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Arcanine builds →Flare Blitz 2x88-104%KO Crunch 2x40-47% | ||
Grimmsnarl DarkFairy | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Grimmsnarl builds →False Surrender 2x64-75% | ||
Skuntank PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Skuntank builds →Sucker Punch 2x47-56% Flamethrower 2x46-55% Hex 2x34-40% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x109-129%KO Bite 2x38-44% | ||
Drapion PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Drapion builds →Night Slash 2x45-53% Fire Fang 2x29-34% Ice Fang 2x29-34% | ||
Arcanine Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Arcanine builds →Flare Blitz 2x88-104%KO Crunch 2x40-47% | ||
 Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Chandelure builds →Overheat 2x183-216%KO Shadow Ball 2x113-133%KO Payback 2x16-19% | ||
Grimmsnarl DarkFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Grimmsnarl builds →False Surrender 2x66-78% Shadow Claw 2x38-44% | ||
 Braviary Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Braviary builds →Sky Attack 2x114-134%KO Shadow Claw 2x39-46% Assurance 2x33-40% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x110-130%KO Bite 2x37-44% | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Chandelure builds →Overheat 2x183-216%KO Shadow Ball 2x113-133%KO Thief 2x18-21% | ||
 Mandibuzz Dark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Mandibuzz builds →Sky Attack 2x68-80% Dark Pulse 2x52-61% | ||
 Turtonator FireDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Turtonator builds →Shell Trap 2x142-167%KO Brutal Swing 2x23-27% | ||
Braviary Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Braviary builds →Sky Attack 2x114-134%KO Shadow Claw 2x39-46% Assurance 2x33-40% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x110-130%KO Bite 2x37-44% | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Chandelure builds →Overheat 2x183-216%KO Shadow Ball 2x113-133%KO Dark Pulse 2x75-89% | ||
Mandibuzz Dark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Mandibuzz builds →Sky Attack 2x68-80% Dark Pulse 2x52-61% Shadow Ball 2x34-41% | ||
 Hydreigon DarkDragon | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Hydreigon builds →Dark Pulse 2x99-117%KO Fire Blast 2x91-107%KO Fly 2x43-51% Ice Fang 2x32-38% | ||
Braviary Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Braviary builds →Sky Attack 2x114-134%KO Shadow Claw 2x39-46% Assurance 2x33-40% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x110-130%KO Bite 2x37-44% | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Chandelure builds →Overheat 2x183-216%KO Shadow Ball 2x113-133%KO Dark Pulse 2x75-89% | ||
Mandibuzz Dark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Mandibuzz builds →Sky Attack 2x68-80% Dark Pulse 2x52-61% Shadow Ball 2x34-41% | ||
Hydreigon DarkDragon | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Hydreigon builds →Dark Pulse 2x99-117%KO Fire Blast 2x91-107%KO Fly 2x43-51% Ice Fang 2x32-38% | ||
In Sword & Shield, Tyranitar can KO Gourgeist with Crunch (137-162%). Arcanine threatens a KO with Flare Blitz (109-128%).
 Tyranitar RockDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Tyranitar builds →Crunch 2x137-162%KO Stone Edge86-101%KO Earthquake28-34% | ||
Arcanine Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemRocky Helmet NatureHasty Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Arcanine builds →Flare Blitz 2x109-128%KO Flamethrower 2x91-107%KO | ||
 Salamence Dragon | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Salamence builds →Earthquake25-29% | ||
 Gengar GhostPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityCursedbody ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Gourgeist View Gengar builds →Shadow Ball 2x123-145%KO Sludge Bomb69-81% Giga Drain19-23% | ||
Gourgeist Evolutions
Gourgeist doesn't evolve through normal leveling. You'll need a trade to get here from Pumpkaboo's line. Breed this form to get Pumpkaboo eggs (average hatch time). Evolving from Pumpkaboo gave Gourgeist the biggest boost in Defense (+52), bringing the total to 494 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Gourgeist to get Pumpkaboo eggs easily using 46 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Curse, Destiny Bond, Disable.
SwSh Gourgeist Best Moveset
122 Defense and Ghost/Grass typing give the moveset physical bulk behind two immunities to Normal and Fighting. 90 Attack at 84 Speed adds decent offensive pace. AbilityFrisk reveals held items on entry. D-tier because 75 Sp. Def is the weak point and the typing brings five common weaknesses.
Best Build
Gourgeist best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Trick Or Treat
- Phantom Force
- Seed Bomb
- Shadow Sneak
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Gourgeist won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 10 types means it always has an effective option. Power Whip and Solar Beam anchor the STAB core.
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
Supersized Gourgeist aren’t picky. They will forcefully drag anyone off to the afterlife.
A supersized Pumpkaboo evolves into a supersized Gourgeist. Its bodily proportions also get passed on to its descendants.
Gourgeist Sword & Shield Guide
In Sword & Shield, Gourgeist has a 494 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a niche pick in Sword & Shield's meta. It works best as a balanced. Trickortreat with Rocky Helmet is the standard set.
In Sword & Shield, watch for Arcanine (Fire), Walrein (Ice), and Talonflame (Flying) when using Gourgeist. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Ghost and Dark-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
No. Gourgeist is not catchable in the wild. It only comes from trade-evolving Pumpkaboo. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Pumpkaboo 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.
Pickup picks up other Pokémon's used and Flung held items. That's the one you want on Gourgeist. Insomnia is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Frisk works too if your team needs something different.
In Sword & Shield, Gourgeist fills the balanced role. It's a mixed attacker with base 90 Attack and 58 Sp. Atk. Base 84 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Game Availability
Introduced in X & Y, Gourgeist has appeared in 6 games across 5 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
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 6XYDebut
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
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