Gourgeist's Ghost/Grass typing gives it an immunity to Normal and Fighting. The 5 weaknesses are the tradeoff, but that immunity creates real opportunities. Been around since Gen 6. Needs some investment to avoid getting outsped.
Gourgeist's spread isn't flashy. Defense leads, Sp. Atk trails, 3 stats clear the bar. Moderately hard to find and worth 2 Defense EVs, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
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 Weakness
AvgGourgeist's Ghost/Grass typing leaves it vulnerable to Fire, Ice, Flying, Ghost, and Dark moves. 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.
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Gourgeist to get Pumpkaboo eggs easily from the Indeterminate egg group.
This is a pure walling set. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn so Gourgeist sticks around, and the Impish nature reinforces physical wall. Synthesis handles sustain while Frisk does work passively.
Best Build
Best Gourgeist Moveset
- Will O Wisp
- Poltergeist
- Synthesis
- Leech Seed
Recommended Teammates
Gourgeist develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Moonblast and Phantom Force show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
No wild encounters for Gourgeist in Legends: Z-A. Bring Pumpkaboo over from X or Sword, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
Gourgeist has a 494 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier — a situational pick that fills a niche. It works best as a balanced. Base 122 Defense is where it shines.
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.
Pumpkaboo evolves into Gourgeist by trading. Gourgeist is the fully evolved form. At 494 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
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.
Gourgeist fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 90 Attack. Base 84 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Gourgeist appears in 6 games, including X & Y, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, and Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.
Introduced in X & Y, Gourgeist has appeared in 6 games across 4 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
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 VIXYDebut
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A