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.
Singing in eerie voices, they wander town streets on the night of the new moon. Anyone who hears their song is cursed.
It enwraps its prey in its hairlike arms. It sings joyfully as it observes the suffering of its prey.
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. Notable egg moves include Bestow, Destiny Bond, Disable.
This build takes hits and hits back. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, Pickup supports the gameplan, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs mean Gourgeist doesn't crumble to chip damage. Plus Fire coverage backing it up.
Best Build
Best Gourgeist Moveset
- Energy Ball
- Flame Charge
- Flamethrower
- Shadow Ball
Recommended Teammates
The natural movepool does the job, but Bestow and Destiny Bond from the egg pool give Gourgeist something extra. Pair those with Solar Beam and Phantom Force for STAB and coverage across 9 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The chain to Gourgeist requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Pumpkaboo 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 Gourgeist in X & Y
To get Gourgeist, start by catching Pumpkaboo through walking encounters at Lv. 34-36. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PumpkabooEFFORTLESSRoute 16XGrassLv.34-35CommonLateRouteTall grass onlyEFFORTLESSRoute 16YGrassLv.34-35CommonLateRouteTall grass onlyEFFORTLESSRoute 16XGrassLv.35-36CommonLateRouteTall grass onlyEFFORTLESSRoute 16YGrassLv.35-36CommonLateRouteTall grass onlyEASYRoute 16YGrassLv.36UncommonLateRouteTall grass onlyEASYRoute 16XGrassLv.36UncommonLateRouteTall grass onlyCHALLENGINGRoute 16YGrassLv.36RareLateRouteTall grass onlyCHALLENGINGRoute 16XGrassLv.36RareLateRouteTall grass only
Step 2Gourgeist ✓
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 special attacker with base 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.
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