Haunter's built around special offense. Sp. Atk leads the charge, HP pays for it. Moderately hard to find, worth 2 Sp. Atk EVs. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It likes to lurk in the dark and tap shoulders with a gaseous hand. Its touch causes endless shuddering.
In total darkness, where nothing is visible, Haunter lurks, silently stalking its next victim.
Ground, Psychic, Ghost, and Dark moves hit Haunter for super-effective damage. The upside? Normal and Fighting-type moves can't touch it at all. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Levitate grants an additional Ground immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Haunter leans toward special offense (base 115 Sp.Atk) instead of trying to wall anything.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground, Psychic, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Poison, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Normal, Fighting |
Garchomp can KO Haunter with Earthquake (177-209%).
 | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x177-209%KO | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Clefable builds →Moonblast23-27% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Corviknight builds →U Turn6-7% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Gliscor builds →Earthquake 2x113-132%KO Knock Off 2x49-58% | ||
Haunter is partway through a three-stage line between Gastly and Gengar. The chain involves a trade, so it's not a straightforward grind. So far, Sp.Def got the biggest boost (+20 from Gastly). The final form adds another 95 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Haunter to get Gastly eggs easily using 63 partners from the Indeterminate egg group.
Don't let the NFE status fool you. Haunter with Eviolite hits bulk numbers that compete with final forms. Max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs and Timid nature maximize that, and Levitate handles the rest.
Best Build
Haunter best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Attacker Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Destiny Bond
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Trick
- Destiny Bond
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Destiny Bond
- Dazzling Gleam
- Thunder
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Clear Smog
- Sludge Wave
- Trick Room
Special Attacker Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Destiny Bond
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Trick
- Destiny Bond
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Destiny Bond
- Dazzling Gleam
- Thunder
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Clear Smog
- Sludge Wave
- Trick Room
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
Need something that threatens multiple types? Haunter's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Gunk Shot and Poltergeist gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Without TMs, Haunter's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 8 types on top of Gunk Shot and Sludge Wave for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Haunter's movepool balances level-up moves with TM options. Consistent STAB comes from Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball, and coverage across 7 types keeps opponents from switching in for free. No major gaps here.
Without breeding, Haunter misses out on Astonish and Clear Smog. That's 12 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.
decent spawn rates across 6 locations for Haunter in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Haunter in Scarlet & Violet
The path to Haunter starts with Gastly at Lv. 2-54 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch GastlyEast Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightEast Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightGlaseado MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave25%EarlyNightGlaseado MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave25%EarlyNightGlaseado MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave25%EarlyNightGlaseado MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave25%EarlyNightNorth Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightNorth Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Four) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Four) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Two) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightSouth Province (Area Two) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightWest Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightWest Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route25%EarlyNightEast Province (Area Three) - MineVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route15%EarlyNightEast Province (Area Three) - MineScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route15%EarlyNightAsado Desert - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Desert8%EarlyAsado Desert - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Desert8%EarlyCasseroya Lake - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Water8%EarlyCasseroya Lake - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Water8%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyGlaseado MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave8%EarlyGlaseado MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave8%EarlyGlaseado MountainScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave8%EarlyGlaseado MountainVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Cave8%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Five) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Five) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Six) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Six) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Three) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Three) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyWest Province (Area One) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyWest Province (Area One) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.2-24 Route8%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - SnowVioletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - SnowScarletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNight
Step 2Haunter ✓North Province (Area One) - RuinsScarletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - RuinsVioletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - SnowVioletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - SnowScarletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route15%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route12%MidNightNorth Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.25-54 Route12%MidNightor evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
No wild encounters for Haunter in Legends: Z-A. Bring Gastly over from Red, Yellow, or FireRed, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
decent spawn rates for Haunter across 7 locations in mid-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Haunter in Legends: Arceus
The path to Haunter starts with Gastly at walking via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch GastlyBolderoll RavineGrassUncommonNightCelestica RuinsGrass RuinsUncommonNightGapejaw BogGrass SwampUncommonNightGolden LowlandsGrassUncommonNightSacred PlazaGrass FacilityUncommonNightScarlet BogGrass SwampUncommonNightShrouded RuinsGrass RuinsUncommonNight
Step 2Haunter ✓Bolderoll RavineGrassUncommonNightCelestica RuinsGrass RuinsUncommonNightCottonsedge PrairieGrassUncommonNightGapejaw BogGrass SwampUncommonNightSacred PlazaGrass FacilityUncommonNightScarlet BogGrass SwampUncommonNightShrouded RuinsGrass RuinsUncommonNightor evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
A handful of locations for Haunter with high spawn rates across late-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Haunter in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Haunter, start by catching Gastly through walking encounters at Lv. 12-66. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch GastlyOld ChateauBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.12-16100%EarlyOld ChateauShining PearlGrass Lv.12-16100%EarlyOld Chateau - 2F Room 2Shining PearlGrass Lv.12-16100%EarlyOld Chateau - 2F Room 2Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.12-16100%EarlyOld Chateau - 2F Room 4Shining PearlGrass Lv.12-16100%EarlyOld Chateau - 2F Room 4Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.12-16100%EarlyLost Tower - 1FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-18 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 1FShining PearlGrass Lv.16-18 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 2FShining PearlGrass Lv.17-19 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 2FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.17-19 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 3FShining PearlGrass Lv.18-20 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 3FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.18-20 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 4FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.19-21 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 4FShining PearlGrass Lv.19-21 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 5FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.20-22 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 5FShining PearlGrass Lv.20-22 Building50%MidMorning/dayLost Tower - 1FShining PearlGrass Lv.16-18 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 1FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-18 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 2FShining PearlGrass Lv.17-19 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 2FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.17-19 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 3FShining PearlGrass Lv.18-20 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 3FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.18-20 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 4FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.19-21 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 4FShining PearlGrass Lv.19-21 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 5FBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.20-22 Building40%MidNightLost Tower - 5FShining PearlGrass Lv.20-22 Building40%MidNightDazzling CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidDazzling CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidRoute 209Shining PearlGrass Lv.16 Route10%MidNightRoute 209Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16 Route10%MidNightStargleam CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidStargleam CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMid
Step 2Haunter ✓Turnback Cave - Section 1Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.44-46 Cave30%LateTurnback Cave - Section 1Shining PearlGrass Lv.44-46 Cave30%LateTurnback Cave - Section 2Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.54-56 Cave30%PostTurnback Cave - Section 2Shining PearlGrass Lv.54-56 Cave30%PostTurnback Cave - Section 3Shining PearlGrass Lv.64-66 Cave30%PostTurnback Cave - Section 3Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.64-66 Cave30%Postor evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
Haunter isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Gengar to unlock its full potential. At 405 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Watch for Rhydon (Ground), Alakazam (Psychic), and Misdreavus (Ghost) when using Haunter. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Dark-type attackers are also a problem.
Run Levitate on Haunter. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche.
Haunter fills the cannon role. It's leaning toward the special side (base 115 Sp. Atk). Base 95 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's fragile, can't afford to take many hits.
Haunter has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 22 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves