Is Haunter Good in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Playthrough?
Haunter's Sp. Atk is high enough to carry without evolving. Handles Fantina's mirror match, contributes against Maylene, and deals with Lucian in the E4. If you can trade for Gengar, do it. If not, Haunter is still a top-tier teammate.
Gastly trades roughly evenly with Roark's team.
Gastly resists most of Gardenia's coverage and hits back hard.
Haunter has the type edge here and should clean up Maylene's team.
Haunter has the type edge here and should clean up Crasher Wake's team.
Haunter has the type edge here and should clean up Fantina's team.
Gengar has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.
Gengar resists most of Candice's coverage and hits back hard.
Gengar has the type edge here and should clean up Volkner's team.
Gengar trades roughly evenly with Aaron's team.
Gengar trades roughly evenly with Bertha's team.
Gengar has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.
Gengar has the type edge here and should clean up Lucian's team.
Gengar has the type edge here and should clean up Cynthia's team.
Catch Gastly on Old Chateau (walking, Lv 12-16, common).
Your Gastly should hit Level 25 before you reach Maylene, at typical leveling pace.
Most players are ready to trade before reaching Byron.
How to Get Haunter in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The chain to Haunter requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Gastly at solid rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
Where To Catch Haunter in BDSP
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 ChateauLv.12-16GrassRate 100%Old Chateau - 2F Room 2Lv.12-16GrassRate 100%Old Chateau - 2F Room 4Lv.12-16GrassRate 100%Lost Tower - 1FLv.16-18FloorRate 50%Morning/dayLost Tower - 2FLv.17-19FloorRate 50%Morning/dayLost Tower - 3FLv.18-20FloorRate 50%Morning/dayLost Tower - 4FLv.19-21FloorRate 50%Morning/dayLost Tower - 5FLv.20-22FloorRate 50%Morning/dayLost Tower - 1FLv.16-18FloorRate 40%NightLost Tower - 2FLv.17-19FloorRate 40%NightLost Tower - 3FLv.18-20FloorRate 40%NightLost Tower - 4FLv.19-21FloorRate 40%NightLost Tower - 5FLv.20-22FloorRate 40%NightDazzling CaveLv.16-20CaveRoute 209Lv.16GrassRate 10%NightStargleam CavernLv.16-20Cave
Step 2Haunter ✓Turnback Cave - Section 1Lv.44-46CaveRate 30%Turnback Cave - Section 2Lv.54-56CaveRate 30%Turnback Cave - Section 3Lv.64-66CaveRate 30%or evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into Gengar
Haunter Weakness
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 |
What is Haunter Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Haunter
 Abra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Abra builds →Dream Eater 2x153-180%KO Shadow Ball 2x80-95% Thief 2x28-35% | ||
 Cubone Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x108-128%KO Thief 2x45-55% | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x100-120%KO Payback 2x38-45% | ||
Abra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Abra builds →Dream Eater 2x158-188%KO Shadow Ball 2x86-102%KO Thief 2x30-37% | ||
Cubone Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x105-126%KO Thief 2x47-56% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x105-126%KO Payback 2x40-47% | ||
 Kadabra Psychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Kadabra builds →Dream Eater 2x178-209%KO Shadow Ball 2x93-111%KO Thief 2x36-42% | ||
 Hypno Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Hypno builds →Dream Eater 2x120-142%KO Shadow Ball 2x64-76% Thief 2x55-66% | ||
 Mr. Mime PsychicFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Mr. Mime builds →Dream Eater 2x154-182%KO Shadow Ball 2x82-97% Thief 2x39-47% | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x147-174%KO Thief 2x59-71% | ||
 Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x201-237%KO Knock Off 2x89-105%KO | ||
Kadabra Psychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Kadabra builds →Dream Eater 2x178-209%KO Shadow Ball 2x93-111%KO Thief 2x36-42% | ||
 Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Absol builds →Night Slash 2x150-178%KO Shadow Claw 2x100-118%KO Dream Eater 2x82-97% | ||
 Girafarig NormalPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Girafarig builds →Dream Eater 2x141-166%KO Earthquake 2x97-116%KO Shadow Ball 2x75-89% Assurance 2x59-71% | ||
Hypno Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Hypno builds →Dream Eater 2x120-142%KO Shadow Ball 2x64-76% Thief 2x55-66% | ||
Mr. Mime PsychicFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Mr. Mime builds →Dream Eater 2x154-182%KO Shadow Ball 2x82-97% Thief 2x39-47% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Kadabra builds →Dream Eater 2x174-206%KO Shadow Ball 2x93-110%KO Thief 2x34-40% | ||
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Absol builds →Night Slash 2x148-175%KO Shadow Claw 2x99-117%KO Dream Eater 2x80-94% | ||
Girafarig NormalPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Girafarig builds →Dream Eater 2x137-162%KO Earthquake 2x96-112%KO Shadow Ball 2x74-88% Assurance 2x58-70% | ||
 Grumpig Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Grumpig builds →Dream Eater 2x137-162%KO Shadow Ball 2x74-88% Thief 2x39-47% Bulldoze 2x39-47% | ||
Mr. Mime PsychicFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Mr. Mime builds →Dream Eater 2x152-179%KO Shadow Ball 2x80-94% Thief 2x39-47% | ||
 Skuntank PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Skuntank builds →Sucker Punch 2x111-131%KO Dig 2x84-100%KO Shadow Claw 2x74-88% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Kadabra builds →Dream Eater 2x172-203%KO Shadow Ball 2x92-108%KO Thief 2x33-40% | ||
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Absol builds →Night Slash 2x148-175%KO Shadow Claw 2x99-117%KO Dream Eater 2x79-94% | ||
Mr. Mime PsychicFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Mr. Mime builds →Dream Eater 2x148-175%KO Shadow Ball 2x79-94% Thief 2x39-46% | ||
Girafarig NormalPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Girafarig builds →Dream Eater 2x138-163%KO Earthquake 2x94-110%KO Shadow Ball 2x74-88% Crunch 2x76-90% | ||
Skuntank PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Skuntank builds →Sucker Punch 2x112-132%KO Dig 2x86-102%KO Shadow Claw 2x75-88% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Kadabra builds →Dream Eater 2x170-200%KO Shadow Ball 2x91-108%KO Thief 2x33-39% | ||
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Absol builds →Night Slash 2x150-176%KO Shadow Claw 2x100-118%KO Dream Eater 2x77-92% | ||
Mr. Mime PsychicFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Mr. Mime builds →Dream Eater 2x147-174%KO Shadow Ball 2x77-92% Sucker Punch 2x44-53% | ||
 Chimecho Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Chimecho builds →Dream Eater 2x139-165%KO Shadow Ball 2x75-88% | ||
 Jynx IcePsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Jynx builds →Dream Eater 2x165-194%KO Shadow Ball 2x88-104%KO Thief 2x41-49% | ||
Skuntank PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Skuntank builds →Sucker Punch 2x112-132%KO Dig 2x86-102%KO Shadow Claw 2x75-88% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Kadabra builds →Dream Eater 2x170-200%KO Shadow Ball 2x91-108%KO Thief 2x33-39% | ||
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Absol builds →Night Slash 2x150-176%KO Shadow Claw 2x100-118%KO Dream Eater 2x77-92% | ||
Mr. Mime PsychicFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Mr. Mime builds →Dream Eater 2x147-174%KO Shadow Ball 2x77-92% Sucker Punch 2x44-53% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x208-246%KO Shadow Ball 2x93-110%KO Thief 2x33-39% | ||
Skuntank PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Skuntank builds →Sucker Punch 2x117-137%KO Dig 2x88-103%KO Shadow Claw 2x77-92% | ||
Jynx IcePsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Jynx builds →Dream Eater 2x169-199%KO Shadow Ball 2x90-106%KO Thief 2x41-49% | ||
 Xatu Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Xatu builds →Future Sight 2x171-201%KO Shadow Ball 2x77-90% Thief 2x55-66% | ||
Mr. Mime PsychicFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Mr. Mime builds →Dream Eater 2x150-176%KO Shadow Ball 2x80-94% Sucker Punch 2x45-53% | ||
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Garchomp can KO Haunter with Earthquake (266-313%). Tyranitar threatens a KO with Crunch (358-421%). Alakazam's Psychic also KOs at 274-322%.
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x266-313%KO | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Tyranitar builds →Crunch 2x358-421%KO Stone Edge223-262%KO Earthquake 2x297-350%KO | ||
 Alakazam Psychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Alakazam builds →Shadow Ball 2x162-191%KO Psychic 2x274-322%KO Energy Ball45-54% | ||
Gengar GhostPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityCursedbody ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Haunter View Gengar builds →Shadow Ball 2x183-216%KO Sludge Bomb26-30% Giga Drain28-33% | ||
Haunter Evolutions
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 31 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Astonish, Clear Smog, Disable and 9 more.
BDSP Haunter Best Moveset
115 Sp. Atk at 95 Speed with AbilityLevitate for Ground immunity. Ghost/Poison TermStab gives the moveset fast special offense. Dropped from C-tier but the raw numbers are respectable for a middle evolution. Evolving into Gengar trades AbilityLevitate for AbilityCursed Body, losing Ground immunity entirely.
Best Build
Haunter best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball
- Dazzling Gleam
- Trick
Moves List
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.
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 can slip through any obstacle. It lurks inside walls to keep an eye on its foes.
It licks with its gaseous tongue to steal its victim’s life-force. It lurks in darkness, waiting for prey.
Haunter Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Guide
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, 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.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, 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.
No. Haunter only evolves into Gengar through a real trade. There is no in-game alternative in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. 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.
Trade Medicham to Mindy in Snowpoint City for Haunter "Gaspar" holding Everstone. This is an NPC trade, so the Haunter you receive is yours immediately, no transfer cable needed.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Run Levitate on Haunter. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche.
Game Availability
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 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 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