In Sword & Shield, 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.

What is Haunter weak to?

In Sword & Shield, 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.

How do you evolve Haunter?

In Sword & Shield, Gastly evolves into Haunter at level 25. Haunter evolves into Gengar by trading. Haunter is a middle-stage evolution in the Gastly line.

What is the best ability for Haunter?

In Sword & Shield, Run Levitate on Haunter. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche.

What role does Haunter play in battle?

In Sword & Shield, Haunter fills the pivot role. It's a special attacker with 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 - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Special

Pivot

CTier

95Speed · Above Avg

Stats & Training

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.

Base Stats

Above

HP45

Attack50

Defense45

Sp. Atk115

Sp. Def55

Speed95

Total405

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging90 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Slow1.06M XP

Height1.6 m

Weight0.1 kg

Base XP142

Abilities

LevitateTop Pick

Evades ground moves.

Levitate grants Ground immunity

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpA+2SpDSpe

Special Attack training target

Pokedex Entries

Its tongue is made of gas. If licked, its victim starts shaking constantly until death eventually comes.

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.

Haunter Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Ground, Psychic, Ghost, Dark
0.5x (Resist)	Grass, Fairy
0.25x (Resist)	Poison, Bug
0x (Immune)	Normal, Fighting

Type ChartGood

4Weak

4Resist

3Immune

Score+4

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Ground Psychic Ghost Dark

½xResist

Grass Fairy

¼xResist

Poison Bug

0xImmune

Normal Fighting Ground

STAB (4)

Psychic Ghost Grass Fairy

How to Beat Haunter in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)

Excadrill GroundSteel	A
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 Brutal SwingTM97 BulldozeTM81 Mud ShotTM53 Damage vs Haunter Dig 2x 175-206%KO Brutal Swing 2x 88-104%KO Bulldoze 2x 132-156%KO Mud Shot 2x 50-59% View Excadrill builds →
Diggersby NormalGround	B
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 BulldozeTM81 Brutal SwingTM97 Mud ShotTM53 Damage vs Haunter Dig 2x 89-106%KO Bulldoze 2x 67-79% Brutal Swing 2x 44-53% Mud Shot 2x 50-59% View Diggersby builds →
Indeedee PsychicNormal	B
Available Moves Moves PsychicLv. 35 PsybeamLv. 15 Stored PowerLv. 1 Damage vs Haunter Psychic 2x 137-162%KO Psybeam 2x 100-118%KO Stored Power 2x 32-38% View Indeedee builds →
Bronzong SteelPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves ExtrasensoryLv. 28 HexTM77 BulldozeTM81 ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Haunter Extrasensory 2x 97-115%KO Hex 2x 53-63% Bulldoze 2x 63-75% Confusion 2x 62-74% View Bronzong builds →
Oranguru NormalPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Zen HeadbuttLv. 35 BulldozeTM81 Brutal SwingTM97 ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Haunter Zen Headbutt 2x 92-109%KO Bulldoze 2x 46-55% Brutal Swing 2x 46-55% Confusion 2x 70-82% View Oranguru builds →

Sword & Shield Evolution

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

3 Forms

#092Gastly

Level 25

#093Haunter

Trade

#094Gengar

Stat Comparison 3 Stages

Gastly

GhostPoison

Haunter

GhostPoison

Gengar

GhostPoison

45+15

60+15

ATK

50+15

65+15

DEF

45+15

60+15

SP.ATK

100

115+15

130+15

SP.DEF

55+20

75+20

SPE

95+15

110+15

BST

310C-Tier

405C-Tier+95

500A-Tier+95

ROLE

Attacker

Cannon

Sweeper

TYPE

Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Haunter to get Gastly eggs easily using 46 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Astonish, Clear Smog, Disable and 6 more.

Egg Groups

Indeterminate

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

9moves

Breed With (best first)

Sword & Shield Haunter Best Moveset

Start with flexible EVs. Naive nature gives Haunter the right fast mixed lean, Nothing adds extra utility, and Levitate works in the background.

Best Build

Experimental

Ability

Levitate

Item

Nothing

Best Nature for Haunter

Naive+SPE

Haunter best EVs are Speed

EVs

Spe

Doubles Utility Moveset

Unknown
Destiny BondSTAB

Recommended Teammates

GarbodorExcellent

HattereneExcellent

TurtonatorExcellent

Moves

Without breeding, Haunter misses out on Astonish and Clear Smog. That's 9 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Poltergeist and Sludge Wave, with coverage across 9 types rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Confuse Ray

D—10010Ghost

Lv 1

Hypnosis

C—6020Psychic

Lv 1

Lick

—3010030Ghost

Lv 1

Mean Look

D——5Normal

Lv 1

Shadow Punch

D60—20Ghost

Lv 12

Payback

D5010010Dark

Lv 16

Spite

D—10010Ghost

Lv 20

Curse

C——10Ghost

Lv 24

Hex

A6510010Ghost

Lv 30

Night Shade

D—10015Ghost

Lv 36

Sucker Punch+1

D701005Dark

Lv 42

Dark Pulse

C8010015Dark

Lv 48

Shadow Ball

S8010015Ghost

Lv 54

Destiny Bond

S——5Ghost

Lv 60

Dream Eater

C10010015Psychic

TM Moves

TR83

Ally Switch+2

C——15Psychic

TM31

Attract

C—10015Normal

TR58

Dark Pulse

C8010015Dark

TR92

Dazzling Gleam

S8010010Fairy

TR30

Encore

C—1005Normal

TR26

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TR65

Energy Ball

C9010010Grass

TM39

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM03

Fire Punch

A7510015Fire

TM59

Fling

——10010Dark

TR81

Foul Play

D9510015Dark

TM28

Giga Drain

C7510010Grass

TM77

Hex

A6510010Ghost

TM04

Ice Punch

D7510015Ice

TM27

Icy Wind

C559515Ice

TM57

Payback

D5010010Dark

TR57

Poison Jab

C8010020Poison

TM25

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TR11

Psychic

C9010010Psychic

TM33

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM21

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM76

Round

C6010015Normal

TM26

Scary Face

——10010Normal

TM20

Self-Destruct

C2001005Normal

TR33

Shadow Ball

S8010015Ghost

TM65

Shadow Claw

D7010015Ghost

TR40

Skill Swap

C——10Psychic

TR27

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TR22

Sludge Bomb

S9010010Poison

TR78

Sludge Wave

B9510010Poison

TM24

Snore

—5010015Normal

TR20

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM34

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TR37

Taunt

C—10020Dark

TM23

Thief

D6010025Dark

TM05

Thunder Punch

D7510015Electric

TR08

Thunderbolt

A9010015Electric

TR38

Trick

S—10010Psychic

TM70

Trick Room-7

C——5Psychic

TR35

Uproar

C9010010Normal

TM74

Venoshock

C6510010Poison

TM38

Will-O-Wisp

C—8515Fire

TM71

Wonder Room

———10Psychic

Egg Moves

Egg

Astonish

—3010015Ghost

Egg

Clear Smog

C50—15Poison

Egg

Disable

C—10020Normal

Egg

Grudge

———5Ghost

Egg

Haze

C——30Ice

Egg

Perish Song

D——5Normal

Egg

Reflect Type

———15Normal

Egg

Smog

—307020Poison

Egg

Toxic

C—9010Poison

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Corrosive Gas

D—10040Poison

Tutor

Poltergeist

C110905Ghost

Tutor

Skitter Smack

D709010Bug

How to Get Haunter in Sword & Shield

decent spawn rates across 4 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 Sword & Shield

The path to Haunter starts with Gastly at Lv. 11-40 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

Step 1Catch Gastly
Watchtower Ruins
ShieldGrass Lv.11-14 Building
30%Early
Overcast
Watchtower Ruins
SwordGrass Lv.11-14 Building
10%Early
Overcast
North Lake Miloch
SwordGrass Lv.14-16 Water
10%Early
Overcast
North Lake Miloch
ShieldGrass Lv.14-16 Water
10%Early
Overcast
Watchtower Ruins
SwordOverworld Lv.26-29 Building
60%Mid
Heavy Fog
Watchtower Ruins
ShieldOverworld Lv.26-29 Building
60%Mid
Sandstorm
Watchtower Ruins
ShieldOverworld Lv.26-29 Building
60%Mid
Heavy Fog
Watchtower Ruins
SwordOverworld Lv.26-29 Building
60%Mid
Sandstorm
Watchtower Ruins
SwordOverworld Lv.26-29 Building
50%Mid
Thunderstorm
Watchtower Ruins
ShieldOverworld Lv.26-29 Building
50%Mid
Thunderstorm
Watchtower Ruins
ShieldOverworld Lv.26-29 Building
35%Mid
Raining
Watchtower Ruins
SwordOverworld Lv.26-29 Building
35%Mid
Raining
Watchtower Ruins
SwordOverworld Lv.26-29 Building
25%Mid
Overcast
Watchtower Ruins
SwordOverworld Lv.26-29 Building
25%Mid
Snowstorm
Watchtower Ruins
ShieldOverworld Lv.26-29 Building
25%Mid
Overcast
Watchtower Ruins
ShieldOverworld Lv.26-29 Building
25%Mid
Snowstorm
Hammerlocke Hills
SwordOverworld Lv.29-31
10%Mid
Heavy Fog
Hammerlocke Hills
ShieldOverworld Lv.29-31
10%Mid
Heavy Fog
Giant's Seat
ShieldOverworld Lv.33-38 Water
28%Late
Overcast
Giant's Seat
SwordOverworld Lv.33-38 Water
28%Late
Overcast
Giant's Seat
SwordOverworld Lv.33-38 Water
25%Late
Intense Sun
Giant's Seat
ShieldOverworld Lv.33-38 Water
25%Late
Intense Sun
Giant's Seat
ShieldOverworld Lv.33-38 Water
10%Late
Heavy Fog
Giant's Seat
SwordOverworld Lv.33-38 Water
10%Late
Raining
Giant's Seat
SwordOverworld Lv.33-38 Water
10%Late
Heavy Fog
Giant's Seat
ShieldOverworld Lv.33-38 Water
10%Late
Raining
Train until Level 25
Step 2Haunter ✓
Giant's Seat
ShieldGrass Lv.30-35 Water
15%Mid
Overcast
Giant's Seat
SwordGrass Lv.30-35 Water
15%Mid
Overcast
Route 8
ShieldGrass Lv.38-40 Route
10%Late
All Weather
Route 8
SwordGrass Lv.38-40 Route
10%Late
All Weather
or evolve from Gastly (Step 1)

Haunter Guide

In Sword & Shield, 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 Sword & Shield, 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.
In Sword & Shield, Gastly evolves into Haunter at level 25. Haunter evolves into Gengar by trading. Haunter is a middle-stage evolution in the Gastly line.
In Sword & Shield, Run Levitate on Haunter. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche.
In Sword & Shield, Haunter fills the pivot role. It's a special attacker with 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.

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

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Stunfisk GroundElectric	A
Available Moves Moves Mud ShotLv. 10 PaybackTM57 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Haunter Mud Shot 2x 74-89% Payback 2x 43-52% Mud-Slap 2x 31-39% View Stunfisk builds →
Diggersby NormalGround	B
Available Moves Moves Brutal SwingTM97 Mud ShotLv. 12 PaybackTM57 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Haunter Brutal Swing 2x 46-56% Mud Shot 2x 56-67% Payback 2x 41-48% Mud-Slap 2x 22-28% View Diggersby builds →
Mudbray Ground	C
Available Moves Moves BulldozeLv. 12 PaybackTM57 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Haunter Bulldoze 2x 107-128%KO Payback 2x 59-70% Mud-Slap 2x 22-28% View Mudbray builds →
Stunky PoisonDark	D
Available Moves Moves BiteLv. 18 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Haunter Bite 2x 74-89% Payback 2x 65-78% View Stunky builds →
Bronzor SteelPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves ConfusionLv. 1 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Haunter Confusion 2x 37-44% Payback 2x 24-30% View Bronzor builds →

Stunfisk GroundElectric	A
Available Moves Moves Mud ShotTM53 PaybackTM57 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Haunter Mud Shot 2x 71-86% Payback 2x 43-51% Mud-Slap 2x 27-33% View Stunfisk builds →
Diggersby NormalGround	B
Available Moves Moves BulldozeLv. 23 Brutal SwingTM97 Mud ShotTM53 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Haunter Bulldoze 2x 68-81% Brutal Swing 2x 44-54% Mud Shot 2x 52-62% Payback 2x 37-44% View Diggersby builds →
Mudbray Ground	C
Available Moves Moves BulldozeLv. 12 PaybackTM57 Sand TombTM49 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Haunter Bulldoze 2x 100-119%KO Payback 2x 56-67% Sand Tomb 2x 60-71% Mud-Slap 2x 19-24% View Mudbray builds →
Stunky PoisonDark	D
Available Moves Moves BiteLv. 18 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Haunter Bite 2x 71-86% Payback 2x 60-71% View Stunky builds →
Bronzor SteelPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves ConfusionLv. 1 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Haunter Confusion 2x 32-38% Payback 2x 24-29% View Bronzor builds →

Diggersby NormalGround	B
Available Moves Moves BulldozeLv. 23 Brutal SwingTM97 Mud ShotTM53 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Haunter Bulldoze 2x 65-78% Brutal Swing 2x 43-52% Mud Shot 2x 51-61% Payback 2x 36-43% View Diggersby builds →
Pawniard DarkSteel	C
Available Moves Moves Psycho CutTM69 AssuranceLv. 25 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Haunter Psycho Cut 2x 68-81% Assurance 2x 88-104%KO Payback 2x 77-91% View Pawniard builds →
Mudbray Ground	C
Available Moves Moves BulldozeLv. 12 PaybackTM57 Sand TombTM49 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Haunter Bulldoze 2x 103-122%KO Payback 2x 57-67% Sand Tomb 2x 62-74% Mud-Slap 2x 22-26% View Mudbray builds →
Stunky PoisonDark	D
Available Moves Moves BiteLv. 18 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Haunter Bite 2x 74-87% Payback 2x 62-74% View Stunky builds →
Bronzor SteelPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves ConfusionLv. 1 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Haunter Confusion 2x 32-39% Payback 2x 25-29% View Bronzor builds →

Excadrill GroundSteel	A
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 Brutal SwingTM97 Mud ShotTM53 Sand TombTM49 Damage vs Haunter Dig 2x 178-209%KO Brutal Swing 2x 89-106%KO Mud Shot 2x 51-61% Sand Tomb 2x 80-94% View Excadrill builds →
Hippowdon Ground	A
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 CrunchLv. 20 BiteLv. 1 Mud ShotTM53 Damage vs Haunter Dig 2x 152-179%KO Crunch 2x 101-119%KO Bite 2x 76-90% Mud Shot 2x 63-74% View Hippowdon builds →
Diggersby NormalGround	B
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 BulldozeLv. 23 Brutal SwingTM97 Mud ShotTM53 Damage vs Haunter Dig 2x 89-104%KO Bulldoze 2x 69-81% Brutal Swing 2x 45-54% Mud Shot 2x 51-61% View Diggersby builds →
Pawniard DarkSteel	C
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 Psycho CutTM69 AssuranceLv. 25 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Haunter Dig 2x 82-97% Psycho Cut 2x 70-83% Assurance 2x 91-108%KO Payback 2x 76-91% View Pawniard builds →
Bronzor SteelPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves ExtrasensoryLv. 28 HexTM77 ConfusionLv. 1 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Haunter Extrasensory 2x 48-57% Hex 2x 26-31% Confusion 2x 31-37% Payback 2x 25-29% View Bronzor builds →

Excadrill GroundSteel	A
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 Brutal SwingTM97 Mud ShotTM53 Sand TombTM49 Damage vs Haunter Dig 2x 181-213%KO Brutal Swing 2x 91-108%KO Mud Shot 2x 52-61% Sand Tomb 2x 82-97% View Excadrill builds →
Diggersby NormalGround	B
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 BulldozeLv. 23 Brutal SwingTM97 Mud ShotTM53 Damage vs Haunter Dig 2x 92-110%KO Bulldoze 2x 71-84% Brutal Swing 2x 47-56% Mud Shot 2x 52-61% View Diggersby builds →
Indeedee PsychicNormal	B
Available Moves Moves PsychicLv. 35 PsybeamLv. 15 Stored PowerLv. 1 Damage vs Haunter Psychic 2x 142-168%KO Psybeam 2x 103-123%KO Stored Power 2x 35-42% View Indeedee builds →
Oranguru NormalPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Zen HeadbuttLv. 35 Brutal SwingTM97 ConfusionLv. 1 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Haunter Zen Headbutt 2x 96-113%KO Brutal Swing 2x 48-58% Confusion 2x 71-84% Payback 2x 42-49% View Oranguru builds →
Pawniard DarkSteel	C
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 Psycho CutTM69 AssuranceLv. 25 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Haunter Dig 2x 84-99% Psycho Cut 2x 73-86% Assurance 2x 96-113%KO Payback 2x 78-94% View Pawniard builds →