gengar
Generation I · #0094 — Shadow Pokémon
Gengar is a dual-type Ghost/Poison Pokémon introduced in Generation I, standing as the final evolved form of the Gastly evolutionary line. Known as the Shadow Pokémon, Gengar holds the distinction of being one of the most iconic and beloved Ghost-type Pokémon in the entire franchise. With a National Pokédex number of #094, Gengar combines supernatural eeriness with a distinctive purple coloration that has made it instantly recognizable across generations. Its base stats total 500, with an exceptional Special Attack of 130 and impressive Speed of 110, making it a formidable special attacker in competitive play. Throughout the various games, regions, and media appearances spanning decades, Gengar has maintained its position as a fan favorite, contributing to its enduring popularity among trainers and competitive players alike.
Base Stats
Height
1.5m
Weight
40.5kg
Category
Shadow Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
purple
Shape
upright
Habitat
cave
Abilities
Has a 30% chance of Disabling any move that hits the Pokémon.
Gengar Biology & Physical Characteristics
Gengar is a diminutive yet menacing Pokémon, measuring 1.5 meters (4'11") in height and weighing 40.5 kilograms (89.3 lbs), making it relatively compact despite its fearsome reputation. Its body is primarily composed of a shadow-like substance, exhibiting a deep purple coloration with a rounded, somewhat bulbous form that tapers toward pointed ears and a spiky back. The Pokémon possesses large, prominent red eyes that convey both intelligence and mischief, while its grinning mouth hints at its playful yet mischievous nature. Gengar's typing as a Ghost/Poison Pokémon reflects its dual nature, combining spectral properties with toxic elements. Its hidden ability, Shadow Tag, allows it to prevent opposing Pokémon from switching out, while its standard ability, Cursed Body, grants a 30% chance of disabling any move that successfully strikes it. In its Mega Evolution form, Gengar becomes more angular and menacing, shrinking slightly to 1.4 meters while gaining enhanced Special Attack of 170 and Speed of 130, demonstrating a focus on its supernatural offensive capabilities.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Gengar Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Gengar exhibits a perfectly balanced gender ratio of 50% male and 50% female, making it equally common to encounter either gender in breeding scenarios. The species belongs to the Amorphous egg group, which includes numerous other Ghost and gelatinous Pokémon, allowing it to breed with a diverse range of species sharing this classification. The breeding process for Gengar takes twenty egg cycles to complete, translating to approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps of gameplay before a Gastly egg hatches, making it moderately accessible for trainers engaging in breeding programs. The base happiness value of 70 indicates that Gengar forms reasonably strong bonds with its trainers, though not as quickly as some other species with higher base happiness ratings. Gengar's growth rate of medium-slow means that training a newly hatched Gastly to its final evolved form requires consistent effort and dedication, rewarding patient trainers with a powerful partner. The even gender distribution and membership in the Amorphous egg group provide flexibility for breeders seeking to obtain Gengar with specific natures, abilities, or egg move combinations, making the species a practical choice for competitive team building.
Held Items
Sprites
Held Items
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
TMs & HMs
tm00
sword shield
tm01
yellow
tm01
gold silver
tm01
crystal
tm01
red blue
tm01
platinum
tm01
emerald
tm01
diamond pearl
tm01
firered leafgreen
tm01
ruby sapphire
tm01
xd
tm01
colosseum
tm01
heartgold soulsilver
tm01
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm01
blue japan
tm01
red green japan
tm01
sword shield
tm02
crystal
tm02
gold silver
tm02
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
+681 more TMs/HMs
gengar's Evolution Chain
Gengar Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Gengar completes the evolutionary line that begins with Gastly and progresses through Haunter, with the transformation from Haunter to Gengar occurring when Haunter is traded to another trainer or exposed to a Linking Cord in certain game generations. This evolutionary mechanic emphasizes the supernatural nature of the transformation, suggesting that Gengar represents a more fully realized ghost form achieved through a supernatural exchange. The introduction of Mega Evolution in Generation VI provided Gengar with access to Mega Gengar through the use of Gengarite, a Mega Stone exclusive to this species. Mega Gengar undergoes a dramatic transformation, becoming more angular and imposing while its Special Attack increases from 130 to 170 and its Speed climbs from 110 to 130, creating one of the fastest special attackers in the game. Notably, Mega Gengar's ability changes from Cursed Body to Shadow Tag, allowing it to trap opposing Pokémon and prevent them from switching out—a devastating capability in competitive formats. In more recent generations, Gengar gained access to Gigantamax form, becoming monumentally larger and gaining access to the exclusive G-Max Terror move, further emphasizing its role as a premier Ghost-type threat across multiple battle formats.
Where to Find
old chateau
sinnoh
+12 more
thrifty megamart
alola
+1 more
Gengar Behaviour and Natural Habitat
According to Pokédex entries spanning multiple generations, Gengar exhibits distinctly mischievous and predatory behavior rooted in supernatural activity. Under a full moon, Gengar enjoys mimicking the shadows of unsuspecting people, delighting in their fright and terror—a habit that underscores its playful yet sinister personality. The Pokémon is known to steal heat from its surroundings, and a sudden unexplained chill is often indicative of a Gengar's presence, as noted in multiple regional Pokédex entries. More disturbingly, Gengar has been documented to slip into its prey's shadow and wait silently for the opportune moment to steal their life force, suggesting predatory instincts beneath its mischievous exterior. The Ruby and Sapphire entries provide a chilling image of Gengar on dark nights, where it may suddenly overtake a person's shadow cast by a streetlight, running past them while perfectly mimicking their shadow. This behavior demonstrates Gengar's ability to exploit darkness and shadow as both camouflage and hunting ground, preferring environments shrouded in darkness where it can move undetected and manipulate the shadows around potential targets.
Pokedex Entries
Under a full moon, this POKéMON likes to mimic the shadows of people and laugh at their fright.
A GENGAR is close by if you feel a sudden chill. It may be trying to lay a curse on you.
It steals heat from its surround ings. If you feel a sudden chill, it is certain that a GENGAR appeared.
To steal the life of its target, it slips into the prey's shadow and silently waits for an opportunity.
Hiding in people's shadows at night, it absorbs their heat. The chill it causes makes the victims shake.
Sometimes, on a dark night, your shadow thrown by a streetlight will suddenly and startlingly overtake you. It is actually a GENGAR running past you, pretending to be your shadow.
Deep in the night, your shadow cast by a streetlight may suddenly overtake you. It is actually a GENGAR running past you, pretending to be your shadow.
It is said to emerge from darkness to steal the lives of those who become lost in mountains.
On the night of a full moon, if shadows move on their own and laugh, it must be GENGAR’s doing.
It hides in shadows. It is said that if GENGAR is hiding, it cools the area by nearly 10 degrees F.
Lurking in the shadowy corners of rooms, it awaits chances to steal its prey’s life force.
The leer that floats in darkness belongs to a GENGAR delighting in casting curses on people.
It steals heat from its surroundings. If you feel a sudden chill, it is certain that a GENGAR appeared.
To steal the life of its target, it slips into the prey’s shadow and silently waits for an opportunity.
The leer that floats in darkness belongs to a Gengar delighting in casting curses on people.
The leer that floats in darkness belongs to a Gengar delighting in casting curses on people.
It hides in shadows. It is said that if Gengar is hiding, it cools the area by nearly 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hiding in people’s shadows at night, it absorbs their heat. The chill it causes makes the victims shake.
Sometimes, on a dark night, your shadow thrown by a streetlight will suddenly and startlingly overtake you. It is actually a Gengar running past you, pretending to be your shadow.
Should you feel yourself attacked by a sudden chill, it is evidence of an approaching Gengar. There is no escaping it. Give up.
You can hear tales told all over the world about how Gengar will pay a visit to children who are naughty.
It apparently wishes for a traveling companion. Since it was once human itself, it tries to create one by taking the lives of other humans.
Even your home isn’t safe. Gengar will lurk in whatever dark corner of a room it can find and wait for its chance to catch its prey.
A Gengar is close by if you feel a sudden chill. It may be trying to lay a curse on you.
On the night of a full moon, if shadows move on their own and laugh, it must be Gengar’s doing.
It is said to emerge from darkness to steal the lives of those who become lost in mountains.
Possesses potential victims' shadows in an effort to steal away the victims' lives. If your shadow begins to laugh, you must take hold of a protective charm posthaste!
Gengar Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Gengar is believed to derive from the German word "doppelgänger," referring to a ghostly double or supernatural doppelgänger, which perfectly encapsulates the Pokémon's nature as a shadow-mimicking specter. Its Japanese name, ゲンガー (Gangar), follows a similar linguistic pattern while maintaining the mysterious quality appropriate to its Ghost-type classification. The design itself reflects classic ghost and phantom imagery, with the rounded, purple body evoking both ethereal and eerie characteristics simultaneously. The pointed ears and spiky protrusions along its back suggest an aggressive, predatory nature distinct from more benign ghost-type designs, while the constant grin conveys an unsettling mix of friendliness and malice. The evolution from the wispy, translucent Gastly through the more defined Haunter to the solid, purposeful Gengar represents a progression from barely-corporeal spirit to a more fully manifested supernatural entity. The design choices—particularly the deep purple coloration, the prominent red eyes, and the characteristic posture—create a Pokémon that is simultaneously cute in a dark way and genuinely unsettling, contributing significantly to its iconic status and memorability.
Learnable Moves
Gengar can learn 76 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| bide | normal | Physical | — | — | 10 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| confuse ray | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| counter | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| curse | ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
| destiny bond | ghost | Status | — | — | 5 |
| disable | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| dream eater | psychic | Special | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| dynamic punch | fighting | Physical | 100 | 50 | 5 |
| encore | normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| explosion | normal | Physical | 250 | 100 | 5 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fire punch | fire | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| focus punch | fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| giga drain | grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| haze | ice | Status | — | — | 30 |
| headbutt | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| hypnosis | psychic | Status | — | 60 | 20 |
| ice punch | ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| icy wind | ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| lick | ghost | Physical | 30 | 100 | 30 |
| mean look | normal | Status | — | — | 5 |
| mega drain | grass | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| mega kick | normal | Physical | 120 | 75 | 5 |
| mega punch | normal | Physical | 80 | 85 | 20 |
| metronome | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| mimic | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| night shade | ghost | Special | — | 100 | 15 |
| nightmare | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| pain split | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| perish song | normal | Status | — | — | 5 |
| poison gas | poison | Status | — | 90 | 40 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psych up | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psychic | psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| psywave | psychic | Special | — | 100 | 15 |
| rage | normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| scary face | normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| seismic toss | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| self destruct | normal | Physical | 200 | 100 | 5 |
| shadow ball | ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| skull bash | normal | Physical | 130 | 100 | 10 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sludge bomb | poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| smog | poison | Special | 30 | 70 | 20 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| spite | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| strength | normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| submission | fighting | Physical | 80 | 80 | 20 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| taunt | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| thunder | electric | Special | 110 | 70 | 10 |
| thunder punch | electric | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| thunder wave | electric | Status | — | 90 | 20 |
| thunderbolt | electric | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| torment | dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| trick | psychic | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| uproar | normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| will o wisp | fire | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| zap cannon | electric | Special | 120 | 50 | 5 |
Gengar Competitive Battle Guide
Gengar has maintained relevance in competitive Pokémon battling across multiple generations, primarily as a special attacker and hazard setter, though its role has evolved with the introduction of new mechanics and Pokémon. The base Special Attack of 130 combined with a Speed tier of 110 allows Gengar to outpace many threats and strike first with devastating special moves, making it a potent offensive threat in appropriate metagames. The Shadow Tag ability on Mega Gengar transforms it into a trapping specialist, preventing opposing Pokémon from switching and enabling it to eliminate threats systematically or force advantageous matchups. Its Ghost/Poison typing provides useful resistances to Poison, Bug, and Grass moves while granting immunity to Normal and Fighting-type attacks, though its weakness to Dark, Ground, and Ghost-type moves creates exploitable vulnerabilities. Gengar learns an extensive movepool including Shadow Ball, Focus Blast, Sludge Bomb, and Thunderbolt, providing excellent coverage against the vast majority of competitive threats. Its access to utility moves like Trick, Taunt, and Memento adds strategic depth beyond pure offense, allowing skilled players to utilize Gengar's speed and typing for team support roles. The introduction of Gigantamax Gengar adds another dimension to its competitive viability, with G-Max Terror trapping opposing Pokémon and dealing damage while preventing switches, creating additional strategic considerations in Sword/Shield and subsequent generations.
Commonly Asked Questions About Gengar
What type is Gengar?
Gengar is a ghost and poison type Pokemon.
What does Gengar evolve from?
Gengar evolved from haunter that evolved from gastly.
What are Gengar's weaknesses?
Gengar is weak to ground, ghost, psychic and dark type moves.
Where can I find Gengar?
Gengar can be found in old chateau (sinnoh) and thrifty megamart (alola).
Gengar Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Gengar stands as one of the most recognizable and beloved Pokémon in the entire franchise, appearing prominently across anime, manga, trading cards, and merchandise for over two decades. In the Pokémon anime series, Gengar has received notable spotlight through memorable trainer battles, particularly through Agatha's Gengar in the Kanto region and Morty's Gengar in Johto, establishing the species as a respected competitive force. The character's distinctive grin and mischievous personality have made it a fan favorite, inspiring countless pieces of fan art, cosplay, and community discussions celebrating its unique aesthetic. Gengar's representation on trading cards has made it a sought-after collectible, with vintage holographic Gengar cards commanding significant value among dedicated TCG collectors. The species has become synonymous with ghost-type Pokémon in popular culture, often serving as the representative ghost when media needs a quintessential spectral companion. Its consistent availability and utility across game generations have ensured that multiple demographic cohorts of Pokémon fans have experienced using Gengar on their teams, creating multi-generational recognition and affection. The introduction of Mega Evolution and subsequent special forms has sustained cultural relevance, allowing Gengar to remain competitively viable and visually exciting across modern Pokémon titles.
Where to Find Gengar in Every Pokémon Game
Gengar's availability has varied significantly across the numerous Pokémon games released since Generation I, though it maintains consistent presence through the evolution of Haunter in nearly every title. In the earliest games—Red, Blue, and Yellow—Gengar appears in the Kanto region and can be obtained by trading Haunter to trigger its evolution, establishing the mechanic that has persisted throughout the franchise. Across subsequent generations, Gengar has appeared in wild encounters, trainer battles, and obtainable forms in most regional Pokédex entries, though specific locations and acquisition methods vary by game. In modern titles like Sword and Shield, Scarlet and Violet, and Legends: Arceus, Gengar maintains availability through various methods including wild encounters in specific areas, raids, or evolution chains accessible to players. The species received significant distribution increases through Pokémon GO, making Gengar accessible to mobile platform players and introducing the species to audiences beyond traditional game consoles. Special event distributions, limited-time encounters, and region-exclusive availability have occasionally restricted access during specific periods, but the overall trend demonstrates Game Freak's commitment to maintaining Gengar's accessibility. For competitive players, Gengar's consistent availability across generations makes it a reliable team option for constructing competitive rosters without requiring extensive trading or version exclusivity navigation, contributing to its status as a reliable, readily obtainable power.