Stats & Training
The stat budget goes to damage. Sp. Atk and Speed carry the offense, HP doesn't even come close. A Shadow Pokemon on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve, worth 3 Sp. Atk EVs per KO.
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.
Gengar Weakness
Type-wise, Gengar takes extra damage from Ground, Psychic, Ghost, and Dark. Normal and Fighting moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. At base 110 Speed, Gengar outspeeds most threats and doesn't need to tank what it can outrun.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground, Psychic, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Poison, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Normal, Fighting |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Claydol's Earthquake also KOs at 108-128%.
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Uxie builds →U Turn6-7% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves View Celebi builds →
| ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Claydol builds →Earthquake 2x108-128%KO | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Charizard builds →Air Slash69-80% Flamethrower82-97% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityOwntempo ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves View Smeargle builds →
| ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution
Getting Gengar requires a trade, not just grinding levels. The chain starts at Gastly. Breed this form to get Gastly eggs (average hatch time). Sp.Def grew the most through evolution (+40 over Gastly), and Gengar peaks at 500 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Gengar to get Gastly eggs easily using 31 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Astonish, Disable, Explosion and 8 more.
HeartGold & SoulSilver Gengar Best Moveset
Normal coverage keeps opponents guessing about Gengar's real targets. Life Orb provides extra damage on every hit for a health trade while max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs and Timid nature handle the stat profile. Levitate ties it together.
Best Build
Gengar best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Substitute
- Explosion
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Breeding's the move. Astonish and Disable give Gengar options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 8 types already covers a decent range on top of Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball. The egg moves push it further.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Gengar in HeartGold & SoulSilver
The chain to Gengar 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.
How to Obtain Gengar in HeartGold & SoulSilver
To get Gengar, start by catching Gastly through walking encounters at Lv. 3-22. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch GastlySprout TowerHeartGoldGrass Lv.3-6 Building85%EarlyNightSprout TowerSoulSilverGrass Lv.3-6 Building85%EarlyNightBell Tower - 2F-10FHeartGoldGrass Lv.20-22 Building80%MidNightBell Tower - 2F-10FSoulSilverGrass Lv.20-22 Building80%MidNight
Step 2Catch or Evolve HaunterRoute 8SoulSilverGrass Lv.19 RouteCommonMidNightRoute 8HeartGoldGrass Lv.19 RouteCommonMidNightor evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
Step 3Gengar ✓
Gengar Guide
For HeartGold & SoulSilver, we rate Gengar A-Tier: a strong pick in HeartGold & SoulSilver's competitive scene. At 500 BST, it fits the sweeper role. Shadow Ball with Life Orb is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in HeartGold & SoulSilver, but Gengar does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Gengar hits 600 BST.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Gengar's biggest threats include Golem (Ground), Starmie (Psychic), and Misdreavus (Ghost), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Dark-type attackers are also a problem. Gengar's base 110 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
Cursed Body is the go-to ability for Gengar. It has a 30% chance of Disabling any move that hits the Pokémon. It's Gengar's only ability.
Base 110 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Gengar is a mixed attacker with base 65 Attack and 130 Sp. Atk. Best used as a sweeper.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Gengar has appeared in 22 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7 and a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
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 6ORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShGigantamax
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