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.
The leer that floats in darkness belongs to a GENGAR delighting in casting curses on people.
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)
 Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
 Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
 Abra Psychic | C | |
 Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Cubone builds →Bone Club 2x55-65% Thief 2x33-40% | ||
 Drifloon Ghost | D | |
Obtain MethodValley Windworks Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Drifloon builds →Thief 2x33-40% Payback 2x28-33% Astonish 2x28-35% | ||
 Bronzong SteelPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Bronzong builds →Earthquake 2x76-91% Extrasensory 2x71-84% Confusion 2x47-56% | ||
 Spiritomb GhostDark | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 209 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Spiritomb builds →Dream Eater 2x65-77% Feint Attack 2x71-84% Ominous Wind 2x60-72% Thief 2x71-84% | ||
 Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x101-120%KO Knock Off 2x45-53% Feint Attack 2x43-51% Thief 2x43-51% | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Bronzong SteelPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Bronzong builds →Earthquake 2x78-92% Psychic 2x84-99% Extrasensory 2x74-88% Shadow Ball 2x49-59% | ||
Spiritomb GhostDark | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 209 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Spiritomb builds →Dream Eater 2x67-80% Psychic 2x61-73% Shadow Ball 2x84-99% Feint Attack 2x74-88% | ||
 Rotom ElectricGhost | C | |
Obtain MethodOld Chateau Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Rotom builds →Shadow Ball 2x84-99% Ominous Wind 2x66-78% Thief 2x32-38% Astonish 2x26-32% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x105-124%KO Knock Off 2x46-54% Feint Attack 2x41-49% Thief 2x41-49% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
 Girafarig NormalPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Girafarig builds →Dream Eater 2x101-120%KO Earthquake 2x72-85% Psychic 2x93-109%KO Shadow Ball 2x53-64% | ||
Spiritomb GhostDark | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 209 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Spiritomb builds →Dream Eater 2x67-80% Psychic 2x61-73% Shadow Ball 2x84-99% Feint Attack 2x74-88% | ||
Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Solrock builds →Dream Eater 2x72-85% Earthquake 2x81-96% Psychic 2x66-78% Shadow Ball 2x38-45% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x105-124%KO Dig 2x84-99% Knock Off 2x46-54% Feint Attack 2x41-49% | ||
 Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Bronzor builds →Dream Eater 2x45-53% Earthquake 2x33-40% Psychic 2x39-46% Extrasensory 2x35-42% | ||
Girafarig NormalPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Girafarig builds →Dream Eater 2x97-115%KO Earthquake 2x69-82% Psychic 2x88-104%KO Shadow Ball 2x52-62% | ||
Spiritomb GhostDark | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 209 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Spiritomb builds →Dream Eater 2x64-77% Psychic 2x58-69% Shadow Ball 2x79-93% Sucker Punch 2x83-98% | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x107-126%KO Dig 2x85-101%KO Mud Bomb 2x64-76% Mud-Slap 2x21-25% | ||
Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Solrock builds →Dream Eater 2x66-79% Earthquake 2x80-95% Psychic 2x62-73% Shadow Ball 2x36-43% | ||
Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Bronzor builds →Future Sight 2x50-59% Dream Eater 2x40-48% Earthquake 2x32-37% Psychic 2x37-45% | ||
 Steelix SteelGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Steelix builds →Earthquake 2x108-128%KO Dig 2x86-102%KO Payback 2x37-43% | ||
Girafarig NormalPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Girafarig builds →Dream Eater 2x95-112%KO Earthquake 2x69-82% Psychic 2x86-102%KO Zen Headbutt 2x83-99% | ||
Spiritomb GhostDark | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 209 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Spiritomb builds →Dream Eater 2x64-77% Psychic 2x59-70% Shadow Ball 2x77-91% Sucker Punch 2x82-97% | ||
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x106-125%KO Dig 2x83-99% Mud Bomb 2x63-76% Mud-Slap 2x22-26% | ||
Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Bronzor builds →Future Sight 2x49-57% Dream Eater 2x39-47% Earthquake 2x32-38% Psychic 2x37-44% | ||
 Giratina GhostDragon | S | |
Obtain MethodDistortion World Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Giratina builds →Shadow Force 2x153-180%KO Earthquake 2x85-101%KO Dream Eater 2x71-84% Psychic 2x65-77% | ||
Bronzong SteelPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Bronzong builds →Future Sight 2x107-127%KO Earthquake 2x76-90% Dream Eater 2x88-104%KO Psychic 2x81-96% | ||
Steelix SteelGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Steelix builds →Earthquake 2x111-131%KO Crunch 2x60-71% Dig 2x90-107%KO Payback 2x38-44% | ||
Girafarig NormalPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Girafarig builds →Dream Eater 2x98-116%KO Earthquake 2x71-84% Psychic 2x88-104%KO Zen Headbutt 2x87-102%KO | ||
Spiritomb GhostDark | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 209 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Spiritomb builds →Dream Eater 2x67-79% Psychic 2x60-71% Dark Pulse 2x81-96% Shadow Ball 2x81-96% | ||
In Platinum, 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 →
| ||
Platinum 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, Explosion, Fire Punch and 7 more.
Platinum 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 Explosion 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 Platinum
Gengar's 3-stage chain starts with Gastly, which appears at solid rates in the locations below. Level through 3 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.
Where To Catch Gengar in Platinum
Gastly is your first catch on the way to Gengar. You'll find walking and trade encounters from Lv. 13-47 across 14 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch GastlyOld ChateauGrass Lv.14-17CommonEarlyOld Chateau - 2F Room 2Grass Lv.14-17CommonEarlyOld Chateau - 2F Room 4Grass Lv.14-17CommonEarlyTurnback Cave - Section 1Grass Lv.15-17 CaveCommonEarlyEterna ForestGrass Lv.13 ForestRareEarlyLost Tower - 1FGrass Lv.17-20 BuildingCommonMidLost Tower - 2FGrass Lv.17-20 BuildingCommonMidLost Tower - 3FGrass Lv.18-21 BuildingCommonMidLost Tower - 4FGrass Lv.18-21 BuildingCommonMidLost Tower - 5FGrass Lv.19-22 BuildingCommonMid
Step 2Catch or Evolve HaunterTurnback Cave - Section 2Grass Lv.35-37 CaveCommonLateTurnback Cave - Section 3Grass Lv.45-47 CaveCommonLateSnowpoint CityIn-game trade CityLimitedTrade for (give Medicham)or evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
Step 3Gengar ✓Old Chateau - 2F Room 4Grass Lv.16RareMidDual-slot: any GBA gameor evolve from Haunter (Step 2)
Gengar Guide
For Platinum, we rate Gengar A-Tier: a strong pick in Platinum'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 Platinum, but Gengar does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Gengar hits 600 BST.
In Platinum, 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