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.
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)
In Black 2 & White 2, Donphan can KO Gengar with Earthquake (148-174%). Mienshao's Stone Edge hits Gengar for 80-94%.
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x148-174%KO Ice Shard20-23% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Mienshao builds →U Turn14-16% Stone Edge80-94% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Bounce ItemRocky Helmet NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Xatu builds →U Turn6-7% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Jellicent builds →Scald37-44% | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Breloom builds →Bullet Seed17-20% | ||
Black 2 & White 2 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 45 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Astonish, Clear Smog, Disable and 9 more.
Black 2 & White 2 Gengar Best Moveset
Levitate helps Gengar stick around while dealing real damage. Black Sludge for Poison-type passive recovery, max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs for the right balance, and Shadow Ball as the main threat. Not the fastest, but it doesn't need to be.
Best Build
Gengar best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Attacker Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Destiny Bond
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Breeding's the move. Astonish and Clear Smog 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 Black 2 & White 2
No wild encounters for Gengar in Black 2 & White 2. Bring Gastly over from Red, Yellow, or FireRed, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
Gengar Guide
For Black 2 & White 2, we rate Gengar B-Tier: a solid option in Black 2 & White 2 for the right team. At 500 BST, it fits the sweeper role. Shadow Ball with Black Sludge is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Black 2 & White 2, but Gengar does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Gengar hits 600 BST.
In Black 2 & White 2, 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 special attacker with base 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