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.
Rumor has it that its gigantic mouth leads not into its body, filled with cursed energy, but instead directly to the afterlife.
It lays traps, hoping to steal the lives of those it catches. If you stand in front of its mouth, you’ll hear your loved ones’ voices calling out to you.
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. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. 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, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Poison, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Normal, Fighting |
In Sword & Shield, Clefable's Knock Off hits Gengar for 37-44%.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Corviknight builds →U Turn7-8% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Clefable builds →Moonblast24-28% Knock Off 2x37-44% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMisty Surge ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Tapu Fini builds →Moonblast30-36% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Pelipper builds →U Turn3-4% Scald40-48% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Gengar View Slowbro builds →Scald42-49% | ||
Sword & Shield 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 46 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Astonish, Clear Smog, Disable and 6 more.
Sword & Shield Gengar Best Moveset
utility options gives Gengar answers even while choice-locked. Choice Scarf provides speed patching through item lock, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs with Cursedbody mean every prediction that lands hits hard.
Best Build
Gengar best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Trick
- Giga Drain
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Energy Ball
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Stall teams hate this. Gengar can spread damage across 10 types, with Dark and Psychic punishing common defensive pivots. STAB from Poltergeist and Sludge Wave keeps the pressure honest on everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Gengar in Sword & Shield
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 Sword & Shield
To get Gengar, start by catching Gastly through walking encounters at Lv. 11-40. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch GastlyWatchtower RuinsShieldGrass Lv.11-14 Building30%EarlyOvercastWatchtower RuinsSwordGrass Lv.11-14 Building10%EarlyOvercastNorth Lake MilochSwordGrass Lv.14-16 Water10%EarlyOvercastNorth Lake MilochShieldGrass Lv.14-16 Water10%EarlyOvercastWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworld Lv.26-29 Building60%MidHeavy FogWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworld Lv.26-29 Building60%MidSandstormWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworld Lv.26-29 Building60%MidHeavy FogWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworld Lv.26-29 Building60%MidSandstormWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworld Lv.26-29 Building50%MidThunderstormWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworld Lv.26-29 Building50%MidThunderstormWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworld Lv.26-29 Building35%MidRainingWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworld Lv.26-29 Building35%MidRainingWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworld Lv.26-29 Building25%MidOvercastWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworld Lv.26-29 Building25%MidSnowstormWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworld Lv.26-29 Building25%MidOvercastWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworld Lv.26-29 Building25%MidSnowstormHammerlocke HillsSwordOverworld Lv.29-3110%MidHeavy FogHammerlocke HillsShieldOverworld Lv.29-3110%MidHeavy FogGiant's SeatShieldOverworld Lv.33-38 Water28%LateOvercastGiant's SeatSwordOverworld Lv.33-38 Water28%LateOvercastGiant's SeatSwordOverworld Lv.33-38 Water25%LateIntense SunGiant's SeatShieldOverworld Lv.33-38 Water25%LateIntense SunGiant's SeatShieldOverworld Lv.33-38 Water10%LateHeavy FogGiant's SeatSwordOverworld Lv.33-38 Water10%LateRainingGiant's SeatSwordOverworld Lv.33-38 Water10%LateHeavy FogGiant's SeatShieldOverworld Lv.33-38 Water10%LateRaining
Step 2Catch or Evolve HaunterGiant's SeatShieldGrass Lv.30-35 Water15%MidOvercastGiant's SeatSwordGrass Lv.30-35 Water15%MidOvercastRoute 8ShieldGrass Lv.38-40 Route10%LateAll WeatherRoute 8SwordGrass Lv.38-40 Route10%LateAll Weatheror evolve from Gastly (Step 1)
Step 3Gengar ✓
Gengar Guide
For Sword & Shield, we rate Gengar B-Tier: a solid option in Sword & Shield for the right team. At 500 BST, it fits the sweeper role. Shadow Ball with Choice Scarf is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Sword & Shield, but Gengar does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Gengar hits 600 BST.
In Sword & Shield, 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 leaning toward the special side (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