NationalDex
gengar
#094

Gengar

Shadow Pokémon

GhostPoison

It hides in shadows. It is said that if Gengar is hiding, it cools the area by nearly 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Base Stats

HP 60
Attack 65
Defense 60
Sp. Atk 130
Sp. Def 75
Speed 110
Total 500

Type Effectiveness

Abilities

Held Items

Forms

Evolution Chain

haunter Haunter Lv. 25
gengar Gengar Trade

Moves

Details

Category Shadow Pokémon
Height 1.5 m
Weight 40.5 kg
Base Exp 225
Growth Rate Medium Slow
Capture Rate 45
Base Happiness 70
Gender 50% ♂ / 50% ♀
Habitat Cave
Egg Groups Indeterminate

Sprites

gengar Front Front
gengar Back Back
gengar Front Shiny Front Shiny
gengar Back Shiny Back Shiny
gengar Official Art Official Art
gengar Official Art (Shiny) Official Art (Shiny)

Competitive

Choice Specs
Item
Choice Specs
Nature
Timid
EVs
Def 4
SpA 252
Spe 252
Life Orb Attacker
Moves
Taunt / Substitute / Icy Wind
Item
Life Orb
Nature
Timid
EVs
SpA 252
SpD 4
Spe 252
Hex
Moves
Sludge Wave / Substitute
Item
Black Sludge
Nature
Timid
EVs
HP 8
SpA 248
Spe 252
SubSplit
Item
Life Orb
Nature
Timid
EVs
Def 4
SpA 252
Spe 252

Strategy Overview

Gengar returns for another bout in OU, still undisputed as one of the only Pokemon to consistently remain in the tier across all generations. It resists Fairy and can hit Fairy-types hard with its super effective Poison STAB moves, which makes it a very effective offensive answer to the likes of Mega Altaria, Mega Gardevoir, and Clefable, and the Steel-type losing its Ghost-type resistance makes it easier for Gengar to fit moves onto a set and harder to switch into it. Sadly, the presence of priority users, Assault Vest users, and powerful Mega Evolutions leaves Gengar struggling to keep up. However, Gengar's typing, ability, and support movepool let it act as a powerful stallbreaker, and its offensive stats and very good Speed tier don't let it down against offensive teams. A number of other traits, such as acting as a spinblocker and an effective Destiny Bond user, makes Gengar a rather consistent, yet still unpredictable choice for many teams.

Most Used Moves

Taunt
30.6%

Most Used Items

Life Orb
28.1%

Competitive data from Smogon University via data.pkmn.cc