--- title: "Gengar (#0094): Stats, Weaknesses, Moves & Lore | pokee.si" url: "https://pokee.si/pokemon/gengar" description: "Gengar (#0094): Ghost/Poison-type Shadow Pokémon from Kanto. Base stat total 500. Abilities: Cursed Body. Stats, matchups, evolutions, moves, every Pokédex entry and lore on pokee.si." last_updated: "2026-10-21" publisher: "pokee.si: a Pokédex for families (unofficial fan site)" last_checked: "2026-10-19" --- #0094 · Kanto · Generation 1 # Gengar Shadow Pokémon · Ghost/Poison-type ![Gengar official artwork](https://pokee.si/img/art/94.webp) Gengar is a [Ghost](https://pokee.si/types/ghost)/[Poison](https://pokee.si/types/poison)-type Pokémon, the Shadow Pokémon, number 94 (#0094) in the National Pokédex. It was introduced in Generation 1 and comes from the [Kanto](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/kanto) region. It is 1.5 m tall and weighs 40.5 kg. Gengar is the Shadow Pokémon, a grinning ghost that slips into people's shadows and cools whatever room it hides in. According to the Pokédex, if your shadow ever overtakes you under a streetlight, it is really Gengar running past. ## How to pronounce Gengar Gengar is pronounced **GEN-gar**. The capital letters show the stressed syllable. Listen to Gengar said out loud: [Listen](https://pokee.si/audio/names/94.mp3) In Japanese it is ゲンガー (Gangar). Hear every other name on the [Pokémon pronunciation guide](https://pokee.si/pronounce). ## Lore ### Biology Gengar is a dark purple, round-bodied biped with red eyes, pointed ears, a sinister wide grin and rows of spikes on its back. It is 1.5 m tall and weighs 40.5 kg. Pokédex entries say it hides perfectly in shadows and soaks up heat, cooling a room by nearly 5°C (10°F). In the anime it can fly, turn intangible and make illusions. ### Behaviour Gengar is a prankster with a mean streak. The Pokédex says that under a full moon it mimics people's shadows and laughs at their fright. It can also stay faithful to a Trainer who looks after it. The Moon Pokédex claims it was once human and wishes for a travelling companion. ### Habitat The Pokédex habitat list puts Gengar in caves, and Bulbapedia calls it rare in the wild, since it evolves by trade. In Scarlet and Violet it evolves from Haunter and appears in 5 and 6 star Tera Raids. In Legends: Z-A it is in Wild Zone 20 in Lumiose City, and in the Mega Dimension DLC's Hyperspace Lumiose. ### Powers Its Ability is Cursed Body. Gengar casts Shadow Ball, Sludge Bomb and Dark Pulse, and Hypnosis sets up Dream Eater. Mega Gengar sinks partly into the ground and grows a third eye that sees into other dimensions, and its Ability becomes Shadow Tag. Gigantamax Gengar becomes a huge head with a tunnel-like mouth, and it is the only known Pokémon able to use G-Max Terror. With 130 base Special Attack and 110 Speed it is a fast, fragile special attacker. ### Name origin Gengar may come from '-ganger' or '-gänger' (walker), as in 'doppelgänger', a ghostly double of a living person, and perhaps from the Japanese gen (phantasm). The Japanese name is Gangar (ゲンガー). ### Design inspiration Ken Sugimori designed Gengar, and James Turner designed its Gigantamax form. Bulbapedia reads the Gastly line as a ghost slowly crossing from the afterlife into our world, with Gengar having fully broken through. Its horn-like ears and teeth may nod to oni, and its grin to the Cheshire Cat. These are fan readings. ### Evolution notes Gengar is the last stage of the Gastly line; Haunter becomes Gengar through a trade or a Linking Cord. ### In the games Agatha, Morty and Fantina each field a Gengar, and Allister's Gengar Gigantamaxes in Sword and Shield. Gengar debuted in Generation I. ### In the anime Morty's Gengar is never recalled to its Poké Ball in the anime. Ash's Gengar, abandoned by a Trainer who feared it, joins him in 'A Chilling Curse!' and later Gigantamaxes in 'The Winding Path to Greatness!'. ### Fun facts - Bulbapedia says Gengar is Ken Sugimori's favourite Pokémon, because he finds it the easiest to draw. - Gengar and Nidorino battle in the Red and Green (Red and Blue outside Japan) opening animation, and Bulbapedia says they were the first two Pokémon seen in a battle in both the games and the anime. - In Scarlet and Violet, trading a Pincurchin to an NPC in Levincia gets you a Haunter that evolves into Gengar the moment you receive it. - In Mystery Dungeon: Red and Blue Rescue Team, an escorted Gengar carries the moves Leer, Scratch and Quick Attack, probably copied by mistake from Absol's data. Sources: [Bulbapedia: Gengar (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gengar_(Pok%C3%A9mon)) · [Serebii: Gengar (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/gengar/) ## Base stats - HP: **60** - Attack: **65** - Defense: **60** - Sp. Atk: **130** - Sp. Def: **75** - Speed: **110** Gengar’s base stat total is **500**. Its highest stat is Sp. Atk. ## Type matchups ### What is Gengar weak to? Gengar takes extra damage from [Ground](https://pokee.si/types/ground) (2×), [Psychic](https://pokee.si/types/psychic) (2×), [Ghost](https://pokee.si/types/ghost) (2×), [Dark](https://pokee.si/types/dark) (2×) moves. It resists [Poison](https://pokee.si/types/poison) (¼×), [Bug](https://pokee.si/types/bug) (¼×), [Grass](https://pokee.si/types/grass) (½×), [Fairy](https://pokee.si/types/fairy) (½×). It is immune to [Normal](https://pokee.si/types/normal), [Fighting](https://pokee.si/types/fighting) moves. ## Evolution ### What does Gengar evolve from? Gengar evolves from [Haunter](https://pokee.si/pokemon/haunter) (Trade). Gengar is the final stage of its evolution family. The whole family: [Gastly](https://pokee.si/pokemon/gastly), [Haunter](https://pokee.si/pokemon/haunter), **Gengar**. - [Gastly](https://pokee.si/pokemon/gastly) evolves into [Haunter](https://pokee.si/pokemon/haunter) at level 25. ## Forms - **Mega Gengar** (Mega): [Ghost](https://pokee.si/types/ghost)/[Poison](https://pokee.si/types/poison)-type, base stat total 600 (HP 60, Attack 65, Defense 80, Sp. Atk 170, Sp. Def 95, Speed 130). Ability: [Shadow Tag](https://pokee.si/abilities/shadow-tag). - **Gigantamax Gengar** (Gigantamax): [Ghost](https://pokee.si/types/ghost)/[Poison](https://pokee.si/types/poison)-type, base stat total 500 (HP 60, Attack 65, Defense 60, Sp. Atk 130, Sp. Def 75, Speed 110). Ability: [Cursed Body](https://pokee.si/abilities/cursed-body). ## Abilities - [Cursed Body](https://pokee.si/abilities/cursed-body): Has a 30% chance of Disabling any move that hits the Pokémon. ## Moves ### Moves Gengar learns by level up in Scarlet / Violet | Level | Move | Type | Category | Power | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | [Mean Look](https://pokee.si/moves/mean-look) | Normal | Status | — | | 1 | [Shadow Punch](https://pokee.si/moves/shadow-punch) | Ghost | Physical | 60 | | 1 | [Reflect Type](https://pokee.si/moves/reflect-type) | Normal | Status | — | | 1 | [Perish Song](https://pokee.si/moves/perish-song) | Normal | Status | — | | 1 | [Lick](https://pokee.si/moves/lick) | Ghost | Physical | 30 | | 1 | [Confuse Ray](https://pokee.si/moves/confuse-ray) | Ghost | Status | — | | 1 | [Hypnosis](https://pokee.si/moves/hypnosis) | Psychic | Status | — | | 12 | [Payback](https://pokee.si/moves/payback) | Dark | Physical | 50 | | 16 | [Spite](https://pokee.si/moves/spite) | Ghost | Status | — | | 20 | [Curse](https://pokee.si/moves/curse) | Ghost | Status | — | | 24 | [Hex](https://pokee.si/moves/hex) | Ghost | Special | 65 | | 30 | [Night Shade](https://pokee.si/moves/night-shade) | Ghost | Special | — | | 36 | [Sucker Punch](https://pokee.si/moves/sucker-punch) | Dark | Physical | 70 | | 42 | [Dark Pulse](https://pokee.si/moves/dark-pulse) | Dark | Special | 80 | | 48 | [Shadow Ball](https://pokee.si/moves/shadow-ball) | Ghost | Special | 80 | | 54 | [Destiny Bond](https://pokee.si/moves/destiny-bond) | Ghost | Status | — | | 60 | [Dream Eater](https://pokee.si/moves/dream-eater) | Psychic | Special | 100 | ### TM moves (64) Gengar can learn 64 moves from TMs in Scarlet / Violet: [Scary Face](https://pokee.si/moves/scary-face), [Protect](https://pokee.si/moves/protect), [Acid Spray](https://pokee.si/moves/acid-spray), [Confuse Ray](https://pokee.si/moves/confuse-ray), [Thief](https://pokee.si/moves/thief), [Facade](https://pokee.si/moves/facade), [Hex](https://pokee.si/moves/hex), [Icy Wind](https://pokee.si/moves/icy-wind), [Night Shade](https://pokee.si/moves/night-shade), [Fling](https://pokee.si/moves/fling), [Venoshock](https://pokee.si/moves/venoshock), [Endure](https://pokee.si/moves/endure), [Sunny Day](https://pokee.si/moves/sunny-day), [Rain Dance](https://pokee.si/moves/rain-dance), [Brick Break](https://pokee.si/moves/brick-break), [Shadow Claw](https://pokee.si/moves/shadow-claw), [Foul Play](https://pokee.si/moves/foul-play), [Body Slam](https://pokee.si/moves/body-slam), [Fire Punch](https://pokee.si/moves/fire-punch), [Thunder Punch](https://pokee.si/moves/thunder-punch), [Ice Punch](https://pokee.si/moves/ice-punch), [Sleep Talk](https://pokee.si/moves/sleep-talk), [Drain Punch](https://pokee.si/moves/drain-punch), [Dazzling Gleam](https://pokee.si/moves/dazzling-gleam), [Metronome](https://pokee.si/moves/metronome), [Thunder Wave](https://pokee.si/moves/thunder-wave), [Poison Jab](https://pokee.si/moves/poison-jab), [Rest](https://pokee.si/moves/rest), [Taunt](https://pokee.si/moves/taunt), [Toxic Spikes](https://pokee.si/moves/toxic-spikes), [Imprison](https://pokee.si/moves/imprison), [Dark Pulse](https://pokee.si/moves/dark-pulse), [Skill Swap](https://pokee.si/moves/skill-swap), [Gunk Shot](https://pokee.si/moves/gunk-shot), [Substitute](https://pokee.si/moves/substitute), [Will-O-Wisp](https://pokee.si/moves/will-o-wisp), [Trick](https://pokee.si/moves/trick), [Giga Drain](https://pokee.si/moves/giga-drain), [Shadow Ball](https://pokee.si/moves/shadow-ball), [Energy Ball](https://pokee.si/moves/energy-ball), [Psychic](https://pokee.si/moves/psychic), [Encore](https://pokee.si/moves/encore), [Thunderbolt](https://pokee.si/moves/thunderbolt), [Nasty Plot](https://pokee.si/moves/nasty-plot), [Sludge Bomb](https://pokee.si/moves/sludge-bomb), [Phantom Force](https://pokee.si/moves/phantom-force), [Giga Impact](https://pokee.si/moves/giga-impact), [Focus Blast](https://pokee.si/moves/focus-blast), [Trick Room](https://pokee.si/moves/trick-room), [Hyper Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/hyper-beam), [Thunder](https://pokee.si/moves/thunder), [Tera Blast](https://pokee.si/moves/tera-blast), [Haze](https://pokee.si/moves/haze), [Toxic](https://pokee.si/moves/toxic), [Spite](https://pokee.si/moves/spite), [Knock Off](https://pokee.si/moves/knock-off), [Focus Punch](https://pokee.si/moves/focus-punch), [Poltergeist](https://pokee.si/moves/poltergeist), [Pain Split](https://pokee.si/moves/pain-split), [Psych Up](https://pokee.si/moves/psych-up), [Sludge Wave](https://pokee.si/moves/sludge-wave), [Skitter Smack](https://pokee.si/moves/skitter-smack), [Curse](https://pokee.si/moves/curse), [Psychic Noise](https://pokee.si/moves/psychic-noise). Egg moves (8), which Gastly can hatch knowing:[Astonish](https://pokee.si/moves/astonish), [Clear Smog](https://pokee.si/moves/clear-smog), [Disable](https://pokee.si/moves/disable), [Haze](https://pokee.si/moves/haze), [Perish Song](https://pokee.si/moves/perish-song), [Reflect Type](https://pokee.si/moves/reflect-type), [Smog](https://pokee.si/moves/smog), [Toxic](https://pokee.si/moves/toxic). ## Breeding & training - Gender: 50% male, 50% female. - Egg groups: Amorphous. - Egg cycles: 20 (steps to hatch, Scarlet/Violet: 2,560). - Catch rate: 45 out of 255. - Base friendship (Gen 8 onward): 50. - Growth rate: Medium Slow (1,059,860 experience points to reach level 100). - Defeating it gives 3 Sp. Atk effort values. - Base experience yield: 225. ## Pokédex entries Possesses potential victims' shadows in an effort to steal away the victims' lives. If your shadow begins to laugh, you must take hold of a protective charm posthaste! *(Legends: Arceus)* It is said to emerge from darkness to steal the lives of those who become lost in mountains. *(FireRed, Shield)* On the night of a full moon, if shadows move on their own and laugh, it must be Gengar's doing. *(LeafGreen, Sword)* A Gengar is close by if you feel a sudden chill. It may be trying to lay a curse on you. *(Yellow, Let’s Go, Pikachu!, Let’s Go, Eevee!)* Even your home isn't safe. Gengar will lurk in whatever dark corner of a room it can find and wait for its chance to catch its prey. *(Ultra Moon)* You can hear tales told all over the world about how Gengar will pay a visit to children who are naughty. *(Ultra Sun)* ## Names around the world - **Japanese**: ゲンガー - **Romaji**: Gangar - **French**: Ectoplasma - **German**: Gengar - **Spanish**: Gengar - **Italian**: Gengar - **Korean**: 팬텀 - **Chinese (Simplified)**: 耿鬼 - **Chinese (Traditional)**: 耿鬼 ## Trivia - Fastest Poison type in Gen 1: 110 Speed. - Highest Sp. Atk among Poison types in Gen 1: 130. - Heaviest Ghost type in Gen 1: 40.5 kg. - Fastest Ghost type in Gen 1: 110 Speed. - Highest HP among Ghost types in Gen 1: 60. - Highest Attack among Ghost types in Gen 1: 65. - Highest Defense among Ghost types in Gen 1: 60. - Highest Sp. Atk among Ghost types in Gen 1: 130. - Highest Sp. Def among Ghost types in Gen 1: 75. - Highest base stat total among Ghost types in Gen 1: 500. - Taller than 72% of all Pokémon (1.5 m). - Heavier than 62% of all Pokémon (40.5 kg). - Base stat total 500, ranked #278 of 1,025. - Its best stat is Sp. Atk, ranked #34 of 1,025. - One of 4 Pokémon that are both Ghost and Poison. - One of 87 purple Pokémon. - Number 94 of 151 Pokémon introduced in Generation 1 (Kanto). - Part of an evolution family of 3 Pokémon. - Can learn 78 different moves in Scarlet / Violet. - Catch rate 45: about 5.9% per Poké Ball at full health. - Has 2 alternate forms. - Appears in 18 distinct Pokédex entries. ## Sources and fact-checking - Stats, types, abilities, moves, evolutions, forms and Pokédex entries: [PokéAPI](https://pokeapi.co) open game data. - Lore: written by pokee.si in our own words, researched from [Bulbapedia: Gengar (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gengar_(Pok%C3%A9mon)), [Serebii: Gengar (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/gengar/). - Pronunciation (GEN-gar): it follows how the English anime, games or official videos say it. **Last checked:** 19 October 2026. Every sentence of the lore was checked against Bulbapedia, Serebii and the game data. ## Explore [Ghost-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/ghost) · [Poison-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/poison) · [Ghost/Poison weaknesses and matchups](https://pokee.si/types/poison-ghost) · [Gengar vs Alakazam](https://pokee.si/vs/alakazam-vs-gengar) · [Gengar vs Machamp](https://pokee.si/vs/machamp-vs-gengar) · [Gengar vs Haunter](https://pokee.si/vs/haunter-vs-gengar) · [Gengar vs Mimikyu](https://pokee.si/vs/gengar-vs-mimikyu) · [Gengar vs Dragapult](https://pokee.si/vs/gengar-vs-dragapult) · [Gengar vs Gholdengo](https://pokee.si/vs/gengar-vs-gholdengo) · [Kanto region guide](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/kanto) · [Cursed Body ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/cursed-body) · [Compare Gengar](https://pokee.si/compare?ids=94) · [Full Pokédex](https://pokee.si/pokedex) · [Type chart](https://pokee.si/types) · [All moves](https://pokee.si/moves) ## Browse similar Pokémon [Gen 1 Poison-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/poison/gen-1) · [Gen 1 Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/pokedex/gen-1) · [Purple Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/colours/purple) · [Amorphous egg group](https://pokee.si/egg-groups/amorphous) · [Pokémon that start with G](https://pokee.si/pokemon-names/g) ← [Haunter](https://pokee.si/pokemon/haunter) | [Onix](https://pokee.si/pokemon/onix) → --- Source: https://pokee.si/pokemon/gengar (HTML page). pokee.si is an unofficial fan site and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK or The Pokémon Company. 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