Gengar

Gengar (Japanese: ゲンガー Gangar) is a dual-type Ghost/Poison Pokemon introduced in Generation I. It evolves from Haunter when traded. Gengar is the final form of Gastly and is one of the most popular and competitively successful Pokemon in the franchise, known for its mischievous nature and powerful special attacks.

Basic Information

AttributeValue
National Pokedex #094
TypeGhost/Poison
SpeciesShadow Pokemon
Height1.5 m (4'11")
Weight40.5 kg (89.3 lbs)
AbilitiesCursed Body
Egg GroupsAmorphous
Gender Ratio50% Male, 50% Female
Catch Rate45 (11.9% with Poke Ball)
Base Friendship50
Base Experience250

Taxonomy

Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia (fictional)
  • Phylum: Pokemonata
  • Class: Spectra
  • Order: Phantasma
  • Family: Gengaridae
  • Genus: Gengar
  • Species: G. umbra

Name Origin

LanguageNameOrigin
Japaneseゲンガー (Gangar)Possibly from doppelgänger
EnglishGengarFrom doppelgänger
GermanGengarFrom English
FrenchEctoplasmaEctoplasm (supernatural substance)
Korean팬텀 (Paenteom)Phantom
Chinese耿鬼 (Gěngguǐ)Geng (honest) + ghost

Biology

Physical Description

Gengar is a dark purple, bipedal Pokemon with a roundish body. It has red eyes with small pupils, a wide mouth that is usually curled into a sinister grin, and pointed ears. Its hands have three fingers each, and it has a short, pointed tail. Gengar's body is somewhat amorphous, capable of sinking into shadows.

Physical Features

FeatureDescription
ColorDark purple
EyesRed with small pupils
MouthWide, sinister grin
BodyRound, shadow-like
EarsPointed, horn-like
TailShort, pointed

Shadow Nature

Gengar has unique properties related to shadows:

PropertyDetails
Shadow HidingCan hide in any shadow
Temperature DropRoom temperature drops 10°F near Gengar
IntangibilityCan phase through walls
Dimension HoppingMay travel between dimensions

Behavior

  • Habitat: Urban areas, abandoned buildings, darkness
  • Diet: Absorbs life energy from living beings
  • Temperament: Mischievous, sometimes malevolent
  • Activity Pattern: Nocturnal

Behavioral Traits

BehaviorDescription
PranksEnjoys scaring people and Pokemon
StalkingFollows targets in their shadow
CursingCan curse victims
JealousySaid to target those with companions

Pokedex Entries

GameEntry
Red/Blue"Under a full moon, this Pokemon likes to mimic the shadows of people and laugh at their fright."
Silver"It hides in shadows. It is said that if Gengar is hiding, it cools the area by nearly 10 degrees F."
Moon"Should you feel yourself attacked by a sudden chill, it is evidence of an approaching Gengar. There is no escaping it. Give up."
Scarlet"On the night of a full moon, if shadows move on their own and laugh, it must be Gengar's doing."

Origin Theory

A popular fan theory suggests Gengar is Clefable's shadow:

EvidenceDetails
Body ShapeSimilar silhouette to Clefable
ColoringGengar's purple vs Clefable's pink
Height/WeightNearly identical proportions
BehaviorOpposites (Gengar hides, Clefable appears at moonlight)

Base Stats

StatBase ValueMin (Lv. 100)Max (Lv. 100)
HP60230324
Attack65121251
Defense60112240
Sp. Attack130238394
Sp. Defense75139273
Speed110202350
Total500--

Evolution

Evolution Line

Gastly → Haunter → Gengar
 Lv. 25    Trade
StagePokemonMethod
BasicGastlyWild/Breeding
Stage 1HaunterLevel 25
Stage 2GengarTrade Haunter

Trade Evolution

Gengar requires trading to evolve:

AspectDetails
RequirementTrade Haunter
AlternativeNone in most games
Legends: ArceusLinking Cord item
Scarlet/VioletLinking Cord item

Mega Evolution

Mega Gengar

AttributeValue
TypeGhost/Poison
AbilityShadow Tag
Height1.4 m (4'07")
Weight40.5 kg (89.3 lbs)

Mega Stats

StatBaseMega
HP6060
Attack6565
Defense6080
Sp. Attack130170
Sp. Defense7595
Speed110130
Total500600

Shadow Tag

AspectDetails
EffectPrevents opponent from switching
ExceptionsGhost types can still switch
Ban StatusBanned in most Smogon formats
Strategic UseTrapping setup sweepers

Mega Gengar Appearance

  • Third eye on forehead
  • Lower body phases into ground
  • More menacing expression
  • Becomes partially incorporeal

Gigantamax Form

Gigantamax Gengar

AttributeDetails
Height20.0+ m
G-Max MoveG-Max Terror
G-Max EffectPrevents switching + damage
AppearanceMassive mouth as portal to spirit world

Abilities

Standard Ability (Current)

Cursed Body

AspectDetails
Effect30% chance to disable move that hits Gengar
Duration4 turns
Strategic UseDisrupts opponent's moves

Former Ability

Levitate (Gen III-VI)

AspectDetails
EffectGround-type immunity
RemovalChanged to Cursed Body in Gen VII
ImpactMade Gengar vulnerable to Ground

Moves

Level-Up Moves (Generation IX)

LevelMoveTypeCategoryPowerAccuracy
1Confuse RayGhostStatus—100%
1HypnosisPsychicStatus—60%
1LickGhostPhysical30100%
1Mean LookNormalStatus——
1Perish SongNormalStatus——
1Reflect TypeNormalStatus——
12SpiteGhostStatus—100%
16CurseGhostStatus——
20Night ShadeGhostSpecial—100%
24Sucker PunchDarkPhysical70100%
30Shadow PunchGhostPhysical60—
36PaybackDarkPhysical50100%
42Shadow BallGhostSpecial80100%
48Dream EaterPsychicSpecial100100%
54Destiny BondGhostStatus——

Signature Move Access

Shadow Ball

AspectDetails
TypeGhost
Power80
Effect20% chance to lower Sp. Defense
STABYes, primary attack

Key TM/TR Moves

MoveTypePowerStrategic Use
Shadow BallGhost80Primary STAB
Sludge BombPoison90Secondary STAB
Focus BlastFighting120Coverage
ThunderboltElectric90Coverage
Energy BallGrass90Coverage
Nasty PlotDark—Setup
SubstituteNormal—Protection
Will-O-WispFire—Status

Competitive Battling

Historical Dominance

Gengar has been consistently viable throughout Pokemon history:

GenerationTierNotes
IOUFast, powerful
IIOUContinued dominance
IIIOUGained Levitate
IVOUStrong as ever
VOUTop-tier threat
VIOU/UbersMega Gengar banned
VIIUULost Levitate
VIIIUU/OUVariable usage
IXUUCompetitive staple

Common Sets

Special Attacker

MovePurpose
Shadow BallSTAB
Sludge BombSTAB
Focus BlastCoverage
Nasty Plot/SubstituteSetup/Protection

Suicide Lead

MovePurpose
Destiny BondTrading kills
TauntPrevent setup
Shadow BallDamage
Explosion (older gens)Final blow

Strengths

StrengthDetails
SpeedBase 110 outspeeds most threats
Sp. AttackBase 130 hits hard
MovepoolExcellent coverage options
UtilityAccess to Taunt, Will-O-Wisp, Destiny Bond

Weaknesses

WeaknessDetails
FrailtyLow HP and Defense
Ground WeaknessLost Levitate immunity
Pursuit (older gens)Trapped and KO'd
Dark TypesCannot hit super effectively

In Popular Culture

Fan Popularity

Gengar consistently ranks among the most popular Pokemon:

  • Design: Iconic spooky appearance
  • Competitive: Long history of viability
  • Merchandise: Extensive plush and figure lines
  • Halloween: Featured prominently during Halloween

Anime Appearances

Notable Gengar

GengarTrainerAppearance
Morty's GengarMortyJohto saga
Agatha's GengarAgathaVarious
Ash's GengarAsh KetchumJourneys

Ash's Gengar

AspectDetails
CaughtPokemon Journeys
BackstoryAbandoned by previous trainer
PersonalityPrankster, loyal
GigantamaxYes, capable
Notable BattlesVarious World Coronation Series

Trading Card Game

Gengar has many notable cards:

CardSetNotes
Gengar PrimeTriumphantCompetitive staple
Mega Gengar EXPhantom ForcesPopular
Gengar VMAXFusion StrikeRecent
Shadow GengarLost ThunderValuable

Breeding

Egg Information

AspectValue
Egg GroupsAmorphous
Egg Cycles20 (5,140 steps)
Gender Ratio50% Male, 50% Female

Egg Moves

MoveTypeNotable Parents
DisableNormalPsyduck, Wobbuffet
GrudgeGhostShuppet, Duskull
Perish SongNormalMisdreavus, Lapras
Clear SmogPoisonKoffing
HazeIceKoffing, Weezing

Trivia

  • Gengar's design is sometimes theorized to be based on a doppelgänger or shadow
  • Gengar lost its signature Levitate ability in Generation VII
  • Mega Gengar's Shadow Tag ability made it one of the most banned Pokemon
  • In early Pokemon games, Gengar and Clefable had the same weight (40.5 kg)
  • Gengar is one of the original Ghost types alongside Gastly and Haunter
  • The Gengar evolution line were the only Ghost-types in Generation I
  • Gengar appears to be smiling in all of its official artwork

Type Effectiveness

Defensive

TypeEffectiveness
Normal0x (Immune)
Fighting0x (Immune)
Poison0.25x
Bug0.25x
Grass0.5x
Fairy0.5x
Ground2x
Psychic2x
Ghost2x
Dark2x

Offensive (STAB)

Move TypeSuper Effective Against
GhostGhost, Psychic
PoisonGrass, Fairy

Related Pokemon

PokemonRelationship
GastlyPre-evolution
HaunterPre-evolution
ClefableTheory connection
MisdreavusSimilar Ghost type
DusknoirSimilar Ghost type

See Also

References

  1. ^Pokemon Red and Green — Game Freak / Nintendo (1996)
  2. ^Official Gengar Page — The Pokemon Company (2024)
  3. ^Gengar (Pokemon) — Bulbapedia (2024)
  4. ^Gengar Pokedex Entry — Serebii.net (2024)
  5. ^Gengar Competitive Analysis — Smogon University (2024)
  6. ^Pokemon Anime Series — Nintendo / TV Tokyo (1997-2023)