Gengar Pokémon

Gengar, a dual ghost/poison type and one of the original three ghost type Pokemon, it and it’s evolution chain were the first ghost types added to Pokemon and were the only ghost types in Generation 1. But even as more ghost types were added in later generations, Gengar stayed on top as one of the more recognizable of the sinister type. To this day, Gengar is a go to for villainous Pokemon, even though its history is more tragic than evil.

About Gengar

Gengar’s Base Stats

Appearance

Gengar appears as a large round purple creature with stumpy arms and legs. It has a perpetual sinister grin on its face and has spikes going down its back similar to a hedgehog. Its scowling eyes are a deep red color surrounding its beady black pupils.

Behavior

While Gengar may seem scary, it's a very lonely and playful Pokemon. It will frequently play tricks on people by pretending to be their shadow, which is very harmless for something that looks so sinister. And in the anime, Ash’s Gengar is not a vengeful or evil Pokemon before it's caught, it's actually just a lonely Pokemon that was abandoned by its previous trainer. Gengars and ghost types in general tend to be tragic creatures rather than malicious.

Prominence

Below you can see where Gengar has been prominently featured in different roles throughout the anime series

Ash’s Gengar

Appearing in Pokemon Journeys: The Series, Ash’s Gengar first appeared in episode 011, Best Friend...Worst Nightmare!. Its final appearance was in episode 077 of the Pokemon Journeys series but this episode was never dubbed into English. It was noted that Ash’s Gengar had a lighter color hue than other Gengar, but it is stated that Ash’s Gengar is not shiny.

Morty’s Gengar

Morty is the Ecruteak City Gym Leader. He is almost always seen with his Gengar outside of its Pokeball and he specializes in ghost type Pokemon. Morty’s Gengar is first seen in episode 181 A Ghost of a Chance in the Burned Tower. It was last seen in Diamond and Pearl episode 147, Bagged Then Tagged!.

Other Appearances

Throughout the anime’s history Gengar has had a few notable appearances. A Gengar and a Nidorino are the first Pokemon to be shown in the anime in episode 001 of the original series, Pokemon - I Choose You!, as well as in the game’s opening cinematic. A Shiny Gengar was also featured in movie 19, Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel. The last appearance of Gengar in the series currently seems to be episode 092 of the Sun and Moon season in Turning the Other Mask!.

Where to Find Gengar?

Below you can find where Gengar can be encountered or how its pre-evolutions can be found.

In Pokemon Sword

You can find Gengar as a Wanderer spawn at the Giant’s Cap. It will respawn daily making it a consistent area to find a Gengar. It spawns in the southwest corner in all weather other than rain and snow. Of course, you could also evolve Gastly that can be found all throughout the game.

In Pokemon Let’s Go

The only way to obtain a Gengar in the Let’s Go games is to obtain a Gastly and eventually evolve it into a Gengar. Gastly can spawn at the Pokemon Tower in Lavender Town. You can find Gastly as a common encounter throughout each floor of the tower.

In Pokemon Fire Red

Similarly to the Let’s Go games, you can find Gastly spawning in Pokemon Tower in Lavender Town. It seems that Gastly can also spawn in Lost Cave, although it has a much lower encounter rate than Pokemon Tower. Once you obtain Gastly, you can eventually evolve it into a Gengar.

In Pokemon Diamond

Surprisingly, you can find Gengar spawning in the wild at the Old Chateau. This was only possible through Dual-slot Mode offered by the Nintendo DS system. Having any generation three game in the second slot allowed you to find Gengar spawning at Old Chateau.

In Pokemon Emerald

Gengar is not available naturally in Pokemon Emerald. You will need to trade in order to have access to this Pokemon or any of its evolution line. There is no location in Emerald where Gengar or its pre-evolutions will spawn naturally.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Gengar, as well as all ghost types, are immune to normal and fighting type moves. Its strong against grass and fairy type moves, only taking 50% damage, as well as poison and bug type moves, against which it takes 25% damage. Gengar is definitely weak to types though, taking double damage from ground, ghost, psychic, and dark type moves.

Mega Gengar

In games with Mega Evolution, a Gengarr holding a Gengarite can Mega Evolve into Mega Gengar. Mega Gengar loses its hands and almost has hooves which place it on all fours. The spikes on regular Gengar also go out of control on Mega Gengar, covering the Pokemon and changing Mega Gengar’s shape to be even more like a cartoon hedgehog. Mega Gengar raises its stats after Mega Evolving as well, receiving a massive increase in Special Attack as well as Speed.

Shiny Gengar

Shiny Gengar is rather unremarkable. Its changes are fairly minor as it's only a change to the main body color. A Shiny Gengar is a very light grey color rather than normal Gengar’s purple. Getting a Shiny Gengar is a lot of work, like all shinies, so it's unfortunate that this Shiny form is so underwhelming. Though having a Shiny Gengar can still easily be a badge of pride for some trainers.

Gigantamax Gengar

In games with Gigantamaxing, Gengar can be Gigantamaxed to become Gigantamax Gengar, a towering Pokemon that’s almost all mouth. Gigantamax Gengar has a gigantic gaping maw and a long snaking tongue hanging out of it. Gigantamax Gengar also resembles the Mega Evolved form of Gengar, being on all fours and having its spikes cover more of the Gigantamax Gengar’s body.

Possible Movesets for Gengar

Support Moveset: This Gengar set is all about support. Lowering opponents stats and putting them to sleep before they can do anything.

Offensive Moveset: This Gengar set is all about its high Special Attack. Using its speed to get in quick shots, this moveset covers a spread of types to ensure big damage at the beginning of your turn.

How to Catch Gengar in Pokemon Go?

Gengar, as well as its pre-evolution Haunter, spawn very rarely during dark times but due to their rarity, farming Ghastly candy with incense is far easier. Getting 100 Gastly candy will let you evolve a Haunter into Gengar, and 25 candy will turn one of your many Ghastlys into a Haunter if you don’t already have one.

Trivia

Gengar is the only Pokemon which isn’t a starter that is capable of both Mega Evolution and Gigantamaxing.

Though ghost types are common, Gengar and its evolution line are the only dual ghost/poison types to ever be made.

In the original Generation 1 games, Gengar is seen battling a Nidorino in the opening scene, making Gengar one of the first Pokemon ever seen battling by the public.

Some Pokedex entries mention that Gengar used to be human, but is now an undead spirit Pokemon.

FAQs

What animal is Gengar based on?

While it's not entirely clear, there are inspirations from hedgehogs which appear in Gengar’s design.

Who does Gengar evolve into?

In games that feature Mega Evolution, Gengar can Mega Evolve into Mega Gengar.

Are Gengar evil?

Though they look sinister and threatening, Gengar appear as both friendly Pokemon as well as antagonists. In the games and the anime, there have been Gengar on both sides of conflicts.

What color is a Shiny Gengar?

Shiny Gengar are a light grey color rather than Gengars darker purple color.

Conclusion

Gengar is a very popular and also very misunderstood Pokemon. Most ghost types are seen as hostile or evil but Gengar can be just as complex as any of us. It also has some fantastic abilities like its Mega Evolution and Gigantamaxing. With all its capabilities and strengths, it's up to the Gengar and its trainer to use them for good or for evil.