Gengar, The Shadow Pokémon. It hides in shadows. It is said that if GENGAR is hiding, it cools the area by nearly 10 degrees F. Lurking in the shadowy corners of rooms, it awaits chances to steal its prey's life force. The leer that floats in darkness belongs to a GENGAR delighting in casting curses on people. It steals heat from its surroundings. If you feel a sudden chill, it is certain that a GENGAR appeared. To steal the life of its target, it slips into the prey's shadow and silently waits for an opportunity.

Overview

In honor of Halloween being this week, it came time for us to choose from the small pool of Ghost types. And boy did the creepiest one get picked. Between stealing life force, stalking you, and casting curses on people, Gengar keeps itself pretty busy. Ingame, Gengar held the niche of being the first fully evolved Ghost Pokemon to be created which had the advantage at the time of being one of two types to be super effective against Psychic, easily the most powerful type at the time. The only problem was that until 4th generation, both of Gengar's types (Ghost/Poison) were physical, while Gengar was entirely oriented around it utilizing its Special Attack; thus it could not utilise its STAB moves. From the competitive angle, there have only been two Pokemon in the series' history that have survived in the OU tier since RBY, one of which being Gengar. And it is easy to see why. With a base 130 Special Attack combined with Base 110 Speed and an effective offensive movepool has kept Gengar afloat while the tier changed around it. Despite its great offensive stats though, its defenses are minimal; this generally forces those using it to use glass cannon-esque sets on it. The other drawback to Gengar is its weakness to Dark types, more importantly Pursuit, as Pursuit from any common user cripples Gengar if not managing to KO it. Though its drawbacks may seem to outweigh the offensive power it has, the immunities to Normal, Fighting, and Ground benefit Gengar greatly against commonly used Pokemon, and give a gimmicky feel to it while still being a potent sweeper.

Abilities

Levitate: Ground moves have no effect, and neither do Spikes. Very handy ability, as it leaves Gengar with only three weaknesses (Ghost, Psychic and Dark), and gives it immunity to Spikes, handy when your KO'd by almost any move when at full health.

Movesets

"How about a magic trick? I'm gonna make your moveset disappear. Ta-daa!"

-Substitute
-Disable
-Shadow Ball
-Focus Blast
Item Attached: Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)

Now that I've brutally misquoted Heath Ledger, we can move on to the set. This is probably the most likely Gengar set that you're going to see, due to the fact that it is really deadly when used effectively. Substitute is to give you a buffer against Paralysis, Pursuit users, and make Disable far easier to pull off. The goal is that once they've taken down your Substitute, Disable ruins the move that likely had the best chance of getting Gengar out of the way. It also helps ruin mono-attacking walls such as Ferrothorn, Blissey, Chansey, etc and offensive Pokemon that only have one or two coverage moves. Shadow Ball and Focus Blast give Gengar perfect neutral coverage, with Shadow Ball getting STAB, making it all the easier to either cripple an opponent by removing it's only method of Gengar annihilation or KOing them with a powerful attack that is going to hit them for either normally effective or super effective damage.

Clefable's shadow being gifted with life...somehow.

-Substitute
-Shadow Ball
-Focus Blast
-Pain Split
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)

This is almost identical to the SubDisable set, just more focused more on offense. Life Orb recoil added with Substitute damage make Pain Split ideal for this set, as you can inflict enough damage yourself without having to rely on your opponent hitting you. Add this to residual damage like entry hazards and weather and you've got yourself one powerful Pain Split. For those of you who don't know, Pain Split basically averages your HP with your opponent's, thus the more your opponent has and the less you have the better. Shadow Ball and Focus Blast are still there for that lovely perfect coverage and help with setting up Pain Split because of the Life Orb.

Oppa Gengar Style

-Substitute
-Shadow Ball
-Focus Blast
-Hidden Power [Fire] / Thunderbolt
Item Attached: Leftovers / Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)

Overused pun is overused, but I figured it needed to get in once before/if the fad dies down. Anyhow, by this point you've probably realized most Gengar sets look the same, but all are dependent on what you want it to do. This one, for example, gives you the choice of what you want to hit harder. HP Fire allows you to kill more annoying Steel types like Jirachi, Skarmory, Scizor and Ferrothorn without (a) relying on the terrible accuracy of Focus Blast or (b) just for the desire to be able to hit them super effectively. Thunderbolt on the other hand allows you to hit bulky Water types (basically anything but Jellicent, which Shadow Ball hurts more than Thunderbolt would). Leftovers vs Life Orb is purely dependent on what you want, power or longevity.

Other Options

Dark Pulse, Destiny Bond, Explosion, Hypnosis, Mean Look, Perish Song, Protect, Taunt, Thunder, Trick, Will-o-Wisp
Dark Pulse can be used to hit Ghost and Psychic types...not that Shadow Ball doesn't do that, but I guess if you like flinching, go for it.
Destiny Bond can take advantage of Gengar's terrible defenses and take whatever is about to kill you down with you.
Explosion albeit being nerfed since last gen can still be useful in doing a considerable amount of damage to what is still on the field.
Hypnosis can be used if you want to have something sleep to death, as long as you can deal with the terrible accuracy.
Mean Look can trap something that doesn't like Gengar with it until the bitter end, while Gengar is free to do whatever it wants.
Perish Song can be used as a way to phaze something out that Gengar doesn't want around with the fear of being Ko'd by it.
Protect can be used to scout out an opponent already in the battle to see what sort of prediction/move they would've done had you done something else.
Taunt can shut down annoying stall Pokemon such as Blissey which would otherwise just sit there and take whatever Gengar is throwing at it and heal it off immediately.
Thunder is an alternative to Thunderbolt if you're using Gengar on a rain team.
Trick can be used if say you Choice Scarf or Choice Specs your Gengar just for kicks and giggles and you want to cripple something your opponent has (this also gets the Trick or Treat Halloween pun)
Will-o-Wisp is similar to Hypnosis in use, but it shuts down Physical threats in the process (unless they have Guts and then you're screwed but I digress).

Double & Triple Battle Options

Although Chandelure being better in this sort of battle (thanks to STAB Heat Wave), Gengar has it's niche as it is faster than Chandelure and no weakness to Water types. It's sets are generally the same as in Single Battles, but Protect is thrown on just for the sake of not getting hit by an attack from an ally or just for prediction.

Partners

Anything that sets hazards can be a good partner for Gengar as it can be used as a good spinblocker, thus keeping your hazards around. Tyranitar can be a good partner for the Pain Split set, providing residual damage and resistance to everything that's super effective against Gengar. Anything that takes hits well is also good as Gengar can't take any damage well.

Countering Gengar

As Gengar has basically no defenses, just hitting it solidly generaly finishes off Gengar. Pursuit users, and priority users like Scizor and anything with Sucker Punch can generally OHKO Gengar with no problems. Blissey/Chansey can also take anything Gengar throw at them and heal it off, albeit not being able to do much in return. Checking Gengar is also far easier to do than downright counter it, as Gengar is outsped and KOd by most Choice Scarf users. Basically anything that outspeeds Gengar or are only 2-3HKOd by it and can OHKO in return are generally the best options.

Pre-Evolution Corner - Haunter

You better not haunt me

- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power Ground / Thunderbolt
- Trick / Thunderbolt
Item Attached: Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)

Being used in NU, Haunter has got a decent Speed to go with its Special Attack; Add a Choice Scarf to it and it will outspeed most opponents. This set will work similarly to any Choice Scarf set for Gengar and allows you to hit hard and fast. You can also choose to use Trick to screw up your opponent's strategy by locking them into a certain move

I always feel like, somebody's watching me

- Substitute
- Disable
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power Fighting / Sludge Bomb
Item Attached: Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)

A decent SubDisable set here. Works akin to Gengar's one. You can go in and do the damage and recover behind your substitute while disabling your enemy's moves. The attacking moves both use STAB, or you can use HP Fighting to try and take out any Dark-type Pokémon that may appear

It was a graveyard smash

- Substitute
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power Ground
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)

Another standard set. You use the substitute to protect yourself from massive damage while the other moves can decimate the foes readily as you go on through

Pre-Evolution Corner - Gastly (Little Cup)

We have a Gastly leak!

- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power Fighting
- Trick
Item Attached: Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 68 HP / 40 Def / 200 SAtk / 200 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)

Though Gastly is considerably outclassed by Misdreavus, it has a beastly Special Attack for any Pokémon. This set will monopolise on the Special Attack and will give you an added Speed boost with the Choice Scarf. However, you could also screw up the opponents by Tricking the Choice Scarf onto them, screwing up any strategy they may have had

You look positively Gastly!

- Hypnosis
- Substitute
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 68 HP / 40 Def / 100 SAtk / 200 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)

Like the previous set, this one focuses upon Gastly's Special Attack, with the added boost from the Life Orb. Hypnosis, while low in accuracy, can be devastating and this set essentially prevents people being able to switch in against it. Put the enemy to sleep and spam the STAB moves

Locations in Games

Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Trade from FireRed/LeafGreen.

FireRed/LeafGreen:
Evolve Haunter

Colosseum/XD:
Trade from FireRed/LeafGreen

Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Old Chateau.

HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Evolve Haunter

Black/White:
Evolve Haunter (White)
Trade from other games/ Evolve Haunter from Dream World (Black)

Black 2/White 2:
Trade from other games/ Evolve Haunter from Dream World

Animé Appearences

Gengar has made a few appearances. In these, most of the time it is used by a formidable trainer such as Morty, Fantina or Agatha. However, it has made many smaller appearances with other Ghost-type Pokémon # -English Episode Name- -Jp. Episode Name- Pics 1 Pokémon! I Choose You! Pokémon! I Choose You Pics 23 The Tower of Terror Capture at Pokémon Tower Pics 74 The Ancient Puzzle of Pokemopolis A Battle of Ancient Pokémon Pics 113 Hello Pummelo Winner's Cup! 6 vs. 6! Pics 114 Enter The Dragonite Final Battle! Dragonite's Appearance! Pics 123 Illusion Confuison Hoothoot and the Mysterious Forest! Pics 171 Beauty and the Breeder Sayonara Vulpix! Beauty Contest! Pics 183 A Ghost Of A Chance Burnt Tower! Morty Appears! Pics 184 From Ghost to Ghost Ecruteak Gym! A Ghost Battle! Pics 229 For Ho-oh the Bells Toll Suicune and Eusine! Legend Of Ho-oh!! Pics 360 Who's Flying Now? Fortree City's Feather Carnival! Pics 409 The Scheme Team! Scott & The Battle Frontier! Pics P8 Not Aired Pikachu's Ghost Festival Pics S21 Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters Out Of The Gate Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Setting Out: Pokémon Rescue Team Ganbarus! Pics 558 Ghoul Daze It's Ghost Time After School! Pics 561 Playing the Leveling Field The Dancing Gym Leader! Fantina Appears! Pics 570 Shield with a Twist Hearthome Gym! VS Fantina! Pics 588 Not Aired Mysterious Creatures: Pokémon Pics 615 Bagged Then Tagged Ash and Dawn! Tag Battle!! Pics 798 Celebrating the Hero's Comet! Noivern Appears! The Legend of the Comet & the Hero!! Pics S35 Pokémon Mega Evolution Special I Strongest Mega Evolution ~Act 1~ Pics 875 Scary Hospitality! The Scary House's Welcoming Services! Pics 903 A Festival of Decisions! Decisive Battle in the Ninja Village! Frogadier VS Bisharp!! Pics M19 Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel Volcanion & The Ingenious Magearna Pics 946 Loading the Dex! Good Rotomorning, I am the Rotomdex, Roto! Pics M20 Pokémon I Choose You! Pokémon I Choose You! Pics 985 Alola, Kanto An Alola! in Kanto! Brock & Misty! Pics 1016 Why Not Give Me a Z-Ring Sometime? Team Rocket, Get a Z-Ring!! Pics 1074 The Battlefield of Truth and Love! Jessie VS James! A Battlefield of Love and Truth!! Pics 1075 Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Strategy! Overcome Decidueye!! Pics 1090 Enter Pikachu! Pikachu is Born!! Pics 1091 Legend? Go! Friends? Go! On Lugia They Go, Ash and Gho! Pics 1100 Best Friend ... Worst Nightmare! Chloe, Yamper, and Sometimes Gengar Too! Pics 1103 Raid Battle in the Ruins! The First Visit to the Unova Region! Raid Battle at the Ruins!! Pics 1105 A Chilling Curse! Ash Has Been Cursed...! Pics 1107 Destination: Coronation! Ash Joins In! The Pokémon World Coronation Series!! Pics 1112 Panic in the Park! Massive Panic! Cerise Park!! Pics 1114 A Festival Reunion! A Battle Festival Exploding With Life! VS Mega Lucario!! Pics 1123 Solitary and Menacing! Bea, the Lone Warrior! The Grapploct Menace!! Pics 1124 Gotta Catch a What?! I Got Pikachu Pics 1126 The New Old Gang of Mine I Am Back! Nice to See You, Alola! Pics 1128 Octo-Gridlock at the Gym! Ash VS Bea! Overcome Octolock Pics 1132 Sword and Shield: The Darkest Day! Sword & Shield II: Darkest Day Pics 1140 Trials of a Budding Master! The Great Farfetch'd Trial! Pics 1146 Memories of a Warming Kindness! Love is a Psyduck! Pics 1148 When a House is Not a Home! The Lost Grookey! Who is its Trainer!? Pics 1149 Beyond Chivalry... Aiming to be a Leek Master! Aim to Become Leek Master! Stay With Me, Chivalry!! Pics 1154 Thrash of the Titans! Dragon Battle! Ash VS Iris!! Pics 1158 Errand Endurance! I'd Like To Keep An Eye On Their First Errand! Pics 1160 Leaping Towards the Dream! Let's Go! Project Mew!! Pics 1166 Excitement from the Ultra-Shocking Start! A Super-Electromagnetic Hyper Class Battle! Pics 1174 Battle Three with Bea! Rival Showdown! Ash VS Bea!! Pics 1179 Showdown at the Gates of Warp! Dialga & Palkia! The Decisive Space-time Battle!! Pics 1180 The Spectral Express! The Ghost Train Departs... Pics 1181 The Winding Path to Greatness! Gengar Does Its Best! The Road to Gigantamax!! Pics 1183 Suffering the Flings and Arrows! The Heracross Loss and the Pinsir in Love Pics 1188 Battling Turned Up to Eleven! Marnie from Spikemuth Pics 1189 Meeting Up with the Monarch! A Full Coverage of Leon's Special Training!! Pics 1192 The Future is Now, Thanks to Strategy! Ash & Clemont! Special Friendship Training!! Pics 1197 Catching the Aura of Fate! Lucario & Greninja! The Aura of Fate!! Pics 1198 Aim for the Eight! VS Raihan! A Fight with Masters Eight on the Line!! Pics 1201 Helping the Hometown Hero! A Triumphant Return! The Alola Champion!! Pics 1202 Chasing to the Finish! Last Mission! Get Regieleki & Regidrago!! Pics 1203 Friends, Rivals, Lend Me Your Spirit! Fire Training Battle! Ash VS Paul!! Pics 1207 Battling as Hard as Stone! Ash Heads Into Battle! VS Steven!! Pics 1210 TBC The Climax Begins: Ash's Masters Tournament Experience Pics 1211 It's Champion Time! The Semifinals I: Sweep Pics 1212 Bewitch, Battle, and Bewilder! The Semifinals II: Dazzle Pics 1213 Valor: A Strategic Part of Battling! The Semifinals III: Valor Pics 1214 Whittle While You Work! The Semifinals IV: Impact Pics 1217 TBC Climax! The Night Before the Decisive Match: Ash VS Leon!! Pics 1218 A Flood of Torrential Gains The Finals I: Torrent Pics 1219 Toying With Your Motions! The Finals II: Toying Pics 1220 Paring Pokémon While Parrying! The Finals III: Smashing Pics 1221 Partners in Time! The Finals IV: Partner Pics 1224 Heroes Unite! Pokémon! I Am Glad I Got To Meet You Pics 1225 These Could be the Start of Something Big! Ash and Goh! Setting Off Anew!! Pics 1233 Getting to the Heart of it All! What Banette Is Looking For! Pics 1235 Ash and Latios Ash & Latios Pics 1236 The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master! Pics