Gengar (Japanese: ゲンガー Gangar) is a dual-type Ghost/Poison Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It evolves from Haunter when traded. It is the final form of Gastly. It can Mega Evolve into Mega Gengar using the Gengarite.
Biology
Gengar is a dark purple, bipedal Pokémon with a roundish body. It has red eyes and a wide mouth that is usually curled into a sinister grin. Multiple spikes cover its back, and it has large pointed ears. Its arms and legs are short with three digits on both its hands and feet. It also has a stubby tail.
As Mega Gengar, a portion of its body sinks into the ground. The lower portions turn a more reddish purple, and a third eye appears on its forehead. This new unblinking eye is oval, yellow, and allows it to see into other dimensions.[1] The spikes on Mega Gengar's back are more numerous and pointed. Additionally, spikes appear on its hands and tail. Its ears are now considerably longer and project backward.
Gengar has the ability to hide perfectly in the shadow of any object, granting it exceptional stealth. However, Gengar's body acts as a heat sink. Its presence cools the temperature of the surrounding area by nearly 10 °F (5 °C), because it absorbs the warmth. In addition, Gengar possesses the ability to fly through the air and possess people and other Pokémon, as demonstrated in the anime.
Gengar is very mischievous, and at times, malicious. It enjoys playing practical jokes and casting curses, such as pretending to be one's shadow, then behaving erratically. When the quarry notices, the Gengar takes delight in its victim's terror. However, Gengar has been known to be loyal to a Trainer who treats it well. Gengar lives in shadows of rooms, caves, and dark places where shadows form. It is especially fond of urban areas such as cities and back alleys, but only during the night.
In the anime
In the main series
Shiny Gengar in the anime
Shiny Mega Gengar in the anime
Major appearances
Gengar appeared under the ownership of Ecruteak City Gym Leader Morty in A Ghost Of A Chance, From Ghost to Ghost, and For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll!. It was seen outside of its Poké Ball.
Agatha used a Gengar to battle Ash's Pikachu in The Scheme Team. The Ghost Pokémon defeated Pikachu with a combination of Hypnosis and Dream Eater.
Gengar was the leader of Team Meanies in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters out of the Gate!.
Other
Ash first saw a Gengar in person in Lavender Town in The Tower of Terror while searching for a Ghost-type Pokémon to fight Sabrina with. Due to a close call, Ash got to spend some unexpected time with the ghostly trio, Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar. It, along with Haunter, seemed to have a fondness for Japanese stand-up, and unsuccessfully attempted to amuse Ash by acting as a pair of performers. It reappeared in a flashback in the following episode.
In The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis, a giant Gengar was awakened near the ancient city of Pokémopolis, where it battled an equally large Alakazam.
Drake, the Orange Crew Supreme Gym Leader, used a Gengar in his battle with Ash in Hello, Pummelo! and Enter The Dragonite. His Gengar managed to confuse Tauros before Ash recalled it and instead tried with Lapras. In the collision between Night Shade and Ice Beam, both Lapras and Gengar fainted.
A Gengar appeared in PK15. It was one of the residents of a spooky house.
A Gengar appeared in a flashback in Playing the Leveling Field!, under the ownership of Fantina. Gengar physically reappeared in A Shield with a Twist, where it was used in the Gym battle against Ash; it was defeated by Buizel.
Three Gengar appeared in Celebrating the Hero's Comet! as some of the episode's antagonists. They were residents of an unnamed island in the Decolore Islands.
A Gengar appeared in Scary Hospitality!, under the ownership of Lon. It was used alongside Lon's Gastly and Haunter to scare visitors of the "Scary House". This included Ash, his friends, and later Team Rocket.
Three Gengar were used by the ninjas that attacked the Ninja Village in A Festival of Decisions!.
A Shiny Gengar that can Mega Evolve appeared in Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, under the ownership of Alva. It was his main battling Pokémon. However, it eventually abandoned Alva immediately after the destruction of the Mega Wave crystal that controlled it.
A Gengar appeared in I Choose You!, under the ownership of Corey. It battled Neesha's Blastoise, dodging most of its attacks before ultimately being frozen by its Ice Beam.
A wild Gengar nicknamed "Greedy Rapooh" appeared in Why Not Give Me a Z-Ring Sometime?. When Team Rocket destroyed a shrine, it went on a rampage, kidnapping Acerola and stealing people's items all across Ula'ula Island. It appeared again in SM090, where it joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its true form.
Minor appearances
Gengar debuted in the opening scene of the first episode, Pokémon - I Choose You!, where it and a Nidorino battled in a colosseum on TV as a reference to the original Pokémon Red and Green games. Thus, Gengar and Nidorino were the very first Pokémon to be seen in the anime, not counting the intro.
A group of Gengar, along with a group of Haunter, were creating illusions within a forest in Illusion Confusion!.
A Gengar appeared in Beauty and the Breeder, where it participated in a Pokémon breeding competition.
A Gengar appeared in UnBEARable in Brock's thoughts.
A Trainer's Gengar appeared in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest.
A Gengar was partnered with two Team Rocket trainees in Training Daze.
A Gengar appeared in Who's Flying Now?, in the Fortree City Feather Festival.
A Gengar appeared in Ghoul Daze! together with its pre-evolutions, Gastly and Haunter.
A Gengar appeared in One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!.
A Gengar that can Mega Evolve into Mega Gengar appeared in Mega Evolution Special I.
A Gengar appeared alongside a Gastly and Haunter in Loading the Dex!, during a fantasy that Meowth had after an encounter with a Mimikyu. They pretended to be a Lopunny, Glaceon, and Gardevoir.
A Trainer's Gengar appeared in Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!.
A Gengar appeared in a photo taken by Rotom in Alola, Kanto!.
A Trainer's Gengar appeared in SM081.
A Trainer's Gengar appeared in SM092.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP023
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Gengar
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Ash's Pokédex
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Gengar. No information available.
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EP072
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Gengar
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Ash's Pokédex
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Gengar, a Shadow Pokémon. The evolved form of Haunter. Details about this Pokémon are unknown.
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Original series entries continue below.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP182
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Gengar
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Ash's Pokédex
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Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon. The evolved form of Haunter. Details about Gengar are unknown.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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AG132
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Gengar
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Ash's Pokédex
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Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon. Gengar is the final evolved form of Gastly. It can absorb any surrounding heat, leaving a sudden chill.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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DP102
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Gengar
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Dawn's Pokédex
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Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon. Gengar hides in the shadows. If a Gengar is nearby, it is said to feel ten degrees colder than normal.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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XY072
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Gengar
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Serena's Pokédex
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Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon and the evolved form of Haunter. Gengar is happy when it scares people, smiling wickedly in the dark.
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In Pokémon Origins
Agatha used a Gengar against Red's Dodrio in File 4: Charizard and lost.
Other
A Gengar appeared in File 1: Red, battling a Nidorino.
Red's Gengar evolved from a Haunter sometime before File 4: Charizard.
In Pokémon Generations
Agatha used a Gengar against Blue's Rhydon in The Challenger, but it lost.
Other
A Gengar appeared in the opening sequence for The Adventure, battling against a Nidorino.
In the manga
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
- Main article: Agatha's Gengar
Gengar first appeared under the ownership of a Team Rocket Grunt in Holy Moltres where it was used to battle Blaine's Arcanine and Rapidash and almost attacked Red.
In Pokémon Adventures, Agatha has two Gengar on her team, and many in her Ghost-type army. Her first one and her Ghost army first appeared in Lapras Lazily. One of them was used to attack Blue and Koga from the shadows, draining the latter's life force as it possessed his shadow. Eventually, it was taken down when Koga used the tail that the old woman's Arbok bit off his own to distract it long enough for Blue's Porygon to deal the finishing blow.
A Gengar was one of the Pokémon sent to help the fight in Ilex Forest in The Last Battle XIII.
Another Gengar was seen in Return to Pallet Town. It was used by a kid from Pallet Town in an attempt to capture a Nidorino, thus replicating the opening sequence of the Generation I video games (and their remakes).
In Tying Trevenant, a Gengar belonging to Gurkinn appeared stopping Celosia's Aegislash from killing X. He helped battle against Team Flare to stop them from obtaining the tree form of Xerneas and later was given to X, where he was named Garma. He can Mega Evolve into Mega Gengar.
In the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga
- Main article: Morty's Gengar
In A Promise Given to Miltank, Morty called out Gengar to stop a Spearow from stealing the satchel that contained Berries collected by Gold.
In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team manga
The Gengar from Team Meanies appears as a major character and the main antagonist.
In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga
- Main article: Agatha's Gengar
- Main article: Morty's Gengar
Blue's Gengar debuted in Get Rid Of The Ghost Pokémon!! as a Haunter. There it evolved while battling Clefairy.
Green used a Gengar in the Pokémon League where it went up against Red.
Agatha's Gengar was shown in Panic on the Luxury Liner?!.
Morty's Gengar appeared in The Legendary Ho-Oh!!.
A Gengar was seen under the ownership of Karen in A Challenge to the Elite Four!.
In the Pokémon Zensho manga
- Main article: Agatha's Gengar
Agatha's Gengar went up against Satoshi's Alakazam and lost in Indigo Plateau.
Pokédex entries
In the TCG
- Main article: Gengar (TCG)
Other appearances
Gengar in Pokkén Tournament
Gengar is a playable character in the arcade fighting game. Moves it can use include Shadow Ball, Hypnosis, Shadow Punch, and Curse. Upon entering Burst form, it Mega Evolves and can use the Burst Attack Shadow Drop.
Game data
NPC appearances
- Pokémon Pinball: A Gengar appears in a bonus stage accessible from the Red Table. Once the player has knocked out the three Gastly and the pair of Haunter, a Gengar then appears and must be defeated to win.
- Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team: Gengar is the leader of Team Meanies. While often accompanied by Ekans and Medicham, Gengar will often act alone and spends much of the game causing trouble, even convincing the village to exile the hero, blaming him or her for the natural disasters. However, it is later revealed that he is the cursed human. After Rayquaza destroys the star heading for the world, Gengar will post a request, asking to visit Ninetales in the hopes of bringing back Gardevoir. While she is rescued, she has no recollection of her times with her trainer, but Gengar is still satisfied to see her safe and leaves.
- Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon: Gengar appears as a recruitable character and asks the player to deliver a letter to Banette. As he is connected to Team Charm's Gardevoir, it is implied that he is the same aforementioned Gengar from Red and Blue Rescue Team, and that Team Charm's Gardevoir is the same one
Pokédex entries
Gengar
Generation I
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Red(ENG)
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Under a full moon, this Pokémon likes to mimic the shadows of people and laugh at their fright.
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Blue
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Yellow
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A Gengar is close by if you feel a sudden chill. It may be trying to lay a curse on you.
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Stadium
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Appears to attack people who get lost in the mountains. Said to be the culprit behind shadows that laugh in the moonlight.
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Generation II
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Gold
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It steals heat from its surroundings. If you feel a sudden chill, it is certain that a Gengar appeared.
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Silver
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To steal the life of its target, it slips into the prey's shadow and silently waits for an opportunity.
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Crystal
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Hiding in people's shadows at night, it absorbs their heat. The chill it causes makes the victims shake.
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Stadium 2
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It steals heat from its surroundings. If you feel a sudden chill, it is certain that a Gengar appeared.
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Generation III
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Ruby
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Sometimes, on a dark night, your shadow thrown by a streetlight will suddenly and startlingly overtake you. It is actually a Gengar running past you, pretending to be your shadow.
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Sapphire
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Emerald
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Deep in the night, your shadow cast by a streetlight may suddenly overtake you. It is actually a Gengar running past you, pretending to be your shadow.
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FireRed
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It is said to emerge from darkness to steal the lives of those who become lost in mountains.
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LeafGreen
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On the night of the full moon, if shadows move on their own and laugh, it must be Gengar's doing.
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Generation IV
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Diamond
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It hides in shadows. It is said that if Gengar is hiding, it cools the area by nearly 10 degrees F.
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Pearl
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Lurking in the shadowy corners of rooms, it awaits chances to steal its prey's life force.
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Platinum
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The leer that floats in darkness belongs to a Gengar delighting in casting curses on people.
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HeartGold
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It steals heat from its surroundings. If you feel a sudden chill, it is certain that a Gengar appeared.
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SoulSilver
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To steal the life of its target, it slips into the prey's shadow and silently waits for an opportunity.
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Generation V
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Black
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The leer that floats in darkness belongs to a Gengar delighting in casting curses on people.
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White
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Black 2
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The leer that floats in darkness belongs to a Gengar delighting in casting curses on people.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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X
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It hides in shadows. It is said that if Gengar is hiding, it cools the area by nearly 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Y
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Hiding in people's shadows at night, it absorbs their heat. The chill it causes makes the victims shake.
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Omega Ruby
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Sometimes, on a dark night, your shadow thrown by a streetlight will suddenly and startlingly overtake you. It is actually a Gengar running past you, pretending to be your shadow.
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Alpha Sapphire
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Generation VII
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Sun
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Should you feel yourself attacked by a sudden chill, it is evidence of an approaching Gengar. There is no escaping it. Give up.
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Moon
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It apparently wishes for a traveling companion. Since it was once human itself, it tries to create one by taking the lives of other humans.
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Ultra Sun
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You can hear tales told all over the world about how Gengar will pay a visit to children who are naughty.
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Ultra Moon
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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.
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Mega Gengar
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VI.
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Generation VII
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Sun
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Gengar's relationships are warped. It has no interest in opponents unless it perceives them as prey.
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Moon
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The energy of Mega Evolution awakened it. It sinks into another dimension, where it keeps a patient watch for its chance to attack.
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Ultra Sun
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It tries to take the lives of anyone and everyone. It will even try to curse the Trainer who is its master!
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Ultra Moon
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Mega Evolution has made it possible for Gengar to access other dimensions. Its entire body is brimming with strange power.
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Game locations
In side games
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Generation II
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This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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In events
Games
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Event
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Region
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Location
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Level
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Distribution period
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XY
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Pokémon Center Gengar
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All
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Japan
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25
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February 1 to 28, 2014
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XY
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Pokémon Center Battle Championship Gengar
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All
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Japan
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50
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June 2 to 8, 2014; July 7 to 21, 2014
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XY
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Halloween Gengar
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All
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Japan
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25
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September 13 to October 14, 2014
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XY
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October 2014 Gengar
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American region
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Online
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25
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October 9, 2014 to February 5, 2015
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XY
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October 2014 Gengar
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PAL region
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Online
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25
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October 9, 2014 to February 5, 2015
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XY
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Pre-ordering player Gengar
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Korean region
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Online
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25
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October 11 to December 7, 2014
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XY
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XY Gengar
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Japanese region
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Online
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25
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October 24 to 31, 2014
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XY
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XY Gengar
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American region
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Online
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25
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October 24 to 31, 2014
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ORAS
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Pokémon Center Hiroshima Gengar
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All
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Japan
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25
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March 1 to 31, 2016
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XYORAS
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Alva's Gengar
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Japanese region
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Online
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50
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July 9 to August 31, 2016
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XYORAS
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Alva's Gengar
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Japanese region
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Nintendo Zone
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50
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July 30 to August 31, 2016
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XYORAS
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XY&Z Gengar
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Korean region
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Online
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100
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October 19 to November 15, 2016
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Held items
Stats
Base stats
Gengar
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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60
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120 - 167
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230 - 324
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65
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63 - 128
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121 - 251
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60
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58 - 123
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112 - 240
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130
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121 - 200
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238 - 394
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75
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72 - 139
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139 - 273
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110
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103 - 178
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202 - 350
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Total: 500
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
- This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 130.
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Mega Gengar
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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60
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120 - 167
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230 - 324
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65
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63 - 128
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121 - 251
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80
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76 - 145
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148 - 284
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170
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157 - 244
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310 - 482
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95
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90 - 161
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175 - 317
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130
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121 - 200
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238 - 394
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Total: 600
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gengar
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gengar
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gengar
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gengar
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Gengar in Generation VII
- Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
- Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Gengar in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gengar
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gengar
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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- A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Gengar can be tutored the move in that game
- A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Gengar cannot be tutored the move in that game
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gengar
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gengar
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gengar
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gengar
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations
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Side game data
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Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
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Body size: 1
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Recruit rate: Evolve
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Friend Area: Darkness Ridge
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Phrases
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51%-100% HP
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My red eyes aren't from lack of sleep!
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26%-50% HP
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Confound it! My HP is already missing by half...
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1%-25% HP
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This is my ruin... Even my shadow grows dim...
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Level up
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Very well! I've leveled!
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Partner phrases
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51%-100% HP
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Kekeh! I'm counting on you!
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26%-50% HP
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Kekeh? This is getting a bit rough...
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1%-25% HP
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Gegeh! I'm about to faint! Oi! Heal me quick!
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Level up
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N/A
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Pokémon Ranger
Group:
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Poké Assist:
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Field move:
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None
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Loops: 7
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Min. exp.: 100
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Max. exp.: 120
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Browser entry R-000
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Beware--Gengar abducts your Pokémon. It makes copies of itself to attack.
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Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group:
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Poké Assist: (present)
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Field move: (present)
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(Psy Power ×3)
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Poké Assist: (past)
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Field move: (past)
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(Psy Power ×1)
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Browser entry [[List of Pokémon by Oblivia Browser number|]]
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It shoots out orbs imbued with loathsome emotions that make Pokémon Paused.
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Evolution
Sprites
Trivia
- Gengar is the favorite Pokémon of Ken Sugimori.
- In the Pokémon Red and Blue beta, Gengar was originally known as "Phantom".
- Gengar, along with Nidorino, with whom it battles in the beginning of Pokémon Red, Blue, Green, FireRed, and LeafGreen, originate from the Capsule Monsters manga, the precursor to the Pokémon franchise.
- Gengar and Nidorino are also the very first Pokémon to appear in the anime.
- In Pokémon X and Y, Gengar is the only Pokémon with the Ability Levitate that is not eligible for Sky Battles.
- No other Pokémon has the same type combination as Gengar and its evolutionary relatives.
- Due to its unique type combination, Gengar and its evolutionary relatives are the only Poison-type Pokémon that are weak against Dark-type moves.
- Mega Gengar has the highest base Special Attack stat of all Ghost-type and Poison-type Pokémon. It also has the highest base Speed stat of all Ghost-type Pokémon.
- When viewing Mega Gengar's Pokédex entry, the camera's view can only be moved sideways.
- Gengar could be seen as a counterpart to Alakazam. They are both the last stage of a three-part evolutionary family, require trading to reach their final stage of evolution, and are capable of Mega Evolution. They are the same height, and both get shorter upon Mega Evolution. They share a base friendship of 70 and, since Generation VI, a base stat total of 500. Both are weak to the other's STAB, and they share weaknesses to the Ghost and Dark types. In the anime episode The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis, a Gengar and an Alakazam are put against each other.
- When being escorted through Mt. Freeze and Murky Cave in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, Gengar knows Leer, Scratch, and Quick Attack, although it cannot learn those moves by any means in any generation.
- In the core series games, Mega Gengar has small feet that can be seen by recalling it and sending it out. In Pokkén Tournament, however, Mega Gengar does not have feet. Instead, a portal appears beneath it whenever it is airborne.
Origin
It seems to be simply based on general cartoonish ghosts, cats, or the Cheshire Cat and possibly on a distorted shadow of a human being like shadow people.
Name origin
Gengar and Gangar are possibly a shortening of doppelgänger, a double of a person, which is fitting for a Pokémon with a habit of pretending to be a person's shadow. The kanji 幻 maboroshi can also be read as gen and is used in words meaning phantom or illusion. There is also a striking pronunciation similarity to the Danish word genganger, a term for ghosts found in Scandinavian folklore.
In other languages
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More languages
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Hindi
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गेंगार Gengar
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Transcription of English name
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Russian
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Генгар Gengar
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Transcription of English name
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Related articles
Notes
External links
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This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
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