Gengar (Pokémon)

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Haunter #093: Haunter
Pokémon
#095: Onix Onix
Gengar
ゲンガー Gangar
#094
094Gengar.png
Artwork from FR/LG
Type
Ghost Poison
Category
Shadow Pokémon
Ability
Levitate
Exp. at Lv. 100
1,059,860
Regional Pokédex numbers
Kanto
#094
Johto
#060
Hoenn
#264
Sinnoh
#071
Regional Browser numbers
Height
4'11"
Imperial
1.5 m
Metric
Weight
89.3 lbs.
Imperial
40.5 kg
Metric
Dex color
Purple
Catch rate
45 (5.9%)
Body style
Body06.png BodyUnknown.png
Blue-Striped
Footprint
 F094.png   F487O.png
Blue-Striped
Gender ratio
50% male, 50% female
Breeding
Indeterminate group 21 cycles
(5355 minimum steps)
EV yield
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
3
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
Base Exp.: 190 Battle Exp.: 1901*

Gengar (Japanese: ゲンガー Gangar) is a dual-type Ghost/Poison Pokémon.

It evolves from Haunter when traded. It is Gastly's final form.

Biology

Physiology

Gengar is a dark-purple Pokémon with a roundish body. Gengar's hands now connect to the rest of its body and it now has a pair of legs. Gengar has a spike-covered back. Upon evolution, Gengar's eyes are now red. Also, its mouth is usually curled into a sinister grin.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

File:Morty's Gengar.jpg
Morty's Gengar floating through the air

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. In addition, Gengar possesses the ability to fly through the air, as demonstrated by Morty's Gengar. Since Gengar is a fully evolved Pokémon, it can use Hyper Beam and Giga Impact.

Behavior

Gengars are very mischievous, and at some times, malicious. They enjoy playing practical jokes, such as pretending to be one's shadow, then behaving erratically. When the quarry notices, the Gengar takes delight in its victim's terror. Gengar may also cast curses.

Habitat

Gengar live in shadows of rooms, caves, and dark places where shadows form, especially in urban areas such as cities and back alleys but only during the night. Gengar are also known to live in mountains. It normally shares its range with Gastly and Haunter, but reports of wild Gengar aren't unheard of.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Gengar drains the life force from its victims. It may also also eat its victim's dreams. Like its pre-evolution, Haunter it may lick its prey to drain the life force.

In the anime

File:Fantina's Gengar.png
Gengar in the anime

Major appearances

Gengar first appeared in the opening of the first episode, Pokémon - I Choose You!, where it and a Nidorino battled in a Colosseum on TV.

Ash first saw a Gengar in person in Lavender Town in The Tower of Terror while searching for a Template:Type2 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 attempt to (unsuccessfully) amuse Ash by acting as a pair of performers.

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 of the Orange Islands used a Gengar in his battle with Ash in Hello, Pummelo! and Enter The Dragonite. His Gengar managed to confuse Ash's Tauros before he returned it and instead tried with Ash's Lapras. In the collision between Night Shade and Ice Beam, both Lapras and Gengar fainted.

A 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!.

Agatha used a Gengar to battle Ash's Pikachu in The Scheme Team. The Ghost Pokémon defeated Pikachu.

Gengar was the leader of "Team Meanies" in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters out of the Gate!

A Gengar appeared in Ghoul Daze! together with its pre-evolutions, Gastly and Haunter.

Minor appearances

A Gengar also appeared in One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!.

A Gengar under the ownership of Hearthome City's Gym Leader Fantina appeared in a flashback in Playing the Leveling Field! and appeared in A Shield with a Twist where it was defeated by Ash's Buizel.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry
EP023 Gengar Ash's Pokédex Gengar. No information available.
EP072 Gengar Ash's Pokédex Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon. The evolved form of Haunter. Details about this Pokémon are unknown.
Original series entries continue below.
Episode Pokémon Source Entry
EP182 Gengar Ash's Pokédex Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon. The evolved form of Haunter. Details about Gengar are unknown.
Episode Pokémon Source Entry
AG132 Gengar Ash's Pokédex Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon. Gengar is the final evolved form of Gastly. It can absorb any surrounding heat, leaving a sudden chill.
Episode Pokémon Source Entry
DP102 Gengar Dawn's Pokédex Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon. Gengar hides in the shadows. If a Gengar is nearby, it is said to feel ten degrees colder than normal.

In the manga

In Pokémon Adventures, Agatha has two Gengar on her team. One of them was used to attack Blue and Koga from the shadows, draining the latter's life force as it possessed his shadow.

Another Gengar was seen at the beginning of the FireRed and LeafGreen saga in Volume 23. 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.

Pokédex entries

Manga Chapter Entry
Pokémon Adventures PS077 Able to merge with and inhabit the shadow of another being.

In the TCG

Main article: Gengar (TCG)

Game data

NPC appearances

  • Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: 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.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I
Red Under a full moon, this Pokémon likes to mimic the shadows of people and laugh at their fright.
Blue
Yellow A Gengar is close by if you feel a sudden chill. It may be trying to lay a curse on you.
Stadium Appears to attack people who get lost in the mountains. Said to be the culprit behind shadows that laugh in the moonlight.
Generation II
Gold It steals heat from its surroundings. If you feel a sudden chill, it is certain that a Gengar appeared.
Silver To steal the life of its target, it slips into the prey's shadow and silently waits for an opportunity.
Crystal Hiding in people's shadows at night, it absorbs their heat. The chill it causes makes the victims shake.
Stadium 2 It steals heat from its surroundings. If you feel a sudden chill, it is certain that a Gengar appeared.
Generation III
Ruby 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.
Sapphire 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.
Emerald 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.
FireRed It is said to emerge from darkness to steal the lives of those who become lost in mountains.
LeafGreen On the night of the full moon, if shadows move on their own and laugh, it must be Gengar's doing.
Generation IV
Diamond It hides in shadows. It is said that if Gengar is hiding, it cools the area by nearly 10 degrees F.
Pearl Lurking in the shadowy corners of rooms, it awaits chances to steal its prey's life force.
Platinum The leer that floats in darkness belongs to a Gengar delighting in casting curses on people.
HeartGold It steals heat from its surroundings. If you feel a sudden chill, it is certain that a Gengar appeared.
SoulSilver To steal the life of its target, it slips into the prey's shadow and silently waits for an opportunity.
Generation V
Black {{{blackdex}}}
White {{{whitedex}}}
Black 2 {{{black2dex}}}
White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI
X Unknown
Y Unknown


Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I
Red Blue
None Evolve Haunter
Blue (Japan)
None Trade
Yellow
None Evolve Haunter
Generation II
Gold Silver
None Evolve Haunter
Crystal
None Evolve Haunter
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire
None Trade
Emerald
None Trade
FireRed LeafGreen
None Evolve Haunter
Colosseum
None Trade
XD
None Trade
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
Dongle Old Chateau (Any Gen III game)
Platinum
Dongle Old Chateau (Any Gen III game)
HeartGold SoulSilver
None Evolve Haunter
Pal Park
Forest
Pokéwalker
None
Generation V
Black White
None Trade
Black 2 White 2
None Trade
Dream World
None
Generation VI
X Y
None Trade



In side games

Game Location
Pokémon Trozei! Endless Level 68
Forever Level 18
Pair Battle
Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red/Blue Rescue Team
Evolve from Haunter
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time/Darkness
Sky Stairway (1F-49F)
Pokémon Ranger Fiore Temple
Pokémon Ranger:
Shadows of Almia
Hippowdon Temple
Altru Building
Altru Tower
Pokémon Rumble Eternal Tower

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
60
120 - 167 230 - 324
65
63 - 128 121 - 251
60
58 - 123 112 - 240
130
121 - 200 238 - 394
75
72 - 139 139 - 273
110
103 - 178 202 - 350
Total:
500
Other Pokémon with this total
  • 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.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed
2/3 ★★
Power
2/3 ★★
Skill
5/5 ★★★★★
Stamina
4/4 ★★★★
Jump
2/3 ★★
Total
15/18 ★★★


Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison ¼×
Ground
Rock
Bug ¼×
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison ¼×
Ground
Rock
Bug ¼×
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison ¼×
Ground
Rock
Bug ¼×
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison ¼×
Ground
Rock
Bug ¼×
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Notes:

Learnset

By leveling up

|- style="text-align:center" | style="text-align:left" | ghost | style="background:#9141CB" |  poison 

| style=" background:#FFF" | 4 | style=" background:#FFF" | 1 | style=" background:#FFF" | Gengar | style="display:none; background:#FFF" | {{{6}}} Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By TM/HM

Template:Movelisttm Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By breeding

Template:Eggmoves Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Eggmoves/note

By tutoring

Template:Tutor Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4


|- style="background:#A284A2" | colspan="13" | Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available.
|} |}

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
 Pin094.png 
Acquisition: Evolve
Pokémon Pinball RS
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Trozei!
 Trozeiani094.png 
Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
MDP RT 094.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate: Evolve
Friend Area: Darkness Ridge
Phrases
51%-100% HP My red eyes aren't from lack of sleep!
26%-50% HP Confound it! My HP is already missing by half...
1%-25% HP This is my ruin... Even my shadow grows dim...
Level up Very well! I've leveled!
Partner phrases
51%-100% HP Kekeh! I'm counting on you!
26%-50% HP Kekeh? This is getting a bit rough...
1%-25% HP Gegeh! I'm about to faint! Oi! Heal me quick!
Level up N/A
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness
,
and Explorers of Sky
MDP E 094.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate: -10%
IQ group: G
Pokémon Ranger
Group:  Ghost  Poké Assist: Ghost PA.png
( Ghost )
Field move: None
Loops: 7 Min. exp.: 100 Max. exp.: 120
Browser entry  
Beware--Gengar abducts your Pokémon. It makes copies of itself to attack.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Group:  Ghost  Poké Assist: Ghost PA.png
( Ghost )
Field move: Psy Power 3 field move.png
(Psy Power ×3)
Browser entry  
It attacks by spitting out eerie orbs and sinister ones imbued with loathing.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group: Poké Assist: Field move:
 Ghost  Ghost Assist.png
( Ghost )
Past
Electric Assist.png
( Normal )
Psy Power 3 field move.png
(Psy Power ×3)
Past
Electrify 1 field move.png
(Electrify ×1)
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
None.png PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
None.png Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}}
PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
None.png HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}}
Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}}
Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}}
Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}}
Does not evolve.
Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Gastly
Unevolved
Gastly
 Ghost  Poison 
Rare Candy
Level 25


Haunter
First evolution
Haunter
 Ghost  Poison 
Pal Pad
Trade


Gengar
Second evolution
Gengar
 Ghost  Poison 


Sprites

Gen Game
I Red Blue Yellow Red (Ja) Green Back
Spr 1b 094.png Spr 1y 094.png Spr 1g 094.png Spr b g1 094.png
II Gold Silver Crystal   Back
Spr 2g 094.png Spr 2s 094.png Spr 2c 094.png Spr b 2g 094.png
Spr 2g 094 s.png Spr 2s 094 s.png Spr 2c 094 s.png Spr b 2g 094 s.png
III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Back
Spr 3r 094.png Spr 3e 094.png Spr 3f 094.png Spr b 3r 094.png
Spr 3r 094 s.png Spr 3e 094 s.png Spr 3f 094 s.png Spr b 3r 094 s.png
IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back
Spr 4d 094.png Spr 4p 094.png Spr 4h 094.png Spr b 4d 094.png
Spr 4d 094 s.png Spr 4p 094 s.png Spr 4h 094 s.png Spr b 4d 094 s.png
V Black White Black 2 White 2 Back
Spr 5b 094.png Spr 5b2 094.png Spr b 5b 094.png
Spr 5b 094 s.png Spr 5b2 094 s.png Spr b 5b 094 s.png
Gengar For other sprites and images, please see Gengar images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

  • "Phantom" was the original English name for Gengar.
  • Gengar, along with Nidorino, who it battles in the beginning of Red, Blue, Green, FireRed and LeafGreen, and probably a couple of other Pokémon, originate from the old manga, Capsule Monsters, which is considered pre-cursor to the Pokémon franchise.
  • Gengar can be caught in the wild in Generation IV through the dongle method, as can another Pokémon previously obtainable only via trading, Steelix, though Steelix can be battled normally.
  • Even though Gengar is part Template:Type2, like its pre-evolutions, it cannot learn any Poison-type moves via level up.
  • Gengar is tied with Froslass for the fastest Template:Type2 Pokémon, with a base Speed of 110, and has the highest base Special Attack stat of any Ghost-type or Template:Type2 Pokémon at 130.
    • Oddly, Special Attack was its highest stat, even though the Ghost-type was previously an all-physical type.
  • Despite its ability to hide in shadows, Gengar is unable to learn Shadow Sneak.
  • Originally, its shiny color in the games was actually closer to that of the Sugimori artwork than the non-shiny color. This was corrected in HeartGold and SoulSilver.
  • Gengar received a new back sprite in Platinum.
  • Gengar is smaller than its pre-evolution, Haunter. The same thing happens to Dragonite, Bellossom, and Porygon2

Origin

It seems to be simply based on general cartoonish ghosts, and possibly on a distorted shadow of a human being like shadow people. The overall appearance could also be an homage to the Cheshire Cat. Gengar also has some similarities to Gremlins with both looks and personality (violent, rude, and wild).

Name origin

Gengar's name is possibly a shortening of doppelgänger - a ghostly double of a person, which would be a fitting name for a Pokémon with a habit of pretending to be a person's shadow. The kanji 幻, which can be read "gen", can be used for words meaning "phantom" or "illusion".

There is also a striking pronouncation similarity between Gengar's name and the Danish word "genganger", which simply is a spirit that after its death chose not to go to the other world but to return to the world of humans in the shape of a ghost. "Gen" is translated as "again" or simply "re" and "ganger" is an old-fashioned word meaning "walker" or "someone that walks".

In other languages

  • German: Gengar
  • French: Ectoplasma - From ectoplasm, the substance that supposedly emanates from the body of a spiritualistic medium when contacting the dead.
  • Korean: 팬텀 Paenteom - A transliteration of the English word phantom.

External links

Notes


Haunter #093: Haunter
Pokémon
#095: Onix Onix
Project Pokédex logo.png This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.