Gengar Guide: Builds and Best Items | Pokemon UNITE

The best guide on how to play Gengar in Pokemon UNITE for Nintendo Switch and Mobile. Check here for the best builds, Held and Battle items, movesets, as well as the latest nerfs, buffs, counters, matchups, and more!

Gengar Latest Nerfs & Buffs (01/20)

Version 1.4.1.2 Patch Note Updates (01/20)

Gengar Move Changes
Hex	• Move now learned at Level 5. • Damage is decreased from 1173 to 1092 (-7%). Hex+: Move now learned at Level 11.
Dream Eater	• Move now learned at Level 5. • KOing opponents will reduce the cooldown of this move. Dream Eater+: Move now learned at Level 11.
Sludge Bomb	• Move now learned at Level 7. Sludge Bomb+: Move now learned at Level 13.
Shadow Ball	• Move now learned at Level 7. Shadow Ball+: Move now learned at Level 13.

Gengar Basic Info

Gengar
	Tier Rating: Role: Speedster Attack Type: Melee Damage Type: Special Difficulty: Expert Cost: 10000 / 575
"Gengar, a Pokémon that lurks in the shadows, is a master of surprise attacks."

Pokemon Unite Tier List

Gengar Best Lanes

Top	Jungle	Bottom

Tips & Strategies for Every Lane

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths	Weaknesses
✔︎ Status inducing moves ✔︎ Good range despite being a melee attacker ✔︎ Good damage bursts	✖︎ Fragile ✖︎ Can only shine mid to late game

Best Builds for Gengar

Builds
Sludge-Hex Build	Debilitator Build
Support Build

Sludge-Hex Build

Sludge-Hex Build
Moveset	Held Items
Sludge Bomb Hex	Wise Glasses Choice Specs Shell Bell
Battle Item
Fluffy Tail
Item Effects (at Level 30)
Sp. Atk: +102 Cooldown: -4.50%

This build takes advantage of Gengar's near-endless Hex and Sludge Bomb combo. While classified as a Speedster, Gengar can function more as an Attacker with this build and is excellent for quickly bursting down enemies.

Wise Glasses, Choice Specs, and Shell Bell make your Hex-Sludge Bomb combo deadlier. Shell Bell also compensates for Gengar's fragility due to its healing effect.

Fluffy Tail is the best battle item for this build since you'll most likely be a jungler. X Attack can be an alternative battle item if you want more damage.

Debilitator Build

Debilitator Build
Moveset	Held Items
Shadow Ball Dream Eater	Wise Glasses Choice Specs Buddy Barrier
Battle Item
Eject Button
Item Effects (at Level 30)
Sp. Atk: +78 HP: +600

This build trades Hex's burst damage combo for safer damage output during a team fight. While Hex does an insane amount of damage, it makes Gengar prone to counterattacks. Because of this, the build focuses on a safer route by ensuring your teammates can assist in finishing off enemies afflicted with Shadow Ball and Dream Eater.

Choice Specs and Wise Glasses are staple damage boosters for Gengar. Buddy Barrier makes you tankier through its large HP bonus. It also works well for when you use Phantom Ambush to initiate fights.

Eject Button makes up for the reduced mobility you have since the build uses Dream Eater instead of Hex. You can use it defensively or offensively.

Support Build

Support Build
Moveset	Held Items
Sludge Bomb Dream Eater	Wise Glasses Choice Specs Sp. Atk. Specs
Battle Item
X Attack
Item Effects (at Level 30)
Sp. Atk: +102

This build maximizes Sludge Bomb's poison effect by putting enemies to sleep via Dream Eater. You can also use Dream Eater to put targets to sleep and sneak a goal. This makes Gengar into a semi-support and semi-attacker.

Wise Glasses, Choice Specs, and Sp. Atk. Specs all contribute to your moves' damage output but incentivizes scoring a little.

X Attack is the cherry-on-top for this build, boosting your moves' damage further.

Gengar Best Items & Moveset

Best Held Items

Item	Description
Sp. Atk. Specs	When the Pokemon scores a goal, its Sp. Attack increases by (8/12/16).
Buddy Barrier	When the Pokemon uses its Unite Move, that Pokemon and the nearby ally Pokemon with the lowest HP are each granted a shield equal to (20/30/40)% of their max HP.
Wise Glasses	Increases Sp Attack by (3/5/7)%.
Shell Bell	Recovers a minimum of (45/60/75) HP when a move hits an enemy. You will recover more HP if your Sp Attack stat is higher.
Choice Specs	Increases the damage of moves by a minimum of (40/50/60) when they hit. The higher the Pokemon's SP. Atk. the more the damage is increased

Gengar's stats across the board aren't as great as most Attackers but makes up for it by having some decent combos up its sleeve that can burst down opponents. With the addition of Choice Specs you can now stack up other SP Attack items like Wise Glasses and Shell Bell to help boost the damage up.

Being a Speedster, Gengar's scoring comes a little easier than most, allowing it to use Sp. Atk. Specs to its full potential. For a more offensive playstyle, a Buddy Barrier is always a welcomed item for survivability.

Held Item Tier List: Best Items to Equip

Best Battle Items

Item	Description
Eject Button	Makes your Pokemon move quickly in the specified direction.
Fluffy Tail	Prevents wild Pokemon from acting and increases their damage taken by 1.5 times.

Depending on your playstyle, Fluffy Tail and Eject Button will be your best friend. For the more offense-oriented players, Fluffy Tail will help you get to higher levels faster, giving you faster access to your deadlier combos. If you're the more careful type, Eject Button can get you in or out of nasty fights.

Best Moveset

Move	Description
Hex	Gengar disappears then teleports and repeats at the target location. When Gengar reappears they deal damage to Pokemon in a small area around the location. If the enemy Pokemon is affected by debuff, this skill damage is increased and cooldown is reduced. Upgrade: Increased damage.
Sludge Bomb	Throws a dirty sludge at the target location. When the attacks hits, inflicts poison to all enemy Pokemon hit. Upgrade: Increases the duration of the poison debuff.

While Shadow Ball and Dream Eater do tend to do higher damage, Hex and Sludge Bomb's heavy burst and chase potential can take down even the toughest of enemies on its own. Successfully hitting an opponent when it is inflicted with a debuff will allow you to bombared them with Hex.

Which Moveset Do You Think is Best For Gengar?

Let us know why in the comments!

Previous Poll Result

How to Play Gengar

Gengar excels at chipping away at opponents from range before teleporting in to finish the job. Prioritize those positioned at the back line as much as possible to easily swing the clash to your team's favor.

Farm Wild Pokemon in Early Game

In the early stages, it is crucial to hunt down Wild Pokemon to get Gengar's more advanced moves. If you can cooperate with your friends via voice chat, then Level 5 will be sufficient enough for fights with your teammates. If you're solo, going as high as Level 7 unlocks Hex allowing Gengar to be an attacking force.

Help Lanes Push

Once you get Sludge Bomb, you may begin assisting top or bottom lanes. However, choose the lane that will give you an advantage in numbers (3 vs 2), otherwise, Gengar will fall prey to team attacks. If there is no distinct advantage, continue hunting Wild Pokemon.

Score Goals when the Opportunity Arises

If you happen to go to a lane with a numerical advantage, use that to get a quick goal once all enemies are defeated. Getting quick early goals is also a good way of earning EXP and leveling up.

Hunt Solo Targets

Once fully evolved, Gengar can begin hunting down solitary enemies and create a favorable situation for the team. At Level 13, you unlock Hex+, which allows you to burst down most enemies 1-on-1 with the Sludge Bomb-Hex combo.

Use Unite Move to Teleport to or Away from Opponent's Goal

Gengar's Unite Move makes it disappear once and when ZR is pressed again, it unleashes a ranged attack. However, Gengar's regular moves in itself has high enough power that you can let go of the Unite Move for attacking purposes.

Instead, you may use it to teleport yourself to the final goal area to score huge points especially when you have defeated Zapdos. Also, when in a pinch, you may use your Unite Move to escape difficult situations, such as making a quick escape after scoring a goal.

Gengar Combos

Sludge Hex Burst Combo

Sludge Hex Burst Combo
► ~
Sludge Bomb ► Hex ~
This combo penalizes anyone that has Debuffs. Hex's countdown timer is reduced for every successful hit on an enemy with a Debuff. With this combo, even when Gengar is in a team without debuffing skills, it can apply the debuff on its own via Sludge Bomb. After that, hit the enemy with Hex again and again as its cooldown has been drastically reduced to the point that you can basically use it every second.

Hex Nerfed

Note that in the recent 1.1.1.4 Patch, Hex's damage has been decreased so take extra precaution when using this particular combo. Hit an opponent with Sludge Bomb then use Hex twice and then quickly get out of the way unless you are sure you can finish off the opponent.

Dream Eater Combos

Multi-Strike Combo
► ► or
Shadow Ball ► Dream Eater ► Shadow Ball or Phantom Ambush
This combo uses both debuffing skills of Gengar in a row to setup an insane damaging follow up with Phantom Ambush. This can affect two targets at once if Shadow Ball and Dream Eater hits two different targets. Otherwise, this is a severely punishing move for one target.

High-Burst Combo
► ► ► ► ►
Shadow Ball ► Dream Eater ► Shadow Ball or Phantom Ambush
This combo makes use of Gengar's boosted attack to maximize the mechanic from Dream Eater. Initiate with Dream Eater and Shadow Ball. Get in range for a boosted attack, then cast Dream Eater again to teleport you to your target, granting you another boosted attack. Perform the second boosted attack, then finish with another Shadow Ball.

Matchups & Counters for Gengar

Gengar Matchups

✘ : Counter | = : Even | ✓ : Advantageous
1. The chart is based on our own experience playing Gengar.
2. Pokemon within each tier are unordered
3. Any Pokemon not shown here are still under investigation.

Counter With Recovery Moves

Gengar struggles with those that can interrupt its Hex-Sludge Bomb combo or those that hinder the damage it can deal.

Best Counters

Pokemon	Explanation
Blissey	Rating: ★★★★★ Blissey can counter Sludge Bomb and Dream Eater with Safeguard, negating all of its combos completely. Further, it can heal the damage Gengar can cause.
Slowbro	Rating: ★★★★ Slowbro's Telekinesis instantly takes out Gengar out of the fight, making him an easy target for its teammates. Most of the damage Gengar's inflicts Slowbro can easily endure as well.
Wigglytuff	Rating: ★★★★ Getting close to Wigglytuff exposes Gengar to its passive ability and with its revamped defenses, Gengar will simply find it difficult to eliminate Wigglytuff on its own and allow Wigglytuff some time to set up its own combos.

Even Matchups

Even matchups are always a matter of skill, luck and timing. Here are some tips to help push Gengar ahead against other Pokemon on equal footing.

Catch Off-Guard

Pokemon with High Damage but are Fragile

These Pokemon have enough damage to take out Gengar quickly. However, they are also fragile against Gengar's burst damage. To key to winning against these Pokemon is to catch them off-guard. You can use Phantom Ambush to get close to them, then bombard them with your high burst damage moves.

Avoid Direct Fights

Pokemon with High Durability

These Pokemon can tank Gengar's damage and have disabling moves. You should avoid fighting them directly and aiming for them first, going for squishier Pokemon instead. Once they're alone or isolated, you can take them down.

Disengage and Out Maneuver

Pokemon that can Fight Head-On

These Pokemon can fight head-on and overpower Gengar. Disengaging and out manuveuring them when they try to fight you is the best course of action against them.

Best Matchups for Gengar

Low Defense and Mobility

Low Defense and Mobility

These Pokemon have little to no defense against Gengar's Sp. Atk. bursts, making them easy targets for Gengar. They also have no means of escaping Gengar's Hex and Phantom Ambush.

Dodgable Moves

Dodgable Moves

Greedent can definitely take hits from Gengar's moves. However, Greedent's moves are easy to dodge for Gengar's mobility, making it hard for Greedent to land its combos.

Best Teammates for Gengar

Pokemon	Explanation
Crustle	Trap enemies with Rock Tomb
	The best counter to Gengar's amazing Sludge Bomb-Hex Combo is to escape Gengar's range. However, with Crustle's Rock Tomb, that is essentially rendered useless (save for teleporting moves and Eject Button) allowing Gengar to maximize the damage from this combo.
Pikachu	Has excellent stun moves for deadly setups
	Same thing with Crustle, Pikachu's stun moves allows Gengar to beat out the opponents before they could even attempt to escape. And with Gengar and Pikachu's insane damage output, it will almost ensure an enemy KO.
Gardevoir	Moonblast-Psyshock combo is extremely deadly
	Similar to Pikachu, Moonblast OR Fairy Singularity basically locks opponents in place, allowing Gengar to abuse its Sludge Bomb-Hex combo to its maximum output.

Looking for teammates to synergize with you? Head over to our Friend Request Board to find other trainers to join you in your grind or just to hang out with!

Friend Request Board

Gengar Moves

Move Slot 1 (R)

Will-O-Wisp (Lv. 1 or 3)	Move Type: Ranged Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 5s Total Damage: 525 (Lv. 3)
Shoots 3 fireballs. When a fireball hits, it deals damage and inflicts burn.
Sludge Bomb (Lv. 5) Upgrade Lv. 11	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 8s Total Damage: 390 (Lv. 5) / 1023 (Lv. 15)
Throws a dirty sludge at the target location. When the attacks hits, inflicts poison to all enemy Pokemon hit. Upgrade: Increases the duration of the poison debuff.
Shadow Ball (Lv. 5) Upgrade Lv. 11	Move Type: Ranged Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 4.5s Total Damage: 1032 (Lv. 5) / 2200 (Lv. 15)
Throws a ball of shadow that goes through terrain. If the attack hits, it slows down and decreases their Sp. Defense. Upgrade: The damage dealt increases.

Move Slot 2 (ZR)

Lick (Lv. 1 or 3)	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 7s Total Damage: 233 (Lv. 3)
Gengar sticks out its tongue and attacks pulling enemies towards them.
Hex (Lv. 7) Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Dash Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 7.5s Total Damage: 297 (Lv. 7) / 1092 (Lv. 15)
Gengar disappears then teleports and repeats at the target location. When Gengar reappears they deal damage to Pokemon in a small area around the location. If the enemy Pokemon is affected by debuff, this skill damage is increased and cooldown is reduced. Upgrade: Increased damage.
Dream Eater (Lv. 7) Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Ranged Damage Type: Status Cooldown: 8s
Fires a projectile that puts enemy Pokemon to sleep on hit, and allows Gengar to use the Move again. If Gengar is in range and uses the Move again after hitting it, Gengar teleports behind the Pokemon and deals damage while restoring their own HP. Will also reduce the cooldown of Shadow Ball and Sludge Bomb. Upgrade: Increases the damage dealt and HP restored.

Unite Moves (ZL)

Phantom Ambush (Lv. 9)	Move Type: Dash Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 134s Total Damage: 50% of enemy HP (Lv. 9) / 50% of enemy HP (Lv. 15)
Teleports a short distance and then becomes invisible, gaining increased Movement Speed. When used again, Gengar will go out of invisibility and scare nearby opponents, damaging and slowing them.

Standard Attack

Standard Attack	Becomes a boosted attack with every third attack, lunging at an opposing Pokemon and dealing damage.

Ability (Passive)

Levitate	When not in battle, Gengar's Movement Speed increases.

Gengar Stats & Evolutions

Gengar Evolutions

1st Evolution	2nd Evolution	Final Evolution
Gastly (Lv. 1)	Haunter (Lv. 5)	Gengar (Lv. 9)

Gengar Stats

Level	HP	Defense	Special Defense	Attack Damage
1	3456	52	38	167
2	3510	55	40	170
3	3574	59	43	173
4	3651	63	46	177
5	3931	79	57	192
6	4043	85	62	198
7	4177	92	67	205
8	4338	101	74	213
9	4905	133	97	243
10	5136	146	106	255
11	5414	161	117	270
12	5747	179	131	288
13	6162	201	147	209
14	6625	228	166	334
15	7200	260	189	364

Attack Damage is the damage of the Basic Attack as tested against the Training Dummy.

Gengar In-Game Stats Listing

Offense	Endurance	Mobility	Scoring	Support

Gengar Skins (Holowear)

Holowear
Space Style Season 2 Battle Pass	Masked Style 1200

All Pokemon Skins (Holowear)

Pokemon UNITE Related Guides

List of All Pokemon

All Pokemon Guides and Builds

Best Build for Each Pokemon

Pokemon Roster
Absol	Alolan Ninetales	Blastoise	Blissey
Charizard	Cinderace	Cramorant	Crustle
Decidueye	Dragonite	Eldegoss	Garchomp
Gardevoir	Gengar	Greedent	Greninja
Lucario	Machamp	Mamoswine	Mr. Mime
Pikachu	Slowbro	Snorlax	Sylveon
Talonflame	Trevenant	Tsareena	Venusaur
Wigglytuff	Zeraora
Upcoming Pokemon
No Confirmed Upcoming Pokemon!

Top 5 Master Rank Picks & Win Rate

All data is based on Season 02 Master Rank Top 100. Last Updated: January 24, 2022

Pokemon	Tier	Most Played	Average Win	Best Lane
Lucario		26%	77%	Bot
Dragonite		10%	78%	Jungle
Wigglytuff		10%	76%	Bot
Eldegoss		9%	81%	Bot
Greedent		7%	79%	Top

Top Picked Pokemon Per Role

Attacker	Supporter	All- Rounder	Defender	Speedster
Venusaur	Wigglytuff	Lucario	Greedent	Talonflame

Master Rank: Top Ranked Win Rates

Pokemon by Role

All Pokemon Roles
Attackers		All-Rounders		Defenders
Speedsters			Supporters

Pokemon by Characteristics

Attack Type
Melee Pokemon	Ranged Pokemon
Physical Pokemon	Special Pokemon
Stat Rankings
HP Ranking	Defense Ranking
Sp. Def. Ranking	Basic Attack Ranking