Gengar - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Gengar Movesets in Other Games
SV	SWSH

This is a strategy guide for using Gengar in competitive play for the games Pokemon Sword and Shield. Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, and Held Items to use with Gengar, as well as its strengths and weak points.

Gengar - Related Articles
Evolution and Learnset	Build for Ranked Battle	Gigantamax Gengar

Basic Information for Gengar

Types and Abilities

Pokemon	Type 1	Type 2
Gengar
Abilities
Cursed Body	May disable a move used on the Pokemon.

Gengar Weaknesses and Resistances

	Type
Takes 4x damage	-
Takes 2x damage
Takes 0.5x damage
Takes 1/4x damage
Takes 0x damage

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

Best Nature for Gengar

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Gengar

Standard Moveset & Best Build

This is a classic set for Gengar, positioning it as an attacker who can hit fast and hard. Thanks to Focus Sash, Gengar is guaranteed to be able to survive a hit, and it's almost certain that by the time it goes down, it will have taken at least one of your opponent's Pokemon with it.

Alternate Move Choices

Wide Lens Moveset & Best Build

This is a build that uses a Wide Lens to raise Will-O-Wisps accuracy, allowing Gengar to instantly burn its target and handle damage even from strong physical attackers. With Hypnosis in the mix as well, you have a chance to turn the tables in a losing battle by putting your enemy to sleep.

Black Sludge Moveset & Best Build

These values are from base stats and ideal EVs, excluding external factors.

Black Sludge forces your opponents to choose between allowing Gengar's HP to be restored, or damaging themselves. With Will-O-Wisp, Gengar will be able to withstand up to three Max Steelspike (or Iron Head) attacks from Durant. This moveset maxes out Gengar's Speed, allowing it to hit Durant first with his Dynamax attacks.

Alternate Move Choices

How to Use Gengar Effectively

Outspeed and Punish Slower Foes

Even from just its base stats, Gengar's Speed is relatively high. Unfortunately, its Speed is still not high enough to hit faster than other top-tier Pokemon, especially Dragapult. This limits Gengar to roles like wearing out enemies' Dynamax turns, and using Status Moves like Will-O-Wisp and Icy Wind to lend support to its teammates.

Support Your Teammates

Gengar has a wide-ranging movepool that can help its teammates move with more leeway. Icy Wind will lower the Speed of opponents, while Will-O-Wisp will limit their damage output.

Counters for Gengar

Hit its weak point with a fast Pokemon

The best way to counter Gengar's Speed is with quick Pokemon of your own. Exploit Gengar's low Defense and HP by attacking first with high-powered moves.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Dragapult	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can definitely outspeed Gengar. ・Has powerful Ghost-type moves in its arsenal. Moveset & Best Build for Dragapult
Cinderace	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can move first before Gengar. ・Unaffected by Will-O-Wisp. Moveset & Best Build for Cinderace

Fight with special attackers

As Gengar can use Will-O-Wisp to lower Attack stats, it is wise to use Pokemon that are built on dishing out special moves. Special attackers with high Special Defense and has type advantage over Gengar are the best choices.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Galarian Moltres	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Dark-type pokemon that can attack Gengar's weak points. ・Has high Special Defense. ・Can improve its Speed with by using Max Airstream. Moveset & Best Build for Galarian Moltres
Nihilego	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Resists Poison-type moves. Moveset & Best Build for Nihilego
Naganadel	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can outspeed Gengar. ・Able to use Draco Meteor or U-Turn. Moveset & Best Build for Naganadel

Use the Prankster ability to limit its moves

When Gengar is using a defensive build, its potential is highly limited when it can't use support moves like Will-O-Wisp and Substitute. Attack first with Taunt or Encore to cut down its options, using a Pokemon with the Prankster Ability to automatically move first when using Status Moves.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Thundurus	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Has the Prankster Ability. Moveset & Best Build for Thundurus
Grimmsnarl	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can setup walls after using Taunt, which will also help even if Gengar attacks it. Moveset & Best Build for Grimmsnarl
Sableye	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Has the Prankster Ability ・Can use STAB Ghost-type moves against Gengar. Beware as Gengar can do the same.

Related Links

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle

Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Tier List		Best Builds		Series 10 List of Contenders
Doubles Tier List		Team Building		Rental Teams

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Movesets & Best Builds for Returning Pokemon
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Tyranitar	Hydreigon	Heat Rotom
Arcanine	Mamoswine	Toxapex
Togekiss	Cloyster	Durant
Snorlax	Charizard	Sylveon
Lucario	Hippowdon	Umbreon
Conkeldurr	Quagsire	Gastrodon
Lapras	Whimsicott	Rhyperior
Goodra	Haxorus	Glaceon
Mow Rotom	Type: Null	Gengar
Milotic	Gardevoir	Flygon
Chandelure	Lanturn	Torkoal
Bisharp	Seismitoad	Silvally
Butterfree	Primarina	Incineroar
Blastoise	Decidueye	Venusaur
Darmanitan	Alolan Ninetales	Gothitelle
Crawdaunt	Clefable	Reuniclus
Kommo-o	Terrakion	Cobalion
Virizion	Noivern	Fan Rotom
Toxicroak	Pelipper	Jellicent
Celebi	Clefairy	Hitmontop
Diggersby	Ditto	Raichu
Hawlucha	Shiftry	Tsareena
Ludicolo