Pokemon Sword and Shield

Gengar - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Gengar Movesets in Other Games
Pokemon Scarlet LogoSV Pokemon SWSH LogoSWSH

Gengar.png

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
Pokeball Icon.pngEvolution and Learnset VS Battle Icon.pngBuild for Ranked Battle Gigantamax Gengar.pngGigantamax Gengar

Basic Information for Gengar

Types and Abilities

Pokemon Type 1 Type 2
Pokemon Sword and Shield - Ghost Type Pokemon Sword and Shield - Poison Type
Abilities
Cursed Body May disable a move used on the Pokemon.

Gengar Weaknesses and Resistances

Type
Takes 4x damage
-
Takes 2x damage
Pokemon Ground Image Pokemon Psychic Image Pokemon Ghost Image Pokemon Dark Image
Takes 0.5x damage
Pokemon Grass Image Pokemon Fairy Image
Takes 1/4x damage
Pokemon Poison Image Pokemon Bug Image
Takes 0x damage
Pokemon Normal Image Pokemon Fighting Image

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

HP Attack Defense Sp. Atk Sp. Def Speed
60 65 60 130 75 110

Best Nature for Gengar

Best Natures
Timid
+(Spd, -Atk)
Modest
(+SpAtk, -Atk)

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Gengar

Standard Moveset & Best Build

Standard Gengar.png

Nature Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV Spread Def. 4 / Sp.Atk. 252 / Spd. 252
Final Stat Values HP 135 / Def. 81 / Sp.Atk. 150 / Sp.Def. 95 / Spd. 178
Ability Cursed Body
Held Item Focus Sash
Moveset Shadow Ball
Focus Blast
Sludge Wave
Thunderbolt

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

Dazzling Gleam Super effective against Fighting, Dragon and Dark-types.
Energy Ball Very useful in lowering opponents' Special Defense, especially Gyarados and Wash Rotom.

Wide Lens Moveset & Best Build

Wide Lens Gengar.png

Nature Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV Spread Def. 4 / Sp.Atk. 252 / Spd. 252
Final Stat Values HP 135 / Def. 81 / Sp.Atk. 150 / Sp.Def. 95 / Spd. 178
Ability Cursed Body
Held Item Wide Lens
Moveset Hex
Sludge Wave
Hypnosis
Will-O-Wisp

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

Nature Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV Spread HP 204 / Sp.Atk. 52 / Spd. 252
Final Stat Values HP 161 / Atk. 76 / Def. 80 / Sp.Atk. 157 / Sp.Def. 95 / Spd. 178
Ability Cursed Body
Held Item Black Sludge
Moveset Will-O-Wisp
Substitute
Icy Wind
Hex

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

Black Sludge Gengar.png

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

Hypnosis 60% Accuracy, but putting your opponents to sleep will prevent damage to Gengar.
Dazzling Gleam Super effective against Fighting, Dragon and Dark-types.
Focus Blast 70% Accuracy, but high Attack. Also super effective against Dark-types, like Tyranitar and Hydreigon.

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
Pokemon SWSH - Dragapult ImageDragapult Ranking: ★★★★★
・Can definitely outspeed Gengar.
・Has powerful Ghost-type moves in its arsenal.
Moveset & Best Build for Dragapult
Pokemon SWSH - Cinderace ImageCinderace 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
Pokemon SWSH - Galarian Moltres ImageGalarian 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
Pokemon SWSH - Nihilego ImageNihilego Ranking: ★★★★
・Resists Poison-type moves.
Moveset & Best Build for Nihilego
Pokemon SWSH - Naganadel ImageNaganadel 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
Pokemon SWSH - Thundurus ImageThundurus Ranking: ★★★★
・Has the Prankster Ability.
Moveset & Best Build for Thundurus
Pokemon SWSH - Grimmsnarl ImageGrimmsnarl Ranking: ★★★★
・Can setup walls after using Taunt, which will also help even if Gengar attacks it.
Moveset & Best Build for Grimmsnarl
Pokemon SWSH - Sableye ImageSableye Ranking: ★★★★
・Has the Prankster Ability
・Can use STAB Ghost-type moves against Gengar. Beware as Gengar can do the same.

Related Links

Pokemon Sword and Shield - Best Builds for Ranked Battle

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle

Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Pokemon SWSH - Tier ListTier List Pokemon SWSH - Best BuildsBest Builds Pokemon Sword and Shield - Ranked Battle Series 10 Contenders.pngSeries 10 List of Contenders
Pokemon SWSH - Doubles Tier ListDoubles Tier List Pokemon SWSH - Competitive Team BuildingTeam Building Pokemon SWSH - Rental TeamsRental Teams

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Comment

3 Anonymousover 4 years

No the ability for gengar in SW is cursed body

2 Anonymousover 4 years

Yes it does

Author

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