Gengar in Pokemon GO – Stats, Moves, PvP Tips & More

Gengar is a popular Ghost/Poison-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 2,878, Gengar is a solid choice for Ultra League battles and various raid encounters.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Gengar in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Gengar Base Stats & Overview

Gengar (#094) is a Ghost/Poison-type Pokemon from Generation 1.

Base Stats
Attack	261
Defense	149
Stamina	155
Total Stats	565
Max CP	2,878
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 261 Attack, 149 Defense, and 155 Stamina, Gengar has a total stat product of 565. Its exceptionally high Attack stat makes it a premier choice for dealing massive damage in raids and gym battles.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Gengar

Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Gengar’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Gengar for raids, gym battles, or PvP.

Best Raid & Gym Moveset

For PvE content like raids and gym battles, you want moves that maximize DPS (Damage Per Second). The best Ghost/Poison-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.

Best PvP Moveset

In PvP battles, energy generation and coverage moves become more important. You’ll want a fast move that charges energy quickly and charged moves that provide good type coverage.

🎯 Gengar Type Effectiveness

Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Gengar effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Ghost/Poison-type Pokemon, Gengar has specific strengths and weaknesses.

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

Gengar is weak to: Ghost, Dark, Ground, Psychic-type moves. When battling against Gengar, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.

• Ghost – Deals increased damage
• Dark – Deals increased damage
• Ground – Deals increased damage
• Psychic – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Gengar resists: Poison, Bug, Normal, Fighting, Grass, Fairy-type moves. This means Gengar takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.

• Poison – Reduced damage
• Bug – Reduced damage
• Normal – Reduced damage
• Fighting – Reduced damage
• Grass – Reduced damage
• Fairy – Reduced damage

🏆 Gengar PvP Analysis

Gengar can be used in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League PvP battles. Here’s how it performs in each league:

Great League (1500 CP Limit)

With a max CP of 2,878, Gengar would need to be under-leveled for Great League. Check if the stats at 1500 CP are competitive before investing resources.

Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)

Gengar can be used in Ultra League but won’t reach its full stat potential due to the 2500 CP cap.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Gengar is generally not recommended for Master League due to its lower max CP (2,878). Focus on other leagues instead.

⚔️ Gengar Raid Guide

Gengar is primarily used as a raid attacker rather than a raid boss. Here’s how to use it effectively in raids:

Using Gengar in Raids

When using Gengar as a raid attacker:

• Best against raid bosses weak to Ghost-type moves
• Power up to at least level 30-35 for decent performance
• Ensure you have the optimal moveset for maximum DPS

🎯 Best Counters for Gengar

Whether you’re battling Gengar in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Gengar:

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Gengar’s weaknesses to Ghost, Dark, Ground, Psychic-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Gengar	Ghost/Poison	Shadow Claw + Shadow Ball for high DPS
Chandelure	Ghost/Fire	Hex + Shadow Ball
Giratina (Origin)	Ghost/Dragon	Shadow Claw + Shadow Ball
Darkrai	Dark	Top Dark attacker with Snarl + Shadow Ball
Hydreigon	Dark/Dragon	Bite + Brutal Swing hits hard
Tyranitar	Rock/Dark	Bite + Crunch for Dark damage

Counter Strategy Tips

1. Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Gengar
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Gengar may have moves that counter its own counters
4. Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks

📍 How to Get Gengar in Pokemon GO

There are several ways to obtain Gengar in Pokemon GO:

• Wild Encounters: Gengar can spawn in the wild, especially in areas matching its type
• Eggs: May hatch from 3km eggs
• Evolution: Evolve from its pre-evolution using Candy
• Raids: Occasionally appears in raid battles
• Research Tasks: Complete field research for a chance to encounter
• Trading: Trade with friends

Shiny Gengar

Yes, Shiny Gengar is available in Pokemon GO! The shiny variant has a different coloration and is highly sought after by collectors. The shiny rate for wild encounters is approximately 1 in 500, though this can be boosted during special events like Community Days or Spotlight Hours.

Gengar Evolution

Check the Pokédex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Gengar

Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Gengar’s potential in Pokemon GO:

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Gengar with high Attack IVs (15 Attack is ideal). The Attack stat contributes most to damage output in PvE content.

For PvP battles, the ideal IVs depend on the league:

• Great League: Look for low Attack, high Defense and HP (0/15/15 is often ideal)
• Ultra League: Similar to Great League, optimize for stat product under 2500 CP
• Master League: Perfect 15/15/15 IVs are best since there’s no CP cap

2. Power Up Priority

Before investing Stardust and Candy into Gengar, consider:

• Do you have enough resources? (Powering to level 50 costs 296,000 Stardust and 296 Candy)
• Will this Pokemon fill a gap in your battle team?
• Are there better alternatives for the same role?
• Do you have the optimal moveset or need Elite TMs?

3. Team Composition

Gengar works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Ghost/Poison type weak to Ghost, Dark, consider adding team members that resist these types.

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

• When catching: Weather-boosted Gengar spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
• When battling: Weather that boosts Ghost moves increases your damage output
• When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather

📚 Gengar in the Pokemon Franchise

Gengar first appeared in Generation 1 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Gengar’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Gengar was introduced as part of the Generation 1 Pokemon rollout. Being a Generation 1 Pokemon, Gengar has been available since the game’s launch in July 2016.

📊 How Gengar Compares

Let’s see how Gengar stacks up against other Ghost-type Pokemon:

Stat	Gengar	Type Average	Rating
Attack	261	~180	⭐⭐⭐
Defense	149	~160	⭐
Stamina	155	~170	⭐⭐
Max CP	2,878	~2,500	⭐⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Gengar is a versatile Ghost/Poison-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 2,878 and solid base stats (261/149/155), it performs well in Ultra League PvP and can serve as a reliable raid attacker against appropriate targets.

Remember to:

• Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
• Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
• Build a team that covers Gengar’s weaknesses
• Take advantage of weather boosts when possible

For more Pokemon guides and the complete Pokedex, visit our Pokemon GO Database. Check out our PvP Rankings for the current meta and Raid Guides for battle strategies.

Last updated: January 2026. Information based on the latest Pokemon GO game data.

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