One popular Pokémon in Pokémon Go comes all the way back from the original release of the game (which only included the first 150 Gen 1 Pokémon). Gengar, the mischievous Ghost/Poison Pokémon, is known for playing pranks and being difficult to beat due to the fact that he can phase through some attacks. His advantage on the battlefield makes him highly sought after, and in this guide, we’re going to cover the best moves you can use when you catch one.

Best Gengar Moveset in Pokémon Go

The best movesets for Gengar sometimes depend on the technique you use as a player and the Pokémon the opponent is using. However, in this guide, we will cover the top-ranking movesets based on their average stats for damage and success.

Before we list the movesets, we’re going to cover a few basic stats about Gengar, so you can adequately prepare your playstyle and pick the appropriate movesets.

Basic Stats

  • Type(s): Ghost, Flying Heavy Weakness(es): None Weakness(es): Dark, Ghost, Ground, Psychic Resistance(s): Fighting, Fairy, Gras Strong Resistance(s): Bug, Normal, Poison Boosted By: Fog and Cloudy Weather Max CP: 3254 Attack | Defense | Stamina: 261 | 149 | 155

Best Movesets

The following two moves reflect the attacks that show up the most frequently on the top five movesets. While this generally means this is the best move of that type, it’s not guaranteed.

  • #1 Fast Attack: Shadow Claw #1 Charge Attack: Shadow Ball

The remaining movesets are the top 10 movesets for Gengar, ranked by DPS (damage per second).

  • #1 DPS: 19.07 Fast Attack: Shadow Claw Charge Attack: Shadow Ball #2 DPS: 18.37 Fast Attack: Hex Charge Attack: Shadow Ball #3 DPS: 18.33 Fast Attack: Shadow Claw Charge Attack: Sludge Bomb #4 DPS: 18.27 Fast Attack: Lick Charge Attack: Shadow Ball #5 DPS: 17.77 Fast Attack: Sucker Punch Charge Attack: Shadow Ball #6 DPS: 17.49 Fast Attack: Hex Charge Attack: Sludge Bomb #7 DPS: 17.34 Fast Attack: Lick Charge Attack: Sludge Bomb #8 DPS: 16.73 Fast Attack: Sucker Punch Charge Attack: Sludge Bomb #9 DPS: 16.57 Fast Attack: Shadow Claw Charge Attack: Psychic #10 DPS: 16.42 Fast Attack: Shadow Claw Charge Attack: Sludge Wave

Attack Types

Similar to Pokémon, attacks have a type (i.e., Fighting, Fairy, Psychic, etc.). In the list below, we list the attack type of every attack mentioned in the movesets for Gengar above. Use this list to determine the best moves against the Pokémon your Gengar is fighting.

  • DPS: 19.07 Fast Attack: Shadow Claw Charge Attack: Shadow Ball

  • DPS: 18.37 Fast Attack: Hex Charge Attack: Shadow Ball

  • DPS: 18.33 Fast Attack: Shadow Claw Charge Attack: Sludge Bomb

  • DPS: 18.27 Fast Attack: Lick Charge Attack: Shadow Ball

  • DPS: 17.77 Fast Attack: Sucker Punch Charge Attack: Shadow Ball

  • DPS: 17.49 Fast Attack: Hex Charge Attack: Sludge Bomb

  • DPS: 17.34 Fast Attack: Lick Charge Attack: Sludge Bomb

  • DPS: 16.73 Fast Attack: Sucker Punch Charge Attack: Sludge Bomb

  • DPS: 16.57 Fast Attack: Shadow Claw Charge Attack: Psychic

  • DPS: 16.42 Fast Attack: Shadow Claw Charge Attack: Sludge Wave

  • Ghost-type Attacks Gengar’s Moves Shadow Claw Shadow Ball Hex Lick Super Effective Against: Ghost, Psychic Not Very Effective Against: Dark, Normal Poison-type Attacks Gengar’s Moves Sludge Bomb Sludge Wave Super Effective Against: Fairy, Grass Not Very Effective Against: Ghost, Ground, Poison, Rock, Steel Dark-type Attacks Gengar’s Moves Sucker Punch Super Effective Against: Ghost, Psychic Not Very Effective Against: Dark, Fairy, Fighting Psychic-type Attacks Gengar’s Moves Psychic Super Effective Against: Fighting, Poison Not Very Effective Against: Dark, Psychic, Steel

With these lists, you’ll know when to use Gengar and how to use him most effectively. Good luck battling!

  • Gengar’s Moves Shadow Claw Shadow Ball Hex Lick Super Effective Against: Ghost, Psychic Not Very Effective Against: Dark, Normal

  • Shadow Claw Shadow Ball Hex Lick

  • Gengar’s Moves Sludge Bomb Sludge Wave Super Effective Against: Fairy, Grass Not Very Effective Against: Ghost, Ground, Poison, Rock, Steel

  • Sludge Bomb Sludge Wave

  • Gengar’s Moves Sucker Punch Super Effective Against: Ghost, Psychic Not Very Effective Against: Dark, Fairy, Fighting

  • Sucker Punch

  • Gengar’s Moves Psychic Super Effective Against: Fighting, Poison Not Very Effective Against: Dark, Psychic, Steel

  • Psychic

Want to know the strongest moveset for other Pokemon? Check out our guides for Slaking and Tyranitar!