Gastly (Pokémon)

← #091: Cloyster

Pokémon

#093: Haunter →

Gastly ゴース Ghos #092
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Ghost Poison Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Gas Pokémon
Ability Levitate ----- Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,059,860
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #092 Johto #058 Hoenn #262 Sinnoh #069 Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R-094 Almia R-017 Oblivia R-164 N-183
Height 4'03" Imperial 1.3 m Metric 4'03"/1.3 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 0.2 lbs. Imperial 0.1 kg Metric 0.2 lbs./0.1 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Purple	Catch rate 190 (24.8%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Amorphous group 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 1 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 95 Battle Exp.: 951*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Gastly (Japanese: ゴース Ghos) is a dual-type Ghost/Poison Pokémon. It is the first Ghost type pokémon numerically and chronologically.

It evolves into Haunter starting at level 25, which evolves into Gengar when traded.

Biology

Physiology

Gastly appears to be nothing more than a black ball of ghostly matter or gas that is surrounded by a purple glow of smog. Gastly has big, white eyes and a mouth with a pair of fangs in it. Gastly's face is similar to Cloyster's, but the two Pokémon aren't related.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Gastly's "hands"

Due to having a body made of gas, Gastly can slip into any place it wants. However, Gastly's body will dwindle away when exposed to a strong wind but it can probably regenerate itself later. A Gastly is capable of toppling an Indian Elephant within two seconds by enveloping it in poisonous gas.

Despite Gastly's evolutionary level, it is quite powerful at using special attacks such as Shadow Ball, Dark Pulse, Thunderbolt, and Energy Ball. Gastly can learn quite a few moves with all sorts of disruptive effects such as Will-O-Wisp, Confuse Ray, Hypnosis, Taunt, and Embargo.

There have been claims that on rare occasions, a Gastly can gain the ability to speak like a human and transform itself. However, it apparently can communicate with telepathy.

Gastly can learn and use the elemental punches, despite appearing to have no hands. Though it can create hands from its gas.

Behavior

As a Ghost-type Pokémon, Gastly tend to be pranksters that go scaring people just for the fun of it. They are also proficient at sneaking up on unsuspecting prey and putting it to sleep or poisoning it through their skin. As Gastly's body is blown away by wind, groups of them gather under the eaves of houses to prevent being blown away.

Habitat

Cave Pokémon

Gastly live in old, dilapidated buildings and can also be found at cemeteries. It is a common sight in Kanto, Johto, and Sinnoh.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

As the victims of Gastly's gas enveloping technique have been called prey, it can be presumed that it derives energy from them. It may also lick its prey.

In the anime

Gastly in the anime

Major appearances

Gastly first appeared in The Ghost of Maiden's Peak. This Gastly had the ability to talk and shape-shift. He kept posing himself as the spirit of the woman which legend said turned to stone after many years of waiting for her love to return to her. As the ghost of the maiden, Gastly kept on toying with the minds of young men.

The first time a regular Gastly appeared was in The Tower of Terror. Ash and his friends went to Lavender Town in search of a Ghost-type Pokémon to aid Ash in defeating Sabrina. It reappeared in a flashback in the following episode.

An Officer Jenny owned a Gastly in Pikachu Re-volts. This Gastly appeared to be the only Pokémon not affected by the psychic wave caused by Butch & Cassidy's Drowzee.

Morty used a Gastly to battle Ash in From Ghost to Ghost. In the same episode, multiple Gastly hypnotized Team Rocket.

A pair of Gastly were among a group of Ghost Pokémon living in an abandoned mine in Fear Factor Phony. The Ghost Pokémon couldn't stand the partying Psychic Pokémon that lived in the nearby town, so they created a Haunter-like illusion to scare everyone away.

Minor appearances

A Gastly appeared in For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll!.

A Gastly made a brief cameo appearance in Giratina and the Sky Warrior.

A Gastly appeared in Ghoul Daze!.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP020 Gastly Ash's Pokédex Gastly, a Ghost Pokémon. It is usually invisible. Its specialty is Hypnosis. Original series entries continue below.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP095 Gastly Ash's Pokédex Gastly, the Gas Pokémon. Some researchers believe this Pokémon is a Multidimensional being.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP028 Gastly Dawn's Pokédex Gastly, the Gas Pokémon. Although it can sneak in anywhere with its gaseous body, it can also be blown away by wind.

In the manga

Agatha's Gastly, as seen in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Gastly first appears in Volume 1 of Pokémon Adventures under the ownership of Koga, possessing the corpses of dead Pokémon in Pokémon Tower. Red's Bulbasaur manages to defeat it by sucking up the surrounding air with its bulb, along with Gastly's gaseous form, and expelling it in a SolarBeam. In the process, the two also freed Red's rival Blue, who was under its ghostly possession.

Gastly also forms as part of the Ghost-type army Agatha sends out to attack the Gym Leaders. She also has a Gastly as a member of her main team.

Morty also has a Gastly which was used along with Misdreavus to battle Suicune.

The Masked Man also used a Gastly in his team to capture Celebi, due to its type advantage. It was purposed to possess intruders that entered the Ilex Forest. Later, during the fight at the Indigo Stadium, it impaired Suicune using its Curse technique, locking it and Misty inside Suicune's crystal wall. It was later defeated by Eusine's Haunter.

Many Gastly also appear in the Diamond & Pearl chapter when Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum spend the night in the Old Chateau.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

In Get Rid of The Ghost Pokémon!!, while Red, Clefairy and Pikachu were in Blue's mansion, they stumble across a Gastly that Clefairy ends up battling. However, since Blue didn't officially control it, it is unknown if it belongs to him.

A Gastly appeared in Which One is the Real Clefairy!? while Red had a confrontation with Giovanni and his twin brother. This Gastly was out of its gas form.

A Gastly took part in a baseball match in Fierce Competition at the Pokémon Baseball Tournament!.

A Gastly was with Green in PM042. However, it is unknown if the Gastly is actually his.

Giovanni was revealed to have a Gastly when he was coming up with three grand schemes in PM047

In the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga

Black owns a Haunter which evolved from a Gastly.

In the TCG

Main article: Gastly (TCG)

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Pinball: Three Gastly appear in a bonus stage accessible from the Red Table. Once the player knocks them out, they must then proceed to defeat the subsequent pair of Haunter and the Gengar that appears.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Almost invisible, this gaseous Pokémon cloaks the target and puts it to sleep without notice. Blue Yellow Said to appear in decrepit, deserted buildings. It has no real shape as it appears to be made of a gas. Stadium Made of a thin, gas-like substance that induces fainting if you get enshrouded in it. Will not appear if it is very windy.
Generation II Gold With its gas-like body, it can sneak into any place it desires. However, it can be blown away by wind. Silver Its thin body is made of gas. It can envelop an opponent of any size and cause suffocation. Crystal It wraps its opponent in its gas-like body, slowly weakening its prey by poisoning it through the skin. Stadium 2 With its gas-like body, it can sneak into any place it desires. However, it can be blown away by wind.
Generation III Ruby Gastly is largely composed of gaseous matter. When exposed to a strong wind, the gaseous body quickly dwindles away. Groups of this Pokémon cluster under the eaves of houses to escape the ravages of wind. Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} Emerald When exposed to a strong wind, a Gastly's gaseous body quickly dwindles away. They cluster under the eaves of houses to escape the ravages of wind. FireRed A being that exists as a thin gas. It can topple an Indian elephant by enveloping the prey in two seconds. LeafGreen Almost invisible, this gaseous Pokémon cloaks the target and puts it to sleep without notice.
Generation IV Diamond This Pokémon's body is 95% made up of gases, which are blown away by strong gusts of wind. Pearl A Pokémon born from poison gases. It defeats even the largest foes by enveloping them in gas. Platinum Born from gases, anyone would faint if engulfed by its gaseous body, which contains poison. HeartGold With its gas-like body, it can sneak into any place it desires. However, it can be blown away by wind. SoulSilver Its thin body is made of gas. Despite lacking substance, it can envelop an opponent of any size and cause suffocation.
Generation V Black Born from gases, anyone would faint if engulfed by its gaseous body, which contains poison. White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 Born from gases, anyone would faint if engulfed by its gaseous body, which contains poison. White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue Common Pokémon Tower Blue (Japan) Unknown Pokémon Tower Yellow Common Pokémon Tower
Generation II Gold Silver Common Tin Tower, Sprout TowerNight Crystal Common Routes 31, 32, and 36, Tin Tower, Sprout TowerNight
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen Common Pokémon Tower, Lost Cave Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Many Route 209, Old Chateau, Lost Tower Platinum Common Old Chateau, Eterna Forest, Lost Tower HeartGold SoulSilver Common Bell Tower, Sprout Tower, Safari ZoneNight Pal Park Forest Pokéwalker Dim Cave, Scary Cave
Generation V Black White Unknown White Forest (White only) Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World Spooky Manor
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Pinball	Lavender Town
Pokémon Trozei!	Phobosphere Endless Level 38 Trozei Battle Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Buried Relic (9F-14F) Darknight Relic (1F-6F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Sky Stairway (1F-49F)
Pokémon Ranger	Dusk Factory Sekra Range
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia	Ranger School
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs	Old Mansion Dark Temple
Pokémon Rumble	Eternal Tower
Pokémon Rumble Blast	Hauntyard: Misty Edgewater
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure	Haunted Zone
Pokémon Conquest	Viperia Avia Spectra Nixtorm

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Berry (100%)
Yellow*

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 30		90 - 137	170 - 264
Attack: 35		36 - 95	67 - 185
Defense: 30		31 - 90	58 - 174
Sp. Atk: 100		94 - 167	184 - 328
Sp. Def: 35		36 - 95	67 - 185
Speed: 80		76 - 145	148 - 284
Total: 310	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 100.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 4/4 ★★★★	Power 1/1 ★
Skill 4/4 ★★★★	Stamina 1/2 ★☆
Jump 3/4 ★★★☆	Total 13/15 ★★☆

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 0× Fighting 0× Flying 1× Poison ¼× Ground 0× Rock 1× Bug ¼× Ghost 2× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 2× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 2× None

Weak to: Normal 0× Fighting 0× Flying 1× Poison ¼× Ground 0× Rock 1× Bug ¼× Ghost 2× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 2× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 2× None

Immune to: Normal 0× Fighting 0× Flying 1× Poison ¼× Ground 0× Rock 1× Bug ¼× Ghost 2× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 2× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 2× None

Resistant to: Normal 0× Fighting 0× Flying 1× Poison ¼× Ground 0× Rock 1× Bug ¼× Ghost 2× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 2× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 2× None

Notes: If Foresight or Odor Sleuth is used by an opponent, the opponent has Scrappy, or this Pokémon is given a Ring Target, the effectiveness of  Normal-type  moves is 1× and the effectiveness of  Fighting-type  moves is ½×. In Generations I and II, or if Gravity is in effect, this Pokémon is given an Iron Ball or affected by Smack Down or Ingrain, the opponent has the Ability Mold Breaker, Turboblaze or Teravolt, or this Pokémon is affected by Gastro Acid, or this Pokémon's Ability is replaced, the effectiveness of  Ground-type  moves is 2×. In Generation I, the effectiveness of  Bug-type  moves is 1×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Hypnosis Psychic Status 0000— 06060% 20 00Start Lick Ghost Physical 02020 100100% 30 055 Spite Ghost Status 0000— 100100% 10 088 Mean Look Normal Status 0000— ——% 5 1212 Curse Ghost Status 0000— ——% 10 1515 Night Shade Ghost Special 0000— 100100% 15 1919 Confuse Ray Ghost Status 0000— 100100% 10 2222 Sucker Punch Dark Physical 08080 100100% 5 2626 Payback Dark Physical 05050 100100% 10 2929 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100100% 15 3333 Dream Eater Psychic Special 100100 100100% 15 3636 Dark Pulse Dark Special 08080 100100% 15 4040 Destiny Bond Ghost Status 0000— ——% 5 4343 Hex Ghost Special 05050 100100% 10 4747 Nightmare Ghost Status 0000— 100100% 15

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gastly Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gastly Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM09	Venoshock	Poison	Special	06565	100}}100%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM11	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM12	Taunt	Dark	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM19	Telekinesis	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM24	Thunderbolt	Electric	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM29	Psychic	Psychic	Special	09090	100}}100%	10
	TM30	Shadow Ball	Ghost	Special	08080	100}}100%	15
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM36	Sludge Bomb	Poison	Special	09090	100}}100%	10
	TM41	Torment	Dark	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM45	Attract	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM46	Thief	Dark	Physical	04040	100}}100%	10
	TM48	Round	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM53	Energy Ball	Grass	Special	08080	100}}100%	10
	TM61	Will-O-Wisp	Fire	Status	0000—	075}}75%	15
	TM63	Embargo	Dark	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM64	Explosion	Normal	Physical	250250	100}}100%	5
	TM66	Payback	Dark	Physical	05050	100}}100%	10
	TM77	Psych Up	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM85	Dream Eater	Psychic	Special	100100	100}}100%	15
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM92	Trick Room	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gastly Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gastly Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Father	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	Astonish	Ghost	Physical	30	100%	15
	Clear Smog	Poison	Special	50	—%	15
	Disable	Normal	Status	—	100%	20
	Fire Punch	Fire	Physical	75	100%	15
	Grudge	Ghost	Status	—	—%	5
	Haze	Ice	Status	—	—%	30
	Ice Punch	Ice	Physical	75	100%	15
	Perish Song	Normal	Status	—	—%	5
	Psywave	Psychic	Special	—	80%	15
	Scary Face	Normal	Status	—	100%	10
	Smog	Poison	Special	20	70%	20
	ThunderPunch	Electric	Physical	75	100%	15
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Gastly in Generation V Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Gastly in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gastly Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gastly Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Game				Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
B	W	B2	W2	Dark Pulse	Dark	Special	80	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Fire Punch	Fire	Physical	75	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Foul Play	Dark	Physical	95	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Giga Drain	Grass	Special	75	100%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Ice Punch	Ice	Physical	75	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Icy Wind	Ice	Special	55	95%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Knock Off	Dark	Physical	20	100%	20
B	W	B2	W2	Pain Split	Normal	Status	—	—%	20
B	W	B2	W2	Skill Swap	Psychic	Status	—	—%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Sleep Talk	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Snatch	Dark	Status	—	—%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Snore	Normal	Special	40	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Spite	Ghost	Status	—	100%	10
B	W	B2	W2	ThunderPunch	Electric	Physical	75	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Trick	Psychic	Status	—	—%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Uproar	Normal	Special	90	100%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Wonder Room	Psychic	Status	—	—%	10
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Gastly can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Gastly cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gastly Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gastly Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Dream World moves

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Event	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
Spooky Manor	Disable	Normal	Status	—	100%	20
Spooky Manor	Sludge Wave	Poison	Special	95	100%	10
A superscript level indicates that Gastly can learn this move normally in Generation V at that level Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gastly Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gastly Click on the generation numbers at the top to see event moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball     Acquisition: Catch		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team File:MDP RT 092.png Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 1% Friend Area: Darkness Ridge Phrases 51%-100% HP Peeeuuw! Do I smell gas? 26%-50% HP Umm... There goes half my HP. 1%-25% HP I'm growing faint... My gas is seeping away... Level up I leveled up! Joy of joys! My gas thickened, too! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up! Joy of joys! My gas thickened, too!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.2% IQ group: G
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Ghost  Poké Assist: ( Ghost ) Field move: None Loops: 5 Min. exp.: 42 Max. exp.: 66 Browser entry   Gastly fades in and out of view while it tries to spirit your Pokémon away.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Ghost  Poké Assist: ( Ghost ) Field move: (Psy Power ×1) Browser entry   It attacks by spitting out eerie orbs.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Ghost  ( Ghost ) Past ( Normal ) (Psy Power ×1) Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   It shoots out orbs imbued with loathsome emotions that make Pokémon Paused.
Pokémon Rumble Attack ●●● Defense ● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●●● Defense ● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: Gastly live in the Haunted Zone. They're much kinder than they may appear. They like to have fun at Dusknoir's Speed Slam.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: ★ Move: Lick Attack: ★★★ Ability 1: Levitate Defense: ★ Ability 2: Speed: ★★★ Ability 3: Evolves into Haunter when its Attack is 99 or higher Range: 4 Perfect Links: Bokuzen, Saizō, and Yoshitatsu

Evolution

Unevolved Gastly  Ghost  Poison

Level 25 →

First Evolution Haunter  Ghost  Poison

Trade →

Second Evolution Gengar  Ghost  Poison

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Gastly images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• In the Pokémon Red and Blue beta, Gastly's prototype name was "Spirit".
• No other Pokémon have the same type combination as Gastly and its evolutions.
• Gastly and its evolution Haunter are the lightest Pokémon in existence.
• Despite all of them being part Poison type, Gastly together with its evolutionary family are not able to learn Poison-type moves by leveling up.
• Gastly's evolution line is the only Ghost-type family that requires the Silph Scope to be seen. Therefore, they must be the only ones that are invisible normally while in the wild; even then, they can only be seen in their native region of Kanto.

Origin

Gastly seems to be based on general cartoonish ghosts and spirits, or maybe a will o' the wisp. It may also have been based on the Japanese youkai sōgen bi, the decapitated head of a monk whose head is doomed to wander the Earth, consumed by fire. Its Poison-type is most likely a reference to poisonous or polluted gases.

Name origin

Gastly may be a combination of gas and ghastly (dreadfully frightening or horrible).

Ghos is a shortened form of ghost and may also incorporate gas into its name.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese ゴース Ghos From the English ghost French Fantominus From fantôme and minus, a pejorative term meaning both "small" and "weak" Spanish Gastly Same as English name German Nebulak From Nebel, nebula, and ach Italian Gastly Same as English name Korean 고오스 Gooseu Transliteration of Japanese name Mandarin Chinese 鬼斯 Guǐsī Transliteration of Japanese name. Also from 鬼 and 瓦斯. Cantonese Chinese 鬼斯 Gwáisī Transliteration of Japanese name. Also from 鬼 and 瓦斯.

More languages

Notes

← #091: Cloyster

Pokémon

#093: Haunter →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.