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Gengar is a dark purple, bipedal Pokémon with a roundish body. It has red eyes, a wide mouth that is usually curled into a sinister grin, and pointed ears. On its back are numerous spikes and it has smaller spikes on top of its head similar to tufty fur. Its arms and legs are short with three digits on both its hands and feet. It also has a stubby tail.
Gengar has the ability to hide perfectly in the shadow of any object, granting it exceptional stealth. However, Gengar's body acts as a heat sink. Its presence cools the temperature of the surrounding area by nearly 10 °F (5 °C), because it absorbs the warmth. It is shown in Pokémon the Series that Gengar can fly,[1]possess people[2] and other Pokémon, create illusions[3] and extend its tongue[4] by several meters. In Generation I, Night Shade was its signature move.
Gengar is very mischievous, and at times, malicious. It enjoys playing practical jokes and casting curses, such as pretending to be one's shadow, then behaving erratically. When the quarry notices, the Gengar takes delight in its victim's terror. However, Gengar has been known to be loyal to a Trainer who treats it well. Being the result of an evolution via trading, Gengar is rarely found in the wild, though they can be found in caves and dark places where shadows form. It is especially fond of urban areas such as cities and back alleys, but only during the night. As mentioned in Pokémon Sleep, Gengar is known to sleep deeply while hiding in the shadow of a target it plans to curse.[5]
Gengar has two forms: Mega Gengar and Gigantamax Gengar.
As Mega Gengar, a portion of its body sinks into the ground and its arms and tail lengthen. The lower portions turn a more reddish-purple, and a third eye appears on its forehead. This new unblinking eye is oval, yellow, and allows it to see into other dimensions.[6] The spikes on Mega Gengar's back are more numerous and pointed, and additional spikes appear on its hands and tail. Its ears are now considerably longer and tilt backward.
Mega Gengar has the ability to access other dimensions and has a vicious nature. Mega Gengar has no interest in opponents unless perceived as prey. Its relationships are warped due to Mega Evolution. It now desires to take and curse the life of anyone or anything in its path; it may even curse its own Trainer. Mega Gengar sinks into another dimension to wait for a chance to attack.
As Gigantamax Gengar, it becomes larger, with portions of its body sinking into the ground, and only the head, tail, and arms remain. Its body changes from dark-purple to light-purple and its eyes become white with yellow sclera. The inside of its mouth changes to resemble a tunnel with a long purple tongue sticking out. Three red clouds surround the top of Gengar's head.
Gigantamax Gengar's mouth is rumored to not lead into its body. Due to the cursed energy, it is believed to instead lead into the afterlife. By laying a trap, it attempts to steal the lives of those it captures. Should someone stand near its mouth, they can hear the voices of their loved ones calling out to them.
Gigantamax Gengar is the only known Pokémon capable of using the G-Max MoveG-Max Terror.
Pokémon Pinball: A Gengar appears in a bonus stage accessible from the Red Table. Once the player has knocked out the three Gastly and the pair of Haunter, a Gengar appears and must be defeated to win.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team: Gengar is the leader of Team Meanies. While often accompanied by Ekans and Medicham, Gengar will often act alone and spends much of the game causing trouble, even convincing the village to exile the hero, blaming them for the natural disasters. However, it is later revealed that he is the cursed human. After Rayquaza destroys the star heading for the world, Gengar will post a request, asking to visit Ninetales in the hopes of bringing back Gardevoir. While she is rescued, she has no recollection of her times with her trainer, but Gengar is still satisfied to see her safe and leaves.
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon: Gengar appears as a recruitable character and asks the player to deliver a letter to Banette. As he is connected to Team Charm's Gardevoir, it is implied that he is the same aforementioned Gengar from Red and Blue Rescue Team, and that Team Charm's Gardevoir is the same one.
It steals heat from its surroundings. If you feel a sudden chill, it is certain that a Gengar appeared. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted) To steal the life of its target, it slips into the prey's shadow and silently waits for an opportunity. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
Sometimes, on a dark night, your shadow thrown by a streetlight will suddenly and startlingly overtake you. It is actually a Gengar running past you, pretending to be your shadow.
Deep in the night, your shadow cast by a streetlight may suddenly overtake you. It is actually a Gengar running past you, pretending to be your shadow.
Sometimes, on a dark night, your shadow thrown by a streetlight will suddenly and startlingly overtake you. It is actually a Gengar running past you, pretending to be your shadow.
Possesses potential victims' shadows in an effort to steal away the victims' lives. If your shadow begins to laugh, you must take hold of a protective charm posthaste!
It lays traps, hoping to steal the lives of those it catches. If you stand in front of its mouth, you'll hear your loved ones' voices calling out to you.
In Lental, picture books warn that Gengar will pay a visit to children who are naughty. It loves to use its powers to slip through walls and other objects so it can play tricks on people.
Increases Snorlax's Strength by anywhere from 200 to 800.
If you feel a sudden chill, a Gengar may be sleeping close by. Apparently, it sometimes falls into a deep sleep while hiding in the shadow of a target it intends to curse.
Shiny Gengar in Pokémon the SeriesGigantamax Gengar in Pokémon the Series
In The Tower of Terror, Ash encountered a Gengar in Lavender Town while searching for a Ghost-type Pokémon to use against Sabrina. Due to a close call, Ash got to spend some unexpected time with the ghostly trio, Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar. It and Haunter seemed to have a fondness for Japanese stand-up, and unsuccessfully attempted to amuse Ash by acting as a pair of performers. It reappeared in a flashback in the following episode.
In Illusion Confusion!, multiple Gengar, along with a group of Haunter, were causing trouble for Ash and his friends while they were wandering through a deep forest, by creating a number of illusions that impeded their progress.
In Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, a Shiny Gengar that can Mega Evolve was Alva's main battling Pokémon. However, it would abandon Alva immediately after the destruction of the Mega Wave crystal that controlled it.
Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon. A Ghost and Poison type. Gengar can pass through dimensions and appear almost anywhere. Since Gengar absorbs any warmth around it, the temperature suddenly drops wherever it appears.
A Gengar appeared in The Show, under the ownership of Morty. They sat together watching the Kimono Girls' show, which Gengar sobbed at.
Other
A Gengar appeared in The Discovery, under the ownership of Green. She used it alongside her Kangaskhan in her battle against the Trainers of Nugget Bridge and won easily.
Gengar first appeared in Holy Moltres, under the ownership of a Team Rocket Grunt. It was used to battle Blaine's Arcanine and Rapidash, and almost attacked Red.
Agatha has two Gengar on her team, and many in her Ghost-type army. Her first one and her Ghost army first appeared in Lapras Lazily. One of them was used to attack Blue and Koga from the shadows, draining the latter's life force as it possessed his shadow. Eventually, it was taken down when Koga used the tail that the old woman's Arbok bit off his own, distracting it long enough for Blue's Porygon to deal the finishing blow.
Gengar is a Battle Pokémon in Pokkén Tournament. Its moves include Shadow Ball, Hypnosis, Shadow Punch, and Curse. Upon entering Synergy Burst, it Mega Evolves and can use the Burst Attack Shadow Drop.
Gengar is playable through obtaining a Unite License. It is a melee speedster that starts as Gastly and evolves into Haunter at level 5, which evolves into Gengar at level 9.
Gengar, along with Nidorino (and possibly other Pokémon), originate from the Capsule Monsters game design pitch, which would eventually become the Pokémon series.
In Pokémon X and Y, Gengar is the only Pokémon with the Ability Levitate that is not eligible for Sky Battles.
When viewing Mega Gengar's Pokédex entry, the camera's view can only be moved sideways.
Gengar could be seen as a counterpart to Alakazam. They are both the last stage of a three-part evolutionary line, require trading to reach their final stage of evolution, and are capable of Mega Evolution. They are the same height, and both get shorter upon Mega Evolution. They share a base friendship of 70 and, since Generation VI, a base stat total of 500. Both are weak to the other's STAB, and they share weaknesses to the Ghost and Dark types. In the Pokémon the Series episode The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis, a Gengar and an Alakazam are put against each other.
Gengar could also be seen as a counterpart to Machamp. They are, like Alakazam, the last stage of a three-part evolutionary line, can both be obtained through evolution induced by trade, and are capable of Gigantamaxing in Generation VIII. Both Gengar and Machamp also share a base friendship of 70. While both are weak against Psychic-type Pokémon, as Gengar is part Poison-type and Machamp is a Fighting-type, Gengar can counter it with its Ghost typing.
In the core series games, Mega Gengar has small feet that can be seen by recalling it and sending it out. A glitch in Pokémon GO also allows Mega Gengar's feet to be seen. In Pokkén Tournament, however, Mega Gengar does not have feet. Instead, a portal appears beneath it whenever it is airborne. Its tail will disappear as well.
When Gengar Gigantamaxes, it doesn't grow on screen. Instead, it pops out of the ground.
Gengar is the only Pokémon capable of both Gigantamax and Mega Evolution that is not one of the Kanto first partner Pokémon.
Gengar is the only Ghost-type to have a Gigantamax form.
Gengar appears to be based on a ghost. It may also be loosely inspired by the Cheshire Cat, as it possesses pointed ears; a large, toothy grin; and the ability to vanish. Gengar's many abilities revolving around shadows, as well as its Pokémon category, may also suggest it is partially based on shadow people.
Some of Gengar's traits, such as its Poison type and extremely light weight, seem to be based on Fuyūrei, floating spirits said to be able to spread diseases.
Due to its horn-like ears, teeth, ability to float in the air, and dark nature, Gengar may also be based on the oni. Oni sometimes have a third eye in the center of their forehead, which could be the basis for Mega Gengar.
Name origin
Gengar and Gangar may be derived from Doppelgänger (ghostly double of a living person). It may also involve 幻 gen (phantasm).
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.
Gengar floating in the air
Gengar in Ash's shadow
Bitter Berry (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Gengar images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
