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Gastly has no true form, due to 95% of its body being poisonous gas, with the other 5% believed to be made up of the souls of those who died from the gas. However, it consistently appears as a black, spherical Pokémon surrounded by a purple haze. Gastly has a wide, pink mouth with two visible fangs. Though its eyes seem to extend past its round body, visible eyelids surround them.
It produces a faint, sweet smell. The toxic gas surrounding the main body can induce fainting and suffocation, and it is capable of enshrouding an enemy of any size. Gastly's gaseous form makes it one of the lightest Pokémon in existence. The Pokémon the Series episode The Tower of Terror suggests that Gastly has a playful personality, often frightening and playing pranks on people for fun. However, it has shown a willingness to preserve or pass on the memories of departed humans. It is also shown in The Ghost of Maiden's Peak changing form and creating illusions, and it is capable of phasing through solid objects and forming tangible hands out of its gasses. Gastly can be found within caves and old, dilapidated buildings, but may also be seen outdoors during nighttime. Its gaseous body will dwindle away when exposed to strong winds, so they huddle together in decent-sized groups under house eaves to avoid the wind. It may also cause flickering lights in abandoned houses. As mentioned in Pokémon Sleep, Gastly is known to sleep while floating.[1]A sleeping Gastly is said give a sudden surprise should someone approach it.
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.
With its gas-like body, it can sneak into any place it desires. However, it can be blown away by wind. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted) Its thin body is made of gas. It can envelop an opponent of any size and cause suffocation. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
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.
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.
It always floats while it sleeps—perhaps because its body is 95% gaseous. If you approach a Gastly that you think is fast asleep, it may give you a sudden surprise as it dreams!
In The Ghost of Maiden's Peak, a Gastly that had the ability to talk and shape-shift posed as the spirit of a woman which legend said turned to stone after 2,000 years of waiting for her love to return to her. Using this disguise, Gastly kept on toying with the minds of young men.
In From Ghost to Ghost, Morty used a Gastly during his Gymbattle against Ash. It battled Noctowl, which used Foresight before being switched for Pikachu. Gastly was able to defeat Pikachu before being defeated by Cyndaquil. In the same episode, multiple Gastly hypnotized Team Rocket.
In Fear Factor Phony, two Gastly were residents of an abandoned mining colony. The Ghost Pokémon couldn't stand the partying Psychic Pokémon that lived nearby, so they created a Haunter-like illusion to scare everyone away.
In Scary Hospitality!, Lon used a Gastly with his Haunter and Gengar to scare visitors of the "Scary House". This included Ash, his friends, and later Team Rocket.
Gastly debuted in That Awful Arbok!, under the ownership of Koga, possessing the corpses of dead Pokémon in Pokémon Tower. Red's Bulbasaur managed to defeat it by sucking up the surrounding air with its bulb, along with Gastly's gaseous form, and expelling it in a Solar Beam. In the process, the two also freed Red's rival Blue, who was under its ghostly possession.
In Get Rid of The Ghost Pokémon!!, while Red, Clefairy, and Pikachu were in Blue's mansion, they stumbled across a Gastly that Clefairy ended up battling. However, since Blue didn't officially control it, it is unknown if it belongs to him.
Gastly appears in the 3DS version as an enemy in Smash Run mode. It is immune to melee attacks.
Gastly also appears as a trophy in the 3DS version of the game.
Trophy information
NA: This Ghost/Poison-type Pokémon is made up of several toxic gases—touching it would be really unpleasant. Instead, try to take it out with projectiles. It's not the fastest enemy in Smash Run, but occasionally it may try to chase down a fighter, so be careful around this gaseous foe.
PAL: In Smash Run, these Ghost- and Poison-type Pokémon tend to move slowly, and then, without warning, chase after you at high speed. You'll get hurt if they so much as come into contact with you, so be on your guard. As ghosts, they're immune to direct attacks. The only way to defeat them is to hit them with projectiles or items.
Some of Gastly'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.
Name origin
Gastly may be a combination of gas, ghost, and ghastly (frightful).
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.
Bitter Berry (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Gastly images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
