teachable
Banned deucer.
[OVERVIEW]
Gengar's high Speed and Special Attack combined with its unique Ghost / Poison typing can make it a potent offensive threat in UU. Access to a ton of utility moves, such as Taunt, Trick, and Destiny Bond, and coverage moves, such as Focus Blast, Dazzling Gleam, and Thunderbolt, make Gengar incredibly unpredictable and customizable. Gengar's Speed tier also makes it a potent threat to offensive teams. However, Gengar's typing is incredibly lacking defensively, sporting weaknesses to common attacking types such as Psychic, Dark, and Ground, leaving it threatened by the likes of Latias, Hydreigon, and Gliscor. In particular, its weakness to Dark leaves it susceptible to being Pursuit trapped by Alolan Muk, Scizor, Mega Aerodactyl, and Krookodile. Few useful resistances paired with abysmal bulk means Gengar often struggles switching into even neutral attacks. Gengar's STAB combination and common use of Choice items can at times provide free switch-ins or setup opportunities for offensive powerhouses like Cobalion, Scizor, and Mega Pidgeot.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Trick / Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Specs
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shadow Ball is Gengar's best Ghost-type STAB option, being incredibly spammable due to the rarity of Ghost-resistant Pokemon. With Sludge Wave, Gengar can chunk Poison-weak Pokemon such as Primarina, Breloom, and Serperior. Focus Blast lets Gengar nail Dark-types like Krookodile, Normal-types like Snorlax, and Steel-types like Cobalion and Mega Aggron for large amounts of damage. Trick provides a means to cripple special walls like Blissey and Mantine. Hidden Power Ice can be used to OHKO specially defensive Gliscor.
Set Details
========
252 Speed and Special Attack EVs maximize Gengar's offensive power and let it outspeed Infernape, Cobalion, and Terrakion and Speed tie with non-Choice Scarf Latias. Choice Specs amps up the power on Gengar's special attacks, albeit with the downside of locking it into one move. Cursed Body is Gengar's only ability but is appreciated when it activates, particularly against Choice-locked foes, which are forced to switch out or use Struggle.
Usage Tips
========
Gengar's primary role is to break teams with its STAB moves and cripple bulky Pokemon like Snorlax and Alomomola with Trick, opening the path for a teammate to clean up. Lots of switches are forced by Gengar, so correct predictions can result in large tears in the opponent's team. The heavy amount of prediction required with Choice-locked Pokemon is exasperated when paired with Gengar's unique typing, as many Pokemon will typically resist or be immune to one STAB move but not the other. If the opponent has a Pursuit user like Alolan Muk, playing aggressively with Gengar by double switching can prevent it from getting Pursuit trapped and generate more momentum for your team. With its pitiful bulk, Gengar usually prefers being brought in with VoltTurn support, but it can still find opportunities to switch in on resisted Fairy- and Grass-type attacks like Sylveon's Hyper Voice and non-Life Orb Breloom's Bullet Seed, on predicted status moves like Togekiss's Roost and Alomomola's Wish, and with well-timed double switches.
Team Options
========
Offensive teams seeking a wallbreaker love the addition of Gengar. Entry hazard support is heavily appreciated, helping to wear down Dark-types like Alolan Muk and Krookodile; Gliscor, Cobalion, Klefki, and Kommo-o are entry hazard users that pair particularly well, as they are all able to take advantage of the aforementioned Dark-types that Gengar can bait in. Gengar, in turn, can function as a spinblocker and do big damage to common Defog users like Gliscor, Mantine, and Latias. Pokemon like Swords Dance Gliscor and Cobalion that are capable of taking advantage of Dark-types, particularly Alolan Muk, are perfect teammates for Gengar. Gengar pairs will with Pokemon capable of cleaning up teams it weakens, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Dragon Dance Kommo-o, Mega Pidgeot, Scizor, and Serperior. Choice Scarf users such as Latias and Hydreigon greatly appreciate Gengar's ability to both beat Fairy-types and cripple special walls with Trick. Because of its pitiful bulk, Gengar heavily appreciates the support of U-turn and Volt Switch users, such as Scizor, Gliscor, and Mega Manectric, to pivot it in safely.
[SET]
name: Utility Attacker
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Taunt / Destiny Bond
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Life Orb / Ghostium Z
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 29 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shadow Ball is Gengar's best Ghost-type STAB move, a type that is not resisted by much of the tier. Sludge Wave nails Fairy- and Grass-types looking to switch into Gengar's Shadow Ball, such as Sylveon, Togekiss, Serperior, and Breloom. Taunt prevents defensive Pokemon like Blissey and Alomomola from using status moves, stopping them from recovering or statusing Gengar. Alternatively, with Destiny Bond, Gengar is able to force a trade with more offensive threats capable of tanking a single hit, especially Alolan Muk. Focus Blast hits Dark-types like Hydreigon and Krookodile hard and therefore allows Gengar to have perfect neutral coverage when paired with Shadow Ball.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack investment maximizes Gengar's offensive presence while letting it best use its Speed stat to outspeed Pokemon like Cobalion, Terrakion, and Infernape. Life Orb increases Gengar's damage output while allowing it the freedom to change moves. Ghostium Z may alternatively be used to decimate walls like Gliscor and Alomomola with a Never-Ending Nightmare and further terrify bulkier archetypes with its lack of Life Orb recoil. Decide carefully if Gengar is the best user of a Z-Crystal for your team, as although Never-Ending Nightmare will hit hard, the drop in power from its other moves is very noticeable. If using a Life Orb, 29 HP IVs will minimize the recoil damage Gengar takes. Cursed Body is Gengar's only ability but is appreciated when it activates, particularly against Choice-locked foes, which are forced to switch out or Struggle.
Usage Tips
========
With Taunt and the ability to freely select moves, Gengar can be incredibly annoying for most defensive cores to deal with. Gengar is best used early-game to cripple or KO walls for its teammates to sweep. Taunt should be prioritized over using an attacking move when in the face of passive special walls like Blissey. Keep Gengar's awful bulk in mind and avoid switching it directly into strong attacks when possible. Alolan Muk can handle any move from Gengar and can easily Pursuit trap it. Should the opponent have one, make sure to play aggressively by doubling Gengar out or look to trade with it with Destiny Bond. Never-Ending Nightmare can only be used once; be mindful that the foe may use Protect or switch out to a Pokemon immune or resistant to it, which will severely hamper Gengar's ability to break through walls.
Team Options
========
After Gengar has broken down the opponent's walls, it's a great idea to have teammates capable of cleaning up the scraps like Scizor, Mega Aerodactyl, Dragon Dance Kommo-o, Mega Pidgeot, and Serperior. Entry hazards from Pokemon like Gliscor, Swampert, and Klefki further punish the switches Gengar will force with Taunt. Fighting- and Dark-type Pokemon like Heracross, Terrakion, and Mega Sharpedo appreciate Gengar's ability to threaten or KO Fairy-type Pokemon. Pokemon capable of threatening or taking advantage of the Dark-types Gengar lures in, such as Sylveon, Terrakion, and Cobalion, pair particularly well. Choice Scarf Latias greatly appreciates Gengar's ability to trade with Alolan Muk with Destiny Bond. Pokemon with an immunity to Ground-type attacks, such as Gliscor and Crobat, help remedy Gengar's weakness to Ground.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Trick / Hidden Power Fire
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shadow Ball is Gengar's primary STAB move, hitting the large majority of the tier neutrally. For Pokemon resistant or immune to Shadow Ball, Gengar can make use of its Poison-type STAB move, Sludge Wave. Focus Blast lets Gengar OHKO Dark-types like Krookodile and Hydreigon with some chip damage. Trick cripples common walls like Alomomola and Blissey. As Gengar fails to 2HKO Scizor with Shadow Ball, Hidden Power Fire can be used over Trick if that is a concern. Alternatively, Hidden Power Ice can be used to similarly threaten Gliscor with a 2HKO. With Dazzling Gleam, Gengar scores an OHKO on Kommo-o and Hydreigon. Destiny Bond allows Gengar to trade with just about any Pokemon it is faster than as well as Pursuit users like Alolan Muk
Set Details
========
252 Special Attack EVs maximize Gengar's offensive power. 252 Speed EVs with a Timid nature make the most of Gengar's Speed stat while holding a Choice Scarf, letting it outpace Starmie, Azelf, Serperior, and common Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon and Infernape. Cursed Body is Gengar's only ability and is occasionally useful should it activate versus Choice-locked foes, as they are forced to switch out or use Struggle.
Usage Tips
========
Gengar's primarily role is revenge killing faster threats such as Serperior and Mega Sceptile and setup sweepers such as Mega Altaria. Due to the lack of a boosting item, Choice Scarf Gengar does not hit very hard and is heavily reliant on its coverage moves and chip damage to ensure it can KO Pokemon like Mega Pidgeot and Mega Aerodactyl. Entry hazard setters like Gliscor, Swampert, and Klefki can help weaken Gengar's checks and counters like Alolan Muk and Blissey. Be careful using Trick, as although it can cripple walls like Blissey and Alomomola, it means Gengar gives up its revenge killing potential. Physical wallbreakers like Heracross and Swords Dance Gliscor pair well with Gengar, as they are able to take advantage of the special walls Gengar will bring in. Latias and Hydreigon greatly appreciate Gengar threatening to KO Fairy-types. Gengar should also be wary of Pokemon looking to trap it with Pursuit like Alolan Muk and Krookodile.
Team Options
========
Gengar fits like a glove on teams looking for a fast revenge killer for Pokemon like Serperior and Mega Altaria. As Gengar baits in Dark-types, Pokemon capable of taking advantage of that like Terrakion and Cobalion make fine partners. Flying-types and Levitate users like Gliscor and Hydreigon help alleviate Gengar's weakness to Ground.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Since Gengar commonly forces switches, a set utilizing Substitute, Hex, and Will-O-Wisp, provides Gengar with a powerful STAB option and a method of annoying bulkier teams with status and its Substitute. Similarly, Gengar can make use of Substitute, Focus Blast, and Fightinium Z to lure in and eliminate Krookodile and Empoleon. A set with Substitute and Disable can allow Gengar to beat Pokemon only carrying one move capable of hitting it, such as Taunt variants of Gliscor, but Gengar typically provides more to its team with a more offensive set. With Energy Ball, Gengar can OHKO Swampert and hit Hippowdon way harder.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Hydreigon and Krookodile, while being unable to switch into a Focus Blast, threaten to obliterate Gengar with their Dark-type moves. Additionally, Gengar is susceptible to being Pursuit trapped with its abysmal bulk. Of particular note, Gengar is unable to do any notable amount of damage to Alolan Muk and is then Pursuit trapped.
**Faster Pokemon**: Although Gengar is quite fast, there exist faster Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Starmie, and Mega Beedrill that are able to outspeed and OHKO Gengar.
**Priority Moves**: Similar to faster Pokemon, users of priority moves, such as Doublade and Scizor, avoid having to outspeed Gengar and cut through its paper-thin defenses.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Specially defensive Pokemon like Blissey, Hippowdon, Gliscor, Umbreon, and Snorlax can all comfortably tank the majority of hits Gengar will throw their way. However, all of the aforementioned Pokemon must be wary of Gengar's unpredictability, as they will still potentially lose to one of Gengar's alternative sets or attacking
move options.
Gengar's high Speed and Special Attack combined with its unique Ghost / Poison typing can make it a potent offensive threat in UU. Access to a ton of utility moves, such as Taunt, Trick, and Destiny Bond, and coverage moves, such as Focus Blast, Dazzling Gleam, and Thunderbolt, make Gengar incredibly unpredictable and customizable. Gengar's Speed tier also makes it a potent threat to offensive teams. However, Gengar's typing is incredibly lacking defensively, sporting weaknesses to common attacking types such as Psychic, Dark, and Ground, leaving it threatened by the likes of Latias, Hydreigon, and Gliscor. In particular, its weakness to Dark leaves it susceptible to being Pursuit trapped by Alolan Muk, Scizor, Mega Aerodactyl, and Krookodile. Few useful resistances paired with abysmal bulk means Gengar often struggles switching into even neutral attacks. Gengar's STAB combination and common use of Choice items can at times provide free switch-ins or setup opportunities for offensive powerhouses like Cobalion, Scizor, and Mega Pidgeot.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Trick / Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Specs
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shadow Ball is Gengar's best Ghost-type STAB option, being incredibly spammable due to the rarity of Ghost-resistant Pokemon. With Sludge Wave, Gengar can chunk Poison-weak Pokemon such as Primarina, Breloom, and Serperior. Focus Blast lets Gengar nail Dark-types like Krookodile, Normal-types like Snorlax, and Steel-types like Cobalion and Mega Aggron for large amounts of damage. Trick provides a means to cripple special walls like Blissey and Mantine. Hidden Power Ice can be used to OHKO specially defensive Gliscor.
Set Details
========
252 Speed and Special Attack EVs maximize Gengar's offensive power and let it outspeed Infernape, Cobalion, and Terrakion and Speed tie with non-Choice Scarf Latias. Choice Specs amps up the power on Gengar's special attacks, albeit with the downside of locking it into one move. Cursed Body is Gengar's only ability but is appreciated when it activates, particularly against Choice-locked foes, which are forced to switch out or use Struggle.
Usage Tips
========
Gengar's primary role is to break teams with its STAB moves and cripple bulky Pokemon like Snorlax and Alomomola with Trick, opening the path for a teammate to clean up. Lots of switches are forced by Gengar, so correct predictions can result in large tears in the opponent's team. The heavy amount of prediction required with Choice-locked Pokemon is exasperated when paired with Gengar's unique typing, as many Pokemon will typically resist or be immune to one STAB move but not the other. If the opponent has a Pursuit user like Alolan Muk, playing aggressively with Gengar by double switching can prevent it from getting Pursuit trapped and generate more momentum for your team. With its pitiful bulk, Gengar usually prefers being brought in with VoltTurn support, but it can still find opportunities to switch in on resisted Fairy- and Grass-type attacks like Sylveon's Hyper Voice and non-Life Orb Breloom's Bullet Seed, on predicted status moves like Togekiss's Roost and Alomomola's Wish, and with well-timed double switches.
Team Options
========
Offensive teams seeking a wallbreaker love the addition of Gengar. Entry hazard support is heavily appreciated, helping to wear down Dark-types like Alolan Muk and Krookodile; Gliscor, Cobalion, Klefki, and Kommo-o are entry hazard users that pair particularly well, as they are all able to take advantage of the aforementioned Dark-types that Gengar can bait in. Gengar, in turn, can function as a spinblocker and do big damage to common Defog users like Gliscor, Mantine, and Latias. Pokemon like Swords Dance Gliscor and Cobalion that are capable of taking advantage of Dark-types, particularly Alolan Muk, are perfect teammates for Gengar. Gengar pairs will with Pokemon capable of cleaning up teams it weakens, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Dragon Dance Kommo-o, Mega Pidgeot, Scizor, and Serperior. Choice Scarf users such as Latias and Hydreigon greatly appreciate Gengar's ability to both beat Fairy-types and cripple special walls with Trick. Because of its pitiful bulk, Gengar heavily appreciates the support of U-turn and Volt Switch users, such as Scizor, Gliscor, and Mega Manectric, to pivot it in safely.
[SET]
name: Utility Attacker
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Taunt / Destiny Bond
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Life Orb / Ghostium Z
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 29 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shadow Ball is Gengar's best Ghost-type STAB move, a type that is not resisted by much of the tier. Sludge Wave nails Fairy- and Grass-types looking to switch into Gengar's Shadow Ball, such as Sylveon, Togekiss, Serperior, and Breloom. Taunt prevents defensive Pokemon like Blissey and Alomomola from using status moves, stopping them from recovering or statusing Gengar. Alternatively, with Destiny Bond, Gengar is able to force a trade with more offensive threats capable of tanking a single hit, especially Alolan Muk. Focus Blast hits Dark-types like Hydreigon and Krookodile hard and therefore allows Gengar to have perfect neutral coverage when paired with Shadow Ball.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack investment maximizes Gengar's offensive presence while letting it best use its Speed stat to outspeed Pokemon like Cobalion, Terrakion, and Infernape. Life Orb increases Gengar's damage output while allowing it the freedom to change moves. Ghostium Z may alternatively be used to decimate walls like Gliscor and Alomomola with a Never-Ending Nightmare and further terrify bulkier archetypes with its lack of Life Orb recoil. Decide carefully if Gengar is the best user of a Z-Crystal for your team, as although Never-Ending Nightmare will hit hard, the drop in power from its other moves is very noticeable. If using a Life Orb, 29 HP IVs will minimize the recoil damage Gengar takes. Cursed Body is Gengar's only ability but is appreciated when it activates, particularly against Choice-locked foes, which are forced to switch out or Struggle.
Usage Tips
========
With Taunt and the ability to freely select moves, Gengar can be incredibly annoying for most defensive cores to deal with. Gengar is best used early-game to cripple or KO walls for its teammates to sweep. Taunt should be prioritized over using an attacking move when in the face of passive special walls like Blissey. Keep Gengar's awful bulk in mind and avoid switching it directly into strong attacks when possible. Alolan Muk can handle any move from Gengar and can easily Pursuit trap it. Should the opponent have one, make sure to play aggressively by doubling Gengar out or look to trade with it with Destiny Bond. Never-Ending Nightmare can only be used once; be mindful that the foe may use Protect or switch out to a Pokemon immune or resistant to it, which will severely hamper Gengar's ability to break through walls.
Team Options
========
After Gengar has broken down the opponent's walls, it's a great idea to have teammates capable of cleaning up the scraps like Scizor, Mega Aerodactyl, Dragon Dance Kommo-o, Mega Pidgeot, and Serperior. Entry hazards from Pokemon like Gliscor, Swampert, and Klefki further punish the switches Gengar will force with Taunt. Fighting- and Dark-type Pokemon like Heracross, Terrakion, and Mega Sharpedo appreciate Gengar's ability to threaten or KO Fairy-type Pokemon. Pokemon capable of threatening or taking advantage of the Dark-types Gengar lures in, such as Sylveon, Terrakion, and Cobalion, pair particularly well. Choice Scarf Latias greatly appreciates Gengar's ability to trade with Alolan Muk with Destiny Bond. Pokemon with an immunity to Ground-type attacks, such as Gliscor and Crobat, help remedy Gengar's weakness to Ground.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Trick / Hidden Power Fire
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shadow Ball is Gengar's primary STAB move, hitting the large majority of the tier neutrally. For Pokemon resistant or immune to Shadow Ball, Gengar can make use of its Poison-type STAB move, Sludge Wave. Focus Blast lets Gengar OHKO Dark-types like Krookodile and Hydreigon with some chip damage. Trick cripples common walls like Alomomola and Blissey. As Gengar fails to 2HKO Scizor with Shadow Ball, Hidden Power Fire can be used over Trick if that is a concern. Alternatively, Hidden Power Ice can be used to similarly threaten Gliscor with a 2HKO. With Dazzling Gleam, Gengar scores an OHKO on Kommo-o and Hydreigon. Destiny Bond allows Gengar to trade with just about any Pokemon it is faster than as well as Pursuit users like Alolan Muk
Set Details
========
252 Special Attack EVs maximize Gengar's offensive power. 252 Speed EVs with a Timid nature make the most of Gengar's Speed stat while holding a Choice Scarf, letting it outpace Starmie, Azelf, Serperior, and common Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon and Infernape. Cursed Body is Gengar's only ability and is occasionally useful should it activate versus Choice-locked foes, as they are forced to switch out or use Struggle.
Usage Tips
========
Gengar's primarily role is revenge killing faster threats such as Serperior and Mega Sceptile and setup sweepers such as Mega Altaria. Due to the lack of a boosting item, Choice Scarf Gengar does not hit very hard and is heavily reliant on its coverage moves and chip damage to ensure it can KO Pokemon like Mega Pidgeot and Mega Aerodactyl. Entry hazard setters like Gliscor, Swampert, and Klefki can help weaken Gengar's checks and counters like Alolan Muk and Blissey. Be careful using Trick, as although it can cripple walls like Blissey and Alomomola, it means Gengar gives up its revenge killing potential. Physical wallbreakers like Heracross and Swords Dance Gliscor pair well with Gengar, as they are able to take advantage of the special walls Gengar will bring in. Latias and Hydreigon greatly appreciate Gengar threatening to KO Fairy-types. Gengar should also be wary of Pokemon looking to trap it with Pursuit like Alolan Muk and Krookodile.
Team Options
========
Gengar fits like a glove on teams looking for a fast revenge killer for Pokemon like Serperior and Mega Altaria. As Gengar baits in Dark-types, Pokemon capable of taking advantage of that like Terrakion and Cobalion make fine partners. Flying-types and Levitate users like Gliscor and Hydreigon help alleviate Gengar's weakness to Ground.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Since Gengar commonly forces switches, a set utilizing Substitute, Hex, and Will-O-Wisp, provides Gengar with a powerful STAB option and a method of annoying bulkier teams with status and its Substitute. Similarly, Gengar can make use of Substitute, Focus Blast, and Fightinium Z to lure in and eliminate Krookodile and Empoleon. A set with Substitute and Disable can allow Gengar to beat Pokemon only carrying one move capable of hitting it, such as Taunt variants of Gliscor, but Gengar typically provides more to its team with a more offensive set. With Energy Ball, Gengar can OHKO Swampert and hit Hippowdon way harder.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Hydreigon and Krookodile, while being unable to switch into a Focus Blast, threaten to obliterate Gengar with their Dark-type moves. Additionally, Gengar is susceptible to being Pursuit trapped with its abysmal bulk. Of particular note, Gengar is unable to do any notable amount of damage to Alolan Muk and is then Pursuit trapped.
**Faster Pokemon**: Although Gengar is quite fast, there exist faster Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Starmie, and Mega Beedrill that are able to outspeed and OHKO Gengar.
**Priority Moves**: Similar to faster Pokemon, users of priority moves, such as Doublade and Scizor, avoid having to outspeed Gengar and cut through its paper-thin defenses.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Specially defensive Pokemon like Blissey, Hippowdon, Gliscor, Umbreon, and Snorlax can all comfortably tank the majority of hits Gengar will throw their way. However, all of the aforementioned Pokemon must be wary of Gengar's unpredictability, as they will still potentially lose to one of Gengar's alternative sets or attacking
move options.
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