Ash Borer
I've heard they're short of room in hell
[OVERVIEW]
Gengar's great Speed tier, good Special Attack, and excellent typing make it a nasty threat in the OU tier. Few, if any, threats that resist Ghost exist in SM OU, and this is ultimately the secret to Gengar's power, as it can simply spam Shadow Ball and cause serious havoc. Defensively, its typing is pretty nice too, giving it a good few 4x resistances and immunities, offering opportunities to switch in. Cursed Body can be useful when it activates, for example forcing an opposing Choice Scarf user to switch out or use Struggle. However, Gengar's defenses are absolutely pitiful, as any decently strong neutral attack will KO it. This makes it very weak to priority, Speed, and Choice Scarf users. Finally, another damning weakness of Gengar is Pursuit. Weavile, Alolan Muk, Tyranitar, and pretty much any other user of the move is extremely dangerous to it.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Trick / Thunderbolt
item: Choice Specs
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shadow Ball is Gengar's pride and joy. Backed up with a Choice Specs it OHKOes and 2HKOes a huge percentage of the metagame, thanks to how few Pokemon resist Ghost. Sludge Wave demolishes Fairy-types, covers some Pokemon that resist Ghost such as Greninja and Weavile, and gets a stronger hit on targets that are neutral to both of Gengar's STAB attacks, like Keldeo. Focus Blast is a good coverage move to provide insurance against Bisharp and Tyranitar, as well as dealing with Ferrothorn, Heatran, and Assault Vest Magnezone quite well. Thunderbolt is a great option for getting past Celesteela, which is otherwise a good counter to Gengar. Trick confers Gengar a good matchup against stall, effectively disabling one of the opponent's Pokemon. Without this move Chansey will be able to simply PP stall Gengar into submission.
Set Details
========
Choice Specs is a great boosting option for Gengar. The pros and cons are obvious: Gengar will avoid recoil while doing a ton of damage in exchange for being locked into an attack. This makes Gengar somewhat more easy to play around, though, as the opponent can use immunities to Gengar's STAB attacks more reliably, and opposing Pursuit users will have an easier time trapping and KOing it. The extra damage and preserved HP can make all of the difference in some situations, though. A Timid nature and 252 Special Attack and Speed EVs are ideal for Gengar, as it benefits little from defensive investment and needs as much power and Speed as it can get.
Usage Tips
========
This Gengar is a very good wallbreaker. It's all about bringing it in safely in the early- and mid-game on Pokemon it can force out. Gengar is the master of 2HKOs because of its great offensive typing, but it's poor at achieving OHKOs due to Shadow Ball's poor Base Power. Don't forget that Gengar's defenses are bad, meaning that while Pokemon like Zygarde, Keldeo, and Landorus-T are by no means counters, they cannot be forced out by Gengar when healthy. Gengar usually can come in through double switches, immunities, 4x resistances, and switch advantage. Generating these situations, with VoltTurn users, by forcing the right switches, and through baiting the right attacks is what you should be focusing on. Trick is Gengar's anti-Chansey move, try attacking instead of immediately going for Trick when facing a team with this Pokemon. Initially, the opponent may not attempt to bring Chansey in against Gengar, since it has such a hopeless matchup if Gengar has Taunt. Once the opponent figures out Gengar has Choice Specs, then is the time to attempt Trick.
Team Options
========
U-turn and Volt Switch support are the biggest boon for Gengar. Tapu Koko, Landorus-T, and Mega Scizor are good users of these moves. Bringing Gengar in safely repeatedly lets it do its job. Gengar loves entry hazard support! It can turn some 2HKOs into OHKOs and 3HKOs into 2HKOs, giving it more room to come in and start attacking. For example, Sludge Wave has a chance to OHKO Keldeo, and Shadow Ball can 2HKO Toxapex, both after 1 layer of Spikes. Greninja, Terrakion, Landorus-T, and Garchomp are foremost entry hazard users. Gengar's hole punching abilities can be capitalized on by sweepers. Pokemon like Magearna and Volcarona will benefit a lot from the havoc it causes.
[SET]
name: Offensive Utility
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Focus Blast / Will-O-Wisp
item: Life Orb / Ghostium Z
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shadow Ball is Gengar's main STAB move; the OU tier is perpetually starved for good Pokemon that resist Ghost, and Gengar is happy to take advantage of this. Sludge Wave is Gengar's secondary STAB attack that can get stronger neutral hits on targets like Volcarona or Keldeo and super effective hits on the various Grass- and Fairy-types in the tier, with Tapu Fini and Tangrowth being good examples. Focus Blast prevents Bisharp, Tyranitar, Assault Vest Magnezone, specially defensive Heatran, and Ferrothorn from being much trouble to Gengar. Taunt completely shuts down Chansey, letting Gengar act as an effective stallbreaker, especially in tandem with Thunderbolt. Will-O-Wisp is a great option for punishing attempts at Sucker Punch from the likes of Mega Mawile and can be used to cripple various switch-ins like Ferrothorn, Celesteela, and Tyranitar. Thunderbolt in tandem with Electrium Z is a nifty option, as Gengar acts as a very effective lure to Celesteela and Toxapex with these.
Set Details
========
Life Orb gives Gengar's attacks a serious punch, as without some kind of boosting item Shadow Ball misses quite a few OHKO and 2HKOs. To illustrate how weak Gengar is without a boosting item; its Shadow Ball can not OHKO Latios. Ghostium Z can be used as well. Never-Ending nightmare is a very fire-and-forget attack that practically nothing can absorb. It can be useful for feigning a Choice item, as well as avoiding Life Orb recoil. Electrium Z as mentioned is an option with Thunderbolt. Keep in mind that Gengar's STAB attacks will hit lightly with this item equipped. A Timid nature and 252 Special Attack and Speed EVs are ideal for Gengar, as it benefits little from defensive investment and needs as much power and Speed as it can get.
Usage Tips
========
Gengar functions as a wallbreaker. Though it's shorter on power, little can stand up to its attacks. Try and get Gengar in safely in the earlier stages of the game and bring the heat. Gengar is the master of 2HKOs because of its great offensive typing, but it's poor at achieving OHKOs due to Shadow Ball's poor Base Power. Don't forget that Gengar's defenses are bad, meaning that while Pokemon like Zygarde, Keldeo, or Landorus-T are by no means counters, they cannot be forced out by Gengar when healthy. This being said, Never-Ending Nightmare totally patches up that weakness. Often these same foes will expect to survive a hit from Gengar and retaliate with an OHKO. Leverage this surprise to knock out some slower healthy offensive Pokemon when running Ghostium Z. Gengar usually can come in through double switches, immunities, 4x resistances, and switch advantage. Generating these situations with VoltTurn users, baiting favorable attacks and switches to capitalize on is what you should be focusing on. Taunt gives Gengar stallbreaking power. Bring it against Chansey to avoid any chance of taking unnecessary chip damage and start attacking. Use Taunt to PP stall Chansey to death if it thinks it can stay in. Be aware that most stall teams will pack a Dugtrio, which will have no problem trapping Gengar with Pursuit for the revenge kill. Taunt also works as an anti-lead against some Pokemon like Smeargle, as it's not a sure thing that Gengar will possess this move.
Team Options
========
Gengar's poor defenses make attempting to switch it in very risky, and thus it benefits highly from momentum. U-turn and Volt Switch users like Tapu Koko, Landorus-T, Mega Scizor, and Tornadus-T are good choices. Second to switch advantage, Gengar benefits from entry hazard support, often creating 2HKO scenarios that Gengar could not otherwise achieve, such as against Mega Scizor, specially defensive Skarmory, and Mega Sableye. Because Gengar is quite good at punching holes in opponent's defenses, setup sweepers can be great to capitalize on this, like Volcarona, Magearna, and Celesteela.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Icy Wind / Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shadow Ball is Gengar's primary STAB move. While its power is severely lacking on account of its 80 Base Power and lack of a boosting item, it still does adequate damage and can finish off weakened Pokemon, KO super effective targets, and clean up at the very end of a match. Sludge Wave's higher power and nifty super effective coverage are indispensable as a secondary STAB move. Pokemon like Tapu Koko, Tangrowth, Keldeo, Volcarona, and Greninja are usually its target. Focus Blast's profile of super effective targets that it might be used against like a full-strength Greninja, Mega Gyarados, or offensive Heatran, as well as its prevention of Gengar from being effortlessly taken advantage of by the likes of Bisharp, Tyranitar, and Ferrothorn, makes it a very useful move. Icy Wind is a good fourth move. While completely lacking in power, there are quite a few 4x weak targets, and it can be used to effectively prevent Speed-boosting sweepers from doing their job. The opposing Volcarona, Zygarde, Gyarados, and Mega Charizard X will have no choice but to KO Gengar while losing their Speed boost, to then be finished off by the next Pokemon sent out. Trick is an option as well. It prevents Gengar from being total dead weight against stall, and in some situations it can act a stop to greedy boosters. Finally, Thunderbolt has its uses. It gets some nice super effective hits, Greninja, Celesteela, Gyarados to name a few, but has lesser utility compared to the other two options for the final slot.
Set Details
========
Choice Scarf is the item of choice, as it is what makes Gengar a revenge killer at all. Naturally, as Gengar's defenses are pitiful and the set is offensive, investments of 252 Speed and Special Attack EVs as well as a Timid nature are optimal.
Usage Tips
========
Choice Scarf Gengar is lacking in both power and defensive utility. It really should be used as a revenge killer or cleaner throughout the match. Adjust how aggressively you play this set depending on whether or not the opponent has targets that Gengar is needed to deal with. If the opponent lacks the Speed to necessitate a Choice Scarf user, Gengar can be played more aggressively. One can bluff a more powerful set early-game, forcing some switches and getting some nice Shadow Ball damage in. Leveraging its immunity to Fighting can have hilarious results against an opposing Mega Medicham too. If the opponent does have Pokemon Gengar will be needed to stop, like Zygarde and Mega Alakazam, try to keep Gengar healthy enough to do this until the threat is gone.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf users generally don't have a team built around them, but they are used more to patch up weaknesses to Speed-boosting and very fast attackers. Choice Scarf Gengar is no slouch at dealing with pretty much any kind of speed in the tier, so it should be inserted into a team when the build process is nearing completion. Lacking Pokemon that can be used as defensive checks, more offensive teams are in need a Choice Scarf revenge killer. If your team is filled with wallbreakers, sweepers, offensive pivots, and entry hazard users, Gengar might not be a bad choice. With Trick, Gengar can contribute to a team's anti-stall efforts; teams that need a Choice Scarf user and struggle against stall should consider Gengar.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Gengar has a lot of options, but the general rule of thumb is that none are really more effective than to just attack. Gengar's old Substitute + Disable tactics still function, but the metagame doesn't exactly lend itself to the set, which really relied on taking advantage of slow Choice-locked attackers, and Pokemon Gengar could safely Substitute against are fairly uncommon. Hex as an offensive option is workable, but there are too many situations where it's just inferior to Shadow Ball, now that grounded Poison-types are quite common to absorb Toxic Spikes support and the burn status has been nerfed. Pain Split is another utility move, but it's probably not something that benefits Gengar more than many other attacks it can fit into its moveslots. Destiny Bond can work, but is not really worth it, since it fails if used twice in a row.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Choice Scarf Users, Priority Users, and Fast Pokemon**: Thanks to its pitiful defensive stats Gengar usually faints if the opponent moves first. Any Choice Scarf user (Keldeo, Terrakion, Latios, Tapu Lele, Landorus-T, Garchomp, and more) will be able to effortlessly check Gengar. Priority users like Scizor, Mawile, and Pinsir can either outright OHKO Gengar or do so with a bit of chip damage. Faster Pokemon such as Greninja, Tapu Koko, and Weavile are also easy checks to Gengar.
**Pursuit**: Weavile, Bisharp, Dugtrio, Mega Scizor, and Tyranitar are known users of Pursuit, and should they be able to come in on Gengar for free, they can potentially trap Gengar. This being said, none of them have a free switch into Gengar, as its main STAB attacks or coverage moves can easily defeat them. Even if Gengar initially mispredicts, it can escape Tyranitar and Bisharp by reducing them to ashes with Focus Blast, as long as it avoids Sucker Punch and Tyranitar lacks a Choice Scarf.
**Select Defensive Counters**: Alolan Muk is a huge problem, as it very safely switches into Gengar and traps it with Pursuit. Celesteela is another good defensive answer to a lot of Gengar sets, as without a boosted Thunderbolt, Celesteela is able to absorb anything from Gengar and retaliate with a mortally wounding Heavy Slam. Assault Vest Tornadus-T is another problem, as again without a boosted Thunderbolt Gengar fails to KO Tornadus before it can hit Gengar with a sundering Knock Off.
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