Hilomilo
High-low My-low
[OVERVIEW]
By virtue of its high Special Attack and Speed stats, Gengar is an exceptional wallbreaker in the OU metagame. It can take advantage of the tier's general lack of Ghost-resistant Pokemon to fire off powerful STAB Shadow Balls while also pressuring the tier's myriad of Fairy-types thanks to its Poison typing. Gengar also has a decent amount of coverage and utility options at its disposal, including useful moves in Focus Blast, Thunderbolt, and Taunt. Unfortunately, Gengar is horribly frail and thus easily folds to faster Pokemon, Choice Scarf users, and priority, which are all quite common in OU. It also has trouble taking strong neutral hits because of this, and at times it over relies on KOing its foes as a result. Gengar's fragility can also limit its opportunities to switch in, which can prevent it from consistently wallbreaking. Lastly, Gengar is quite weak to Pursuit from the likes of Weavile and Tyranitar, which requires that it is played carefully in order to prevent it from being trapped and KOed.
[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 a powerful STAB attack that Gengar can spam quite well due to the tier's general lack of Ghost-resistant Pokemon. Sludge Wave hits Assault Vest Tangrowth, which otherwise walls Gengar, while also heavily damaging Fairy-types like Clefable and hitting Pokemon like Keldeo and Zapdos for more damage than any of Gengar's other moves. Focus Blast offers excellent coverage, nailing Pokemon that otherwise scoff at Gengar's STAB attacks, like Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Ferrothorn. Trick cripples defensive Pokemon that may attempt to come in on Gengar's attacks, such as Chansey, Gastrodon, and Amoonguss. Thunderbolt is Gengar's best way of damaging defensive Celesteela, which can otherwise come in on its attacks, and also damages other potential switch-ins in Toxapex, Mantine, and Assault Vest Tornadus-T. Hidden Power Ice is an option for the fourth moveslot as well for OHKOing Landorus-T, Zygarde, and Garchomp.
Set Details
========
Full investment in Speed with a Timid nature makes Gengar as fast as possible, allowing it to outrun the likes of Keldeo, Kartana, and Garchomp. Maximum investment in Special Attack with Choice Specs maximizes Gengar's damage output, thus turning it into a potent wallbreaker. Cursed Body is Gengar's only ability. However, if it activates, it can be useful in forcing Choice-locked foes to either use Struggle or switch out.
Usage Tips
========
This set functions as a wallbreaker that looks to pave the way for a teammate's sweep. However, Gengar can try using its high Speed to clean up late-game if the opposing team is weakened well enough. Because of its frailty, Gengar should be careful about switching in. It can usually get in on predicted double switches and attacks that it either is immune to or 4x resists, though it is often safer to bring Gengar into play with pivot support or after a teammate has fainted. Gengar's frailty should also prevent it from staying in on various threats, such as Zygarde, Garchomp, and unboosted Volcarona, unless they've been weakened a bit, since these Pokemon are all capable of taking a hit and OHKOing Gengar or setting up in retaliation. Because Choice Specs locks Gengar into one move, it is important that this set is utilized with careful prediction. For example, if a foe like Tyranitar or Bisharp is predicted to switch in, Gengar should use Focus Blast to prevent them from either trapping it or receiving an opportunity to set up the next turn. Trick is especially important to use with careful prediction, as Gengar only has one opportunity to force a foe to hold Choice Specs. Chansey and Mantine are two examples of Pokemon that are often going to switch into Gengar, so if they are on the opposing team and are predicted to come into play, Trick should be used to cripple them by locking them into one move and, in Chansey's case, removing Eviolite.
Team Options
========
Stealth Rock support from Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Garchomp, and Mega Diancie can punish Gengar's switches and allow it to secure KOs, such as the possible OHKO on Mega Latias with Shadow Ball and the 2HKO on Mantine with Sludge Wave. Spikes support from the likes of Greninja and Ferrothorn can also be useful for punishing typical switch-ins like Assault Vest Magearna. Pivots like Mega Scizor, Tapu Koko, and Magnezone are capable of safely bringing Gengar into play, which is quite useful due to its low defenses. Setup sweepers like Volcarona, Celesteela, and Magearna are greatly appreciative of Gengar's wallbreaking capabilities, as it can weaken opposing teams enough for them to sufficiently sweep. Physical attackers can aid Gengar in breaking past the special walls it struggles to deal with on its own. Examples include Tapu Koko, which is particularly useful for breaking past both Mantine and Chansey with its Z-Wild Charge set, and Bisharp, which can use Knock Off to remove Chansey's Eviolite. Fighting-types like Mega Medicham and Keldeo can also take on Chansey while pressuring the Dark-types that Gengar often fails to beat, and in return, Gengar can remove opposing Psychic- and Ghost-types for them. Fairy-types like Magearna and Tapu Lele can also check Dark-types for Gengar and enjoy its ability to lure in and remove the Steel-types that they can struggle against, like Heatran and Celesteela.
[SET]
name: Offensive Utility
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Life Orb / Ghostium Z
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shadow Ball is a strong STAB attack that hits the majority of the tier for super effective or neutral damage. When Ghostium Z is activated, Shadow Ball turns into an immensely powerful Never-Ending Nightmare that Gengar can use to deliver a powerful blow to nearly any Pokemon in the tier. It notably OHKOes offensive variants of Landorus-T and Garchomp with just some prior damage. Sludge Wave is a good secondary STAB attack that hits foes neutral to Ghost, like Manaphy and Pelipper, harder than any of Gengar's other moves while also greatly damaging the likes of Tangrowth, Clefable, and Serperior. Taunt denies defensive Pokemon like Chansey, Amoonguss, and Toxapex of their status moves, which forces them to either switch out or be slowly worn down by Gengar's attacks. Focus Blast catches Tyranitar and Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Bisharp, Magnezone, and Heatran on the switch, OHKOing or 2HKOing them all. Will-O-Wisp can be used in the place of either Taunt or Focus Blast to shut down physical attackers slower than Gengar, such as Tyranitar, while also punishing foes that may try using Sucker Punch to KO Gengar, like Mega Mawile and Bisharp.
Set Details
========
Full investment in Special Attack puts a considerable amount of power behind Gengar's attacks, while a Life Orb allows it to secure a few OHKOs that it otherwise wouldn't, such as the OHKO on Latios and Mew after Stealth Rock with Shadow Ball. Ghostium Z can be used over Life Orb if none of Gengar's teammates are utilizing Z-Crystals due to its massive damage output against a large portion of the metagame. Full investment in Speed with a Timid nature makes Gengar as fast as possible and gives it crucial Speed advantages over the likes of Keldeo, Kartana, and Mega Medicham. Cursed Body is Gengar's only possible ability, but it can come in handy against Choice-locked Pokemon that will be forced into either using Struggle or switching out.
Usage Tips
========
Gengar should be brought in early-game in order to spam its STAB attacks and wear down the other team. This will often pave the way for a teammate's sweep due to the lack of Pokemon capable of easily stomaching Gengar's hits. In matchups against defensive or balanced teams, Gengar should look to come in on threats like Chansey and Toxapex. From there, it can cripple them with Taunt and proceed to wear them down without taking notable damage from any of their attacks. This set should be wary of staying in on threats that it can't OHKO from full health, such as Volcarona and Gyarados, as Gengar is incredibly frail. Because of said frailty, Gengar should also be wary about coming in on any attacks, which makes being brought in after a teammate has fainted or with support from a pivot optimal. Double switches and coming in on resisted attacks are also options, though these are both notably riskier.
Team Options
========
Setup sweepers like Gyarados, Mega Tyranitar, and Landorus-T are appreciative of Gengar's ability to wear down opposing teams for them to clean up. They also enjoy Gengar's ability to prevent phazing and status moves with Taunt, as this allows for easier setup against most defensive Pokemon. Entry hazard support from teammates like Landorus-T, Jirachi, and Ferrothorn can allow Gengar to increase its damage output while also punishing switches. Pivot support from the likes of Assault Vest Magearna, Landorus-T, and Magnezone is also useful for safely bringing Gengar into play. Dark-type checks like Magearna, Keldeo, and Mega Lopunny can take on big threats to Gengar in Weavile, Bisharp, and Tyranitar, and in return, it can wear down opposing teams and adequately pressure Fairy-types for the latter two. Gengar also enjoys having powerful physical attackers like Mamoswine, Kyurem-B, and Mega Pinsir on its team due to their ability to adequately pressure specially defensive Pokemon that it often can't break on its own without using up a lot of PP.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Reflect Type is an option on the utility set for allowing Gengar to safely pivot out of Pursuit trappers. However, this is more often than not situational and won't be as consistently useful as Taunt or Focus Blast. Substitute is also an option for taking advantage of the switches Gengar forces and allowing it to more reliably fire off attacks, but it is also less useful than either Taunt or Focus Blast most of the time. A Choice Scarf set allows Gengar to function as a revenge killer and potential late-game cleaner, though the lack of power is quite noticeable and leaves it even more susceptible to bulky offensive threats that can stomach hits and smack it back with powerful moves. A Hex + Will-O-Wisp set heavily damages most foes after burning them, though it requires said foes to be burnt or at least statused in order for Gengar to do any notable damage with its Ghost-type STAB attacks and is usually not as useful as the main sets listed. Gengar has access to plenty of coverage moves that are potentially useful for surprising specific threats, such as Psychic, Dazzling Gleam, and Energy Ball. Unfortunately, it usually doesn't have room for these attacks due to the more valuable coverage or utility provided by moves like Taunt, Focus Blast, and Thunderbolt. Lastly, Gengar can make use of a plethora of different utility moves it has access to, such as Disable, Knock Off, Haze, and Icy Wind. However, all of these moves are generally too hard to find room for and are too situationally useful to justify being placed on sets.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Due to Gengar's extreme frailty, faster Pokemon in Mega Alakazam, Mega Lopunny, and Greninja can heavily threaten it with powerful STAB attacks. Choice Scarf users like Excadrill and Tapu Lele are also quite troublesome due to their ability to outrun and KO Gengar by virtue of their held items.
**Strong Priority**: Gengar's pitiful defenses make it fold to strong priority attacks like Mimikyu's Shadow Sneak, Mega Mawile's Sucker Punch, and Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch.
**Pursuit Trappers**: The likes of Weavile, Tyranitar, and Mega Scizor can easily take advantage of either outspeeding Gengar or resisting the attacks it's locked into to trap and remove it from play with Pursuit. Alolan Muk, while not particularly common, is especially troublesome, as it can tank any of Gengar's attacks and guarantee its removal as a result.
**Offensive Pokemon That Can Take a Hit**: Offensive Pokemon that can stomach at least one of Gengar's attacks, like Mega Charizard Y, Keldeo, and Zygarde, can all heavily threaten it due to their ability to OHKO it with STAB moves after taking a hit.
By virtue of its high Special Attack and Speed stats, Gengar is an exceptional wallbreaker in the OU metagame. It can take advantage of the tier's general lack of Ghost-resistant Pokemon to fire off powerful STAB Shadow Balls while also pressuring the tier's myriad of Fairy-types thanks to its Poison typing. Gengar also has a decent amount of coverage and utility options at its disposal, including useful moves in Focus Blast, Thunderbolt, and Taunt. Unfortunately, Gengar is horribly frail and thus easily folds to faster Pokemon, Choice Scarf users, and priority, which are all quite common in OU. It also has trouble taking strong neutral hits because of this, and at times it over relies on KOing its foes as a result. Gengar's fragility can also limit its opportunities to switch in, which can prevent it from consistently wallbreaking. Lastly, Gengar is quite weak to Pursuit from the likes of Weavile and Tyranitar, which requires that it is played carefully in order to prevent it from being trapped and KOed.
[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 a powerful STAB attack that Gengar can spam quite well due to the tier's general lack of Ghost-resistant Pokemon. Sludge Wave hits Assault Vest Tangrowth, which otherwise walls Gengar, while also heavily damaging Fairy-types like Clefable and hitting Pokemon like Keldeo and Zapdos for more damage than any of Gengar's other moves. Focus Blast offers excellent coverage, nailing Pokemon that otherwise scoff at Gengar's STAB attacks, like Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Ferrothorn. Trick cripples defensive Pokemon that may attempt to come in on Gengar's attacks, such as Chansey, Gastrodon, and Amoonguss. Thunderbolt is Gengar's best way of damaging defensive Celesteela, which can otherwise come in on its attacks, and also damages other potential switch-ins in Toxapex, Mantine, and Assault Vest Tornadus-T. Hidden Power Ice is an option for the fourth moveslot as well for OHKOing Landorus-T, Zygarde, and Garchomp.
Set Details
========
Full investment in Speed with a Timid nature makes Gengar as fast as possible, allowing it to outrun the likes of Keldeo, Kartana, and Garchomp. Maximum investment in Special Attack with Choice Specs maximizes Gengar's damage output, thus turning it into a potent wallbreaker. Cursed Body is Gengar's only ability. However, if it activates, it can be useful in forcing Choice-locked foes to either use Struggle or switch out.
Usage Tips
========
This set functions as a wallbreaker that looks to pave the way for a teammate's sweep. However, Gengar can try using its high Speed to clean up late-game if the opposing team is weakened well enough. Because of its frailty, Gengar should be careful about switching in. It can usually get in on predicted double switches and attacks that it either is immune to or 4x resists, though it is often safer to bring Gengar into play with pivot support or after a teammate has fainted. Gengar's frailty should also prevent it from staying in on various threats, such as Zygarde, Garchomp, and unboosted Volcarona, unless they've been weakened a bit, since these Pokemon are all capable of taking a hit and OHKOing Gengar or setting up in retaliation. Because Choice Specs locks Gengar into one move, it is important that this set is utilized with careful prediction. For example, if a foe like Tyranitar or Bisharp is predicted to switch in, Gengar should use Focus Blast to prevent them from either trapping it or receiving an opportunity to set up the next turn. Trick is especially important to use with careful prediction, as Gengar only has one opportunity to force a foe to hold Choice Specs. Chansey and Mantine are two examples of Pokemon that are often going to switch into Gengar, so if they are on the opposing team and are predicted to come into play, Trick should be used to cripple them by locking them into one move and, in Chansey's case, removing Eviolite.
Team Options
========
Stealth Rock support from Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Garchomp, and Mega Diancie can punish Gengar's switches and allow it to secure KOs, such as the possible OHKO on Mega Latias with Shadow Ball and the 2HKO on Mantine with Sludge Wave. Spikes support from the likes of Greninja and Ferrothorn can also be useful for punishing typical switch-ins like Assault Vest Magearna. Pivots like Mega Scizor, Tapu Koko, and Magnezone are capable of safely bringing Gengar into play, which is quite useful due to its low defenses. Setup sweepers like Volcarona, Celesteela, and Magearna are greatly appreciative of Gengar's wallbreaking capabilities, as it can weaken opposing teams enough for them to sufficiently sweep. Physical attackers can aid Gengar in breaking past the special walls it struggles to deal with on its own. Examples include Tapu Koko, which is particularly useful for breaking past both Mantine and Chansey with its Z-Wild Charge set, and Bisharp, which can use Knock Off to remove Chansey's Eviolite. Fighting-types like Mega Medicham and Keldeo can also take on Chansey while pressuring the Dark-types that Gengar often fails to beat, and in return, Gengar can remove opposing Psychic- and Ghost-types for them. Fairy-types like Magearna and Tapu Lele can also check Dark-types for Gengar and enjoy its ability to lure in and remove the Steel-types that they can struggle against, like Heatran and Celesteela.
[SET]
name: Offensive Utility
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Life Orb / Ghostium Z
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shadow Ball is a strong STAB attack that hits the majority of the tier for super effective or neutral damage. When Ghostium Z is activated, Shadow Ball turns into an immensely powerful Never-Ending Nightmare that Gengar can use to deliver a powerful blow to nearly any Pokemon in the tier. It notably OHKOes offensive variants of Landorus-T and Garchomp with just some prior damage. Sludge Wave is a good secondary STAB attack that hits foes neutral to Ghost, like Manaphy and Pelipper, harder than any of Gengar's other moves while also greatly damaging the likes of Tangrowth, Clefable, and Serperior. Taunt denies defensive Pokemon like Chansey, Amoonguss, and Toxapex of their status moves, which forces them to either switch out or be slowly worn down by Gengar's attacks. Focus Blast catches Tyranitar and Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Bisharp, Magnezone, and Heatran on the switch, OHKOing or 2HKOing them all. Will-O-Wisp can be used in the place of either Taunt or Focus Blast to shut down physical attackers slower than Gengar, such as Tyranitar, while also punishing foes that may try using Sucker Punch to KO Gengar, like Mega Mawile and Bisharp.
Set Details
========
Full investment in Special Attack puts a considerable amount of power behind Gengar's attacks, while a Life Orb allows it to secure a few OHKOs that it otherwise wouldn't, such as the OHKO on Latios and Mew after Stealth Rock with Shadow Ball. Ghostium Z can be used over Life Orb if none of Gengar's teammates are utilizing Z-Crystals due to its massive damage output against a large portion of the metagame. Full investment in Speed with a Timid nature makes Gengar as fast as possible and gives it crucial Speed advantages over the likes of Keldeo, Kartana, and Mega Medicham. Cursed Body is Gengar's only possible ability, but it can come in handy against Choice-locked Pokemon that will be forced into either using Struggle or switching out.
Usage Tips
========
Gengar should be brought in early-game in order to spam its STAB attacks and wear down the other team. This will often pave the way for a teammate's sweep due to the lack of Pokemon capable of easily stomaching Gengar's hits. In matchups against defensive or balanced teams, Gengar should look to come in on threats like Chansey and Toxapex. From there, it can cripple them with Taunt and proceed to wear them down without taking notable damage from any of their attacks. This set should be wary of staying in on threats that it can't OHKO from full health, such as Volcarona and Gyarados, as Gengar is incredibly frail. Because of said frailty, Gengar should also be wary about coming in on any attacks, which makes being brought in after a teammate has fainted or with support from a pivot optimal. Double switches and coming in on resisted attacks are also options, though these are both notably riskier.
Team Options
========
Setup sweepers like Gyarados, Mega Tyranitar, and Landorus-T are appreciative of Gengar's ability to wear down opposing teams for them to clean up. They also enjoy Gengar's ability to prevent phazing and status moves with Taunt, as this allows for easier setup against most defensive Pokemon. Entry hazard support from teammates like Landorus-T, Jirachi, and Ferrothorn can allow Gengar to increase its damage output while also punishing switches. Pivot support from the likes of Assault Vest Magearna, Landorus-T, and Magnezone is also useful for safely bringing Gengar into play. Dark-type checks like Magearna, Keldeo, and Mega Lopunny can take on big threats to Gengar in Weavile, Bisharp, and Tyranitar, and in return, it can wear down opposing teams and adequately pressure Fairy-types for the latter two. Gengar also enjoys having powerful physical attackers like Mamoswine, Kyurem-B, and Mega Pinsir on its team due to their ability to adequately pressure specially defensive Pokemon that it often can't break on its own without using up a lot of PP.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Reflect Type is an option on the utility set for allowing Gengar to safely pivot out of Pursuit trappers. However, this is more often than not situational and won't be as consistently useful as Taunt or Focus Blast. Substitute is also an option for taking advantage of the switches Gengar forces and allowing it to more reliably fire off attacks, but it is also less useful than either Taunt or Focus Blast most of the time. A Choice Scarf set allows Gengar to function as a revenge killer and potential late-game cleaner, though the lack of power is quite noticeable and leaves it even more susceptible to bulky offensive threats that can stomach hits and smack it back with powerful moves. A Hex + Will-O-Wisp set heavily damages most foes after burning them, though it requires said foes to be burnt or at least statused in order for Gengar to do any notable damage with its Ghost-type STAB attacks and is usually not as useful as the main sets listed. Gengar has access to plenty of coverage moves that are potentially useful for surprising specific threats, such as Psychic, Dazzling Gleam, and Energy Ball. Unfortunately, it usually doesn't have room for these attacks due to the more valuable coverage or utility provided by moves like Taunt, Focus Blast, and Thunderbolt. Lastly, Gengar can make use of a plethora of different utility moves it has access to, such as Disable, Knock Off, Haze, and Icy Wind. However, all of these moves are generally too hard to find room for and are too situationally useful to justify being placed on sets.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Due to Gengar's extreme frailty, faster Pokemon in Mega Alakazam, Mega Lopunny, and Greninja can heavily threaten it with powerful STAB attacks. Choice Scarf users like Excadrill and Tapu Lele are also quite troublesome due to their ability to outrun and KO Gengar by virtue of their held items.
**Strong Priority**: Gengar's pitiful defenses make it fold to strong priority attacks like Mimikyu's Shadow Sneak, Mega Mawile's Sucker Punch, and Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch.
**Pursuit Trappers**: The likes of Weavile, Tyranitar, and Mega Scizor can easily take advantage of either outspeeding Gengar or resisting the attacks it's locked into to trap and remove it from play with Pursuit. Alolan Muk, while not particularly common, is especially troublesome, as it can tank any of Gengar's attacks and guarantee its removal as a result.
**Offensive Pokemon That Can Take a Hit**: Offensive Pokemon that can stomach at least one of Gengar's attacks, like Mega Charizard Y, Keldeo, and Zygarde, can all heavily threaten it due to their ability to OHKO it with STAB moves after taking a hit.
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