Top Gengar Moveset: Is It Worth the Hype?

Gengar boasts an impressive array of moves in Pokémon GO, but there’s one optimal moveset that outshines the rest. This Pokémon, the final evolution of the original Ghost-type family, continues to be a crowd favorite for a good reason. With its high attack power and various resistances, this grinning purple specter can be a valuable asset to your team under the right conditions.

However, Gengar does have a few vulnerabilities, so trainers should be careful about when to deploy it. If you’re looking to add some spooky energy to your lineup after figuring out how to evolve Yamask in Pokémon GO, Gengar is an excellent choice. Just remember to utilize the best Fast Attacks and Charged Attacks to maximize the potential of this mischievous spirit.

Best Moves for Gengar

Lick & Shadow Ball

The top moveset for Gengar in Pokémon GO features Lick as the Fast Attack and Shadow Ball as the Charged Attack. Though Gengar’s dual Ghost and Poison typing allows for the use of both types of moves to obtain a 20% STAB (same-type attack bonus), the best combination still appears to be Lick and Shadow Ball. An alternative would be to use Sludge Bomb instead of Shadow Ball, yielding similar results.

When we take a closer look at the numbers, Lick and Shadow Ball result in a higher DPS (damage per second) of 16.28, while Lick and Sludge Bomb achieve only 15.73. This is part of what makes Shadow Ball effective for combating Dynamax Ghastly in Pokémon GO. Even when you’re not specifically targeting Pokémon that are weak to Ghost-type moves—like Psychic and Ghost-types—this moveset can still deal solid neutral damage.

Is Gengar Effective in Battles?

Under Certain Circumstances

With a solid Attack stat but lacking in Stamina and Defense, Gengar is often seen as a glass cannon. Nonetheless, it can shine in Pokémon GO during specific PvE match-ups and PvP battles. However, its four weaknesses—Dark, Ghost, Ground, and Psychic—along with its low bulk, make it less effective at defending Gyms, where it can be easily countered.

Conversely, in Raids as well as Great League and Ultra League matches, Gengar excels in dealing substantial damage quickly, especially when considering its Mega Evolution and Dynamax forms. However, it struggles against the top-tier contenders in the Master League due to their superior stats. Don’t forget to equip Lick and Shadow Ball in its moveset to have the most formidable Gengar for your Pokémon GO team.