Gen 5 Gengar QC 2/2 GP 1/1

[OVERVIEW]
Gengar is a decent Pokemon on sand teams with multiple Psychic-types since it wears down Psychic-type checks, mainly Tyranitar, as well as Ferrothorn and Jirachi thanks to its coverage and ability to burn them with Will-O-Wisp. It is an excellent spinblocker, switching into Sand Force Excadrill and OHKOing it with Focus Blast; the same is true against Starmie, as it can take one Hydro Pump from full health and OHKO with Shadow Ball. Gengar is quite fast, outspeeding Pokemon like Keldeo, Garchomp, Terrakion, and Thundurus-T and Speed tying Latios, letting it threaten many common offensive Pokemon. It also has some defensive utility in countering Landorus-T and Gliscor since they can't hit Gengar hard and it threatens them offensively. However, Gengar is uncommon because of its lack of self-sufficiency outside of crippling checks for Psychic-types. It lacks defensive utility, leaving it unable to switch into many Pokemon, notably failing to spinblock Tentacruel. It's also easily revenge killed by faster Pokemon like Alakazam, Starmie, and Choice Scarf users, especially Choice Scarf Tyranitar and Scizor since they can Pursuit trap it. It also isn't a great wallbreaker due to its inability to do much against bulkier targets that it can't hit super effectively like Gastrodon, specially defensive Skarmory, and Politoed outside of burning them. It also faces stiff competition as a spinblocker that cripples Psychic-type checks from Jellicent, which has much better defensive utility thanks to its better defensive profile letting it spinblock Tentacruel more effectively and more comfortably doing so against Excadrill.

[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Focus Blast / Trick
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Black Sludge
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Focus Blast wears down support Tyranitar and forces it to use its Chople Berry, making a teammate like Alakazam more easily able to take it out later in the game. It also hits Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Excadrill, Heatran, and physically defensive Skarmory hard. Trick can be used to more consistently cripple the aforementioned Pokemon due to Focus Blast's poor accuracy; furthermore, Trick removes Tyranitar's Chople Berry more consistently, letting Gengar's Psychic-type teammates more easily break past it. It also lets Gengar cripple Pokemon that can't be burned, like Gliscor and Poison Heal Breloom, and make foes like Gastrodon and specially defensive Skarmory take a ton of passive damage in tandem with burn. However, it's one-use nature makes it less consistent at crippling teams with multiple Psychic-type checks compared to Focus Blast. Will-O-Wisp burns and wears down bulky Pokemon like Tyranitar, Ferrothorn, Jirachi, Skarmory, and Rotom-W, which is especially potent alongside entry hazards and sand. Hidden Power Ice hits Garchomp, Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Dragonite very hard, meaning Gliscor can't freely U-turn into Tyranitar against Gengar.

Set Details
========
Black Sludge is the chosen item to give Gengar enough longevity to cripple and wear down what it needs to and makes Trick usable should it be run.

Team Options
========
Gengar fits well on sand teams that use Spikes, in tandem with multiple Psychic-types, since it spinblocks Excadrill and Starmie and cripples Psychic-type checks. Tyranitar sets sand and Pursuit traps Reuniclus, Latios, and Alakazam with its Chople Berry set. It also enjoys Gengar spinblocking Excadrill and crippling Pokemon that'd take its hits, like Ferrothorn and Skarmory, with Will-O-Wisp. Ferrothorn and Skarmory are able to set up Spikes to wear down most of Gengar's common switch-ins, like Tyranitar, Excadrill, and Heatran, while enjoying Gengar denying foes from removing Spikes with Rapid Spin. Ferrothorn notably switches into Dragon-types like Latios and Dragonite lacking Fire Punch and Superpower as well as Water-types like Starmie and Politoed. It also provides other support in the form of Stealth Rock and Knock Off to wear down the opponent even more alongside Gengar's Will-O-Wisp. On the other hand, Skarmory checks offensive Ground-types like Excadrill and Garchomp more reliably as well as Dragonite lacking Fire Punch and Scizor. Gengar works very well alongside Psychic-types since Gengar cripples and wears down their switch-ins, mainly Tyranitar, Jirachi, and Ferrothorn; as such, Alakazam, Latios, and Reuniclus are fantastic partners. Alakazam is able to break past Tyranitar without needing to break its Focus Sash if Gengar forces it to use its Chople Berry and revenge kill Starmie if it predicts Gengar switching in. Latios switches into Water- and Psychic-types like Keldeo, Politoed, and Alakazam, with Colbur Berry Latios being a particularly good partner since it can act as a way to wear down Choice Scarf Tyranitar, which Gengar often fails to do. Reuniclus appreciates its switch-ins being worn down so it can more easily sweep with Calm Mind late-game and more justifiably drop Focus Blast for Hidden Power Ice or Thunder. Gliscor checks Steel-types like Heatran, Jirachi, Excadrill, and Tyranitar and can provide Stealth Rock and Knock Off support to further wear down Gengar's switch-ins in tandem with burn. Gliscor can also safely get Gengar on the field with U-turn.

[SET]
name: Substitute + Will-O-Wisp
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Black Sludge
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 80 HP / 236 Def / 192 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
This set is designed to safely burn Tyranitar to help rain teams win the weather war. It also provides a decent spinblocking option against Tentacruel in matchups against opposing rain teams. Substitute punishes switches and lets Gengar safely burn or attack the switch-in. Gengar can set up Substitute easily against targets like burnt specially defensive Jirachi, Ferrothorn, and Gliscor. Will-O-Wisp cripples checks like Tyranitar and Tentacruel, making them much easier to wear down and break through. Will-O-Wisp is also easy to use freely if Substitute is up. Focus Blast wears down and forces support Tyranitar to use its Chople Berry, making a teammate like Tornadus or Thundurus-T more easily able to take Tyranitar out later in the game. It also hits Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Excadrill, Heatran, and physically defensive Skarmory hard.

Set Details
========
Black Sludge is the chosen item to give Gengar enough longevity to cripple and wear down what it needs to. 80 HP and 236 Defense EVs lets Gengar always survive Jolly Excadrill's Sand Force-boosted Iron Head after Stealth Rock and sand damage. The Speed EVs allow Gengar to outspeed Garchomp.

Team Options
========
Gengar fits well on Spikes-based rain teams with Pokemon like Latios and Tornadus that benefit greatly from Gengar crippling Tyranitar and keeping Spikes on the field long enough for its teammates to wreak havoc. Politoed brings rain, switches into Tyranitar and Steel-types like Jirachi and Heatran, spreads status in tandem with Gengar, and baits in Grass-types like Ferrothorn for Gengar to switch into while Gengar burning Tyranitar makes it easier to maintain rain. Excadrill is more easily able to spin entry hazards off the field with Skarmory burned, which is important since Gengar lets Skarmory easily set up Spikes; Excadrill can also act as a check to Tyranitar. Ferrothorn counters Dragon- and Water-types like Latios, Starmie, and Kyurem-B and enjoys Gengar preventing Tentacruel and Excadrill from spinning away its entry hazards at least once. Choice Scarf Keldeo can clean late-game with its rain-boosted Water-type STAB moves thanks to Gengar making it easier to win the weather war. Keldeo also checks Pokemon like Tyranitar, Heatran, and Jirachi, while Gengar checks Grass-types like Breloom and Celebi lacking Psychic. Latios, particularly Choice Scarf variants, greatly appreciates Gengar crippling checks like Tyranitar and Jirachi and keeping Spikes from being removed, letting Latios more easily revenge kill what it needs to. Tornadus can more freely use Hurricane with Tyranitar being weakened by Will-O-Wisp and Focus Blast; it further appreciates Tyranitar's Chople Berry getting used. Thundurus-T benefits in a similar manner to Tornadus, with its STAB Thunder being able to be more freely used thanks to rain being up more often while also letting Thundurus-T heal with Leftovers more frequently, giving it much better longevity against sand teams.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Life Orb or Choice Specs set may seem tempting given Gengar's good movepool and Special Attack. However, these sets tend to underperform as a result of their lack of longevity, weakness to Pursuit if not locking into Focus Blast, and competition from other special attackers like Latios, Alakazam, Reuniclus, and Keldeo. Destiny Bond can be used over Focus Blast to take down Pokemon with Gengar as it faints, mainly when it's worn down against Pokemon like Tentacruel, Politoed, and Heatran. Hidden Power Fire OHKOes Scizor and does a lot of damage to Ferrothorn. However, it forces Gengar to run an imperfect Speed IV, leaving it outsped by Latios. It also lacks usefulness outside of these targets. Should Hidden Power Fire be run, Protect should be used alongside it to scout and beat Choice Scarf Scizor and scout Choice Scarf Tyranitar. 88 HP and 224 Defense EVs can be run on the Substitute + Will-O-Wisp set to let Gengar always survive Jolly Excadrill's Sand Force-boosted Iron Head after Stealth Rock and sand damage as well as Starmie's unboosted Hydro Pump after Stealth Rock. However, this spread can only outspeed up to Garchomp, leaving it unable to check Latios and Keldeo offensively. Hex can be used on the Substitute + Will-O-Wisp set to do more damage to burned targets and pressure Gliscor more reliably.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Pursuit**: Tyranitar and Scizor can Pursuit trap Gengar, especially if running Choice Scarf since they'll do so before Gengar gets the chance to burn or significantly damage them. However, they will often need to take a burn or Focus Blast when removing Gengar if lacking Choice Scarf, leaving them vulnerable to Gengar's Psychic-type partners.

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon like Alakazam and Starmie and Choice Scarf users like Latios and Keldeo can all outspeed and KO Gengar with ease as a result of its immense frailty. However, they don't enjoy getting burned or taking one of its hits, making them unable to switch in safely.

**Bulky Pokemon**: Gengar can't break through bulky Pokemon like Gastrodon, Politoed, Tentacruel, and specially defensive Skarmory as a result of their immense bulk, recovery, and ability to threaten Gengar. However, they don't enjoy taking a burn, which leaves them vulnerable to Gengar's Psychic-type partners, and in Politoed's case, losing the weather war to Tyranitar.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Ophion, 433215]]
- Quality checked by: [[Zokuru, 263906], [peng, 33864]]
- Grammar checked by: [[dex, 277988]]
 
Last edited:

Zokuru

The Stall Lord
is a Tiering Contributor
Hi ! Nice job, I would add that niche Gengar set of Max HP and speed, SubWoW. Idea is to use that on Rain, make Tyranitar suffer and win the weather war, kind of like a Moltres.

0 SpA Tentacruel Scald vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Gengar in Rain: 136-162 (42.1 - 50.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
Avoiding this 2HKO in Rain is actually quite huge to block the spin of opposing rain teams. This should not be the main set, but I think it deserves to be mentioned as a real set and not an OO. It is mentioned in the current analysis but it's quite badly written, since it presents Lucario as an example.

With the rise of Scarf Scizor recently maybe MysticGar could be noted as OO, SBall FocusBlast HP Fire Protect, it's also quite nice against Scarf Tar, which is not that rare.

Have a nice day.
 

peng

fuck xatu
is a Community Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnus
Think I'm p much the only person to have really used Gengar in the last 12 months so I will chuck in my 2 cents. This looks solid but a few points I had were:

re: spinblocking, i think Gengar's ability to do this is maybe being exaggerated here. Sometimes you talk about Gengar being very bad vs Tentacruel and then in other places later on laud Gengar being able to keep hazards up vs Rain. Could do with a more consistent stance - Gengar's niche is as an offensive Ghost that can be utilised for hazard control strategies (normally involving sacrifice) in the right team, but its not beating any of the 3 main spinners in the long term. Partners that go ham if they get in freely vs Excadrill / Starmie / Tentacruel are what makes Gengar's offensive spinblocking really tick.

EV spread choice is inconsistent and could arguably be flipped. Sub-less sets get more out of added bulk so that they can Wisp multiple targets / Wisp+Trick / longterm wall and HP Ice Landorus-T. Substitute sets are probably clicking Sub first turn it comes in anyway and afaik it isn't able to Sub up on better targets with max HP from what i can tell.

Combining the two above points, there is actually an available EV spread that has some spinblocking utility, but its not max HP / max speed. I think the benchmarking of surviving two Tentacruel Scalds isn't a very useful one because 1) Gengar really does lose handily vs Tentacruel and 2) the calc is only meaningful approx 60% of the time when you factor in burn and crit chances. IMO Gengar's best spinblocking spread is the following: 80 HP / 236 Def / 192 Spe Timid which I used here. This spread always switches into Jolly Excadrill once, surviving SF Iron Head even after SR and sand chip. Additionally, it will beat Starmie if it switches in on Rapid Spin, as the HP investment is the minimum necessary to live the following non-Analytic Hydro Pump. Admittedly, hitting the Excadrill benchmark does mean you have to give up some speed, with 192 Timid only outspeeding up to Garchomp. Whilst I don't know if this spread should be the default, I think it is at least worth pointing out in OO that Gengar can comfortably be EVd to survive Jolly Iron Head if its purpose on the team is to act as a one-time denial to SF Excadrill in a pre-workflowed hazard control strategy

On the first set, I'd mention that Trick removes Tyranitar Chople Berry since this isn't specifically mentioned. Its obvious, but the idea of TrickSludge simultaneously removing Chople and crippling Tyranitar with 12.5% chip (up to 25% with burn too) is the real crux of that move when using it alongside Psychics.

On the SubWisp set, I would remove mentions of it being a utility Pokemon for Rain. This is entirely theorymon and I can't think of any competent Gengar Rain's in over a decade of playing BW. Would be tempted to make this a generic Substitute set and slash Pain Split (and maybe Disable) alongside Will-o-Wisp.

Some of the team options choices are a bit weird. Gengar + Tornadus is probably ok offensively but I don't think you could build a solid rain team around two mons that offer so little defensively. Latios is mentioned for its ability to switch into Breloom, when Gengar is already great vs Loom. Similarly, Skarmory is mentioned as a Landorus-T counter, when the Gengar set in question already has Hidden Power Ice and walls Landorus-T. Would mention Gliscor having access to slow U-turn to help Gengar hit the field, especially if the listed spread stays as 4 max satk / max speed.

Will take a re-read later in case I missed anything but this was what stuck out - broadly this captures Gengar well though!
 

dex

Hard as Vince Carter’s knee cartilage is
is a Site Content Manageris an official Team Rateris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a CAP Contributor Alumnus
[OVERVIEW]
Gengar is a decent Pokemon on sand teams with multiple Psychic-types since it wears down checks to the Psychic-type checks, mainly Tyranitar, as well as Ferrothorn and Jirachi thanks to its coverage and ability to burn them with Will-O-Wisp. It can also come on in Rapid Spin fromis an excellent spinblocker, switching into Sand Force Excadrill and OHKOing it with Focus Blast and while the same is true with Starmie, since; the same is true against Starmie, as it can take one Hydro Pump from full health and OHKO Starmie with Shadow Ball. Gengar is quite fast, outspeeding Pokemon like Keldeo, Garchomp, Terrakion, and Thundurus-T and Speed tying with Latios, letting Gengarit threaten many common offensive Pokemon. It also has some defensive utility in countering Landorus-T and Gliscor since they can't hit Gengar hard and it threatens them offensively. However, Gengar is uncommon because of its lack of self-sufficiency outside of crippling checks for Psychic-types as a result of its lack of defensive utility, which leaves. It lacks defensive utility, leaving it unable to switch into many Pokemon, notably failing to spinblock against Tentacruel. It's also easily revenge killed by faster Pokemon like Alakazam, Starmie, and Choice Scarf users, especially Choice Scarf Tyranitar and Scizor since they can Pursuit trap it. It also isn't a great wallbreaker due to its inability to do much against bulkier targets that it caren't hit super effectively, like Gastrodon, specially defensive Skarmory, and Politoed outside of burning them. It also faces stiff competition as a spinblocker that cripples Psychic-type checks from Jellicent, whoich has much better defensive utility thanks to its better defensive profile letting it spinblock against Tentacruel more effectively and more comfortably doing so against Excadrill.

[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Focus Blast / Trick
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Black Sludge
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Focus Blast wears down and forces support Tyranitar and forces it to use its Chople Berry, making a teammate like Alakazam more easily able to take it out later in the game. It also hits Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Excadrill, Heatran, and physically defensive Skarmory hard. Trick can be used to more consistently cripple the aforementioned Pokemon since accuracy is no longer a factor to have to consider and notably make Tyranitar lose itdue to Focus Blast's poor accuracy; furthermore, Trick removes Tyranitar's Chople Berry more consistently, letting Gengar's Psychic-type teammates more easily break past it. It also lets Gengar cripple Pokemon that can't be burned, like Gliscor and Poison Heal Breloom and make Pokemon, and make foes like Gastrodon and specially defensive Skarmory take a ton of passive damage in tandem with burn. However, it's one-use nature makes it less consistent at crippling teams with multiple Psychic-type checks compared to Focus Blast. Will-O-Wisp burns and wears down bulky Pokemon like Tyranitar, Ferrothorn, Jirachi, Skarmory, and Rotom-W, which is especially potent alongside entry hazards and sand. Hidden Power Ice hits Garchomp, Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Dragonite very hard, meaning Gliscor can't freely U-turn into Tyranitar against Gengar.

Set Details
========
Black Sludge is the chosen item to give Gengar enough longevity to cripple and wear down what it needs to and makes Trick usable should it be run.

Team Options
========
Gengar fits well on sand teams that use Spikes, in tandem with multiple Psychic-types, since it spinblocks against Excadrill and Starmie and cripples checks to the Psychic-type checks. Tyranitar sets sand and Pursuit traps Reuniclus, Latios, and Alakazam with aits Chople Berry set. It also enjoys Gengar spinblocking Excadrill and crippling Pokemon that'd take its hits, like Ferrothorn and Skarmory, with Will-O-Wisp. Ferrothorn and Skarmory are able to set up Spikes to wear down most of Gengar's common switch-ins, like Tyranitar, Excadrill, and Heatran, while enjoying Gengar spinblocking so they stay on the field. Ferrothorndenying foes from removing Spikes with Rapid Spin. Ferrothorn notably switches into Dragon-types like Latios and Dragonite lacking Fire Punch and Superpower as well as Water-types like Starmie and Politoed. It also provides other support in the form of Stealth Rock and Knock Off to wear down the opponent in tandem witheven more alongside Gengar's Will-O-Wisp. On the other hand, Skarmory checks offensive Ground-types like Excadrill, and Garchomp more reliably as well as Dragonite lacking Fire Punch and Scizor. Gengar works very well alongside Psychic-types since Gengar cripples and wears down their switch-ins, mainly Tyranitar, Jirachi, and Ferrothorn. A; as such, Alakazam, Latios, and Reuniclus are fantastic partners, with Alakazam being. Alakazam is able to break past Tyranitar without needing to break its Focus Sash if Gengar forces it to use its Chople Berry and keep Stealth Rock off the field against Starmie in sand if running super effective coverage after Gengar goes down from Hydro Pump + sand damagerevenge kill Starmie if it predicts Gengar switching in. Latios switches into Water- and Psychic-types like Keldeo, Politoed, and Alakazam, with Colbur Berry Latios being a particularly good partner since it can act as a way to wear down Choice Scarf Tyranitar, which Gengar often fails to do so. Reuniclus appreciates its switch-ins being worn down so it can more easily sweep with Calm Mind late-game and more justiflexiably drop Focus Blast for Hidden Power Ice or Thunder. Gliscor checks Steel-types like Heatran, Jirachi, Excadrill, and Tyranitar and can provide Stealth Rock and Knock Off support to further wear down Gengar's switch-ins in tandem with burn. Gliscor can also safely get Gengar on to the field with U-turn.

[SET]
name: Substitute + Will-O-Wisp
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Black Sludge
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 80 HP / 236 Def / 192 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
This set is designed to safely burn Tyranitar to help rain teams win the weather war. It also provides a decent spinblocking option against Tentacruel in matchups against opposing rain teams. Substitute punishes switches and lets Gengar safely burn or attack the switch-in. Gengar can also set up Substitute easily against targets like burnt specially defensive Jirachi, Ferrothorn, and Gliscor. Will-O-Wisp cripples checks like Tyranitar and Tentacruel, making them much easier to wear down and break through. Will-O-Wisp is also easy to use freely if Substitute is up. Focus Blast wears down and forces support Tyranitar to use its Chople Berry, making a teammate Tornadus andlike Tornadus or Thundurus-T more easily able to take Tyranitar out later in the game. It also hits Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Excadrill, Heatran, and physically defensive Skarmory hard.

Set Details
========
Black Sludge is the chosen item to give Gengar enough longevity to cripple and wear down what it needs to. 80 HP and 236 Defense EVs lets Gengar always survive Jolly Excadrill's Sand Force-boosted Iron Head after Stealth Rock and sand damage. The Speed EVs allow Gengar to outspeed Garchomp.

Team Options
========
Gengar fits well on Spikes-based rain teams with Pokemon like Latios and Tornadus that benefit greatly from Gengar crippling Tyranitar and keeping Spikes on the field long enough for its teammates to wreak havoc. Politoed brings rain, switches into Tyranitar and Steel-types like Jirachi and Heatran, spreads status in tandem with Gengar, and baits in Grass-types like Ferrothorn for Gengar to switch into while Gengar burning Tyranitar makes it easier to maintain rain. Excadrill is more easily able to spin entry hazards off the field with Gengar burning itSkarmory burned, which is important since Gengar lets Skarmory easily set up Spikes while; Excadrill can also act as a check to Tyranitar. Ferrothorn counters Dragon- and Water-types like Latios, Starmie, and Kyurem-B, and enjoys Gengar preventing Tentacruel and Excadrill from spinning away its entry hazards at least once. Choice Scarf Keldeo can clean late-game with its rain-boosted Water-type STAB moves thanks to Gengar making it easier to win the weather war. Keldeo also checks Pokemon like Tyranitar, Heatran, and Jirachi, while Gengar checks Grass-types like Breloom and Celebi and Breloom lacking Psychic. Latios, particularly Choice Scarf variants, greatly appreciates Gengar crippling checks like Tyranitar and Jirachi and keeping Spikes from being removed, letting Latios more easily revenge kill what it needs to. Tornadus can more freely use Hurricane with Tyranitar being weakened by Will-O-Wisp and Focus Blast while Tornadus can also KO Chople Berry Tyranitar with Focus Blast should it have used its Chople Berry against Gengar; it further appreciates Tyranitar's Chople Berry getting used. Thundurus-T benefits in a similar manner to Tornadus, with its STAB Thunder being able to be more freely used thanks to rain being up more often to fix its accuracy while also makwhile also letting Thundurus-T able to heal with Leftovers more frequently, giving it much better longevity against sand teams.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Life Orb or Choice Specs set may seem tempting given Gengar's good movepool and Special Attack. However, these sets tend to underperform as a result of their lack of longevity, ability to be easily Pursuit trapped by Tyranitar after locking into a move that isn't Focus Blast, and being outclassed byweakness to Pursuit if not locking into Focus Blast, and competition from other special attackers like Latios, Alakazam, Reuniclus, and Keldeo. Destiny Bond can be used over Focus Blast to take down Pokemon with Gengar as it faints, mainly when it's worn down against Pokemon like Tentacruel, Politoed, and Heatran. Hidden Power Fire OHKOes Scizor and does a lot of damage to Ferrothorn. However, it forces Gengar to run an imperfect Speed IV, leaving it outsped by Latios. It also lacks usefulness outside of these targets. Should Hidden Power Fire be run, Protect should be used alongside it to scout and beat Choice Scarf Scizor and scout Choice Scarf Tyranitar. 88 HP and 224 Defense EVs can be run on the Substitute + Will-O-Wisp set to let Gengar always survive Jolly Excadrill's Sand Force-boosted Iron Head after Stealth Rock and sand damage as well as Starmie's unboosted Hydro Pump after Stealth Rock. However, this spread can only outspeed up to Garchomp, leaving it unable to check Latios and Keldeo offensively. Hex can be used on the Substitute + Will-O-Wisp set to do more damage to burned targets and pressure Gliscor more reliably than Shadow Ball.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Pursuit**: Tyranitar and Scizor can Pursuit trap Gengar, especially if running Choice Scarf since they'll do so before Gengar gets the chance to burn or significantly damage them. However, they will often need to take a burn or Focus Blast when removing Gengar if lacking Choice Scarf, leaving them vulnerable to Gengar's Psychic-type partners.

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon like Alakazam, Starmie, and Starmie and Choice Scarf users like Latios and Keldeo can all outspeed and KO Gengar with ease as a result of its immense frailty. However, they don't enjoy getting burned or taking one of its hits, making them unable to switch in safely.

**Bulky Pokemon**: Gengar can't break through bulky Pokemon like Gastrodon, Politoed, Tentacruel, and specially defensive Skarmory as a result of their immense bulk, recovery, and ability to threaten Gengar. However, they don't enjoy taking a burn, which leaves them vulnerable to Gengar's Psychic-type partners, and in Politoed's case, losing the weather war to Tyranitar.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Ophion, 433215]]
- Quality checked by: [[Zokuru, 263906], [peng, 33864]]
- Grammar checked by: [[name, iddex, 277988]]

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