The Ghost type (Japanese: ゴーストタイプ, Hepburn: Gosuto taipu) is one of the eighteen Pokémon elemental types.

The Ghost type is notable for having few Pokémon (many of whom have low HP) and moves. In battles, the Ghost-type is useful because it's the only type that has two immunities: Normal and Fighting, both of which are common move types. From Generation VI onwards, Ghost-types are also immune to moves and abilities that prevent escaping, like Block and Shadow Tag.

Pokémon of this type are usually connected to fear, the dark and the afterlife. They usually live in abandoned houses, cemeteries, funeral places and uninhabited dark places such as caves. Also, Ghost-type Pokémon tend to be extremely naughty, pranking humans just to see their faces and reactions. Curiously, the more scared a human is, the more power the Ghost Pokémon will have to prank with it. At worst, some Ghost-type Pokémon may have relatively murderous behaviors, such as Jellicent preying on ships and their crews or the Litwick evolutionary family draining the life energy from people that are lost.

Famous Ghost-type Pokémon Trainers include Agatha, third member of the Kanto Elite Four; Morty, the fourth Gym Leader of Johto; Phoebe, second member of the Hoenn Elite Four; Fantina, the fifth Gym Leader in the Sinnoh region; Shauntal, a member of the Unova Elite Four; Acerola, a Trial Captain of Ula'ula Island, Alola as well as its third Elite Four member; Allister, the fourth Gym Leader of Galar in Pokémon Shield; and Ryme, the Gym Leader of Montenevera in Paldea.

Ghost-type moves[]

• There are 34 Ghost-type moves.
  • In Generation I, 3 moves were introduced.
  • In Generation II, 5 moves were introduced.
  • In Generation III, 3 moves were introduced.
  • In Generation IV, 4 moves were introduced.
  • In Generation V, 1 move was introduced.
  • In Generation VI, 2 moves were introduced.
  • In Generation VII, 8 moves were introduced.
  • In Generation VIII, 6 moves were introduced.
  • In Generation IX, 2 moves were introduced.
• In battles: Physical and Other moves stand out.
  • 15 moves are of the type.
  • 9 moves are of the type.
  • 7 moves are of the type.
• In contests: Clever moves stand out.
  • 8 moves are of the type.
  • 3 moves are of the type.
  • 3 moves are of the type.
  • 3 moves are of the type.
  • 1 move is of the type.

Items associated with the Ghost-type[]

• 8 items are associated with the Ghost type.
  • The Ghost Gem, which boosts the power of Ghost-type moves once by 30%.
  • The Spell Tag, which boosts the power of Ghost-type moves once by 20%.
  • The Kasib Berry, a berry lessens the damage taken by a super effective Ghost-type move.
  • The Dusk Stone, an Evolution Stone that is used to evolve Ghost-type Pokémon.
  • The Spooky Plate, a stone tablet that boosts the power of Ghost-type moves by 20% and changes Arceus and Judgment to become Ghost-type.
  • The Ghost Memory, which acts like a counterpart to the Spooky Plate and changes Silvally and Multi-Attack to become Ghost-type.
  • The Ghostium-Z, a Z-Crystal that converts Ghost-type moves to Ghost-type Z-Moves.
  • The Decidium-Z, a Z-Crystal that converts Decidueye's Spirit Shackle to Ghost-type Z-Moves.

List of Ghost-type moves[]

Name	Category	Contest	Generation	Power
Astonish		[1]	Generation III	30
Astral Barrage		-	Generation VIII	120
Bitter Malice		-	Generation VIII	75
Confuse Ray			Generation I	-
Curse[2]			Generation II	-
Destiny Bond			Generation II	-
G-Max Terror	-	-	Generation VIII	-
Grudge			Generation III	-
Hex			Generation V	65
Infernal Parade		-	Generation VIII	60
Last Respects		-	Generation IX	50
Lick		[3]	Generation I	20
Max Phantasm	-	-	Generation VIII	-
Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom		-	Generation VII	200
Moongeist Beam		-	Generation VII	100
Never-Ending Nightmare	-	-	Generation VII	-
Night Shade			Generation I	1-100 depending on the user's level
Nightmare			Generation II	-
Ominous Wind		[1]	Generation IV	60
Phantom Force			Generation VI	90
Poltergeist		-	Generation VIII	110
Rage Fist		-	Generation IX	50
Shadow Ball			Generation II	80
Shadow Bone		-	Generation VII	85
Shadow Claw		[4]	Generation IV	70
Shadow Force		[1]	Generation IV	120
Shadow Punch			Generation III	60
Shadow Sneak			Generation IV	40
Sinister Arrow Raid		-	Generation VII	180
Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike		-	Generation VII	195
Spectral Thief		-	Generation VII	90
Spirit Shackle		-	Generation VII	80
Spite			Generation II	-
Trick-or-Treat			Generation VI	-

Effectiveness of Ghost-type moves[]

Super effective against Pokémon of the types:  and .

Not very effective against Pokémon of the types: .

Ineffective against Pokémon of the types: .

Weaknesses and resistances of the Ghost type[]

A type chart displaying the weaknesses and resistance of a Pokémon when damaged by a move. Empty fields are moves that do normal damage.

	Type of the move
	½ [5]	×2				×0			×2				×0	½
	½	×2				×0	×2	×2	×2	½	½		×0	½		×2
					×2	×0							×0	½	×0
	½	×2	×2	½	×2	×0	½		×2	½		×2	×0	½				½
	½	×2		½		×0		½	×2		×2		×0	½			½
	¼		×0			×0			×2				×0				×2
	¼				×2	×0		×2	×2				×0	½	×2	½
	¼	×2			½	×0	½		×2	½	×2	½	×0	½		×2	½	×2
	¼	×2		×2		×0			×2	½	×0	×2	×0	½		×2
		×2		½		×0	×2	×2	×2	½	½	×2	×0					½
	½	×2		×0		×0			×2	×2		×2	×0	¼		½		×2
	½	×2				×0	×2		×2			½	×0	½		×2	×2
	½	×2				×0			×0				×0	½
	¼ [6]	×2			½	×0			×2	½	×2		×0	¼	×2
		×4				×0			×4				×0	½	½
	¼	×2	½		½	×0	×2	½	×2	½	×2	½	×0	×0	½	½	½
	½	×2		×2		×0	½		×2	×2		½	×0	½			½	½

Ghost-type-Pokémon Trainers[]

Ghost-type-Pokémon Gym Leaders[]

Leader	Location	Badge
Morty	Ecruteak City, Johto	Fog Badge
Fantina	Hearthome City, Sinnoh	Relic Badge
Allister	Stow-on-Side, Galar	Ghost Badge
Ryme	Montenevera, Paldea

Ghost-type-Pokémon Trial Captains[]

Leader	Location	Z-Crystal
Acerola	Thrifty Megamart, Alola	Ghostium Z

Ghost-type-Pokémon Elite Four members[]

Competence	Category
Agatha	Kanto Elite Four
Phoebe	Hoenn Elite Four
Shauntal	Unova Elite Four
Acerola	Alola Elite Four

Ghost-type records[]

• Giratina (Origin Form) is the tallest Ghost-type Pokémon.
• Sinistea is the smallest Ghost-type Pokémon.
• Giratina (Altered Form) is the heaviest Ghost-type Pokémon.
• Gastly and Haunter are the lightest Ghost-type Pokémon.
• Gastly evolves at the lowest level (25)
• Drakloak evolves at the highest level (60)
• Drifblim & Giratina tie for the most HP of all Ghost-types (150)
• Mega Banette has the most Attack of all Ghost-types (165)
• Pecharunt has the most Defense of all Ghost-types (160). But when Doublade is holding an Eviolite, Doublade has the highest Defense of all Ghost types (225).
• Aegislash (Shield Form) has the most Sp. Def of all Ghost-types (140). However, when Dusclops has an Eviolite, Dusclops has the highest Special Defense of all Ghost types (195).
• Mega Gengar has the most Sp. Atk of all Ghost-types (170)
• Both Chandelure and Cursola have the highest Special Attack of all non-Mega Evolved, non-Legendary, and non-Ultra Beast Ghost types (145)
• Shadow Rider Calyrex has the most Speed of all Ghost-types (150)
• Dragapult has the highest Speed of all non-Legendary Ghost-types (142)
• Giratina, Lunala, Dawn Wings Necrozma and Shadow Rider Calyrex have the highest base stat totals of all Ghost-types (680)

Ghost-type Pokémon[]

72 Pokémon are Ghost-type.

Pure Ghost-type Pokémon[]

17 Pokémon (23.61%) with pure Ghost-type

#200: Misdreavus

#222: Galarian Corsola

#353: Shuppet

#353: Banette

#355: Duskull

#356: Dusclops

#429: Mismagius

#477: Dusknoir

#562: Yamask

#563: Cofagrigus

#854: Sinistea

#855: Polteageist

#864: Cursola

#897: Spectrier

#971: Greavard

#972: Houndstone

#999: Gimmighoul (Chest Form)

Primary Ghost-type Pokémon[]

20 Pokémon (27.78%) with primary Ghost-type

#092: Gastly

#093: Haunter

#094: Gengar

#425: Drifloon

#426: Drifblim

#442: Spiritomb

#487: Giratina (Altered Forme)

#607: Litwick

#608: Lampent

#609: Chandelure

#708: Phantump

#709: Trevenant

#710: Pumpkaboo

#711: Gourgeist

#711: Oricorio (Sensu Style)
^[7]

#769: Sandygast

#770: Palossand

#778: Mimikyu

#781: Dhelmise

#987: Flutter Mane

Secondary Ghost-type Pokémon[]

35 Pokémon (48.61%) with primary Ghost-type

#105: Alolan Marowak

#157: Hisuian Typhlosion

#292: Shedinja

#302: Sableye

#478: Froslass

#479: Rotom

#562: Galarian Yamask

#570: Hisuian Zorua

#571: Hisuian Zoroark

#592: Frillish

#593: Jellicent

#622: Golett

#623: Golurk

#679: Honedge

#680: Doublade

#681: Aegislash (Shield Forme)

#720: Hoopa (Confined Forme)

#724: Decidueye

#792: Lunala

#802: Marshadow

#806: Blacephalon

#867: Runerigus

#885: Dreepy

#886: Drakloak

#887: Dragapult

#902: Basculegion

#911: Skeledirge

#937: Ceruledge

#946: Bramblin

#947: Brambleghast

#979: Annihilape

#1000: Gholdengo

#1012: Poltchageist

#1013: Sinistcha

#1025: Pecharunt

Pokémon with Ghost-type alternate formes[]

The following alternate formes of some Pokémon are also of the Ghost-type.

#094: Mega Gengar

#094: Gigantamax Gengar

#302: Mega Sableye

#354: Mega Banette

#487: Giratina (Origin Forme)

#493: Arceus
^[8]

#681: Aegislash (Blade Forme)

#773: Silvally
^[9]

#800: Dawn Wings Necrozma
^[10]

#898: Shadow Rider Calyrex

#999: Gimmighoul (Roaming Form)

Relations with other types[]

• They're strong against the Psychic-type because some people are afraid of ghosts, and fears affect the mind. Communing with ghosts is also said to be a much different process than simply reading minds through physical or empirical means.
• They're weak against themselves because ghosts can touch each other, and there's a belief that the strongest spirit wins, with spirit referring to the desire to win something.
• They're weak against the Dark-type because dark represents terror and evil, and it is said that evil spirits (like Spiritomb) are punished. According to some belief systems, ghosts who lead evil lives and refuse to go to the afterlife are said to transform into demons, and demons in some mythologies are feared and also rumored to eat lost souls.
• They're immune to the Fighting and Normal-types because spirits are incorporeal beings and thus can't be hit normally. This is also the reason why the Normal-type is immune to them, because a mortal and a ghost can't hurt each other. Interestingly, the Fighting-type is not immune to them.
• They resist the Poison-type because you can't poison someone who's already dead, and since spirits don't have a physical form, toxins can't pass through.
• They resist the Bug-type because members of that type cannot easily transcend the spiritual barrier members of this type hide behind in order to attack them. Also because parasites can't infect someone who's already dead.

Trivia[]

• The only Ghost-type Pokémon of Generation I were Gastly and its evolutions.
• Before Generation II, Psychic-type Pokémon were immune to Ghost-type moves, although it's largely believed this was due to a programming error, since Nintendo-published guides claimed they were weak to them. This created a balance issue that was rectified in later generations.
• The first pure Ghost-type Pokémon was Misdreavus, which was introduced in Generation II.
• No Gym Leader or Elite Four member who specializes in Ghost-type Pokémon was introduced in Generation VI.
• Similarly to the Dark type, the Ghost type is usually not straightforward when representing a Pokémon. Sometimes, Ghost Pokémon like Yamask and Gengar are this type because they are actual dead humans. This could also be seen as a term of murderous instincts like Jellicent which sinks ships and Froslass which freezes and keeps humans. It could also come from the fact that normal items could be possessed by a ghost like Banette or Aegislash (Banette being a possessed doll and Aegislash being a possessed sword). This could also relate to the mischievous actions of ghosts like Misdreavus and Rotom. This could also be because they have supernatural powers like Hoopa or Giratina (Hoopa can create portals and Giratina can use the powers of gas-type-matter).
• As shown from certain Pokémon like Mimikins, it is shown that certain Ghost types can in fact die despite being considered a "ghost".
• The Ghost type has the same type advantages as the Dark-type (Psychic and Ghost).
• The Ghost type alone is the only type with two immunities.
• Morty and Allister are the only male Ghost-type trainers so far.
• The Ghost type is tied with the Ice type and the Ground type for the least Gigantamax forms, each having 1.
• The Ghost type is the last type Ash Ketchum caught in the anime, where he caught a Gengar in A Chilling Curse!.
• The Ghost type has the most accurate moves of any type, as the only Ghost-type move capable of missing is Poltergeist.
• The Rock type is the only type that hasn't been paired with the Ghost type thus far.
• Some Ghost types are based on Yōkai from Japanese mythology; Froslass being based on the Yuki-Onna and Phantump being based on the Kodama.
• Ghost types aren't actual ghosts, although they are immortal and have supernatural abilities.

Notes[]

v · d · e Pokémon by type
Bug type Dark type Dragon type Electric type Fairy type Fighting type Fire type Flying type Ghost type Grass type Ground type Ice type Normal type Poison type Psychic type Rock type Steel type Water type
Only exists within Generation II – IV: ??? type · Only exists within Colosseum and XD: Shadow · Only exists within Scarlet and Violet: Stellar