Ghost (type)
The Ghost type (Japanese: ゴーストタイプ Ghost type) is one of the eighteen types. Ghost-type moves are super effective against Ghost- and Psychic-type Pokémon, while Ghost-type Pokémon are weak to Dark- and Ghost-type moves.
Battle properties
Note: Type effectiveness multipliers may vary in other games outside the core series.
Offensive properties of  Ghost-type moves
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| Super effective (×2) | Not very effective (×½) | No effect (×0) |
 Ghost Psychic
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 Dark
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 Normal
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| Defensive properties of Ghost-type Pokémon
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| Weak to (×2) | Resists (×½) | Immune to (×0) |
| GhostDark
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 Poison Bug
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Normal Fighting
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- In Generation I only, Ghost-type moves had no effect on Psychic-type Pokémon.
- Dark and Steel types were introduced in Generation II.
- In Generations II-V, Ghost-type moves were not very effective against Steel-type Pokémon.
Additional effects
If the user has the Ability Scrappy or Mind's Eye, or the target is under the effect of the moves Foresight or Odor Sleuth, Normal- and Fighting-type moves will deal ×1 damage to Ghost-type Pokémon.
The move Curse, introduced in Generation II, functions differently when used by a Ghost-type Pokémon.
From Generation VI onwards, Ghost-type Pokémon are immune to effects that prevent recall or escape (such as Mean Look and Shadow Tag), and they are also guaranteed to flee from any wild battle regardless of Speed.
The move Trick-or-Treat, introduced in Generation VI, adds the Ghost type to the target's types.
In Generation I only, Ghost-type Pokémon cannot be paralyzed by Lick, and are affected by Bide, Counter, Seismic Toss, SonicBoom, and Super Fang, despite these moves being Normal- and Fighting-type, which the Ghost type is normally immune to.
In Generations II and III only, Ghost-type Pokémon are immune to Glare.
Pokémon
As of Generation IX, 73 Pokémon or 7.12% of all Pokémon are Ghost-type (counting those that are Ghost-type in at least one of their forms, including regional forms), making it the third rarest type among Pokémon after Fairy and before Dragon and Electric.
The Pokémon below are listed by their current types. Some Pokémon have had their types changed.
Pure Ghost-type Pokémon
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Half Ghost-type Pokémon
Primary Ghost-type Pokémon
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Secondary Ghost-type Pokémon
Changed types
These Ghost-type Pokémon have had their types changed.
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Non-Pokémon opponents
Some opponents featured in Pokéstar Studios in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 can be battled like Pokémon and they have designated Pokémon types.
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Moves
As of Generation IX, there are 34 Ghost-type moves, which makes up 3.64% of all moves (excluding those that are Ghost-type only under certain circumstances), causing it to tie with Bug as the 4th rarest type among moves after Ice and before Poison.
Prior to changes in Generation IV, all damaging Ghost-type moves were physical, but they may now also be special depending on the attack.
Some moves have had their types changed.
| Gen | Move | Category | Contest | Power | Accuracy | PP | Range | Description | |||||||||
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| III | Astonish | Physical | Cute | 30 | 100% | 15 (max 24) |
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The user attacks the target by crying out in a startling fashion. This may also make the target flinch. | |||||||||
| VIII | Astral Barrage | Special | 120 | 100% | 5 (max 8) |
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The user attacks by sending a frightful amount of small ghosts at opposing Pokémon. | ||||||||||
| VIII | Bitter Malice | Special | 75 | 100% | 10 (max 16) |
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The user attacks the target with spine-chilling resentment. This also lowers the target���s Attack stat. | ||||||||||
| I | Confuse Ray | Status | Clever | — | 100% | 10 (max 16) |
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The target is exposed to a sinister ray that causes confusion. | |||||||||
| II | Curse | Status | Tough | — | —% | 10 (max 16) |
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A move that has different effects depending on whether the user is a Ghost type or not. | |||||||||
| II | Destiny Bond | Status | Clever | — | —% | 5 (max 8) |
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If the user is knocked out after using this move, the Pokémon that knocked it out will also faint. This move's chance of failing rises if it is used in succession. | |||||||||
| VIII | G-Max Terror | Physical | — | —% | 3 (max 4) |
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A Ghost-type attack that Gigantamax Gengar use. This Pokémon steps on the opposing Pokémon's shadow to prevent them from escaping. | ||||||||||
| VIII | G-Max Terror | Special | — | —% | 3 (max 4) |
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A Ghost-type attack that Gigantamax Gengar use. This Pokémon steps on the opposing Pokémon's shadow to prevent them from escaping. | ||||||||||
| III | Grudge | Status | Tough | — | —% | 5 (max 8) |
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If the user faints, the user's grudge fully depletes the PP of the opponent's move that knocked it out. | |||||||||
| V | Hex | Special | Clever | 65 | 100% | 10 (max 16) |
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This relentless attack does massive damage to a target affected by status conditions. | |||||||||
| VIII | Infernal Parade | Special | 60 | 100% | 15 (max 24) |
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The user attacks with myriad fireballs. This may also leave the target with a burn. This move's power is doubled if the target has a status condition. | ||||||||||
| IX | Last Respects | Physical | 50 | 100% | 10 (max 16) |
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The user attacks to avenge its allies. The more defeated allies there are in the user's party, the greater the move's power. | ||||||||||
| I | Lick | Physical | Cute | 30 | 100% | 30 (max 48) |
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The user licks the target with a long tongue to inflict damage. This may also leave the target with paralysis. | |||||||||
| VIII | Max Phantasm | Physical | — | —% | 3 (max 4) |
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This is a Ghost-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This lowers the target's Defense stat. | ||||||||||
| VIII | Max Phantasm | Special | — | —% | 3 (max 4) |
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This is a Ghost-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This lowers the target's Defense stat. | ||||||||||
| VII | Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom | Special | 200 | —% | 1 (max 1) |
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After obtaining Z-Power, the user, Lunala, attacks the target with full force. This move can ignore the effect of the target's Ability. | ||||||||||
| VII | Moongeist Beam | Special | 100 | 100% | 5 (max 8) |
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The user emits a sinister ray to attack the target. This move can be used on the target regardless of its Ability. | ||||||||||
| VII | Never-Ending Nightmare | Physical | — | —% | 1 (max 1) |
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Deep-seated grudges summoned by the user's Z-Power trap the target. The power varies, depending on the original move. | ||||||||||
| VII | Never-Ending Nightmare | Special | — | —% | 1 (max 1) |
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Deep-seated grudges summoned by the user's Z-Power trap the target. The power varies, depending on the original move. | ||||||||||
| I | Night Shade | Special | Clever | — | 100% | 15 (max 24) |
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The user makes the target see a frightening mirage. It inflicts damage equal to the user's level. | |||||||||
| II | Nightmare | Status | Clever | — | 100% | 15 (max 24) |
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A sleeping target sees a nightmare that inflicts some damage every turn. | |||||||||
| IV | Ominous Wind | Special | Beautiful | 60 | 100% | 5 (max 8) |
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The user blasts the target with a gust of repulsive wind. This may also raise all the user's stats at once. | |||||||||
| VI | Phantom Force | Physical | Cool | 90 | 100% | 10 (max 16) |
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The user vanishes somewhere, then strikes the target on the next turn. This move hits even if the target protects itself. | |||||||||
| VIII | Poltergeist | Physical | 110 | 90% | 5 (max 8) |
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The user attacks by controlling the target's item. This move fails if the target isn't holding an item. | ||||||||||
| IX | Rage Fist | Physical | 50 | 100% | 10 (max 16) |
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The user converts its rage into energy to attack. The more times the user has been hit by attacks, the greater the move's power. | ||||||||||
| II | Shadow Ball | Special | Clever | 80 | 100% | 15 (max 24) |
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The user attacks by hurling a shadowy blob at the target. This may also lower the target’s Sp. Def stat. | |||||||||
| VII | Shadow Bone | Physical | 85 | 100% | 10 (max 16) |
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The user attacks by beating the target with a bone that contains a spirit. This may also lower the target's Defense stat. | ||||||||||
| IV | Shadow Claw | Physical | Cool | 70 | 100% | 15 (max 24) |
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The user attacks by slashing the target with a sharp claw made from shadows. This move has a heightened chance of landing a critical hit. | |||||||||
| IV | Shadow Force | Physical | Cool | 120 | 100% | 5 (max 8) |
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The user disappears on the first turn, then attacks on the next turn. This move hits even if the target protects itself. | |||||||||
| III | Shadow Punch | Physical | Clever | 60 | —% | 20 (max 32) |
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The user throws a punch from the shadows. This attack never misses. | |||||||||
| IV | Shadow Sneak | Physical | Clever | 40 | 100% | 30 (max 48) |
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The user extends its shadow and attacks the target from behind. This move always goes first. | |||||||||
| VII | Sinister Arrow Raid | Physical | 180 | —% | 1 (max 1) |
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The user, Decidueye, creates countless arrows using its Z-Power and shoots the target with full force. | ||||||||||
| VII | Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike | Physical | 195 | —% | 1 (max 1) |
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After obtaining Z-Power, the user, Marshadow, punches and kicks the target consecutively with full force. | ||||||||||
| VII | Spectral Thief | Physical | 90 | 100% | 10 (max 16) |
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The user hides in the target's shadow, steals the target's stat boosts, and then attacks. | ||||||||||
| VII | Spirit Shackle | Physical | 80 | 100% | 10 (max 16) |
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The user attacks while simultaneously stitching the target's shadow to the ground to prevent the target from fleeing. | ||||||||||
| II | Spite | Status | Tough | — | 100% | 10 (max 16) |
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The user unleashes its grudge on the move last used by the target by cutting 4 PP from it. | |||||||||
| VI | Trick-or-Treat | Status | Cute | — | 100% | 20 (max 32) |
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The user takes the target trick-or-treating. This adds Ghost type to the target's type. | |||||||||
| All details are accurate to Generation VII games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual move's page. Target data assumes user is in the lower left. | |||||||||||||||||
Changed types
The following Ghost-type moves have had their types changed.
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Abilities
Interacting with the Ghost type
A Pokémon with Protean or Libero will become a Ghost-type Pokémon if it uses a Ghost-type move. A Pokémon with Color Change, Imposter, RKS System, or Multitype will become a Ghost-type Pokémon if (respectively) it is hit with a Ghost-type move, is sent out against a Ghost-type opponent, is holding a Ghost Memory, or is holding a Spooky Plate or Ghostium Z.
Since Generation VI, Ghost-type Pokémon are also immune to Magnet Pull, Arena Trap, and Shadow Tag.
| Gen | Ability | Description |
|---|---|---|
| IX | Mind's Eye | The Pokémon ignores changes to opponents' evasiveness, its accuracy can't be lowered, and it can hit Ghost types with Normal- and Fighting-type moves. |
| IX | Purifying Salt | The Pokémon's pure salt protects it from status conditions and halves the damage taken from Ghost-type moves. |
| V | Rattled | The Pokémon gets scared when hit by a Dark-, Ghost-, or Bug-type attack or if intimidated, which boosts its Speed stat. |
| IV | Scrappy | The Pokémon can hit Ghost-type Pokémon with Normal- and Fighting-type moves. It is also unaffected by Intimidate. |
| All details are accurate to Generation IX games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual Ability's page. | ||
Exclusive Abilities
Only Ghost-type Pokémon have these Abilities. This does not include signature Abilities.
| Gen | Ability | Description |
|---|---|---|
| VIII | Perish Body | When hit by a move that makes direct contact, the Pokémon and the attacker will faint after three turns unless they switch out of battle. |
| V | Cursed Body | May disable a move that has dealt damage to the Pokémon. |
| All details are accurate to Generation IX games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual Ability's page. | ||
Items
| Name | Description | |
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Ghost Gem | A gem with a spectral essence. When held, it strengthens the power of a Ghost-type move one time. |
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Ghost Memory | A memory disc that contains Ghost-type data. It changes the type of the holder if held by a certain species of Pokémon. |
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Ghost Tera Shard | On rare occasions, these shards form when a Tera Pokémon falls in battle and its Tera Jewel shatters. |
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Ghostium Z | This is a crystallized form of Z-Power. It upgrades Ghost-type moves to Z-Moves. |
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Griseous Orb | A shining gem to be held by Giratina. It boosts the power of Giratina’s Dragon- and Ghost-type moves. |
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Kasib Berry | If a Pokémon holding this Berry is hit with a supereffective Ghost-type move, the power of that move will be weakened. |
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Spell Tag | An item to be held by a Pokémon. It's a sinister, eerie tag that boosts the power of the holder's Ghost-type moves. |
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Spooky Plate | An item to be held by a Pokémon. This stone tablet is imbued with the essence of ghosts and boosts the power of the holder’s Ghost-type moves. |
| All details are accurate to Generation IX games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual item's page. | ||
Cram-o-matic
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Adrenaline Orb |
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Cleanse Tag |
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Custap Berry |
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Dusk Stone |
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Mago Berry |
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Odd Incense |
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Reaper Cloth |
Notable Ghost-type Trainers
- Main article: Category:Ghost-type Trainers
| Gen | Trainer | Title | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| I |  Agatha |
Elite Four | Indigo Plateau |
| II |  Morty |
Gym Leader | Ecruteak Gym |
| III |  Phoebe |
Elite Four | Hoenn Pokémon League |
| IV |  Fantina |
Gym Leader Coordinator |
Hearthome Gym |
| V |  Shauntal |
Elite Four | Unova Pokémon League |
| VII |  Acerola |
Trial Captain Elite Four |
Thrifty Megamart (Abandoned Site) Alola Pokémon League |
| VIII |  AllisterSh |
Gym Leader | Stow-on-Side Stadium |
| IX |  Ryme |
Gym Leader | Montenevera Gym |
Icons
Core series
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| Icon from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, HeartGold and SoulSilver |
Icon from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen |
Icon from Generation IV |
Icon from Generation V |
Icon from Generation VI |
Icon from Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon |
Icon from Let's Go, Pikachu!; Let's Go, Eevee! |
Icon from Pokémon Sword and Shield |
Symbol icon from Let's Go, Pikachu!; Let's Go, Eevee!; Sword, Shield and HOME (Gen VIII) |
Icon from Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl |
Symbol icon from Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Scarlet and Violet, and HOME (Gen IX) |
Icon from Pokémon Legends: Arceus |
Symbol icon from Pokémon Legends: Arceus |
Icon from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet |
Tera icon from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet |
Tera symbol icon from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet |
Side series
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| Icon from Pokémon Stadium |
Icon from Pokémon Stadium 2 |
Icon from Pokémon Colosseum |
Icon from Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness |
Icon from Pokémon Battle Revolution |
Spin-off games
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| Symbol icon from Pokémon Ranger |
Symbol icon from Pokémon Battrio |
Symbol icon from Pokémon Tretta |
Symbol icon from Pokémon GO |
Symbol icon from Pokémon Rumble Rush |
Symbol icon from Pokémon Masters EX |
Symbol icon from Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX |
Symbol icon from Pokémon Mezastar |
Symbol icon from New Pokémon Snap |
Symbol icon from Pokémon Sleep |
In the TCG
- Main article: Psychic (TCG)
Due to the decreased amount of types in the TCG compared to the game series, Ghost-type Pokémon fall under the Psychic-type.
Psychic-type Pokémon in the TCG are generally weak to Darkness and other Psychic Pokémon, with resistances to Colorless and Fighting. Psychic-type Pokémon are strong against Grass (until Diamond & Pearl), Fighting and Psychic Pokémon, whilst Colorless, Darkness, and Metal Pokémon can resist this type.
Statistical averages
Overall
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Fully evolved
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Trivia
- Generations VIII and IX introduced the most Ghost-type Pokémon of any generation, with thirteen. Generation II introduced the fewest Ghost-type Pokémon, with only one, Misdreavus.
- Despite being introduced in Generation I, there were no pure Ghost-type Pokémon until Generation II introduced Misdreavus.
- Generation VII introduced the most Ghost-type moves of any generation, with eight. Generation V introduced the fewest Ghost-type moves, with only one, Hex.
- In Generation I, Ghost-type moves have no effect on Psychic-type Pokémon, though an abundance of evidence suggests that this may have been an error. Multiple sources mention that Ghost-type moves are super-effective on Psychic-type Pokémon: official strategy guides published by Nintendo, two episodes of Pokémon the Series: The Beginning (The Tower of Terror and Haunter versus Kadabra), and even the games themselves, where a Pokémon Trainer in the Saffron Gym mentions that Psychic-type Pokémon "only fear Bugs and Ghosts" (though the reference to Ghost-type Pokémon was removed in Pokémon Yellow). This was corrected in Generation II to make Ghost-type moves actually be super effective against Psychic-type Pokémon.
- The Ghost type is the only type which is immune to two types: Normal and Fighting.
- It is also the only type to have ever been ineffective against two types: Normal and Psychic in Generation I.
- Ghost and Normal are the only two types to be immune towards each other.
- As of Generation VI, Ghost is tied with Dragon for being the least resisted type.
- While the Ghost-type has an immunity to Normal-type moves, several damaging moves that display as Normal-type can affect them, including Hidden Power (whose actual type varies) and Struggle (which inflicts typeless damage from Generation II onward).
- In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games, most Ghost-type Pokémon can walk through "walls" (some dungeons have cliffs, holes, or other equivalents), although doing so rapidly depletes their Belly meter. This is a reference to how ghosts are often depicted as being able to phase through objects.
- Despite not being Ghost-type, Darkrai is also able to walk through walls.
- Starting in Generation VI, it is not possible for any Pokémon to possess a double resistance to Ghost. However, the Purifying Salt Ability, introduced in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, simulates a resistance to the Ghost type and a Dark-type Pokémon that obtained it would basically have a double resistance to Ghost-type moves.
- Kalos is the only region without a notable Ghost-type specialist.
- In Pokémon Conquest, Ghost-type Pokémon which are not part-Flying-type or have Levitate are shown with an animation of physically passing through enemies, referencing the common belief that real-life ghosts can pass through solid objects. They cannot, however, pass through any other obstacle on the field in-game.
- Ghost- and Dark-type moves are super effective against the same types. As of Generation VI, the only difference between them is that Dark-type moves are not very effective on Fighting- or Fairy-type Pokémon while Ghost-type moves do not affect Normal-type Pokémon.
- All types that Ghost is weak to are the only types to be resisted by the Dark-type. Said types are, ironically, Ghost and Dark themselves.
- As shown in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, some Ghost-type Pokémon, despite their name, can still die. However, it also appears that many Ghost-type Pokémon, particularly ones who are more similar to traditional ghosts, are indeed immune to the ravages of time and can live on indefinitely.
- All Ghost-type moves are eligible to be used in Sky Battles.
- The Ghost type was the last type to have at least one Pokémon officially owned by Ash in the animated series, following his capture of a Gengar in A Chilling Curse!.
- Rock is the only type that has yet to be paired with Ghost.
- Ghost and Dragon share some characteristics. They both:
- originally had three Pokémon in Generation I, then gained only one more in Generation II.
- are the only types that are weak to themselves.
- have one type immune to them and one type resistant to them.
- Until The Isle of Armor and the introduction of Poltergeist, every Ghost-type move had 100% accuracy or could not miss.
- In Japanese, the Ghost type shares its name with Haunter, whose Japanese name is ゴースト Ghost.
In other languages
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