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.

Table of Contents

Battle properties

Note: Type effectiveness multipliers may vary in other games outside the core series.

Generation I

Offensive properties of Ghost-type moves
Super effective (×2) Not very effective (×½) No effect (×0)
Ghost None NormalPsychic

Generations II to V

Generation VI onwards

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

Half Ghost-type Pokémon

Primary Ghost-type Pokémon

Secondary Ghost-type Pokémon

Changed types

These Ghost-type Pokémon have had their types changed.

Pokéstar Studios opponents

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
III Astonish Physical Cute 30 100% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Many Others
The user attacks by sending a frightful amount of small ghosts at opposing Pokémon.
VIII Bitter Malice Special 75 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
The target is exposed to a sinister ray that causes confusion.
II Curse Status Tough — —% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Varies
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)
     
     
Self
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)
     
     
1 Other
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)
     
     
1 Other
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)
     
     
Self
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)
     
     
Normal
This relentless attack does massive damage to a target affected by status conditions.
VIII Infernal Parade Special 60 100% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
1 Other
This is a Ghost-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This lowers the target's Defense stat.
VIII Max Phantasm Special — —% 3 (max 4)
     
     
1 Other
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
A sleeping target sees a nightmare that inflicts some damage every turn.
IV Ominous Wind Special Beautiful 60 100% 5 (max 8)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
The user throws a punch from the shadows. This attack never misses.
IV Shadow Sneak Physical Clever 40 100% 30 (max 48)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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)
     
     
Normal
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.

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
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

Cram-o-matic

Notable Ghost-type Trainers

Main article: Category:Ghost-type Trainers

Icons

Core series

Icon fromPokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, HeartGold and SoulSilver Icon fromPokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Icon fromGeneration IV Icon fromGeneration V Icon fromGeneration VI Icon fromPokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Icon fromLet's Go, Pikachu!; Let's Go, Eevee! Icon fromPokémon Sword and Shield Symbol icon fromLet's Go, Pikachu!; Let's Go, Eevee!; Sword, Shield and HOME (Gen VIII) Icon fromPokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Symbol icon fromPokémon Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Scarlet and Violet, and HOME (Gen IX) Icon fromPokémon Legends: Arceus Symbol icon fromPokémon Legends: Arceus Icon fromPokémon Scarlet and Violet Tera icon fromPokémon Scarlet and Violet Tera symbol icon fromPokémon Scarlet and Violet

Side series

Spin-off games

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

Stat
Attack: 79.02
Defense: 78.95
Sp.Atk: 84.62
Sp.Def: 79.18
Speed: 68.63
Total: 457.06

Fully evolved

Stat
Attack: 91.46
Defense: 88.02
Sp.Atk: 97.52
Sp.Def: 90.8
Speed: 79.31
Total: 524.13

Trivia

In other languages