Gengar definitely needs a revamp as shown by dougs statistics. Also some of the sets were really messed up like Life Orb sweeper. Changed a lot of things around so get ready.
thanks to:
Great Sage - MAJOR editing
Max - giving me the ok to do this and telling me some advice.
Junior - support and helping me decide a set
Matty - support and helping me decide some stuff
current: http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/gengar
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Hypnosis
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Life Orb
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Gengar's best set may be the Life Orb set as it can sweep many teams in the blink of an eye. The goal is to simply take down opponents with its high Special Attack and Speed stat and to use Hypnosis on any counter that comes before it.</p>
<p>What makes this set so deadly is that Gengar has access to Hypnosis, a move that has a 70% chance to sleep the opponent. Gengar has very few counters, so Hypnosis can easily put to sleep those few counters the opponent might have. This is a perfect way to take down threats like Blissey; simple utilize Hypnosis to immobilize it and then abuse Focus Blast to take it down.</p>
<p>Gengar has a wide variety of special attacks and makes great use of them. Shadow Ball and Focus Blast will be able to hit every Pokemon in the game neutrally and when combined with Life Orb will beat almost anything. Shadow Ball will be Gengar's general attack and can 2HKO Pokemon such as Infernape and Heracross. Focus Blast will usually OHKO Pokemon who resist Shadow Ball, such as Tyranitar. Thunderbolt is the last attack on the set and can help you take out Pokemon like Vaporeon and Gyarados.</p>
<p>Gengar's high Speed and Special Attack should always be the your first priority. Gengar isn't too interested in boosting its poor defenses unless it runs Will-O-Wisp, as doing so will often have little effect.</p>
<p>An alternate EV spread of 136 Atk / 120 SpA / 252 Spe can be used if Gengar has Explosion. Explosion will always OHKO Blissey and can take out almost any weakened threat. However, losing any of the current moves is a huge loss to Gengar and it is the reason why the current spread is listed as the main option. Focus Punch could also be used for Tyranitar and Weavile, but considering Focus Blast will OHKO them anyway, there is no real reason to include it. Bear in mind that max Special Defense Tyranitar will survive Focus Blast though. Hidden Power Ice will OHKO Garchomp and Salamence and can be considered as an option over Thunderbolt.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Gengar boasts 525 Speed with a Choice Scarf, outspeeding max Speed Deoxys-S and Choice Scarf Garchomp.</p>
<p>It is simple to revenge kill and revenge killing is what Gengar does. Shadow Ball will always OHKO Deoxys-S and opposing Gengar, who think they might have a chance at outspeeding you. It also has the added bonus of OHKOing Azelf and Starmie, threats that would normally outspeed you under standard conditions. Focus Blast can be a godsend at times, especially when you find yourself fighting a Tyranitar with one or two Dragon Dances. Being able to OHKO Tyranitar as well as outpacing it even after 2 Dragon Dances is something very few Pokemon can boast. Thunderbolt is to give you a reliable Gyarados killer, even after a few Dragon Dances. Thunderbolt also will kill unsuspecting Ninjaskand Yanmega. Hidden Power Ice is the perfect revenge killer attack for Salamence and Garchomp, resulting in disastrous consequences for the opponent.</p>
<p>Timid nature may seem like overkill on Gengar, but it provides you enough Speed to always outpace Deoxys-S, something that most Pokemon are incapable of achieving. Special Attack is still important on this set and should be taken advantage of with 252 Special Attack EVs.</p>
[SET]
name: Counter Sash
move 1: Hypnosis
move 2: Counter
move 3: Destiny Bond / Explosion
move 4: Shadow Ball
item: Focus Sash
nature: Hasty
evs: 136 Atk / 120 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Gengar makes a perfectly viable anti-lead in D/P and should always be considered for its ability to take out half of the opponent's team under ideal conditions.</p>
<p>Counter and Hypnosis allow you to take down any almost any leads. Counter will easily take down any physical attackers preying on Gengar's low Defense. Hypnosis will put to sleep any opponent you have doubts about such as Salamence who can attack on both sides of the spectrum. The next attack is the final chain of this process, sacrificing Gengar to take out an opponent. Destiny Bond works extremely well, especially if used after Counter. The opponent may try for a quick kill and will be immediately killed once they it does so. Explosion also makes for a great attack, finishing off any Blissey who switch in. Shadow Ball is just a basic attack to use when you have nothing else to do. It could even wind up nabbing you a 4th kill.</p>
<p>This time, 136 Attack EVs is helpful for Blissey but if you plan on using Destiny Bond, you could just go for a simple 252 Special Attack / 252 Speed spread.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Gengar has a ton of other options to choose from. It can easily abuse Choice Specs and can be a terror to face if you are not prepared. However, Choice Specs Gengar is still easily counterable with wise prediction and therefore, isn't as remotely useful as the Life Orb set. Leftovers can be used if you fear recoil but the lack in power may prove to be devastating. Expert Belt is always helpful to avoid Life Orb's recoil and can be very powerful with the right attacks. However, Life Orb is the superior option unless running a set with Substitute.</p>
<p>Gengar obviously can utilize Substitute and Focus Punch fairly well to take out opponents like Blissey and Snorlax. Substitute also can block any status attempts on it. Sludge Bomb and Energy Ball are decent attacks, but their coverage is limited, and should not be used unless for a very specific threat such as Swampert or Shaymin. Will-O-Wisp can go perfectly with Hypnosis, creating a double status Gengar. Mean Look and Perish Song are interesting options and can be used for surprise, but Gengar generally has better things to do.</p>
[EVs]
<p>Maxing Special Attack and Speed is generally the most important thing to do. Gengar is not going to be taking any hits, so hitting hard and fast is a much more reliable plan. As mentioned earlier, 136 Attack EVs will allow it to always OHKO Blissey with Explosion, so be sure to consider that piece of information when choosing Gengar.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Gengar is probably one of the most unpredictable Pokemon thanks to all of the usable options it has. With high Speed and Special Attack, strong special and physical attacks, and 3 immunities (2 of them to the most common attacking types), Gengar is a Pokemon that could be successful on any team.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Gengar has no true counters, as nothing can really switch in on its attacks and survive another one. Prediction is usually the best way to beat Gengar but if that doesn't set well with you, there are a few ways to make sure you stay safe.</p>
<p>Weavile and Tyranitar are both great ways to kill Gengar, especially since he won't switch out in fear of Pursuit. Focus Blast can easily wreck this strategy though, so be wary of that when switching in. Other strong Pursuiters include Metagross and Honchkrow, the latter is capable of Sucker Punch as well. In fact, Honchkrow makes a great Gengar counter thanks to Insomnia preventing Hypnosis.</p>
<p>Spiritomb is a great Gengar counter and Sleep Talk sets can absorb Hypnosis. Other Ghost-types such as Banette and Dusknoir fare well thanks to Shadow Sneak and Insomnia/Pressure. Blissey can heal off sleep with Natural Cure, and will take small damage from Gengar's attacks. Explosion may OHKO though be watch out.</p>
<p>Bronzong and Jirachi can make short work of Gengar, but Hypnosis alongside Shadow Ball can make quick work of these counters.</p>
<p>Gengar relies on its Speed, so paralysis is also a perfect way to completely shut it down.</p>
thanks to:
Great Sage - MAJOR editing
Max - giving me the ok to do this and telling me some advice.
Junior - support and helping me decide a set
Matty - support and helping me decide some stuff
current: http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/gengar
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Hypnosis
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Life Orb
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Gengar's best set may be the Life Orb set as it can sweep many teams in the blink of an eye. The goal is to simply take down opponents with its high Special Attack and Speed stat and to use Hypnosis on any counter that comes before it.</p>
<p>What makes this set so deadly is that Gengar has access to Hypnosis, a move that has a 70% chance to sleep the opponent. Gengar has very few counters, so Hypnosis can easily put to sleep those few counters the opponent might have. This is a perfect way to take down threats like Blissey; simple utilize Hypnosis to immobilize it and then abuse Focus Blast to take it down.</p>
<p>Gengar has a wide variety of special attacks and makes great use of them. Shadow Ball and Focus Blast will be able to hit every Pokemon in the game neutrally and when combined with Life Orb will beat almost anything. Shadow Ball will be Gengar's general attack and can 2HKO Pokemon such as Infernape and Heracross. Focus Blast will usually OHKO Pokemon who resist Shadow Ball, such as Tyranitar. Thunderbolt is the last attack on the set and can help you take out Pokemon like Vaporeon and Gyarados.</p>
<p>Gengar's high Speed and Special Attack should always be the your first priority. Gengar isn't too interested in boosting its poor defenses unless it runs Will-O-Wisp, as doing so will often have little effect.</p>
<p>An alternate EV spread of 136 Atk / 120 SpA / 252 Spe can be used if Gengar has Explosion. Explosion will always OHKO Blissey and can take out almost any weakened threat. However, losing any of the current moves is a huge loss to Gengar and it is the reason why the current spread is listed as the main option. Focus Punch could also be used for Tyranitar and Weavile, but considering Focus Blast will OHKO them anyway, there is no real reason to include it. Bear in mind that max Special Defense Tyranitar will survive Focus Blast though. Hidden Power Ice will OHKO Garchomp and Salamence and can be considered as an option over Thunderbolt.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Gengar boasts 525 Speed with a Choice Scarf, outspeeding max Speed Deoxys-S and Choice Scarf Garchomp.</p>
<p>It is simple to revenge kill and revenge killing is what Gengar does. Shadow Ball will always OHKO Deoxys-S and opposing Gengar, who think they might have a chance at outspeeding you. It also has the added bonus of OHKOing Azelf and Starmie, threats that would normally outspeed you under standard conditions. Focus Blast can be a godsend at times, especially when you find yourself fighting a Tyranitar with one or two Dragon Dances. Being able to OHKO Tyranitar as well as outpacing it even after 2 Dragon Dances is something very few Pokemon can boast. Thunderbolt is to give you a reliable Gyarados killer, even after a few Dragon Dances. Thunderbolt also will kill unsuspecting Ninjaskand Yanmega. Hidden Power Ice is the perfect revenge killer attack for Salamence and Garchomp, resulting in disastrous consequences for the opponent.</p>
<p>Timid nature may seem like overkill on Gengar, but it provides you enough Speed to always outpace Deoxys-S, something that most Pokemon are incapable of achieving. Special Attack is still important on this set and should be taken advantage of with 252 Special Attack EVs.</p>
[SET]
name: Counter Sash
move 1: Hypnosis
move 2: Counter
move 3: Destiny Bond / Explosion
move 4: Shadow Ball
item: Focus Sash
nature: Hasty
evs: 136 Atk / 120 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Gengar makes a perfectly viable anti-lead in D/P and should always be considered for its ability to take out half of the opponent's team under ideal conditions.</p>
<p>Counter and Hypnosis allow you to take down any almost any leads. Counter will easily take down any physical attackers preying on Gengar's low Defense. Hypnosis will put to sleep any opponent you have doubts about such as Salamence who can attack on both sides of the spectrum. The next attack is the final chain of this process, sacrificing Gengar to take out an opponent. Destiny Bond works extremely well, especially if used after Counter. The opponent may try for a quick kill and will be immediately killed once they it does so. Explosion also makes for a great attack, finishing off any Blissey who switch in. Shadow Ball is just a basic attack to use when you have nothing else to do. It could even wind up nabbing you a 4th kill.</p>
<p>This time, 136 Attack EVs is helpful for Blissey but if you plan on using Destiny Bond, you could just go for a simple 252 Special Attack / 252 Speed spread.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Gengar has a ton of other options to choose from. It can easily abuse Choice Specs and can be a terror to face if you are not prepared. However, Choice Specs Gengar is still easily counterable with wise prediction and therefore, isn't as remotely useful as the Life Orb set. Leftovers can be used if you fear recoil but the lack in power may prove to be devastating. Expert Belt is always helpful to avoid Life Orb's recoil and can be very powerful with the right attacks. However, Life Orb is the superior option unless running a set with Substitute.</p>
<p>Gengar obviously can utilize Substitute and Focus Punch fairly well to take out opponents like Blissey and Snorlax. Substitute also can block any status attempts on it. Sludge Bomb and Energy Ball are decent attacks, but their coverage is limited, and should not be used unless for a very specific threat such as Swampert or Shaymin. Will-O-Wisp can go perfectly with Hypnosis, creating a double status Gengar. Mean Look and Perish Song are interesting options and can be used for surprise, but Gengar generally has better things to do.</p>
[EVs]
<p>Maxing Special Attack and Speed is generally the most important thing to do. Gengar is not going to be taking any hits, so hitting hard and fast is a much more reliable plan. As mentioned earlier, 136 Attack EVs will allow it to always OHKO Blissey with Explosion, so be sure to consider that piece of information when choosing Gengar.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Gengar is probably one of the most unpredictable Pokemon thanks to all of the usable options it has. With high Speed and Special Attack, strong special and physical attacks, and 3 immunities (2 of them to the most common attacking types), Gengar is a Pokemon that could be successful on any team.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Gengar has no true counters, as nothing can really switch in on its attacks and survive another one. Prediction is usually the best way to beat Gengar but if that doesn't set well with you, there are a few ways to make sure you stay safe.</p>
<p>Weavile and Tyranitar are both great ways to kill Gengar, especially since he won't switch out in fear of Pursuit. Focus Blast can easily wreck this strategy though, so be wary of that when switching in. Other strong Pursuiters include Metagross and Honchkrow, the latter is capable of Sucker Punch as well. In fact, Honchkrow makes a great Gengar counter thanks to Insomnia preventing Hypnosis.</p>
<p>Spiritomb is a great Gengar counter and Sleep Talk sets can absorb Hypnosis. Other Ghost-types such as Banette and Dusknoir fare well thanks to Shadow Sneak and Insomnia/Pressure. Blissey can heal off sleep with Natural Cure, and will take small damage from Gengar's attacks. Explosion may OHKO though be watch out.</p>
<p>Bronzong and Jirachi can make short work of Gengar, but Hypnosis alongside Shadow Ball can make quick work of these counters.</p>
<p>Gengar relies on its Speed, so paralysis is also a perfect way to completely shut it down.</p>
