[OVERVIEW]
Ghost
========
* Gengar's high Special Attack and Speed allows it to function as a consistent wallbreaker and a revenge killer for Ghost teams.
* Gengar can abuse its high speed and hold a Choice Scarf to act as a revenge killer, while holding a Choice Specs allows it to act as a wallbreaker.
* It has amazing coverage options in Thunderbolt, Dazzling Gleam, Focus Blast, Energy Ball, and even Hidden Power, which allows it to hit a variety of select targets.
* Its Poison typing grants it access to Poison moves that hit Fairy and Grass types for super effective damage, allowing it to deal with threats such as Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, Breloom, and Azumarill.
* It can remove Toxic Spikes with its Poison typing in order to keep defensive staples such as Jellicent and Mega Sableye healthy.
* Gengar's low bulk means it cannot be switched into attacks, as switching Gengar in on an attack will usually downright knock it out.
* It doesn't hit very hard without Choice Specs or Life Orb, meaning special walls can easily switch in on it and wall it.
* Although a flexible Pokemon, it can also be very predictable as Choice Scarf is usually the item of Choice.
* Gengar is easily crippled by paralysis and revenge killed by faster attackers.
* Losing Levitate means that Gengar can now be taken down by Ground type attacks.
[SET]
name: revenge killer (Ghost)
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Trick / Thunderbolt / Dazzling Gleam
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Shadow Ball is a very spammable STAB that Gengar can use in order to hit the majority of the metagame.
* Sludge Wave, Gengar's other STAB, allows it to hit Fairy and Grass types super effectively and hits slightly stronger than Shadow Ball.
* Focus Blast hits Steel, Dark, Rock and Normal types super effectively but has a chance to miss.
* Thunderbolt hits Water and Flying type Pokemon such as Mantine, Gyarados, Skarmory, Celesteela, and Toxapex for super effective damage.
* Dazzling Gleam can be used over Thunderbolt to hit Dark and Dragon types.
* Trick can be used in the last slot in order to cripple special walls such as Chansey, Mantine and Toxapex by giving them Gengar's Choice Scarf.
Set Details
========
* Maximum investment in Special Attack gives Gengar the power it needs to be an effective revenge killer.
* Maximum investment in Speed along with a Timid nature allows Gengar to act as an effective revenge killer and speed control.
* A Choice Scarf is the item of choice so that Gengar can revenge kill Pokemon such as Tapu Koko, Mega Lopunny, Mega Pidgeot, and even Dragonite, Mega Charizard X, and Salamence after a boost.
* 4 EVs are dumped into Special Defense to improve its lackluster bulk slightly.
* Cursed Body gives Gengar a 30% chance to disable an attack and can be used in emergency situations.
Usage Tips
========
* Never switch Gengar directly into an attack; try to send Gengar in on a predicted switch in order to keep Gengar healthy.
* In order to keep Toxic Spikes off of the field, switch Gengar in to remove Toxic Spikes, then switch it out so that it doesn't get knocked out by an attack or Pursuit trapped.
* Avoid getting paralyzed so that Gengar retains its speed and is able to act as a revenge killer.
* Keep Gengar away from faster attackers such as Excadrill in sand and Kingdra in Rain.
* Switch Gengar out of priority users such as Mega Scizor, Azumarill, and Bisharp so that it doesn't get revenge killed.
* Keep entry hazards off of your side, as Spikes and Stealth Rock limits Gengar's ability to switch in because of them consistently wearing Gengar down. Sticky Webs also cripple Gengar by lowering its Speed.
* Only use Focus Blast when absolutely needed to, as Focus Blast may miss and could cause Gengar to be knocked out when Shadow Ball knocked out the opposing Pokemon anyway.
* Do not use Trick when there is still a Pokemon that could be revenge killed, as losing Gengar's Choice Scarf may lose the ability to take threats such as Mega Lopunny or Tapu Koko out.
* Be careful of using Thunderbolt when there is a Electric immunity on the opposing side.
Team Options
========
* Mega Sableye is a very good partner for Gengar because of its ability to sponge Dark attacks and its ability to beat many specially defensive Pokemon. Gengar is also able to take out Fairy type Pokemon and Toxic Spikes for Mega Sableye with its Poison typing and attacks.
* Jellicent is able to act as a pivot for Gengar, coming in and absorbing attacks that would knock Gengar out, and can stalllbreak many of Gengar's checks and counters, including Celesteela, Chansey and Toxapex. Gengar can also remove Toxic Spikes for Jellicent, retaining its durability.
* Alolan Marowak sets Stealth Rock for Gengar, which Gengar makes good use of because of the switches it forces with its offensive pressure. Stealth Rock is also able to break Focus Sash and Dragonite's Multiscale and chipping threats like Charizard and Volcarona, making it easier for Gengar to sweep. Alolan Marowak can also use its wallbreaking power to take out many of Gengar's checks, such as Celesteela, Alolan Muk, and Cradily.
* Mimikyu can check many priority users such as Bisharp, Azumarill, opposing Mimikyu, and even a weakened Mega Scizor with its Disguise.
* Dhelmise can switch into many special attackers comfortably, and it can also use Rapid Spin to keep away Spikes and Sticky Web, giving Gengar more opportunities to switch in while retaining its speed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ghost
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* A Choice Specs set can be used for wallbreaking, but Gengar misses out on revenge killing without a Choice Scarf.
* Taunt can be used in order to break specific defensive cores, but the Choice Scarf set is again inferior because of its ability to revenge kill.
* A Life Orb set with Destiny Bond can be used for more damage output, but Gengar is easily revenge killed by faster threats and worn down by Life Orb damage.
* A Focus Sash set with Destiny Bond can be used in order to live attacks, but is not recommended due to the hazard control a Ghost Team usually lacks.
Checks and Counters
===================
Ghost
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**Special Walls** Specially Defensive Pokemon such as Chansey, Cradily, and Celesteela can come in on Gengar because of their ability to take any one of Gengar's attacks and cripple it. At the same time, many special walls do have to be careful of being crippled by Trick.
**Alolan Muk** Alolan Muk takes any one of Gengar's attacks and knocks it out by trapping it with Pursuit using its high special bulk coupled with Assault Vest.
**Normal types** Normal type Pokemon such as Porygon2 and Mega Lopunny are troublesome for Gengar because Gengar has to rely on Focus Blast's shaky accuracy to hit them.
**Priority** Priority moves such as Bullet Punch, Aqua Jet, or Sucker Punch outspeed and take Gengar out using its low Defense.
**Paralysis** Being paralyzed severely hinders Gengar's ability to revenge kill by halving its Speed and makes Gengar vulnerable for offensive Pokemon because of its low bulk.
**Faster Attackers** Faster attackers such as Kingdra in rain, Excadrill in sand, or Scarf Greninja all outspeed and knock Gengar out with their powerful attacks.
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