With Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the Ninth Generation (Gen9) of Pokémon games being given a release date of late 2022, speculation about what new Pokémon will be introduced, as well as what previous Pokémon will make a reappearance, has been a hot topic on the internet.
Whether planning a team for the next game installment, a team for a re-play, or handpicking Pokémon for high stakes tournaments, these Ghost-type Pokémon should be taken into consideration when planning the ultimate team. These Pokémon are ranked based on the aggregate scores of their various base parameters.
Dusknoir – Score: 525
Dusknoir’s Pokémon line was originally introduced in the Generation 3 games Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. However, Dusknoir wasn’t introduced until Generation 4 games Pokémon Diamond, and Pearl. It is a mono Ghost-type Pokémon and is obtained by trading Dusclops with a Reaper Cloth.
Dusknoir is weak against Ghost and Dark-type attacks however its Defense (Def.) and Special Defense (Sp.Def.) stats. are exceptionally high and offset its relatively low Health Point (HP) stats. It’s Physical attack (Atk.) based, however, with its low speed using Trick Room that makes slow Pokémon attack first, as an advisable strategy.
Typhlosion (Hisuian Form) – Score: 534
Typhlosion was originally introduced as a starter Pokémon in Generation 2 games Pokémon Gold and Silver. Typhlosion recently got a new final evolution in Pokémon Legends: Arceus where its regional Hisuian Form added the Ghost-typing making Typhlosion a Ghost-Fire-type Pokémon.
While Typhlosion’s new typing adds weaknesses Dark and Ghost to it originally only having weaknesses to Water, Rock, and Ground-type moves, its wider move-set somewhat balances it out. Typhlosion is slightly above average across the board with a focus on Speed and Special Attack (Sp. Atk.) letting it hit hard and fairly quickly in battle. It’s a relatively tactics-easy Pokémon to use for beginners and veterans alike.
Blacephalon – Score: 570
Blacephalon was introduced as a special type of Pokémon known as Ultra Beasts in the Generation 7 games Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon which are the enhanced rereleases of Pokémon Sun and Moon. So far it is only available in those games as well as a potential spawn in Pokémon Sword and Shield’s Pokémon dens.
Blacephalon’s low HP stat along with its average Sp. Def stat makes it very susceptible to getting defeated very quickly, especially as its many type-weaknesses have moves able to do massive damage. However, its high Atk. and exceptionally high Sp.Atk stats, coupled with its Speed, make it a dangerous opponent granted it lands first. Using either a Quick Claw to go first or items designed to boost attacks could easily allow Blacephalon to wipe Pokémon quickly.
Gengar – Score: 500-600
Gengar was introduced in the first games Pokémon Blue, and Red as the final evolution of the only Ghost evolution chain available at the time. This extended also to the Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal games, who aside from Misdreavus, was one of few Ghost Pokémon and still the most viable option.
While Gengar isn’t the absolute strongest option, with the addition of its Mega Form introduced in Pokémon X and Y it becomes an exceptional Ghost-type on par with many legendaries. Gengar is an average-strength Pokémon except for its Sp. Atk and Speed which makes it an incredibly fast and hard-hitting Pokémon. With its simple attack-first strategy and the potential for Mega Forms to be re-introduced in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Gengar will remain an exceptionally viable partner.
Hoopa Confined – Score: 600
Hoopa is an extremely rare Psychic-Ghost Type Pokémon and was one of the first of its kind only preceded by Lunala the main legendary of Sun and Moon. As Hoopa is an event legendary Pokémon it cannot be acquired through normal means, but recently it was catchable through special quests in Pokémon GO.
While its additional Psychic-typing doubles its weaknesses to Dark and Ghost moves, Hoopa has above average stats except for its Def., and significantly higher Sp. Atk and Sp. Def stats. With its wide array of potential moves Hoopa has great potential to decimate foes by utilizing trick room to make it move first, but mastering Hoopa is a challenge.
Dragapult – Score: 600
Dragapult is a Dragon-Ghost type Pokémon introduced in Generation 8 whose typing is only shared by the Legendary Pokémon Giratina. While it is attained in the latter half of the game for Pokémon Sword and Shield, its irregular typing makes it a difficult Pokémon to counter.
While Dragapult adds the weaknesses to Fairy, Ice, and Dragon-type moves, it receives resistances to Fire, Water, Electric, Grass, Poison, and Bug while being completely immune to Fighting and Normal-Types. It also boasts high Atk. and Speed stats with above-average health making it an all-around strong Pokémon that can take a beating and give one back.
Marshadow – Score: 600
Marshadow, an event legendary introduced in Generation 7, is currently the only Pokémon introduced to have the Fighting-Ghost dual typing making it an exceptionally unique Pokémon. It also played a huge part in its introductory movie Pokémon: I Choose You, which was a reboot of the first Pokémon movie.
As a Fighting-type, Marshadow receives the additional weaknesses to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy. Marshadow also loses its weakness to Dark as well as receiving resistance to Poison and Rock and almost negating Bug-Type moves. Similar to many Fighting-types, Marshadow learns the moves Fire, Ice, and Lightning Punch which gives it advantages over most other Pokémon typings. It’s moveset along with its high Atk. and Speed makes it a versatile and dangerous opponent if it can be attained.
Lunala – Score: 680
Lunala is the legendary counterpart to Solgaleo and both are the main box legendaries of the generation 7 games Pokémon Sun & Moon. Similar to the Generation 5 games Pokémon Black and White and their sequels, the updated versions of Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Lunala can fuse with another legendary, specifically Necrozma, to make an even stronger Pokémon known as Dawn Wings Necrozma.
As a Psychic-Ghost type Lunala shares its various weaknesses, however, as a Pokémon Necrozma has exceptionally high stats for all categories except for its Def. and Speed stats which are still far above the average. Lunala is an all-around strong Pokémon that doesn’t require any specific strategy to properly utilize as it is an exceptional Pokémon however it is used.
Shadow Rider Calyrex – Score: 680
Calyrex is the main legendary that was introduced as a part of the Pokémon Sword & Shield Expansion The Crown Tundra alongside its two potential counterparts Spectrier and Glastrier. If the player chose to catch Spectrier, a special item could be used to “fuse” the two together, creating Shadow Rider Calyrex and giving Calyrex new exclusive moves and large stat boosts.
While Calyrex’s Atk. and Def. stats are merely above average, its Sp. Atk. and Speed stats are some of the highest of any Pokémon ever. This makes it almost certain to strike first, and when paired with its many heavy-hitting special attacks Calyrex is a difficult Pokémon to defeat even when exploiting its Psychic-Ghost typing weaknesses.
Giratina – Score: 680
Originally introduced as a catchable Pokémon in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Giratina eventually got its own main title installment in Pokémon Platinum which acted as an enhanced version of Diamond and Pearl with extra content. As an added bonus, Giratina was also given an alternate form with altered stats for significantly different gameplay.
When in its “Altered Forme” Giratina is a Defensive based Pokémon boasting exceptional Def. and Sp. Def. stats with high Atk. and Sp. Atk stats while its “Origin Forme” is an Offensive-based Pokémon boasting exceptional Atk. and Sp. Atk. with high Def and Sp. Def. Regardless of the player’s playstyle, Giratina is an exceptional Pokémon, sports one of the highest HP stats in the game, and has frustrated many trainers who have gone against Giratina.
