Ghost-type Pokemon can actually be pretty creepy, particularly for those who've ever read some of their Pokedex entries. They're arguably even more terrifying than usual in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, however; often showing up at night and attacking players and their Pokemon on sight. While they can certainly be deadly enemies though, these spooky specters can also make for fantastic teammates if given half a chance.
Traditionally used to overcome the threat posed by powerful Psychic-type Pokemon as well as other Ghost-types, a good Ghost-type Pokemon is a staple of just about any well-balanced team with strong type coverage. The best Ghost-types in Pokemon Legends: Arceus all have secondary typings too, allowing players to catch two Murkrow with one Poke Ball, so to speak.
5 Basculegion
Basculegion's Base Stats | |
|---|---|
HP | 120 |
Attack | 112 |
Defense | 65 |
Special Attack | 80 |
Special Defense | 75 |
Speed | 78 |
Total | 530 |
Basculegion is one of several new evolutions that were introduced in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Like most of the others, it skews more towards Physical attacks than Special, though does still boast a fairly respectable Special Attack stat aif needed. Its Water / Ghost-type combination is far from unique, but it can come in useful in certain situations, and, as none of the other Water / Ghost-type Pokemon can actually be found in the Hisui region, those in need of this particular type coverage have no other choice. Players should look for a Basculegion with a Lonely nature, as this will further increase its Attack stat while at the expense of its already low Defense.
How to Get Basculegion in Pokemon Legends: Arceus
The only way to get Basculegion without trading is to evolve Basculin, which can be found swimming around in the Cobalt Coastlands, Coronet Highlands, and Alabaster Icelands regions. Basculin evolves after taking 300 recoil damage from the Wave Crash move without fainting, but, as with the Super Rod, there's something of a catch. If the Basculin is male, players will need to use the Strong style version of Wave Crash, while female Basculin will have to use Agile. It's worth noting that this damage can be spread across multiple battles.
4 Gengar
Gengar's Base Stats | |
|---|---|
HP | 60 |
Attack | 65 |
Defense | 60 |
Special Attack | 130 |
Special Defense | 75 |
Speed | 110 |
Total | 500 |
The original Gen 1 Ghost-type, Gengar remains incredibly popular with fans of the series despite no longer being a top-tier Special attacker. Like many others though, the Ghost / Poison-type has benefited greatly from Pokemon Legends: Arceus' smaller Pokedex and once again finds itself on the edge of the series' meta as a result of the massive cuts therein. It's now one of the best Special attackers available in the game and is pretty fast as well. Players should try to find a Gengar with a Mild nature if possible, as this will further increase its Special Attack stat at the expense of a little Defense.
How to Get Gengar in Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Players can catch Gengar inside space-time distortions in the Obsidian Fieldlands area. Alternatively, they'll be able to find its unevolved forms Gastly and Haunter all throughout the Crimson Mirelands, Coronet Highlands, and Alabaster Icelands regions, though only during nighttime hours. Gastly evolves into Haunter at Level 25 and Haunter evolves into Gengar when exposed to a Linking Cord. Players can get their hands on this rare evolution item at the Merit point exchange counter in Jubilife Village or as a reward for completing Request #64 (Getting to Know Ghosts). If they're really struggling to find one, they can always trade Haunter with a friend to make it evolve just like in the good old days.
3 Hisuian Zoroark
Hisuian Zoroark's Base Stats | |
|---|---|
HP | 55 |
Attack | 100 |
Defense | 60 |
Special Attack | 125 |
Special Defense | 60 |
Speed | 110 |
Total | 510 |
Hisuian Zoroark is one of 17 regional Pokemon variants found throughout Pokemon Legends: Arceus and a pretty good one at that. It more or less matches Gengar in the Speed and Special Attack departments, while arguably boasting a much better type combination. As a Normal / Ghost-type Pokemon, its only real weakness is to Dark-type attacks, but it still has resistances to Poison and Bug-type moves as well as complete immunity to all Fighting and Normal-type attacks. With a Mild or Rash nature, Hisuian Zoroark can therefore be incredibly effective against certain opposition.
How to Get Hisuian Zoroark in Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Players can find an Alpha Hisuian Zoroark down in the underground tunnel beneath the Bonechill Wastes area of the Alabaster Icelands. This is also where they'll be able to catch the Pokemon's unevolved form Hisuian Zorua, which evolves into Hisuian Zoroark at Level 30.
2 Hisuian Typhlosion
Hisuian Typhlosion's Base Stats | |
|---|---|
HP | 73 |
Attack | 84 |
Defense | 78 |
Special Attack | 119 |
Special Defense | 85 |
Speed | 95 |
Total | 534 |
Another Hisui variant, Hisuian Typhlosion is arguably the best of the three starter evolutions, thanks in large to its excellent Special Attack stat and its more than respectable Speed. The Fire / Ghost-type isn't quite as sturdy as the other two options, but more than makes up for this with its raw power. As well as being among the best Ghost-types, it's also one of the very best Fire-types in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, allowing players to check off two boxes while only having to give up a single spot in their team. Hisuian Typhlosion is best with a Mild nature.
How to Get Hisuian Typhlosion in Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Hisuian Typhlosion is the final form of Cyndaquil and evolves from Quilava at Level 36. Players can choose Cyndaquil as a starter Pokemon at the very beginning of the game or get one by speaking to the professor once they've beaten the final main story boss. Beating the game will also cause Cyndaquil and its evolutions to begin appearing in space-time distortions, though only in the Crimson Mirelands area.
1 Giratina
Giratina's Base Stats | ||
|---|---|---|
Altered Forme | Origin Forme | |
HP | 150 | 150 |
Attack | 100 | 120 |
Defense | 120 | 100 |
Special Attack | 100 | 120 |
Special Defense | 120 | 100 |
Speed | 90 | 90 |
Total | 680 | 680 |
Stat for stat, only Arceus can beat Giratina outright. Its Attack and Special Attack stats are perfectly in sync, which ensures that players never have to choose between Special and Physical moves, while its ability to change forms provides an extra degree of flexibility. The Ghost / Dragon-type is able to switch its attack and defensive stats simply by transforming, which can make countering it incredibly tricky. However, this balance and flexibility can also make choosing a nature a difficult task for those who catch themselves a Giratina, which is why many opt for a Neutral Nature like Quirky, Bashful, or Docile.
How to Get Giratina in Pokemon Legends: Arceus
To catch Giratina, players will first need to complete the main story and then collect all of the available Arceus plates. Doing so will lead to a special trainer battle at the Temple of Sinnoh, after which, players will be able to find and catch Giratina in the Turnback Cave area of the Cobalt Coastlands. After being caught, Giratina will drop the Griseous Core, which players can use to switch between the Pokemon's Altered and Origin Formes.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is available now for the Nintendo Switch.