Table of contents

Highlights

  • Ghost-types in Pokemon are immune to Normal and Fighting-type Pokemon, making them strong offensive Pokemon with status-changing moves.
  • Ghost-types have an advantage over Psychic-type Pokemon in competitive battles and were one of the few that could handle Special Attack abusers before Dark-types.
  • The best Ghost-type Pokemon for the Pokemon VGC include Flutter Mane, Annihilape, Houndstone, Mimikyu, Froslass, Aegislash, Gengar, and Lunala. Each Pokemon has unique strengths and abilities for different battle strategies.

Ghost-types are eerie in the Pokemon games with peculiar moves and traits. They are immune to Normal and Fighting-type Pokemon and are the only type with more than one immunity. There is a slight trade-off as their moves don't affect Normal-type Pokemon either. Ghost-types are good offensive Pokemon in battles, as they tend to learn status-changing moves or rare Special moves.

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The Pokemon Video Game Championships (VGC) encourage different battle strategies and Pokemon team choices to use in tournaments. Ghost-types can fill many roles in competitive Pokemon, and Ghost-types' Super Effective power over Psychic is one of their most significant assets. Before Dark-types, they were one of the few that could handle the Special Attack abusers. Here are the best Ghost-type Pokemon for the Pokemon VGC.

Updated October 25, 2023 by Taylor Pittman:Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are the latest generation of Pokemon. Players get to explore a new region, catch rare Pokemon, and experiment with a new evolution method known as Terastallizing. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are also used for the Pokemon VGC's latest series, with many of their exclusive Pokemon making appearances on winning teams. So, here are all the Generation Nine Ghost-type Pokemon best suited for competitive battles.

Flutter Mane

The pokedex cover for Flutter Mane in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

HP: 55

Attack: 55

Defense: 55

Sp. Atk: 135

Sp. Def: 135

Speed: 135

Flutter Mane is known as a Paradox Pokemon, which are only found in Area Zero in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Paradox Pokemon are futuristic and ancient relatives of Pokemon, although there aren't any direct records tying them together. Flutter Mane, for example, looks strikingly similar to Misdreavus and is a dual Ghost/Fairy-type. Both of its typings include some of the rarest Pokemon in the games, and its moveset is versatile.

Defensively, Flutter Mane has a couple of advantages. Flutter Mane has three immunities, including Normal, Fighting, and Dragon-type Pokemon, which make up for its weaker Defense. In addition, its weakness to Ghost and Steel is lessened by its high Sp. Def. These defensive strategies give Flutter Mane more time to use its STAB moves, such as Moonblast and Phantom Force. Opponents will have a hard time avoiding taking its hits because of how speedy it is.

Annihilape

annihilape (1)

HP: 110

Attack: 115

Defense: 80

Sp. Atk: 50

Sp. Def: 90

Speed: 90

Annihilape is a dual Ghost/Fighting Pokemon from Generation Nine that concluded the Mankey evolution line. The only way for players to get it is to have a Primeape use Rage Fist 20 times before leveling up. Rage Fist is one of its most useful attack moves because its power increases each time Annihilape takes a hit. Its signature move, Cross Chop, also has a chance to leave massive amounts of damage with a higher critical hit rate.

Annihilape's Sp. Atk is its main weak point, so players will want to maintain a physical assault on their opponents. Because it is also a Fighting-type, most of its moves fall into the Physical category, excluding Final Gambit. Final Gambit can be used to take down defensive opponents such as walls or tanks if players are willing to sacrifice Annihilape.

Houndstone

Houndstone just after evolving in the snow

HP: 72

Attack: 101

Defense: 100

Sp. Atk: 50

Sp. Def: 97

Speed: 68

Houndstone is the evolved form of the Scarlet and Violet's fan favorite, Greavard. The canine Pokemon is a pure Ghost-type, specializing in physical attacks. Its signature move, Last Respects, works well as a last-ditch effort as it is boosted for every fainted ally by 50 power points. Phantom Force is also a solid option earlier in battle with an attack percentage of 90 and the STAB (same type attack bonus).

Houndstone works well in a support role with moves like Helping Hand and Charm. Competitive players can also use its Defense stats and ghostly immunities to wall against offensive Fighting-type Pokemon. Confuse Ray can also be used for the potential passive damage from confusion, although it isn't as reliable.

Mimikyu

Mimikyu

HP: 55

Attack: 90

Defense: 80

Sp. Atk: 50

Sp. Def: 105

Speed: 96

Mimikyu may look like Pikachu, but the two are very different. Mimikyu was introduced in Gen VII as a dual Ghost/Fairy-type with two forms, Disguised and Busted. It's Busted when it is hit with an Attack in battle, but it starts the match with its ability Disguise, which makes it immune to damage for one attack. Players can take advantage of the free substitute and set up any offensive moves they want to throw.

Its dual typing is a bonus players don't see in the game very much since Fairy-types and Ghost-types are the rarest in-game, let alone Pokemon, who have both. Mimikyu's movepool is unique, with Pain Split, Wood Hammer, and Shadow Claw coming from the same Pokemon. It can also learn Dazzling Gleam by TM to get in an excellent STAB move.

Froslass

Froslass eats frozen souls for breakfast in its pokedox entry

HP: 70

Attack: 80

Defense: 70

Sp. Atk: 80

Sp. Def: 70

Speed: 110

The Snow Land Pokemon, Froslass, is a Gen IV dual Ice/Ghost. It's a rather delicate-looking Pokemon, but its Speed makes it a strong choice on any team. For example, Froslass on Hail teams can be fast and elusive when a Hailstorm on the field can activate its ability Snow Cloak. It also is a champion of entry hazards with the move Spikes so players can draw in passive damage from those and the Hail in tandem.

Destiny Bond is another way players can have Froslass give damage without having to overextend itself. However, more direct damage is an option with STAB moves like Blizzard and Shadow Ball. Except for Speed, its stats are balanced but lackluster, so players would be better off leading with this Pokemon and letting it set up as much damage as possible. Potential partner Pokemon include faster Sweepers that can account for Froslass's weaknesses. So, Incineroar or Infernape can take care of its Steel and Ice opponents.

Aegislash

Aegislash In Action

Shield Form

HP: 60

Attack: 50

Defense: 150

Sp. Atk: 50

Sp. Def: 150

Speed: 60

Sword Form

HP: 60

Attack: 150

Defense: 50

Sp. Atk: 150

Sp. Def: 50

Speed: 60

Aegislash is a dual Steel/Ghost-type Pokemon from Generation VI. Its versatility is what makes it a popular Ghost choice in Pokemon. Aegislash has two forms - Shield Or Blade. Shield, of course, boosts its Defense, and Sp. Def while Sword form increases Attack and Sp. Atk. Shield form might better compensate for its Fire and Ground weaknesses and a Ground or Water-type ally on the field.

Aegislash does have a lower Speed, so players should try and alleviate this as much as possible with the move Automize. However, iron Head is one of its best attack moves, so if it lands in Sword form, its power is hard to withstand.

Gengar

Pokemon Gengar

HP: 60

Attack: 65

Defense: 60

Sp. Atk: 130

Sp. Def: 75

Speed: 110

Gengar is a solid dual Ghost/Poison-type Pokemon. While it does have a somewhat low defense stat, it is still immune to Normal and Fighting-types. Its ability Levitate also grants it an additional immunity to Ground-type Pokemon. Offensively it can't be ignored as a Special attacker, and Shadow Ball and Sludge Wave are excellent STAB options. Players can use it as a Glass Cannon to take out bulkier foes.

It can also play a surprising support role with moves like Will-O-Wisp, Taunt, and Disable. Since Gengar is almost always moving first, it poses a serious problem for virtually any challenger. Levitate means that entry hazards like Spikes and Sticky Web don't affect it, so it stands strong whenever it enters the field.

Lunala

psychic pokemon ranked lunala 4

HP: 137

Attack: 113

Defense: 89

Sp. Atk: 137

Sp. Def: 107

Speed: 97

Lunala is a Psychic/Ghost legendary Moon Pokemon. Its high HP and Sp. Def means that it will not be easy to take out already, but its ability Shadow Shield doubles down on this and halves all damage thrown at it when its HP is full. Players can maintain this with Roost, an easy and efficient recovery move. Additionally, Lunala can use this time to execute the other support moves available, like Calm Mind and Cosmic Powers, for stat boosts.

Regardless, it does not struggle offensively with all of its first-class Attack stats. Moves like its STAB options Moongeist Beam and Psyshock dish out impressive amounts of damage. Players can also use Thunderbolt and Ice Beam to get more type coverage and take advantage of its high Sp. Atk.