Pokémon Legends: Z-A populates Lumiose City and its surrounding areas with a diverse, yet often challenging, Pokédex. While most Pokémon are encountered through standard story progression, some of the most powerful—like the iconic Ghost/Poison-type
Gengar—are significantly harder to find. Known for hiding in shadows and preferring areas with low ambient temperatures, Gengar is one of the game's rarer captures, leading many players to rely on trading just to obtain it.However, relying solely on trades isn't necessary. With a bit of strategic patience and knowledge of the map's most dangerous zones, you can confront and capture Gengar, or its pre-evolution,
Haunter, on your own terms.This comprehensive guide will detail all the possible methods for obtaining Gengar, along with the best strategies for a successful encounter and capture.
Pokémon Legends Z-A: How to get Gengar
Method 1: The Reliable Evolution via Trading
The most common and most reliable route to obtaining Gengar is by evolving its prior form, Haunter, through a special mechanic.
- Catch a Haunter: First, locate and capture a Haunter. Haunter is generally easier to find than Gengar in earlier sections of the game.
- Use Link Trade: Gengar belongs to a rare group of Pokémon that only evolve when traded between two players. You must utilize the Link Trade feature, which requires an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
- Trade and Evolve: Trade your Haunter to another player. Upon successful completion of the trade, the Haunter will instantly evolve into Gengar on the receiving player's side.
- Trade Back (If Needed): If you don't want to lose your newly evolved Gengar, simply ask theother person to trade the Gengar back to you. This is the fastest, mostcontrollable way to secure Gengar for your own team.
Method 2: Hunting in the High-Level Wild Zone
If you prefer to catch Gengar directly in the wild, you must wait untillate in the game and brace yourself for a difficult challenge in ahigh-level area.
Location and Conditions
- Prerequisite: You must first complete Main Mission 38 to gain access to the challenging Wild Zone 20.
- The Spot: Gengar can be found spawning in the middle of Wild Zone 20.
- Low Chances: Be warned, this area is populated by many other fully evolved Pokémon, making the chance of encountering Gengar quite low.
Increasing Your Odds
- Spawn Reset: If Gengar isn't immediately visible, you must fast travel back and forth from a nearby location to reset the Pokémon spawns until Gengar appears.
- Alpha Gengar Threat: Be prepared for the possibility of a formidable Alpha Gengar spawning, which will be Level 64 or higher.
Safety First
Before approaching a newly spawned Gengar (especially an Alpha):
- Save Your Game: Always save your game immediately upon sighting Gengar. This ensures that if the captureattempt fails or the battle ends badly, you can reload and try againwithout losing the encounter.
Method 3: Story Mission Encounters
While not a reliable method for capturing it early, the story does guarantee at least one opportunity to encounter Gengar.
- Haunted Building: During one of the main story missions that requires you to enter a haunted building or similar shadowy area, you are guaranteed to face at least two Gengars in a required battle. Use this opportunity to practice your battle strategy against it.
Tactical Capture Strategy
Whether you're fighting Gengar or trying to capture its pre-evolution, Haunter, preparing for the encounter is essential.
Best Balls and Status Effects
- Haunter: Use Dusk Balls for their increased catch rate, especially at night or in caves/shadowy areas.
- Gengar: Always rely on Ultra Balls for the best chance of capture.
- The Status Advantage: To drastically reduce a Pokémon’s catch resistance, apply a non-damaging status effect like Sleep or Paralysis. This is critical for improving your chances against high-level Gengar or Alpha Gengar.
By combining the guaranteed method of trading with a disciplined huntingstrategy in Wild Zone 20, you'll successfully secure the spectralpowerhouse that is Gengar for your Pokémon Legends: Z-A team.
▶
Other Articles Related
Shiny Hunting Locations in Pokemon Legends Z-AExplore the best Shiny Hunting locations in Pokemon Legends Z-A! Discover topspots, strategies, and tips to increase your odds of finding rare ShinyPokemon throughout the Lumiose City region.
How to Get Mega Greninja in Pokemon Legends: Z-ALearn how to obtain the powerful Mega Greninja in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.Discover the evolution method, special quests, and key strategies to add this legendary fighter to your team in the Lumiose City adventure.
How to Shop at Boutique Couture in Pokemon Legends: Z-ADiscover how to shop at Boutique Couture in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Learn thelocation, required currency, and how to unlock this stylish store tocustomize your character's look.
How To Get Absol in Pokemon Legends Z-Ahow to catch Absol in Pokemon Legends Z-A with our guide. Master the game and enhance your collection today!
How to Get Back Into the Sewers in Pokemon Legends Z-AJoin the adventure in Pokemon Legends Z-A: Get Back Into the Sewers.Find exclusive content, expert tips
How to Get Jumbo Variety Pumpkaboo in Pokemon Legends Z-Athe Jumbo Variety Pumpkaboo in Pokemon Legends Z-A! Unleash your adventure and catch this unique Pokémon
How to Evolve Honedge in Pokemon Legends Z-Athe secrets to evolving Honedge in Pokemon Legends Z-A. Unlock itspotential with our guide and tips for successfulevolution.
How to Catch Drampa in Pokemon Legends Z-Athe exact locations to find Drampa in Pokemon Legends Z-A. Uncover tipsand strategies to catch this elusive Pokémon
How to Evolve Gible in Pokemon Legends Z-Athe ultimate guide on how to evolve Gible in Pokemon Legends Z-A. Unlock its full potential and enhance your gameplay experience
How to Complete 'Klefki's Lost Key' Mission in Pokemon Legends Z-ADive into the 'Klefki's Lost Key' mission in Pokemon Legends Z-A.Explore detailed guides and expert tips to help you
How to do the Flair Nutmeg Cancel trick in EA FC 26Master the Flair Nutmeg Cancel trick in EA FC 26 and elevate your gameplay. tips and techniques to outsmart your opponents!
How To Equip Medium Shield in ARC RaidersLearn how to equip the Medium Shield in ARC Raiders with our step-by-step. Enhance your gameplay and protect yourself
How To Get Riolu and Lucario in Pokemon Legends Z-ADiscover how to obtain Riolu and Lucario in Pokemon Legends Z-A. Unleash their potential and enhance your gameplay
How to Get Adrenaline Injector Kills in Battlefield 6 Master Battlefield 6 with our guide to Adrenaline Injector kills. Boost your gameplay and dominate the battlefield
What To Sell in Escape From Duckovthe best products to sell in Escape From Duckov and boost your success. Uncover top-selling items and strategies