Ghost

Best Ghost attackers

Every Ghost-type raid attacker ranked by DPS and total damage output, with the moveset that gets there.

Super effective vs GhostPsychic
Top DPS
21.1
Mega Gengar
Top TDO
343
Lick + Shadow Ball
Ranked
30
Updated

Editor's notes

Ghost offense, where it matters and what to build.

Ghost type in Pokemon GO

Ghost-type Pokemon GO is the home of Mega Gengar, Origin Forme Giratina, and Shadow Gengar — three of the most punishing Master League and raid attackers in the game. Ghost moves are super-effective against Psychic and other Ghost types, making Ghost the universal counter to Mewtwo, Lugia, Latios, Cresselia, Origin Forme Dialga (with Shadow Ball), and the Tapu guardians. Ghost is also one of two types (alongside Dark) that hit Ghost super-effectively — leading to mirror-match meta dynamics in PvP. Signature moves include Shadow Ball, Shadow Claw, Shadow Force (Origin Giratina), Shadow Punch, Astonish, and Hex. Ghost types are weak to Ghost and Dark, with no other weaknesses.

Top Ghost attackers explained

The top Ghost attackers are Mega Gengar, Shadow Gengar, Origin Forme Giratina, Chandelure, and Mega Banette. Mega Gengar with Lick (legacy) or Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball has the highest Ghost DPS in the game. Shadow Gengar with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball is the top non-Mega Ghost attacker. Origin Forme Giratina with Shadow Claw and Shadow Force flexes between Ghost and Dragon roles. Chandelure (Ghost/Fire) brings Fire Spin and Shadow Ball flexibility. Hoopa Unbound (Psychic/Dark) is technically not Ghost but its Confined form is. Skeledirge (Fire/Ghost) and Typhlosion-Hisui (Fire/Ghost) bring Paldean and Hisuian Ghost typings to the meta.

Ghost in GO Battle League

Ghost types are PvP heavyweights. Trevenant (Ghost/Grass) with Shadow Claw and Seed Bomb is a Great League legend. Sableye (Ghost/Dark) is one of the top three Great League Pokemon ever. Cofagrigus, Jellicent (Ghost/Water), and Drifblim flex into core teams. In Ultra League, Sableye, Trevenant, Drifblim, and Cofagrigus continue. In Master League, Origin Forme Giratina, Mega Gengar, and Yveltal (Dark/Flying technically) lead the Ghost charge. Skeledirge has emerged as a top-tier Ultra League pick thanks to dual Fire/Ghost coverage. Mimikyu (Ghost/Fairy) is a unique Master League surprise pick.

When to field Ghost attackers

Ghost attackers shine against Psychic (Mewtwo, Lugia, Cresselia, Latios) and Ghost (mirror match against Origin Giratina, Mega Gengar). They are 1.6× weak to Ghost and Dark only — the cleanest two-weakness profile in the game. Fog weather boosts Ghost moves by 1.2×, and Fog is also the rarest weather, making Fog windows extremely valuable for Ghost grinders. Avoid Ghost attackers against Tyranitar, Hydreigon, Yveltal, Origin Giratina mirror, Mega Banette mirror, and Skeledirge. Ghost is the simplest type to build a raid roster around since most of its top attackers (Gengar, Giratina, Chandelure) share the same fast and charged moves.

Community Day picks & notable investments

Ghost Community Days have included Gastly → Gengar with Shadow Punch (the legacy move that defined early Ghost meta), Duskull → Dusclops/Dusknoir, Litwick → Chandelure with Poltergeist (a powerful charged move), Phantump → Trevenant with Shadow Claw, Yamask → Cofagrigus with Shadow Ball, and Drifloon → Drifblim. Origin Forme Giratina debuted in 2018 with the unique Shadow Force charged move. Mega Gengar and Mega Banette appear in Mega Raid rotations regularly. Hoopa Unbound was the first Elite Raid boss in 2022. Skeledirge and Typhlosion-Hisui added Fire/Ghost typing in 2024–2025, reshaping the Ghost PvP meta.

FAQ

What is the #1 ranked Ghost-type attacker right now?
Based on our DPS simulations, Mega Gengar currently ranks first among Ghost-type attackers in Pokemon GO, followed by Mega Gengar, Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Mewtwo X. The full tier list above shows every viable Ghost attacker with its optimal moveset, DPS, TDO, and eDPS values.
Which raid bosses should I use Ghost attackers against?
Ghost-type attacks deal super-effective damage to Ghost, Psychic-type Pokemon, so use Ghost attackers when those types appear in 5-Star, Mega, Elite, or Primal raids. Always weather-check the boss before launching the raid to maximize damage with the appropriate weather boost.
What is the best Ghost-type attacker in Pokemon GO?
Mega Gengar with Lick (legacy) or Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball is the strongest Ghost attacker in the game. Shadow Gengar is the best non-Mega option. Origin Forme Giratina with Shadow Claw and Shadow Force is a strong alternative that doubles as a Dragon attacker.
Why is Ghost good against Psychic?
Ghost-type moves deal 1.6× damage to Psychic types, and Psychic is one of the few defensive typings without strong resistances to Ghost. This makes Ghost the universal counter to Mewtwo, Lugia, Cresselia, and Latios raid bosses, alongside being super-effective against other Ghost types in mirror match scenarios.
What are Ghost types weak to?
Ghost types take 1.6× damage from Ghost and Dark moves only. This two-weakness profile is one of the cleanest in the game. Common counters include Mega Banette, Mega Gengar, Origin Giratina, Hydreigon, Yveltal, Tyranitar, and Mega Tyranitar.
Is Origin Forme Giratina better than Altered Forme?
Yes for raids and PvP. Origin Forme Giratina has higher Attack and access to Shadow Force, making it a top Master League pick and a strong Ghost/Dragon raid attacker. Altered Forme Giratina has higher Defense and Stamina, making it a defensive bulk pivot in Ultra League.

Explore more

Ghost Pokedex Every Ghost-type Pokemon with stats and moves Raid bosses Counters for every boss in rotation All attacking types Best attackers for the other 17 types