Evolution Guide
How to evolve
Haunter
Method: Trade (or use Linking Cord in Gen 9)
Haunter
Gengar
How to evolve Haunter
Haunter evolves into Gengar (Ghost/Poison) via trade. Two methods work in current games:
1. Trade with another player — the classic method. Trade Haunter to any other player; it evolves immediately upon arrival.
2. Use a Linking Cord (Gen 9 shortcut) — In Scarlet/Violet, give Haunter a Linking Cord from your bag. It evolves instantly without an actual trade. Linking Cord costs 5 BP at Delibird Presents, or can be picked up in the Area Zero crater.
No level requirement. No held item required (Linking Cord isn't 'held' — it's used like an evolution stone). Haunter doesn't need to know any specific moves.
Older games: Trading is the only method in Gen 1-7 (except for Pokémon GO, which uses Gengar Candy + Trade Bonus). Pokémon HOME lets you trade Haunter to yourself via the GTS.
Where to find Haunter
**Haunter** evolves from **Gastly** at level 25 (Gastly is in South Province (Area Two) caves and ghost-type encounter areas). You can also catch wild Haunter in caves like the Glaseado underground tunnel in Scarlet/Violet. Sandwich + Encounter Power Ghost increases spawn rate.
Is Gengar worth using?
Gengar is a long-standing OU special wallbreaker. Standard set: Sludge Wave / Shadow Ball / Focus Blast / Nasty Plot with Choice Specs or Life Orb. Cursed Body ability disables opposing moves on contact (4 turns). Gengar's base 130 SpA + base 110 Speed = top-tier offensive stats.
Trivia
Gengar was the first Pokémon ever shown — the original Pokémon Red/Green prototype trailer featured a Gengar fighting a Pikachu. Gengar's design is rumored to be based on Clefable in shadow form (similar silhouette, opposite color palette). The trade-evolution requirement was Game Freak's way of encouraging Game Boy Game Link Cable usage in 1996.
Available in
- All mainline games
- Pokémon GO
- Pokémon HOME