Quick facts
Species: Gengar (Mega)
Types: Ghost / Poison
Primary weaknesses: Ground, Ghost, Psychic, Dark
Recommended lobby: 3–7 trainers
Mega Gengar is a Ghost/Poison powerhouse in Pokémon GO raids, notorious for high speed, devastating moves, and tricky status coverage. Its raid presence demands careful preparation. This guide will show you the best counters, ideal movesets, and battle strategies to tackle Mega Gengar effectively.
Table of Contents
Weakness Best Pokemon Regular Counters Shadow Counters Mega Counters Moveset Weather Effects Size Rewards FAQsWeaknesses & resistances
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Weak to |
 Ground •
 Ghost •
 Psychic •
 Dark
|
| Resists to |
 Normal •
 Fighting •
 Bug •
 Poison •
 Grass •
 Fairy
|
Best Mega Gengar Counters
Mega-type Counters
- Swampert: Water Gun / Earthquake
- Gengar: Rollout / Hydro Pump
- Gyarados: Dragon Tail / Hydro Pump
Shadow-type Counters
- Feraligator: Waterfall / Hydro Pump
- Samurott: Waterfall / Hydro Pump
- Kingler: Bubble / Crabhammer
Water-type Counters
- Greninja: Feint Attack / Hydro Pump
- Golisopod: Waterfall / Liquidation
- Primarina: Charm / Hydro Pump
Best Mega Evolutions
Recommended Megas to use against Mega Gengar:
- Swampert, Gengar, Gyarados, Slowbro – Water boost
- Garchomp – Ground boost
Best Regular Counters
Regular pokemon that amplify the right types give you a powerful edge. Below are top Regular counters with short notes on why they excel.
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Best Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primal Groudon | Mud Shot / Dragon Tail | Earthquake / Fire Blast / Solar Beam | Precipice Blades / Fire Punch | Dragon Tail (14) and Solar Beam (180) |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw / Psycho Cut | Dark Pulse / Iron Head / Future Sight / Outrage / Moongeist Beam | - | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw (6) and Moongeist Beam (230) |
| Mewtwo | Psycho Cut / Confusion | Focus Blast / Flamethrower / Thunderbolt / Psychic / Ice Beam | Hyper Beam / Shadow Ball / Psystrike | Confusion (19) and Hyper Beam (150) |
| Hoopa Unbound | Astonish / Confusion | Shadow Ball / Psychic / Dark Pulse | - | Confusion (19) and Shadow Ball (100) |
| Landorus | Mud Shot / Extrasensory | Superpower / Earthquake / Bulldoze / Stone Edge | Sandsear Storm | Extrasensory (11) and Sandsear Storm (150) |
| Dusk Mane Necrozma | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw / Psycho Cut | Dark Pulse / Iron Head / Future Sight / Outrage / Sunsteel Strike | - | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw (6) and Sunsteel Strike (230) |
Best Shadow Counters
Shadow pokemon that amplify the right types give you a powerful edge. Below are top Shadow counters with short notes on why they excel.
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Best Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Mewtwo | Psycho Cut / Confusion | Focus Blast / Flamethrower / Thunderbolt / Psychic / Ice Beam | Hyper Beam / Shadow Ball / Psystrike | Confusion (19) and Hyper Beam (150) |
| Shadow Groudon | Mud Shot / Dragon Tail | Earthquake / Fire Blast / Solar Beam | Precipice Blades / Fire Punch | Fire Punch (50) and Solar Beam (180) |
| Shadow Tyranitar | Iron Tail / Dragon Breath / Bite | Stone Edge / Fire Blast / Crunch / Brutal Swing | Smack Down | Iron Tail (14) and Fire Blast (140) |
| Shadow Hydreigon | Dragon Breath / Bite | Fly / Flash Cannon / Dragon Pulse / Dark Pulse | Brutal Swing | Dragon Breath / Bite (6) and Flash Cannon (100) |
| Shadow Garchomp | Mud Shot / Dragon Tail | Earthquake / Sand Tomb / Fire Blast / Outrage / Breaking Swipe | Earth Power | Dragon Tail (14) and Fire Blast / Earthquake(140) |
| Shadow Darkrai | Snarl / Feint Attack | Focus Blast / Shadow Ball / Dark Pulse | Sludge Bomb | Snarl / Feint Attack (11) and Focus Blast (140) |
| Shadow Metagross | Fury Cutter / Bullet Punch / Zen Headbutt | Earthquake / Flash Cannon / Psychic | Shadow Claw / Meteor Mash | Zen Headbutt (11) and Earthquake (140) |
| Shadow Latios | Zen Headbutt / Dragon Breath | Aura Sphere / Solar Beam / Psychic / Dragon Claw | Luster Purge | Zen Headbutt (11) and Solar Beam (180) |
| Shadow Excadrill | Mud Slap / Mud Shot / Metal Claw | Earthquake / Drill Run / Scorching Sands / Rock Slide / Iron Head | - | Mud Slap (19) and Earthquake (140) |
| Shadow Salamence | Fire Fang / Dragon Tail / Bite | Fly / Fire Blast / Hydro Pump / Draco Meteor / Brutal Swing / Crunch | Outrage | Dragon Tail (14) and Draco Meteor (150) |
Best Mega Counters
Mega pokemon that amplify the right types give you a powerful edge. Below are top Mega counters with short notes on why they excel.
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Best Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Garchomp | Mud Shot / Dragon Tail | Earthquake / Sand Tomb / Fire Blast / Outrage / Breaking Swipe | Earth Power | Dragon Tail (14) and Fire Blast / Earthquake(140) |
| Mega Tyranitar | Iron Tail / Dragon Breath / Bite | Stone Edge / Fire Blast / Crunch / Brutal Swing | Smack Down | Iron Tail (14) and Fire Blast (140) |
| Mega Alakazam | Psycho Cut / Confusion | Focus Blast / Shadow Ball / Fire Punch / Future Sight | Counter / Psychic / Dazzling Gleam | Confusion (19) and Focus Blast (140) |
| Mega Latios | Zen Headbutt / Dragon Breath | Aura Sphere / Solar Beam / Psychic / Dragon Claw | Luster Purge | Zen Headbutt (11) and Solar Beam (180) |
| Mega Gallade | Low Kick / Confusion / Psycho Cut / Charm | Close Combat / Leaf Blade / Psychic | Synchronoise | Charm (20) and Close Combat (105) |
| Mega Rayquaza | Air Slash / Dragon Tail | Aerial Ace / Dragon Ascent / Ancient Power / Outrage | Hurricane / Breaking Swipe | Dragon Tail (14) and Dragon Ascent (140) |
| Mega Gardevoir | Magical Leaf / Charge Beam / Confusion / Charm | Shadow Ball / Psychic / Triple Axel / Dazzling Gleam | Synchronoise | Charm (20) and Shadow Ball / Dazzling Gleam (180) |
| Mega Metagross | Fury Cutter / Bullet Punch / Zen Headbutt | Earthquake / Flash Cannon / Psychic | Shadow Claw / Meteor Mash | Zen Headbutt (11) and Earthquake (140) |
| Mega Latias | Zen Headbutt / Dragon Breath / Charm | Aura Sphere / Thunder / Psychic / Outrage | Mist Ball | Charm (20) and Outrage (110) |
| Mega Absol | Psycho Cut / Snarl | Megahorn / Thunder / Dark Pulse / Payback | Brutal Swing | Snarl (11) and Megahorn (105) |
| Mega Salamence | Fire Fang / Dragon Tail / Bite | Fly / Fire Blast / Hydro Pump / Draco Meteor / Brutal Swing / Crunch | Outrage | Dragon Tail (14) and Draco Meteor (150) |
| Mega Houndoom | Fire Fang / Snarl | Fire Blast / Flamethrower / Crunch / Foul Play | - | Fire Fang (13) and Fire Blast (140) |
| Mega Banette | Hex / Shadow Claw | Shadow Ball / Thunder / Dazzling Gleam | - | Hex (8) and Shadow Ball / Thunder / Dazzling Gleam (100) |
Moves & Threats
Gengar common fast moves are Hex or Shadow Claw (Quick fast attacks that build energy fast) or Sucker Punch. Charged moves include Sludge Bomb (Heavy charged moves capable of taking out unprepared counters) or Focus Blast or Shadow Ball (Heavy charged moves capable of taking out unprepared counters). Elite moves include Lick (Quick fast attacks that build energy fast) or Sludge Wave or Shadow Punch or Psychic or Dark Pulse (Heavy charged moves capable of taking out unprepared counters).
Pro tip: Shield Shadow Ball or Sludge Bomb with Steel or Ground Pokémon for survivability.
Weather Effects
Foggy weather to boosts Ghost type counters.
Windy weather to boosts Psychic type counters.
Battle Tips
- Lead with high DPS Ground Pokémon
- Coordinate shields and dodges – Protect your key counters
- Use small, fast groups for efficient battles, or large groups for minimal fainting risk.
Rewards
- Mega Energy for Gengar
- Chance to catch Gengar (with boosted IVs)
- Rare Candy & XL Candy
Why Raid Mega Gengar?
Mega Gengar is not just a raid boss—it trains your team synergy and counter knowledge, making future raids easier.
FAQ
Can Mega Gengar be shiny in Pokémon GO?
Shiny Gengar has been released in raids or events.
What are best moveset of Gengar?
Best movset of Gengar are Hex which does damage of 8 under Fast Attack and Focus Blast of 140 under Charged Attack.
Are Shadow Pokémon better?
Yes—Shadow forms have +20% attack, making them excellent choices if available.
What is the best weather to raid Mega Gengar?
Windy weather to boosts Psychic type counters, Fog weather to boosts Ghost type counters.
Does Mega Gengar keep its Mega form after the battle?
Mega Evolution lasts only during battles where Mega is enabled; it does not persist outside combat.
Related Guides
Looking for more counters? Check out our Gigantamax Hatterene Raid Guide, Gigantamax Alcremie Raid Guide, Gigantamax Machamp Raid Guide
Summary
- Prioritize Ground and Dark Pokémon
- Avoid using Grass or Fairy types as they’re ineffective
- Use Partly Cloudy weather for bonus Psychic damage
- Focus on energy gain and shields rather than dodging everything
- Keep a backup counter ready for unexpected charge moves