Best Ghost Types In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, like past generations of the franchise, have added a wide range of new Pokemon for trainers to capture and evolve while adventuring through the Paldea region. In addition to the more common types such as Fire and Water, players may also be interested in rarer types, such as the infamous Ghost-types that lurk around the most haunted areas of the island.

In the ninth generation with Scarlet and Violet, new Ghost-types can be found by players to add to their ever-growing team of creatures. These are the best Ghost types that can be found and caught while exploring both editions of the game.

Updated February 3, 2025 by Stephen LaGioia: With several awesome and ominous varieties to choose from, it can be tough to pinpoint which Ghost-type Pokemon are the best in Scarlet & Violet. With the release of the DLC, The Indigo Disk, a number of new Pokemon, as well as returning Pokemon, have been added, making the task of gathering the best Ghost-types even tougher. With this in mind, these are the strongest and most effective Ghost-types for players to have on their team in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet — including not only those from Paldea but also others that appeared later on.

16 Gengar

EV Yield: 3 Special Attack

One of the few Ghost-types to debut with the original 151 Pokemon, Gengar has largely held its own over the decades. It boasts some impressive total base stats, and a sky-high Special Attack in particular. This makes the already dangerous Special moves like Shadow Ball, Dark Pulse, and Dream Eater absolutely lethal.

Coupled with its few elemental weaknesses, makes Gengar a tough out. Add some decent raw Attack power and Speed to this, and the purple Pokemon has much to grin about. Players can trade Pincurchin for Haunter (which then evolves into Gengar) in Levincia, or hit the Mossfell Confluence in the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero to obtain one.

15 Spiritomb

EV Yield: 1 Defense, 1 Special Defense

This distinct meshing of Ghost/Dark-types features no evolution, though given its power and effectiveness, it doesn't really need it. Given its elemental types and its tank-like nature, Spiritomb can be tough to eliminate in battle, even with its more average HP stat.

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The Pokemon boasts a nice blend of strong, (mostly) 100% accurate Special Attacks and status moves, with a sprinkling of potent physical moves as well. This mischievous, ghostly stone formation of spirits should be a draw for Ghost-type fans. It's found at Glaseado Mountain as well as Casseroya Lake in the northern regions of Paldea.

14 Sinistcha

EV Yield: 2 Special Attack

A newcomer to the massive Pokemon lineup which now exceeds a whopping 1,000 monsters, this bizarre tea-inspired Pokemon was introduced was part of the Teal Mask expansion. Sinistcha is an evolution of Poltchageist — and comes in either 'Unremarkable' or 'Masterpiece Form'.

While it may look a bit silly and not terribly intimidating, Sinistcha has some notable offensive strengths in particular. The unique Grass-Ghost hybrid can obliterate opponents with Leaf Storm, while wearing down foes with status moves like Strength Sap.

Its potent signature move, Matcha Gotcha, can currently only be learned by this Pokemon. The move deals ample damage and restores the user's HP equal to up to half the damage dealt, with a small chance of burning the target as well.

13 Brambleghast

EV Yield: 2 Attack

Brambleghast may be the weakest Ghost-type Pokemon on this list; however, it still deserves a mention due to it being a new addition to Pokemon's ninth generation. As its appearance may suggest, this Grass/Ghost-type is a tumbleweed with a sinister method of catching its prey.

Players will first need to evolve Brambleghast by allowing its pre-evolution, Bramblin, to walk 1000 steps using the Let's Go feature. This allows a Pokemon to roam freely at their trainer's side and attack at will. To let a Pokemon out to walk, players can simply place it in the first position in the party and press the ZR button.

12 Palossand

EV Yield: 2 Defense

Palossand is the sand castle Pokemon that players got to meet for the first time in Pokemon Sun and Moon. It returned once more for Scarlet and Violet. This Ghost/Ground Pokemon seems to have possessed the sand on the beach. At first, it can be found as Sandygast, which can be seen as a heap of sand with a shovel in its head.

Palossand and its pre-evolution are the only Pokemon that can learn Shore Up. This great signature move allows this sand mound creature to heal a percentage of its health, depending on the weather. Find this sandy Pokemon in Area Two of the West Province, or Casseroya Lake in the North Province.

11 Golurk

EV Yield: 2 Attack

The Indigo Disk introduces many classic Ghost-type Pokemon to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. This includes adorable pocket monsters like Golurk, the dual-type Ground and Ghost-type Pokemon that evolves from Golett. Once the player has reached level 43, the possessed rock evolves into this larger version of itself.

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Although made of stone, which may make some players believe that Golurk would make an excellent defense unit, this Ghost-type is actually better suited for basic attacks with only a moderate score in both its regular and special defense. Find this monster in the Canyon Biome, Chargestone Cavern, or Polar Biome (The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero).

10 Houndstone

EV Yield: 2 Attack

Pure Ghost-types can be just as good as any dual-type Pokemon. Singular typings limit what can do super effective damage to pure Ghost-type Pokemon like Houndstone. This ancient ghost dog may look ominous, but at heart, it is still the adorable Greavard it once was.

While not only being a worthy battling companion, the story of Houndstone's creation is rather touching. Its Pokedex entry in Violet says it is the reincarnation of a most loved Pokemon, meaning it may live once more in its new ghostly form.

9 Ceruledge

EV Yield: 2 Attack

Filled with resentment and grudges, this sneaky suit of armor Pokemon combines its once-fiery skills with that of its now dual-type ghostly abilities. Ceruledge is the only Pokemon capable of learning the move Bitter Blade, which not only damages a Pokemon but also heals its user.

Unfortunately, those that have Pokemon Scarlet will not be able to unlock this Fire/Ghost-type unless it is traded to them, as it is a Pokemon Violet exclusive evolution. Players will instead evolve their Charcadet into Armarouge, a Fire/Psychic-type Pokemon.

8 Skeledirge

EV Yield: 3 Special Attack

Players who choose Fuecoco as their starter already have a powerful Fire/Ghost-type Pokemon in their hands. When evolving this tiny red crocodile to its final evolution from Crocalor at level 36, Skeledirge isn't only a singing Pokemon, but it is also a ginormous fiery crocodile with a bird spirit that follows it on every adventure.

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It may be surprising to some trainers that this does in fact class as a Ghost-type. This new secondary typing opens up avenues to further expand its moveset. Skeledirge is also the only Pokemon that can learn the move Torch Song, which does damage and increases its Special Attack.

7 Annihilape

EV Yield: 3 Attack

With Gen 9, Game Freak also included new evolutions for already existing Pokemon, such as the newest evolution for Primeape: Annihilape. This Fighting/Ghost-type cannot be evolved simply by leveling up. Instead, the player must use the move Rage Fist twenty times to cause the evolution.

As Primeape's power through rage grew, its body could no longer hold onto it all. As such, it evolved into Annihilape, a rage-filled monkey, the only other Pokemon that can use Rage Fist. The Pokemon can be found roaming in the Kitakami Wilds or Timeless Woods (The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero).