The spooky Ghost/Poison trio is back, and trainers are scrambling to add Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar to their Pokémon Legends Z-A teams. But catching these elusive specters isn’t as simple as stumbling upon them in tall grass—each requires specific strategies, locations, and sometimes a bit of patience.
Whether you’re hunting for competitive battles or completing your Pokédex, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about securing this iconic evolution line.
Table of Contents
Pokémon Legends Quick Reference: Gastly Evolution Line
| Pokémon | Location | Requirements | Best Catch Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gastly | Wild Zone 4 | Early game access | Stealth catch or status effects |
| Haunter | Wild Zone 15 | Nighttime + Rank D mission complete | Dusk Balls at night |
| Gengar | Wild Zone 20 / Trade | Post-game or Nintendo Switch Online | Trade evolution preferred |
Catching Gastly: Your Gateway Ghost
Gastly is surprisingly accessible and appears in Wild Zone 4 early in your adventure. This gaseous Pokémon floats around freely, but its tendency to flee makes preparation essential.
Pro Tips for Gastly:
- Stock up on Great Balls before venturing out—regular Poké Balls may not cut it
- Use stealth mechanics to throw a ball without initiating battle for instant catches
- Inflict Sleep or Paralysis to dramatically boost catch rates during battles
- Time your visit during foggy weather for increased Ghost-type spawns
The beauty of starting with Gastly? You can evolve it naturally rather than hunting down its evolved forms, making it the easiest entry point for this evolution line.
Finding Haunter: The Nighttime Hunter
Haunter ups the difficulty considerably. This Ghost appears exclusively in Wild Zone 15, but only after you’ve completed the “Reaching Rank D” mission—and exclusively at night.
Nighttime Strategy: If you arrive during daytime, simply rest at any Pokémon Center bench to skip ahead to nightfall. This time-skip feature is a lifesaver for nocturnal Pokémon hunting.
Battle Preparation:
- Dusk Balls offer superior catch rates during nighttime encounters
- Bring plenty of healing items—Haunter loves spamming Hypnosis and Confuse Ray
- Status conditions remain crucial; prioritize Paralysis for reduced speed and improved accuracy
Alternative Method: Evolution
Don’t want to wait for nighttime? Simply level your Gastly to Level 25 for automatic evolution into Haunter. This method integrates perfectly with your training routine.
Obtaining Gengar: The Trade Evolution Challenge
Here’s where things get tricky. Gengar doesn’t spawn in the wild until post-game, and traditionally requires trading to evolve from Haunter—a mechanic that demands Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
Three Ways to Get Gengar:
1. Trade Evolution (Recommended) The classic method: trade your Haunter with another player, and it evolves instantly upon arrival. Join Pokémon trading communities or coordinate with friends.
2. Post-Game Wild Encounter After defeating the final boss, Wild Zone 20 unlocks where Gengar occasionally roams. This requires significant story progression but avoids trading requirements.
3. Story Mission Encounter During Main Mission 20: “A Request From the Rust Syndicate,” you’ll encounter a Gengar inside an abandoned building. This scripted encounter guarantees a chance without trading or post-game grinding.
Gengar Catching Tips:
- Save your game before exploring Wild Zone 20—Gengar packs serious punch
- Ultra Balls are minimum; Master Ball consideration for guaranteed success
- Lower its HP carefully with False Swipe if available
Why This Evolution Line Matters
Gengar remains one of Pokémon’s most competitively viable Ghost-types, boasting excellent Special Attack and Speed stats. Its Mega Evolution potential in Legends Z-A makes it even more valuable for endgame content and competitive battling strategies.
The Ghost/Poison typing provides crucial resistances while offering STAB moves that counter Psychic and Ghost opponents—essential for tougher battles and raid encounters.
For more Legends Z-A strategies, check out the official Pokémon website for updates and community events.
FAQs
Q1: Can I get Gengar without Nintendo Switch Online subscription?
Yes! You have two alternatives: wait until post-game to catch wild Gengar in Wild Zone 20, or encounter the scripted Gengar during Main Mission 20 (“A Request From the Rust Syndicate”). Both methods bypass the trading requirement entirely.
Q2: What’s the fastest way to complete the Gastly evolution line?
Catch Gastly in Wild Zone 4, level it to 25 for Haunter, then trade with another player for immediate Gengar evolution. This path takes 2-3 hours of gameplay, compared to 15+ hours needed for post-game wild Gengar encounters. Trading communities make finding partners quick and easy.
