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Ghost-type Pokemon are unique, often having abilities or odd backstories that help them stand out from the hundreds of other pocket monsters. For any Pokemon trainers looking to add a Ghost-type Pokemon to their roster for Halloween, we think these are the 10 best Ghost-type Pokemon in series history. Even though there are currently over 800 Pokemon out in the wild, fans can expect Game Freak and Nintendo to dream up even more collectible creatures for future games, like the upcoming Nintendo Switch Pokemon RPG. How many of those new Pokemon are Ghost-types remain to be seen, but at least a few should be supernatural.

Updated on December 21st, 2022, by Jeff Drake: Ghost-type Pokemon are an interesting lot. They have trouble doing damage to Normal types, are super weak against Dark Pokemon, but other than that they are very capable combatants against most other types. There aren’t many introduced per new entry in the series; though, as of the current generation (gen nine), there is now a sizable list of Ghost-types. Many of the newer Ghost-type Pokemon have great stats and possible move-sets that many would consider overpowered. This update will expand this list to include some of the more recent additions to the global Pokedex.

15 Aegislash

Aegislash earns a spot on this list for not only being a special Ghost-type Pokemon, but one of the more unique Pokemon in general. As of Pokemon Sun and Moon, Aegislash and its evolutionary line were the only Pokemon to be both Ghost and Steel-type until recently. Its rare type combination isn’t the only reason why Aegislash is such a unique Pokemon, though.

It also has two forms that it can switch between in battle, with its Blade Forme used for offensive attacks and its Shield Forme used as a defensive stance. And if that weren’t enough, Aegislash is also the only Pokemon in the series that can learn the move King’s Shield, so saying it is a “unique” Pokemon is a bit of an understatement.

14 Banette

First introduced as a part of the third generation of Pokemon, Banette is the evolved form of Shuppet. And as far as Ghost-type Pokemon go, Banette has one of the creepiest backstories. Initially a mere puppet,

Banette has been brought to life by hatred and specializes in cursing its enemies by sticking pins in its own body like a voodoo doll. Later games would see Banette’s supernatural powers increase with the Banettite item, which transforms it into the powerful Mega Banette.

13 Chandelure

Chandelure looks like a chandelier possessed by a ghost, which seems like reason enough to earn it a spot among the dumbest-looking Pokemon. However, Chandelure has proven to be a favorite Ghost-type Pokemon, making appearances in video games outside the mainline Pokemon titles.

For example, Chandelure appears as an enemy in Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 3DS, and is also a part of the Pokken Tournament roster.

12 Spectrier

Spectrier is like the ghostly, shadowy, version of Rapidash. In other words, a spectral black stallion. This Pokemon’s claim to fame are its great Special Attack and Speed ratings. It is also part of the union that forms possibly the best Ghost-type Pokemon (#1 on this list).

Many of Spectrier’s attack moves are powerful; the problem is that the best of its attacks cause recoil damage. Its best attacks are also physical attacks. This doesn’t work well with its high Special Attack and average Attack scores. It does get Stomp and Shadow Ball, though.

11 Decidueye

When the starter Pokemon for Pokemon Sun and Moon were first revealed, by far the most popular new creature was Rowlet, whose cuteness caught the attention of Pokemon fans the world over.

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Rowlet became even more popular when its final form, the Grass/Ghost-type Pokemon named Decidueye, was revealed. Decidueye’s popularity saw the Pokemon added to Pokken TournamentDX as an exclusive fighter in the Nintendo Switch version of the game.

10 Flutter Mane

In the Pokemon series it’s often the most innocent looking ones that are the fiercest combatants. This theory definitely holds true for Flutter Mane. This diminutive Pokemon has phenomenal Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed ratings; its other stats are below average.

Flutter Mane gets a good assortment of strong attacks. Its move list is also quite varied in terms of move-types. It gets Perish Song, Moonblast, Pain Split, Mystical Fire, and Psyshock. As long as trainers keep this Pokemon from strong physical attackers, like Fighting-types, it should have no problem winning matches.

9 Gengar

One of the most recognizable Ghost-type Pokemon in series history, Gengar was first introduced in Pokemon Red and Blue. The evolved form of Gastly and Haunter, Gengar has been regularly featured in all forms of Pokemon media since his introduction and is notable for being one of the first on-screen Pokemon in the anime series.

Gengar’s creepy Pokedex entry in Pokemon Moon makes the creature even more noteworthy, as its loneliness and desire for a traveling companion apparently cause it to kill people to create other ghosts.

8 Giratina

Out of all the Ghost-type Pokemon on this list, Giratina is arguably the most powerful, with the ability to travel freely between different dimensions. A Ghost and Dragon-type, Giratina is one of the legendary Pokemon in the fourth generation of games, and serves as the mascot for Pokemon Platinum.

Giratina was also featured prominently in the Pokemon anime movie Giratina and the Sky Warriors, cementing itself as one of the most important ghost-type Pokemon in series history.

7 Lunala

Lunala is another legendary Ghost-type Pokemon introduced in Pokemon Sun and Moon. Lunala is powerful enough to create wormholes, which is remarkable as it is the final evolved form of the relatively weak Pokemon Cosmog in Pokemon Moon.

Lunala’s immense power is also the only Pokemon (to date) that can learn the Ghost-type move Moongeist Beam, which forces the Pokemon to transform into its Full Moon phase when activated.

6 Marowak (Alola Form)

Pokemon Sun and Moon introduced a popular new concept to the franchise called Alola forms. For the uninitiated, Alola forms are redesigned versions of first-generation Pokemon, which have developed differently than their Kanto region counterparts due to the unique climate of the Alola region. Marowak is one such Pokemon that has an Alolan regional variant, going from a Ground-type Pokemon to a Fire/Ghost-type Pokemon in Sun and Moon.

Alola form Marowak being a Ghost-type Pokemon is arguably more fitting for the creature’s backstory. As fans may recall, Marowak evolves from Cubone, which is a Pokemon wearing the skull of its dead mother as a helmet. In Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow, players encounter a ghost Marowak in Lavender Town, so the Pokemon always had a spooky element to it, even before it became a Ghost-type.

5 Marshadow

Marshadow is a relatively new Pokemon, having been introduced in generation seven (Sun and Moon). This is only one of two Fighting/Ghost-types in the entire Pokemon franchise. This combo is fairly efficient too - types that do well against Fighting-types are generally poor choices against Ghost-types, and visa versa.

This Pokemon also has a great ability, Technician, which boosts the damage of all moves with a power of 60 or less by 50%. This makes all those middling attack moves noticeably better. Close Combat, Spectral Thief, Drain Punch, and Laser Focus are its best moves.

4 Mimikyu

Some Ghost-type Pokemon have dark backstories, but Mimikyu’s is just depressing. This small Ghost and Fairy-type Pokemon desperately wants to be friends with people, but its appearance reportedly causes illness. Due to this, most people avoid it.

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In an attempt to boost its popularity, Mimikyu takes on a disguise, dressing up as a Pikachu, the most famous Pokemon. Despite its cute, yet still unsettling, appearance, Mimikyu is easily one of the best Ghost-type Pokemon in the entire series.

3 Sableye

A strange, goblin-looking creature, Sableye is a Dark and Ghost-type Pokemon introduced in the franchise’s third generation. Sableye is rarely seen in the daytime and tends to live in caves, with its diet mainly consisting of gemstones.

Pokemon GO players may be lucky enough to find a shiny Sableye out in the wild, but they should be careful not to look into its eyes, as rumor has it that doing so will cost a person their soul.

2 Necrozma (Dawn Wings Form)

Necrozma is frighteningly powerful. This Pokemon uses the number four Pokemon on this list, Lunala, to power its supernatural powers. Necrozma’s Dawn Wings form has an insanely high Special Attack score; enough to one-shot many Pokemon with a sufficiently powerful attack move. The rest of this Pokemon’s stats are well above average, except Speed - which is still about average.

Some of the best moves that Necrazma can learn are Prismatic Laser, Photon Geyser, Psycho Cut, and Morning Sun. Prismatic Laser is particularly vicious with a 160 power rating, 100 accuracy, and a PP count of 10. Morning Sun allows Necrozma to heal itself in battle.

1 Calyrex (Shadow Rider Form)

The Shadow Rider form of Calyrex is arguably the best Ghost-type Pokemon in the series (so far). This Pokemon is the union of Calryrex and Spectrier. Other than being weak to Bug, Dark, and Ghost types, Shadow Rider Calyrex doesn’t have any glaring negatives. All of its stats are incredibly high; its Special Attack and Speed ratings are among the best in the game.

While it may be lacking in actual Ghost-type moves, Shadow Form Calyrex has access to some of the best Grass and Psychic type attack moves. Future Sight, Solar Beam, Leech Seed, and Giga Drain are possible additions to its move-set.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are out now for the Nintendo Switch.

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