Gengar is a classic fast special attacker. With its Ghost/Poison typing, high base Speed, and Special Attack, it exerts immediate pressure. It utilizes moves like Shadow Ball, Sludge Bomb, and utility options like Will-O-Wisp or Taunt to disrupt opponent strategies.
Defeating base Gengar involves outspeeding it or exploiting its fragile defenses.
Aegislash is a solid counter, resisting Gengar's Poison STAB and threatening to trade KOs using Poltergeist or Shadow Sneak.
Kingambit also checks it effectively, resisting both Ghost and Poison moves while threatening KOs with Sucker Punch.
The best moveset for Gengar in the current competitive meta typically features the moves Shadow Ball, Protect, Perish Song, Sludge Bomb.
In the Pokémon Champions meta, Gengar can be countered by exploiting its weaknesses (dark 2x, ghost 2x, ground 2x, psychic 2x) and using effective check/counter teams.
The best item for Gengar is typically Gengarite, based on high-level tournament and ladder stats.