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 asthe infamous Ghost-typesthat lurk around the most haunted areas of the island.
In the ninth generation withScarlet 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 June 14, 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.
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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 likeShadow Ball, Dark Pulse, and Dream Eaterabsolutely 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.
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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.
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 atGlaseado Mountain as well as Casseroya Lake in the northern regions of Paldea.
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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 theTeal Maskexpansion. 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 withLeaf 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 damageandrestores the user’s HP equal to up tohalf the damage dealt, with a small chance of burning the target as well.
Brambleghast may bethe weakest Ghost-type Pokemonon this list; however, it still deserves a mention due to it being a new addition toPokemon’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.
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Palossand is the sand castle Pokemon that players got to meet for the first time inPokemon SunandMoon.It returned once more forScarletandViolet. 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 learnShore Up.This great signature moveallows this sand mound creature to heal a percentage of its health, depending on the weather. Find this sandy Pokemon inArea Two of the West Province, or Casseroya Lake in the North Province.
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The Indigo Diskintroduces many classic Ghost-type Pokemon toPokemon 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.
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 theCanyon Biome, Chargestone Cavern, or Polar Biome (The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero).
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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 inVioletsays it is the reincarnation of a most loved Pokemon, meaning it may live once more in its new ghostly form.
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Filled with resentment and grudges, this sneaky suit of armor Pokemon combines its once-fiery skills with that of itsnow dual-typeghostly 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 havePokemon Scarletwill not be able to unlock this Fire/Ghost-type unless it is traded to them, as it is aPokemon Violetexclusive evolution.Players will instead evolve their Charcadet into Armarouge, a Fire/Psychic-type Pokemon.
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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.
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 moveTorch Song, which does damage and increases its Special Attack.
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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 theKitakami Wilds or Timeless Woods (The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero).
