How to Evolve Gengar in Pokémon FireRed

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A guide to trading a Haunter to get a Gengar

Co-authored by Ethan Dobbs

Last Updated: November 26, 2024 Fact Checked

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Capture a Gastly or Haunter

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Evolving the Haunter

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Video

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Q&A

Gengar is a unique Pokémon in that it is one of few “trade evolution” Pokémon. This means that, in order to obtain a Gengar, a Haunter must be traded between Trainers. Once traded, the Haunter will then evolve into a Gengar. It is important to learn how to trade Pokémon not only to obtain a Gengar, but to play Pokémon in general.

Things You Should Know

Battle Team Rocket in Celadon City to get the Silph Scope. Then, go to the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town.
After battling your rival Gary, go to the third floor and catch a Gastly or Haunter. If you catch a Gastly, level it up to level 25 to evolve it into a Haunter.
Talk to the third NPC on the second floor of any Pokémon Center. Join your trade room and trade the Haunter to your friend and back.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Capture a Gastly or Haunter

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Gengar is the evolution of Haunter, and cannot be found in the wild. This means you will need to capture a Gastly or Haunter and evolve it into a Gengar through trading.

This is available after you defeat Erika and earn your fourth badge. Defeating Giovanni and Team Rocket will give you the Silph Scope, which will allow you to see the Ghost Pokémon that inhabit the Pokémon Tower in Lavender City.^{[1]
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Now that you have the Silph Scope, you can enter the Tower and not have to run from battles with Ghost-type Pokémon.

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Once you have entered the tower, head north and then east until you see a staircase. Climb it to proceed to the next floor.^{[2]
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Defeat Gary. Head north, and you will find your rival Gary. You will have to battle him. Your rival’s team may vary depending on which starter Pokémon he chooses. Here are the possible combinations:
- Pidgeotto(LvL25), Kadabra(LvL20), Exeggcute(LvL22), Wartortle(LvL25), Growlithe(LvL23)
- Pidgeotto(LvL25), Kadabra(LvL20), Exeggcute(LvL23), Gyarados(LvL22), Charmeleon(LvL25)
- Pidgeotto(LvL25), Kadabra(LvL20), Ivysaur(LvL25), Gyarados(LvL23), Growlithe(LvL22)
Once you have beat Gary, head east where you will find another staircase. Climb it to proceed.
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Look for a Haunter. The third floor is the first floor where you will find wild Pokémon. Chances of encountering a Haunter on any given floor is about 1-15%; higher floors will yield better chances. You will have much more luck catching a Gastly, but the process of evolving it takes longer.
- An alternative to catching a Haunter is catching a Ghastly, which can then be evolved into a Haunter by levelling up to LvL25 and using a rare candy. Keep in mind that both Ghastly and Haunter are Ghost-type Pokémon, making them immune to Normal, Fighting, and Ground attacks.
- If you catch a Gastly, you will need to evolve it into a Haunter before proceeding.
. Weaken the Haunter or Gastly and then start chucking Pokeballs at it. Gastlys are pretty easy to catch and shouldn't pose too many problems, but Haunters may take a few Pokeballs in order to capture it.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Evolving the Haunter

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Get ready to trade. Once you have captured a Haunter or evolved your Gastly, head toward the nearest Pokémon Center and go to the 2nd floor.
- If this is your first time entering the 2nd floor, the NPC will give you a brief explanation of the linking system.
Proceed to the 3rd NPC and pick “Trade Center” and save your game. Remember, you must have someone to trade with via a GBA link cable or wireless network connection. Make sure your devices are connected before proceeding.
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Select your trade partner. Choose either to be the leader of a group, or join a group. Start the trade and select “Ok.” You will be led into a room where you will see the other player.
- The other player will need to select the opposite option. For example, if you chose "Become Leader", the other player must choose "Join Group".
Sit on the chair and press “A” to begin the trade.
Once the trade is complete, the Haunter will immediately evolve into a Gengar. Have your friend/spare GBA send back your newly-evolved Gengar by repeating the trade process.

Community Q&A

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Question

I'm playing on a computer, so would it not be possible to get a Gengar, Golem and other traded Pokemon?

Community Answer

Some emulators like VBA link can be used to trade with yourself, but it may be a hard process.

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Question

Does the Haunter need to hold something?

Community Answer

No, it doesn't need to hold anything to evolve it while in trade. Unlike other Pokemon like Onix or Seadra, Pokemon like Haunter, Kadabra, and Graveler don't need to hold any items.

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What if I'm using my phone?

Community Answer

If you're on an emulator you can probably break the game in such a way that evolution would be possible, but it may corrupt your save. You might have to live with the incomplete pokedex, as this will also be the case with Golem, Alakazam and Machamp.

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