Gastly, the Ghost/Poison-type Pokémon numbered #092 in the National Pokédex, evolves into Haunter at level 25 and then into Gengar through trading. This three-stage evolution line has remained consistent since Generation I, making it one of the original evolution chains that collectors and players have followed for nearly three decades. For card collectors, understanding this evolution chain matters because it directly influences which cards exist, their relative rarity, and how they’re categorized in sets.
The evolution process itself is straightforward in most games: simply level Gastly to 25, and it becomes Haunter automatically unless it’s holding an Everstone. However, the final evolution to Gengar requires trading Haunter to another player, which has historically made Gengar harder to obtain for solo players. Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduced an alternative method using a Linking Cord item, removing the trade requirement for the first time in the series. This article covers the complete evolution mechanics, how they differ across games including Pokémon GO, the significance for card collectors, and where to find Gastly in recent releases like Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Table of Contents
- How Does Gastly Evolve Into Haunter and Gengar?
- Understanding Trade Evolution and Its Alternatives
- Gastly Evolution in Pokémon GO
- Where to Find Gastly in Recent Pokémon Games
- How Evolution Affects Gastly Card Values and Collecting
- Common Challenges When Evolving Gastly
- Mega Gengar and Beyond
- Conclusion
How Does Gastly Evolve Into Haunter and Gengar?
Gastly’s evolution into Haunter occurs through the most common method in Pokémon games: leveling up. Once a Gastly reaches level 25, it will attempt to evolve into Haunter at the end of any battle where it gains experience. This happens automatically in every mainline game from Red and Blue through Scarlet and Violet, with the only way to prevent it being the use of an Everstone held item or manually canceling the evolution animation. The transition from Haunter to Gengar works differently and has historically frustrated players who lack trading partners. Haunter must be traded to another player’s game, at which point it immediately evolves into Gengar upon arriving in the new game.
The Gengar can then be traded back to the original owner. This trade evolution mechanic was one of the first examples of Pokémon encouraging social play, but it also created a barrier for collectors and completionists. For example, a player with only one Nintendo DS and no friends with the game would need to find online trade partners or purchase a second system to complete their Pokédex. Pokémon Legends: Arceus changed this paradigm by introducing the Linking Cord, an item that simulates the effects of trading. Using a Linking Cord on Haunter causes it to evolve into Gengar without requiring another player. This represents the first time in the franchise’s history that Gengar could be obtained entirely through solo play, though the item itself must be found or purchased in-game.
Understanding Trade Evolution and Its Alternatives
Trade evolution has been a defining mechanic for the Gastly line since 1996, but its implementation varies significantly across different Pokémon games. In the mainline series from Red/Blue through Sword/Shield, the trade requirement for Gengar remains absolute. There are no items, levels, or friendship thresholds that can substitute for finding another player. This design decision impacts both gameplay and the secondary market, as Gengar cards and merchandise have historically commanded attention due to the Pokémon’s perceived exclusivity. However, if you’re playing Pokémon Legends: Arceus specifically, the Linking Cord provides a workaround.
This item can be found in space-time distortions or purchased from the Trading Post in Jubilife Village using Merit Points earned by returning lost satchels. The Linking Cord works on any trade evolution Pokémon, not just Haunter, making it a valuable resource for completionists. One limitation worth noting: Linking Cords are consumable items, so you’ll need one for each trade evolution Pokémon you want to evolve. For players in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, no such alternative exists. Haunter still requires a traditional trade to become Gengar, though the online trading features in these games make finding partners easier than in earlier generations. The Union Circle feature allows players to connect with friends locally or online, streamlining the process compared to the cumbersome friend code systems of the DS era.
Gastly Evolution in Pokémon GO
Pokémon GO uses an entirely different evolution system based on Candy rather than levels or trading. Evolving Gastly into Haunter costs 25 Gastly Candy, while evolving Haunter into Gengar requires 100 Gastly Candy. This means a player needs at least 125 total Candy to take a single Gastly through its complete evolution chain, typically obtained by catching wild Gastly, transferring duplicates to Professor Willow, or walking with Gastly as a Buddy Pokémon. The trade evolution mechanic exists in Pokémon GO as well, but with a twist. If you receive a Haunter through a trade with another player, the Candy cost to evolve it into Gengar drops to zero.
This creates a strategic choice: you can either spend 100 Candy on your own Haunter or coordinate a trade with another player to evolve for free. The tradeoff involves the random IV reroll that occurs during trading, which could result in better or worse stats than your original Haunter. Mega Gengar represents an additional evolution option exclusive to Pokémon GO. Mega Evolution requires 200 Mega Energy the first time and 40 Mega Energy for subsequent Mega Evolutions of the same Gengar. Mega Energy is typically obtained through Mega Raids or specific research tasks. Unlike permanent evolution, Mega Evolution is temporary, lasting eight hours before Gengar reverts to its standard form.
Where to Find Gastly in Recent Pokémon Games
Gastly’s availability varies considerably between games, which affects both gameplay strategies and the collector market for cards featuring specific game artwork or regional variants. In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Gastly can be found in the Lumiose Sewers during Main Mission 19. This specific location and timing means players must progress through a significant portion of the story before encountering the Ghost-type in the wild. Earlier games offer different encounter opportunities. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Gastly appears at night in various locations throughout Paldea, particularly in ruins and cemetery areas.
The day/night cycle restriction adds a layer of planning for players specifically hunting for Gastly. Similarly, Pokémon Sword and Shield placed Gastly in the Wild Area during certain weather conditions, continuing the tradition of making Ghost-types somewhat elusive. For card collectors, these in-game locations sometimes influence card artwork and set themes. Cards featuring Gastly in sewer environments or nighttime scenes often reference these canonical habitat preferences. Understanding where Gastly appears in different games helps collectors contextualize artwork choices and regional variations across international releases.
How Evolution Affects Gastly Card Values and Collecting
The evolution chain directly impacts how Pokémon Trading Card Game sets are structured and which cards carry value. Basic Gastly cards serve as the foundation for Stage 1 Haunter and Stage 2 Gengar cards in evolution-based decks. From a collecting perspective, Gengar cards typically command higher prices than their pre-evolutions, reflecting both the Pokémon’s popularity and its status as the final evolution. However, certain Gastly cards break this pattern. First edition Base Set Gastly cards, for example, carry significant value due to their historical importance rather than the Pokémon’s evolution stage.
Similarly, cards with rare artwork, special printings, or error versions can make a “basic” Gastly more valuable than a common Gengar. The comparison illustrates how card collecting operates on multiple value systems simultaneously: evolution stage, rarity, condition, and historical significance all contribute. The trade evolution mechanic has also influenced card design over the years. Some sets have included cards that reference trading, while others feature Gengar in scenarios that acknowledge its relative scarcity in the video games. Collectors focused on building complete evolution lines must acquire cards from all three stages, which can affect purchasing strategies when prices differ dramatically between stages.
Common Challenges When Evolving Gastly
Several obstacles can prevent or complicate Gastly’s evolution depending on your game and circumstances. The most common issue involves the Everstone: if Gastly holds this item, it will not evolve even after reaching level 25. While this is sometimes intentional for players who prefer Gastly’s design or moveset, new players occasionally equip the item without understanding its effect, then wonder why evolution isn’t occurring. The trade evolution requirement for Gengar presents the most significant barrier.
Players without Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions, local friends with the game, or the social inclination to find trade partners online may find themselves stuck with Haunter indefinitely. This limitation has persisted across generations, though the introduction of the Linking Cord in Legends: Arceus suggests The Pokémon Company is aware of player frustration with mandatory trading. In Pokémon GO, Candy scarcity can slow evolution considerably. Gastly spawns more frequently during Halloween events and at night generally, but players in areas with few PokéStops or low spawn rates may struggle to accumulate the 125 Candy needed for full evolution. Using Pinap Berries during catches and setting Gastly as a Buddy Pokémon can help accelerate Candy collection, though both methods require patience.
Mega Gengar and Beyond
Mega Evolution expanded Gengar’s potential beyond its standard final form, creating additional collecting and gameplay opportunities. Mega Gengar, introduced in Pokémon X and Y, transforms the already formidable Ghost-type into an even more powerful version with boosted stats and a striking visual redesign. In the trading card game, Mega Gengar EX cards from the XY era remain sought after by collectors for their dramatic artwork and historical significance. Gigantamax Gengar, introduced in Sword and Shield, represents another variant form.
While not technically an evolution, Gigantamax forms create additional card variants and collectible opportunities. The distinction matters for collectors tracking every iteration of the Gastly line, as Gigantamax Gengar cards exist separately from standard, Mega, and other variant printings. Looking forward, the Gastly evolution line’s continued presence in new games like Legends: Z-A suggests it will remain a staple of both gameplay and card releases. The evolution mechanics may continue to evolve as well, with the Linking Cord potentially appearing in future titles as an alternative to mandatory trading.
Conclusion
Gastly’s evolution into Haunter at level 25 and subsequent trade evolution into Gengar has remained largely unchanged since the franchise’s beginning, establishing it as one of Pokémon’s most recognizable evolution lines. The trade requirement for Gengar creates both challenges and opportunities, from gameplay barriers for solo players to market dynamics in card collecting.
Pokémon GO’s Candy-based system offers an alternative approach, while Legends: Arceus’s Linking Cord represents the first mainline departure from mandatory trading. For collectors, understanding these evolution mechanics provides context for card availability, set structures, and relative values across the three stages. Whether you’re building an evolution line deck, hunting for vintage first editions, or simply trying to complete your Pokédex, the path from Gastly to Gengar remains a fundamental part of the Pokémon experience that continues to evolve alongside the franchise itself.
