One of the best Pokémon throughout all of Gen 1, Gengar is a robust ghost-type who deserves a rightful place on most parties. They're also pretty cute when they fall asleep, too. As you traverse Hisui and fill out your Pokédex in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, it likely won't be long before you run into Gastly and Haunter.
In fact, you'll probably have Pastures full of the spooky 'mons in no time at all. Yet, no Gengar. There's a whole host of different ways to evolve Pokémon, including Eevee's many evolutions, in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. How players evolve Haunter into Gengar remains the same as prior instalments, but there is a twist.
Additionally, might we see a mega evolution of Gengar in Pokémon Legends: Arceus at some point? Who knows, but you should grab a Gengar anyway, your Pokédex research demands it! In this guide, we explain how to evolve Gastly into Haunter, and then into Gengar, in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
How to Get Gastly or Haunter in Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Before you can even think about evolution and having a Gengar of your own, you'll need to catch a Gastly or Haunter first in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Fortunately, they're easy to come by. Both the 'mons can be found in the following areas of Crimson Mirelands at night:
- Gapejaw Bog
- Scarlet Bog
- Shrouded Ruins
- Golden Lowlands
- Cottonsedge Praire
How to Evolve Haunter into Gengar in Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Gastly will naturally evolve into Haunter at Level 25, but evolving Haunter into Gengar takes a little more work. Much like the predecessors to Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Haunter needs to be traded with a fellow player to evolve. This can be done at the Trading Post in Jubilife Village with a friend.
However, for those who don't have a friend on standby to trade Pokémon with them, there is an alternative method for evolving Haunter into Gengar in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Rather than trading Haunter, you can have Haunter equip the Linking Cord item, and they can evolve into Gengar with this item instead!
We talk extensively about how to get a Linking Cord here, but in short, you can purchase the item for Merit Points from the Trading Post, purchase it from the Gingko Guild's Ginter by chance, or it may drop randomly as you harvest resources around Hisui. Either way, it's not too tricky to get if trading isn't on the cards for you.
And that's how it's done! Good luck evolving your Haunter into a Gengar, and expanding your Pokédex entry for the species. For more on Pokémon Legends: Arceus, take a look at how to customise your character, upgrade your inventory, and release Pokémon from pastures. Be sure to make the most of your experience of Hisui!