Highlights

• Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduce a wide range of new Ghost-type Pokemon for players to capture and evolve.
• Brambleghast, Palossand, and Golurk are among the best Ghost types in the games, each with unique abilities and strengths.
• The DLC expansion, The Indigo Disk, adds even more Ghost-type Pokemon options for players to choose from in both editions of the game.

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 as the infamous Ghost-types that lurk around the most haunted areas of the island.

In the ninth generation with Scarlet 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 December 23, 2023, by Megan Smith: Players continue to wonder what is the best Ghost-type Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet. With the release of the DLC, The Indigo Disk, a number of new Pokemon, as well as returning Pokemon, have been added to the game. With this in mind, these are by far the best Ghost-type Pokemon 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.

13 Brambleghast

EV Yield: 2 Attack

Brambleghast may be the weakest Ghost-type Pokemon on this list; however, it still deserves a mention due to it being a new addition to Pokemon'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.

12 Palossand

EV Yield: 2 Defense

Palossand is the sand castle Pokemon that players got to meet for the first time in Pokemon Sun and Moon. It returned once more for Scarlet and Violet. 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 learn Shore Up. This signature move allows this sand mound creature to heal a percentage of its health, depending on the weather.

11 Golurk

EV Yield: 2 Attack

The Indigo Disk introduces many classic Ghost-type Pokemon to Pokemon 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.

10 Houndstone

EV Yield: 2 Attack

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 in Violet says it is the reincarnation of a most loved Pokemon, meaning it may live once more in its new ghostly form.

9 Ceruledge

EV Yield: 2 Attack

Filled with resentment and grudges, this sneaky suit of armor Pokemon combines its once-fiery skills with that of its now dual-type ghostly 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 have Pokemon Scarlet will not be able to unlock this Fire/Ghost-type unless it is traded to them, as it is a Pokemon Violet exclusive evolution. Players will instead evolve their Charcadet into Armarouge, a Fire/Psychic-type Pokemon.

8 Skeledirge

EV Yield: 3 Special Attack

Players who chose 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 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 move set. Skeledirge is also the only Pokemon that can learn the move Torch Song, which does damage and increases its Special Attack.

7 Annihilape

EV Yield: 3 Attack

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.

6 Gholdengo

EV Yield: 2 Special Attack

Made up entirely of coins, this peculiar Steel/Ghost-type Pokemon may not look like the franchise's typical Ghost-type creature. Even its pre-evolution, the pure Ghost-type Gimmighoul, doesn't quite appear that ghostly. It can only be evolved into Gholdengo once 999 Gimmighoul coins have been collected.

Gholdengo continues the money theme with its signature move, Make It Rain. This move not only damages the enemy and lowers their Special Attack, but when the battle is over, the player also gets to keep the money that was dropped.

5 Flutter Mane

EV Yield: 1 Special Attack, 1 Special Defense, & 1 Speed

While Misdreavus is exclusive to Pokemon Violet, those who bought Pokemon Scarlet instead have exclusive access to Flutter Mane. This ancient ancestor of Ghost-type Pokemon acts exactly like Misdreavus, just with a slightly altered design.

As a paradox Pokemon, it is also incredibly rare while being solely a Ghost-type. This, therefore, makes it a great addition to any team. It isn't weak to as many types as a dual-type Pokemon may be (especially since Ghost-types have few weaknesses to begin with) and is also incredibly powerful against other ghosts.

4 Hoopa

EV Yield: 3 Special Attack

Any fans of the franchise will recognize that Hoopa isn't a new Pokemon. This mischievous spirit was first added to the franchise in Gen 6. However, players can also find this incredibly powerful Pokemon while exploring Paldea.

Hoopa has two forms: confined and unbound. While in its confined form, it has the dual-typing of Psychic/Ghost, which is arguably just as powerful as when it is unbound, where it takes on a Psychic/Dark typing instead. Although it may not be new, it is still a great Pokemon for players to consider catching.

3 Pecharunt

EV Yield: 3 Defense

With the introduction of The Indigo Disk, a new mythical Pokemon known as Pecharunt was introduced. This incredible Ghost-type Pokemon is a dual-type of Ghost with Poison, making it a brilliant tiny monster for players who are hoping to deal a gradual amount of damage over time.

However, its stats are quite balanced, making it appear quite weak when dealing any sort of damage, though this Ghost type has a high defense to stay in the battle and protect others.

2 Dragapult

EV Yield: 3 Speed

Dragapult is a Dragon/Ghost-type Pokemon introduced in Gen 8 with Pokemon Sword and Shield. In the newer generation, those who wish to find Dreepy and evolve it into Dragapult will only be able to do so in Pokemon Violet. Those who own Pokemon Scarlet will only be able to get their hands on this creature through trade.

Due to its three-evolution stage and powerful Dragon-type, many fans of the franchise consider this powerful Ghost-type to be one of the best. It is also a pseudo-legendary, meaning that its combined stat total is a whopping 600.

1 Lunala

EV Yield: 3 Special Attack

Besides the regular Pokemon that were added to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, there have also been many past legendaries of the franchise added to the game. This included the most powerful Ghost-type Pokemon of all and the mascot of Pokemon Moon, Lunala.

There are few stats that Lunala is low in, with the Pokemon making a great special defender while also being able to pack a punch. While it may take some work to earn Lunala, it is by far the best Pokemon a player should have on their team when using a Ghost.