You’re staring down a Gengar. Or maybe a Dragapult. Your heart sinks because your physical attackers can't even touch the thing. This is the classic Pokémon dilemma. If you've ever wondered what type is good against ghost, you probably already know it’s a weirdly specific list. Ghost-types are the "glass cannons" of the competitive world. They hit like a truck, but if you breathe on them the right way, they crumble.
Except when they don't.
Since the Red and Blue days on the Game Boy, the Ghost type has gone through more identity crises than almost any other category. Back in the 90s, Psychic types actually dominated Ghosts because of a coding error. Yeah, a literal bug in the game made Ghosts weak to the very thing they were supposed to hunt. Today, things are different.
Why Dark Types are Your Best Friend
Dark types are the gold standard here. Honestly, if you aren't carrying a Dark-type move like Knock Off or Crunch, you’re playing a dangerous game. Dark-type moves deal 2x damage to Ghosts. But the real kicker? Dark types also resist Ghost-type attacks.
It’s a double-edged sword that only cuts one way.
Take a Pokémon like Tyranitar or Umbreon. They can switch into a Shadow Ball and barely feel a tickle. Then they hit back with Pursuit (if you're playing older generations) or a STAB-boosted Sucker Punch. Sucker Punch is particularly nasty because Ghost types are usually fast. They want to go first. Sucker Punch lets you beat them to the punch—literally.
But don't get too comfortable. Many Ghost types carry Focus Blast. It's a Fighting-type move that hits Dark types for 4x damage in some cases. You think you're safe with your Weavile until a Gengar blasts it into another dimension with a sphere of pure energy. It's all about the prediction.
The Ghost-on-Ghost Paradox
This is where it gets spooky. Ghost is weak to Ghost. It’s a Mexican standoff.
If you’re asking what type is good against ghost, sometimes the answer is just "a faster Ghost." Imagine two Aegislash staring each other down. Whoever clicks Shadow Ball first usually wins. It’s a high-stakes game of chicken. This creates a fascinating meta-game where Speed stats become the only thing that matters.
Flutter Mane is a perfect modern example from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. It’s a Ghost/Fairy type. It’s incredibly fast. In competitive VGC (Video Game Championships), players often use their own Flutter Mane specifically to check the opponent's Ghost types. You’re fighting fire with fire, or rather, spirits with spirits.
The Normal-Type Immunity Trick
Don't forget the basics. Normal types and Ghost types are completely immune to each other.
You can't hit a Ghost with Hyper Beam, and they can't hit you with Shadow Claw. This makes Normal types the ultimate "pivot." If you predict the opponent is about to use a massive Ghost-type attack, you switch in your Blissey or Snorlax. The attack does zero damage. Zip. Nada.
Suddenly, the opponent’s momentum is dead.
However, there’s a catch. The move "Scrappy" is an ability that allows Normal and Fighting moves to hit Ghosts. Pokémon like Mega Lopunny or Hisuian Decidueye can ignore the rules of physics and kick a ghost in the face. It’s hilarious to watch, and even more satisfying to execute.
Fighting Types: The Unlikely Counter
Normally, Fighting moves don't touch Ghosts. But if you have a Pokémon with the move Foresight or Odor Sleuth, or that Scrappy ability I mentioned, the game changes.
Machamp using Foresight means that Gengar is no longer untouchable. It’s a niche strategy, sure. You don't see it often in high-level ladder play, but in a casual playthrough or a specific Nuzlocke challenge, it’s a lifesaver.
Dealing with Ghost/Poison and Ghost/Steel
Not all Ghosts are created equal.
Gengar is Ghost/Poison. This means it’s also weak to Psychic and Ground. If you have a Garchomp with Earthquake, that Gengar is toast, provided you can survive long enough to land the hit.
Then there’s Gholdengo. The "cheese stick" Pokémon. It’s Ghost/Steel. Steel resists almost everything, making it a nightmare to take down. To beat Gholdengo, you aren't just looking for Ghost-type weaknesses; you're looking for Fire and Ground moves too. A well-timed Mystical Fire or a Scorching Sands can turn the tide.
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Practical Steps for Your Next Battle
If you want to stop losing to Ghost types, stop thinking about just "types" and start thinking about "utility."
- Check for the "Levitate" Ability: Many Ghosts, like the older versions of Gengar or Mismagius, aren't hit by Ground moves because they float. Don't waste an Earthquake on them.
- Prioritize Stealth Rock: Ghost types often rely on Focus Sashes to survive a hit because their defense is garbage. Breaking that Sash with entry hazards is mandatory.
- Use "Knock Off": This is arguably the best move in the game. It’s Dark-type (super effective) and it removes the Ghost’s held item. Removing a Choice Spec or a Life Orb from a Dragapult neuters it instantly.
- Status Moves Matter: Ghosts can't be trapped by Mean Look or Spider Web (usually), but they can be paralyzed. A paralyzed Ghost is a dead Ghost.
The secret to mastering what type is good against ghost isn't just memorizing the chart. It's knowing that while Dark and Ghost moves deal the most damage, the real victory comes from managing your immunities and predicting the coverage moves. Switch your Normal type into their Shadow Ball, then switch your Dark type into their follow-up.
Go build a team that treats the ethereal like it's physical. Use the immunity of Normal types to bait out attacks, and keep a fast Dark-type attacker in your back pocket for the clean-up.