Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in the Pokémon franchise, brings players back to the Kalos region with an updated open-world experience. A cornerstone of the game, like many Pokémon titles, involves evolving Pokémon through trading. One popular evolution is that of Haunter into Gengar. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to obtain your own Gengar in the game.
Evolving Haunter: The Trade Requirement
The evolution of Haunter into Gengar requires a trade with another player. This has been a series tradition for decades, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A is no exception. The process begins with capturing Gastly in Wild Zone 4, evolving it into Haunter at level 25, and finally, trading Haunter to trigger its transformation into Gengar.
The Link Trade feature, necessary for this evolution, becomes available during Main Mission 3, “A New Life in Lumiose City.” Completing this mission unlocks access to Mable’s Research, a set of tasks designed to engage players with the game’s core mechanics. Within Mable’s Research, you will find the Link Play tab which houses the Link Trade option.
To trade, you’ll need an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Once you initiate a trade, ensure that the Haunter isn’t holding an Everstone, which would prevent evolution. If all goes smoothly, Haunter will evolve into Gengar during the trade sequence.
Capturing Gengar Directly
While trading is the primary method, Pokémon Legends: Z-A offers two opportunities to catch Gengar directly in the wild, circumventing the trade requirement altogether.
Main Mission 20, “A Request From the Rust Syndicate,” guarantees an encounter with two wild Gengar alongside a Gastly in an abandoned building. These Gengar are level 40 or higher, making this a reliable method for obtaining one early in the game. Prepare by stocking up on Ultra Balls and Dusk Balls and saving manually after knocking out Gengar to retry capture if the first attempt fails. Status moves like paralysis or sleep can also increase your capture success rate.
Wild Zone 20 unlocks after completing the main storyline. Gengar spawns under Prism Tower, but this method requires patience as Pokémon spawns need to be reset repeatedly. However, the Gengar found here is guaranteed to be an alpha Pokémon with superior stats.
The Trading Process Explained
Trading in Pokémon Legends: Z-A is simple once unlocked. Open the menu, select Link Play, then Link Trade. Choose between trading with nearby players or online players using a Link Code. Ensure the codes match to start the trade.
Be cautious when trading online. Always check the held item on the incoming Pokémon before confirming to avoid receiving a Pokémon with an unwanted Everstone. Online communities often share trade codes, making it easier to find partners for specific evolutions.
In conclusion, while evolving Haunter through trading is the traditional method, Pokémon Legends: Z-A provides viable alternatives for players who prefer direct capture. Whether you choose to trade or hunt, obtaining Gengar is a rewarding step toward building a powerful team in the Kalos region.
