When Does Gastly Evolve?
No matter what Pokémon game you’re playing, Gastly can be a great encounter. Introduced in Generation 1, the Gastly line was the only Ghost-type Pokémon evolutionary line originally available.
Like many Pokémon, Gastly becomes more powerful once it evolves. This spooky Ghost and Poison-type Pokémon evolves into Haunter and then into Gengar.
This guide will tell you everything that you need to know about Gastly, including when it evolves!
What Is Gastly?
Gastly is a Ghost and Poison-type Pokémon. As suggested by the name, Gastly is made up of gas. This sneaky Pokémon can enter any building it desires and tends to reside in deserted locations.
It first appeared in Pokémon Red and Green, which was first released in 1996. This was the original Pokémon game, meaning that Gastly has existed since Generation1. In the National Pokedex, its number is #092.
When Does Gastly Evolve?
If you want to evolve your Gastly into a Haunter, you must reach it to at least level 25. Once it reaches this level, Gastlly transforms into Haunter, which is essentially a larger collection of gas.
Haunter retains the dual Ghost and Poison typing. As can be expected of a Ghost-type Pokémon, Haunters tend to dwell in dark environments, such as caves. It is quite a dangerous Pokémon that uses its large tongue to steal the life force of its victims.
When Does Haunter Evolve?
Unlike many Pokémon, Haunter does not evolve by leveling it up. Instead, you must trade Haunter to evolve it into the mighty Gengar.
So if you have a friend or family member with another Game Boy, Nintendo DS, or Nintendo Switch, you can evolve Haunter into a Gengar. Alternatively, if you have a second device and another compatible game, you can send Haunter to yourself so that it will evolve.
Just make sure that you trade this Pokémon back so that you can use it. Moreover, it should not hold an Everstone, as this will stop Pokémon from evolving.
Evolving Pokémon is a little different in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, a rather different game that was first released in January 2022. One of the reasons why this game is different to the rest of the Pokémon core series games is that it does not include trading.
However, you can still evolve certain Pokémon, such as Haunter, by using a Linking Cord. This item can be found in Space-time distortions and can be purchased from the Trading Post in Jubilife Village.
Where Can You Catch Gastly?
Gastly can be caught in a variety of different Pokémon games. It’s possible to obtain Gastly in most main series games, meaning that you can easily add this Pokémon to your team.
Because of its ghostly nature, Gastly is mostly found at night. The day and night cycle in the first generation had not yet been implemented. To catch a Gastly, you may need to adjust the time on your Nintendo device so that it is set to the night.
If you are interested in catching Gastly, here are its game locations:
| Generation 1 | |
| Pokémon Red and Blue | Pokémon Tower |
| Pokémon Yellow | Pokémon Tower |
| Generation 2 | |
| Pokémon Gold and Silver | Tin Tower (also known as the Bell Tower) and Sprout Tower during the night |
| Pokémon Crystal | Routes 36, 32, and 31, Tin Tower, and Sprout Tower during the night |
| Generation 3 | |
| Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire | Gastly is not natively found in this game and is only available through trade |
| Pokémon Emerald | Gastly is not natively found in this game and is only available through trade |
| Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen | Pokémon Tower and the Lost Cave |
| Generation 4 | |
| Pokémon Diamond and Pearl | Old Chateau, Route 209, and the Lost Tower during the night |
| Pokémon Platinum | Eterna Forest, Old Chateau, Turnback Cave, and the Lost Tower |
| Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver | Bell Tower or the Sprout Tower during the night. It can also be found in the Safari Zone during the night, specifically in the Forest |
| Generation 5 | |
| Pokémon Black | Gastly is not natively found in this game and is only available through trade |
| Pokémon White | White Forest |
| Pokémon Black and White 2 | Gastly is not natively found in this game and is only available through trade |
| Generation 6 | |
| Pokémon X and Y | Gastly can be obtained by breeding either a Haunter or a Gengar |
| Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire | Gastly is not natively found in this game and is only available through trade |
| Generation 7 | |
| Pokémon Sun and Moon | Hau’oli Cemetery or Memorial Hill. There is also a chance of obtaining it through Poké Pelago |
| Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon | Hau’oli Cemetery or Memorial Hill. During the night, a single Gastly can be found at the Trainers’ School |
| Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee | Pokémon Tower |
| Generation 8 | |
| Pokémon Sword and Shield | Gastly can be found throughout the Wild Area, including in Max Raid Battles |
| Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl | Old Chateau, Route 209, or the Lost Tower. It can also be found in two areas of the Grand Underground: Stargleam Cavern or Dazzling Cave |
| Pokémon Legends: Arceus | Celestica Ruins, Sacred Plaza, Bolderoll Ravine, Shrouded Ruins, Golden Lowlands, Scarlet Bog, or Gapejaw Bog |
How Powerful Is Gastly?
Gastly is quite a good Pokémon to have, especially given that it is the base stage Pokémon. Its stats tend to be particularly high in Special Attack and Speed. Therefore, Gastly is a nimble Pokémon that can do a lot of damage.
On the other hand, Gastly is quite a defensively frail Pokémon. Due to its typing, it is particularly weak to Dark, Ghost, and Psychic attacks.
To make your Gastly even stronger, it is recommended that you evolve it into a Haunter and then into Gengar. Gengar is renowned as a powerful Pokémon due to its monstrous Special Attack stat.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a Ghost or Poison-type Pokémon to add to your 6-member team, Gastly can be a wonderful addition. The fact that it evolves at a relatively low level into Haunter means that you can have this powerful Pokémon before the middle of the game.
Moreover, since it is possible to evolve Gengar by trading, you can get Gastly’s final stage as early as level 25!
