All Ghost-type Pokemon weaknesses, explained

Scattered throughout the lands of Pokémon are hundreds of ‘mon with different abilities, attributes, and properties that determine how they interact with their world. Many of these properties and attributes boil down to a Pokémon’s type.

Pokémon can have one or two types that determine everything about them, from the moves they can use to the Pokémon they’re strong and weak against. Trainers who want to thrive in the competitive world of Pokémon need to understand how these types influence every battle they participate in.

There are 18 unique types, each with various strengths and weaknesses.

One of the most exciting types in the game is Ghost, which has a complex web of advantages and disadvantages. Whether you’re looking to protect your Ghost-types or decimate someone else’s, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about Ghost-type weaknesses.

Here are all of the Ghost-type weaknesses.

All Ghost Type Pokémon weaknesses

• Dark; dark type moves deal double damage against ghost-type Pokémon.
• Ghost; ghost type moves deal double damage against ghost-type Pokémon.

The Psychic-Dark-Ghost triangle of strengths and weaknesses has always been tricky to keep straight. Ghost-types have a standard disadvantage against Dark-types: Ghost-type moves only do half damage to Dark-types, and Dark-type moves are super effective on Ghost-types.

In addition to actual Dark-type Pokémon, plenty of non-Dark-types can learn common Dark-type moves like Bite, Crunch, and Knock Off. This is an excellent way for Normal-type and Fighting-type Pokémon to gain an edge over pesky Ghost-types.

Believe it or not, Ghost is weak to itself. This is different from most other same-type matchups: most types have a resistance to themselves, with the notable exception of Dragon-types. This means that Ghost-types will crumble when faced by other Ghost-types that know moves like Shadow Ball.

Just be careful when fielding a Ghost-type against another Ghost-type: they’re both weak to each other, which could end poorly if your enemy lands a lucky critical hit or high-powered Ghost move. If you’re looking to counter a Ghost-type with Ghost-type moves, it’s best to teach those moves to a non-Ghost-type Pokémon that isn’t weak to Ghost.

All Ghost Type Pokémon resistances

• Poison; poison-type moves are only half as effective when used against ghost-type Pokémon
• Bug; bug-type moves are only half as effective when used against ghost-type Pokémon
• Fighting; fighting-type moves will have no effect on ghost-type Pokémon
• Normal; normal-type moves will have no effect on ghost-type Pokémon

Ghost-type Pokémon are resistant to two types: Bug and Poison. Many Ghost-types are also part Poison, as with the Gastly line, giving them quadruple resistance to Poison-type moves. Avoid using Bug-type or Poison-type moves against any Ghost-types you encounter.

Related: Pokémon type chart: Strengths, weaknesses, and resistances

To make up for its relatively short list of strengths and weaknesses, Ghost-types have total immunity to two types: Normal and Fighting. Normal-type and Fighting-type moves will have no effect when used against Ghost-type Pokémon. Ghost-type moves do not affect Normal-type Pokémon, either, so keep that in mind.

There is one way to ensure that Normal-type and Fighting-type moves can hit a Ghost-type. Using the move Odor Sleuth, which many early-game Normal-type Pokémon know, will allow a Ghost-type to be hit by Normal-type and Fighting-type moves. The move Foresight will also do the same thing, which can help players who don’t have Ghost-type or Dark-type moves to take even the best Ghost-type Pokémon.

Best counters for Ghost Type Pokémon

• Absol
• Darkrai
• Umbreon
• Zoroark 

The best Pokémon to bet on when attempting to counter Ghost-type Pokémon are pure dark types that can also learn Ghost-type moves.