M Alzamora 
Gigantamax Gengar is making its Pokemon GO debut, and fans will need all the help they can get to counter it, beat it, and catch it.
Dynamax Pokemon first started appearing in Pokemon GO in September 2024, with Gigantamax ones following shortly after. Despite their implementation occasionally resulting in widespread bans and forced log-outs, players have generally seemed to enjoy the Sword/Shield mechanic making it to the mobile game. Alongside the Halloween events, Niantic is introducing a special, spooky Gigantamax raid.
Here are the essentials that players should know when preparing for a Gigantamax Gengar raid.
Gigantamax Gengar raid strategies
Players need to make sure they have eight or more players with solid counter options to win a Gigantamax raid against Gengar in Pokemon GO.
Firstly, any player wanting to take on a Gigantamax Gengar raid will need to make sure they have 800 Max Particles ready to go. These can be obtained through scattered Power Spots, where each one grants 100 particles. Players can also collect 300 Max Particles daily through the Power Spot tab within the nearby Pokemon sidebar.
The official Pokemon GO site indicates that parties of 10 to 40 players should be enough to defeat Gigantamax Gengar, with four players showing at a time. Some trainers even report that a very well-optimized party of four could even do the trick. Even teams of forty players can still lose, however, if they don’t work together and optimize move distribution.
Dynamax Pokemon have three types of moves: a Max Move to cause damage, a Max Spirit to heal, and a Max Guard to tank for the team. An ideal raid party should have a ratio of two damage dealers per one healer and one tank. Communication, ultimately, is the key to success. Additionally, there are certain Pokemon available through Dynamax that will be better than others.
Best counter to defeat Gigantamax Gengar in Pokemon GO
Blastoise with Bite, Greedent with Bite and Crunch, and Metagross with Zen Headbutt are solid options for dealing with Gigantamaxx Gengar.
Like its regular form, Gigantamax Gengar is a dual-type ghost-poison Pokemon. Players should focus on bringing in Pokemon with dark, ghost, ground, and/or psychic moves. Recommended Pokemon include:
- Blastoise with Bite and Hydro Cannon and Max Darkness
- Gengar with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball and Max Phantasm
- Greedent with Bite and Crunch and Max Darkness
- Metagross with Zen Headbutt and Psychic and Max Mindstorm
Only Pokemon caught from Dynamax or Gigantamax raids have the ability to participate in Gigantamax Gengar raids. That pool is relatively limited, so players have just a few options that can land supereffective moves without being threatened themselves. While Pokemon like Metagross and Gengar wouldn’t normally be preferred for this battle, they’re among the best options available right now.
If a Pokemon listed above isn’t leveled up, players should instead go with their strongest Dynamax Pokemon. However, Pokemon like Venusaur and Dubwool will likely struggle mightily against Gigantamax Gengar, as Gengar’s typing counters both of them and their max move options.
Gigantamax Gengar is available in Pokemon GO from October 31 to November 3. Once they beat him, players can hopefully catch the Pokemon and maybe even find a shiny version.
