Gastly
Gastly is a Ghost/Poison-type Pokémon known for its ability to materialize from the shadows and emit eerie cries. It is often found haunting dark locations and is infamous for its mischievous nature.
Biology
Physical Characteristics
Gastly is a gaseous, ghostly Pokémon with unique physical characteristics.
Gastly’s body is composed of a special gaseous substance, making it ethereal and ghost-like in appearance. This gaseous form allows it to move silently and swiftly. Gastly takes on a spherical shape with a dark purple hue. This round body contributes to its overall mysterious and haunting demeanor.
Gastly has large, hypnotic eyes that gleam with an eerie light. These eyes are known to mesmerize and hypnotize those who gaze into them, adding to its ghostly allure. The most distinctive feature of Gastly is the spiraling, gaseous appendage that extends from the top of its head. This appendage gives Gastly a unique and unsettling appearance.
Overall, Gastly’s physical characteristics align with its Ghost-type nature, making it a fascinating and enigmatic Pokémon in the Pokémon world.
Behaviour
Gastly is known for its mischievous and playful nature. It enjoys playing tricks on unsuspecting humans and Pokémon, often using its ghostly abilities to create illusions and scare others.
Gastly is more active during the night. It is often found haunting locations such as graveyards, abandoned buildings, and other spooky areas. The darkness enhances its ghostly presence.
Gastly possesses hypnotic eyes that it uses to mesmerize and hypnotize its targets. It takes advantage of its hypnotic gaze to disorient foes and create opportunities for escape or attack. As a Ghost-type Pokémon, Gastly has the ability to pass through solid objects, including walls. This allows it to navigate through barriers effortlessly, adding to its elusive and mysterious behavior.
Some Pokédex entries suggest that Gastly may feed on the fear of its victims. Its ability to induce fear through its ghostly appearance and pranks might contribute to sustaining its energy.
Gastly can create realistic illusions that appear to be ghostly entities. These illusions add to the spooky atmosphere it creates, making it challenging for others to distinguish between reality and Gastly’s tricks. Gastly’s gaseous composition enables it to move silently and swiftly. It can glide through the air with ease, making it a stealthy and elusive Pokémon.
While Gastly is known to be mischievous and independent, it may form groups with other Gastly or related species like Haunter and Gengar. These groups might engage in collective pranks or share common hunting grounds.
In summary, Gastly’s behavior aligns with its Ghost/Poison typing, exhibiting a penchant for mischief, nocturnal activities, and the ability to instill fear through its hypnotic gaze and ghostly illusions.
Evolution
Here are the details about the evolution of Gastly.
Gastly is the first stage in its evolutionary line. It is a Ghost/Poison-type Pokémon with a gaseous and ethereal appearance. Gastly often haunts spooky places and enjoys playing pranks on humans and other Pokémon.
Gastly evolves into Haunter starting at level 25. This evolution brings about significant changes in appearance. Haunter is larger and more defined, resembling a floating, ghostly figure with disembodied hands. Haunter retains the Ghost/Poison typing.
The final stage of Gastly’s evolution is into Gengar. To achieve this evolution, Haunter needs to be traded between Pokémon games. Upon trading, Haunter evolves into Gengar. Gengar is a Ghost/Poison-type Pokémon that undergoes a drastic transformation. It loses its lower body, gaining a more humanoid appearance. Gengar is known for its mischievous and playful nature, much like its pre-evolutions.
Gengar has the ability to Mega Evolve into Mega Gengar using a Gengarite. Mega Gengar has an even more sinister appearance, featuring a larger, gaping mouth and heightened spectral powers. Mega Evolution enhances Gengar’s stats and may provide additional benefits in battles.
Gengar is also capable of Gigantamaxing, a phenomenon specific to certain Pokémon in the Galar region. In its Gigantamax form, Gengar transforms into a massive serpent-like creature with a red, glowing eye on its chest. Gigantamax Gengar gains access to exclusive G-Max moves, making it a formidable force in Dynamax battles.
In summary, Gastly evolves into Haunter at level 25, and Haunter evolves into Gengar when traded between games. Gengar can further undergo Mega Evolution with a Gengarite and Gigantamaxing in the Galar region, showcasing its adaptability and versatility in various Pokémon regions and battle formats.
Appearances
Anime Main Appearances
In ”The Ghost of Maiden’s Peak”, a talkative and shape-shifting Gastly masqueraded as the spirit of a woman. Legend claimed she turned to stone, waiting for her love for 2,000 years. Gastly, using this guise, played tricks on the minds of unsuspecting young men.
Gastly, known for its spooky traits, has notable appearances in episodes like ”The Tower of Terror”, ”Pikachu Re-Volts”, and ”From Ghost to Ghost”. Officer Jenny’s Gastly avoids hypnosis in ”A Shipful Of Shivers”, while Lon’s Gastly spooks visitors in ”Scary Hospitality!”. The mischievous Ghost Pokémon also plays with kids in ”A Haunted House for Everyone!” and experiences devolution in ”Showdown at the Gates of Warp!” due to Dialga and Palkia’s influence. Overall, Gastly is associated with eerie encounters and ghostly adventures in the Pokémon animated series.
Anime Minor Appearances
In ”Pikachu’s Rescue Adventure”, Gastly featured in Japanese credits. It guarded Tin Tower in ”For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll!” after Team Rocket’s theft. Gastly made appearances in episodes like PK13, ”Dawn Of A New Era!”, ”Drifloon On the Wind!”, James‘s fantasy in ”Tag! We’re It…!”, and a cameo in Giratina and the ”Sky Warrior”. Other episodes include ”Ghoul Daze”!, ”I Choose You!”, ”Alola, Kanto!”, ”The Spectral Express!”, and ”This Could be the Start of Something Big!”.
A Gastly appeared in a fantasy in the episodes ”Tag! We’re It…!” (James’s fantasy) and ”Loading the Dex!” (Meowth’s fantasy so after encountering a Mimikyu).
A Coordinator’s Gastly was seen in the episode ”Harley Rides Again”.
A Trainer’s Gastly appeared also in the epsodes ”Love at First Twirl!” and ”Securing the Future!” (where it was seen showering Necrozma with light with other Pokémon).
Manga Appearances
Ash & Pikachu
In the seventh chapter of the Ash & Pikachu manga series, ”Let’s Save The Lugia!”, a Gastly owned by Team Rocket Scientist was seen.
Pokémon Adventures
In ”That Awful Arbok!”, Koga’s Gastly made its debut, haunting Pokémon Tower by possessing the corpses of deceased Pokémon. Red’s Bulbasaur defeated it by using its bulb to suck up surrounding air and Gastly’s gaseous form, ultimately unleashing a powerful Solar Beam. This action not only vanquished Gastly but also freed Red’s rival, Blue, from its ghostly possession.
Agatha’s Gastly played a role in attacking Gym Leaders and was part of her main team in ”As Gastly as Before”. The Masked Man used a Gastly to capture Celebi and later employed it in a battle involving Suicune in ”You Ain’t Nothin’ but a Houndour”. Morty’s Gastly participated in battling Suicune as well (”Misdreavus Misgivings”). Another Gastly was sent to fight in Ilex Forest during ”The Last Battle XIII”. Various Gastly appeared in different episodes, including battles, the Pokéathlon (”Out-Odding Oddish”), and encounters in locations like the Old Chateau (”Robust Rotom”) and Thrifty Megamart (”A Photoshoot and the Abandoned Thrifty Megamart”).
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
In Blue’s mansion, Clefairy battled a Gastly, but its ownership remains unclear (”Get Rid of The Ghost Pokémon!!”). Another Gastly appeared in a confrontation between Red, Giovanni, and Giovanni’s twin brother (”Which One is the Real Clefairy!?”). It participated in a baseball match (”Fierce Competition at the Pokémon Baseball Tournament!”) and a soccer competition between Red and Green. Giovanni’s Gastly battled a Squirtle in ”Squirtle, the Crybaby Pokémon”.
Gastly also appeared in the following manga:
Pocket Monsters DP – in the third chapter of the Pocket Monsters DP manga, PMDP03.
Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys – in this manga Black’s Haunter, evolved from a Gastly, and another one appeared in the ”Let’s Fight! The Mini Pokémon Tournament”.
Pokémon Zensho – in the fourth chapter of the Pokémon Zensho manga,PZ05.
Game data
Stats
Location
| Game version | Location |
|---|---|
| Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue | Pokémon Tower |
| Pokémon Yellow | Pokémon Tower |
| Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver | Tin Tower, Sprout Tower |
| Pokémon Crystal | Routes 31, 32, and 36, Tin Tower, Sprout Tower |
| Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire | Trade |
| Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen | Pokémon Tower, Lost Cave |
| Pokémon Emerald | Trade |
| Pokémon Colosseum | Trade |
| Pokémon XD | Trade |
| Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl | Old Chateau, Lost Tower, Route 209 |
| Pokémon Platinum | Old Chateau, Eterna Forest, Lost Tower, Turnback Cave |
| Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver | Bell Tower, Sprout Tower |
| Safari Zone | Evolve Shellder |
| Pokémon Black | Trade |
| Pokémon White | White Forest |
| Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2 | Trade |
| Pokémon X and Pokémon Y | Breed Haunter or Gengar |
| Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire | Trade |
| Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon | Hau'oli Cemetery, Memorial Hill, Poké Pelago |
| Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon | Hau'oli Cemetery, Memorial Hill |
| Trainers' School | Seafoam Islands |
| Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! | Pokémon Tower |
| Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield | Giant's Seat, Hammerlocke Hills, North Lake Miloch, Watchtower Ruins |
| Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl | Route 209, Lost Tower, Old Chateau, Dazzling Cave, Stargleam Cavern |
| Legends Arceus | Bolderoll Ravine, Celestica Ruins, Gapejaw Bog, Golden Lowlands, Sacred Plaza, Scarlet Bog, Shrouded Ruins |
| Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet | Asado Desert, Casseroya Lake, North Province (Area One), East Province (Area One), East Province (Area Two), East Province (Area Three), South Province (Area One), South Province (Area Two), South Province (Area Three), South Province (Area Four), South Province (Area Five), South Province (Area Six), West Province (Area One), West Province (Area Three), Glaseado Mountain |
Gastly's origin name
English: Gastly’s English name is derived from the words “ghastly,” meaning horrifying or frightening, and “ghast,” which is often used to describe ghostly or spectral entities. This name aligns with Gastly’s Ghost/Poison typing and its eerie, haunting appearance.
Japanese: Gastly’s Japanese name is written as ゴース (Gōsu). This is a phonetic rendering of the English word “ghost.” The use of Katakana, a script primarily used for loanwords and foreign names, indicates its connection to the ghostly theme.
French: In French, Gastly is known as “Fantominus.” This name is a combination of “fantôme” (meaning ghost) and the suffix “-inus,” often used for diminutive or creature names. Therefore, “Fantominus” translates to something like “little ghost.”
German: Gastly’s German name is “Nebulak,” a fusion of “Nebel” (fog or mist) and “Geist” (ghost). This name reflects Gastly’s gaseous appearance and ghostly nature.
Spanish: In Spanish, Gastly is named “Fantasma.” This directly translates to “ghost” in English, emphasizing its spectral characteristics.
Italian: Gastly’s Italian name is “Spettro,” which translates to “specter” or “apparition” in English. This name aligns with its Ghost-type attributes.
Korean: Gastly’s Korean name is “고오스” (Gooseu), which is a phonetic adaptation of the English word “ghost.”
Chinese Simplified: Gastly is known as “鬼斯” (Guǐsī) in Chinese Simplified. “鬼” (Guǐ) means “ghost,” and “斯” (Sī) is a common transliteration character.
Chinese Traditional: In Chinese Traditional, the name remains the same: “鬼斯” (Guǐsī). The characters used for Gastly are the same in both Simplified and Traditional Chinese.
These names across different languages capture the essence of Gastly as a ghostly and ethereal Pokémon. They often incorporate terms related to ghosts, specters, or haunting, reflecting its Ghost-type characteristics.