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Haunter(JP) is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a dual-type Ghost/Poison Pokémon that made its first appearance in the first generation games Red and Blue. It evolves from Gastly and involves into Gengar when traded or holding a Linking Cord (Pokémon Legends: Arceus only).

Physiology and Behaviour[]

Haunter is a purple Pokémon with a gaseous body. It has a round head flanked by three large, spiked protrusions on either side. It has triangular eyes with small pupils and a mouth with a long, pink tongue. The gases composing its head curve into its mouth to form several pointed teeth. Disembodied hands with three clawed fingers each float in front of its body. Its body tapers into a jagged tail. Haunter's gaseous form makes it one of the lightest Pokémon in existence.

Haunter hides in very dark places, such as caves, and is afraid of light. If a human or a Pokémon comes near Haunter, it will stalk the victim while floating and beckon it to come closer. Once approached it will then lick the victim with its gaseous tongue, inflicting convulsions in the victim that last until death. It can also float through walls. It has been shown in the anime that it can control its hands from far away and can control any Pokémon that it touches with its hands. Despite its predatory nature, it has been known to entertain and prank people. Additionally, it has even been shown to feel intense loyalty to a deceased Trainer.

Appearances[]

Main Pokémon games[]

Other Pokémon games[]

Pokémon Pinball: Two Haunter appear in a bonus stage accessible from the Red Table. Once the player knocks out the three Gastly, the pair of Haunter appear, and upon knocking them out, the player must then proceed to defeat the Gengar that appears.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky: Haunter is the main antagonist in the Special Episode Today's "Oh My Gosh", where it is later revealed there are three Haunter working together.

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Trophy descriptions[]

In the anime[]

Ash and Haunter

Haunter with Ash Ketchum and Pikachu

In The Tower of Terror, Ash Ketchum befriended a Haunter. He then attempted to use it to battle Sabrina in the hopes of freeing his friends, who were captured by Sabrina, but Haunter decided to goof off instead. Eventually, at the end of Haunter versus Kadabra, Haunter helps Ash succeed in his endeavor and decides to stay with Sabrina.

In Pokémon Origins, Red used a Haunter against Sabrina's Alakazam and won. It evolved into Gengar sometime before the final episode.

In Pokémon Generations, an illusory Haunter tormented Cheryl and her Chansey.

Allister owns a Haunter in Pokémon: Twilight Wings.

Origin and inspiration[]

Haunter appears to be based on a generic sort of cartoonish ghost. Like Gengar, Haunter may also be based on the Cheshire Cat, as it possesses what may be pointed ears; a large, toothy grin; and the ability to vanish at will. While many Japanese yōkai - ghosts and ghouls - are depicted with long tongues, Haunter's vampiric licking may have come specifically from the Dila, a Philippine spirit that licked the life energy of sick people until they died.

Haunter may be derived from haunt and the agentive suffix -er or possibly hunter.

Ghost is literally ghost.

In-game information[]

Pokédex entries[]

Title Entry
First Pokémon generation
Pokémon Red and Blue Because of its ability to slip through block walls, it is said to be from another dimension.
Pokémon Yellow By licking, it saps the victim's life. It causes shaking that won't stop until the victim's demise.
Pokémon Stadium If you trip and fall for no apparent reason or hear a sound when no one is around, it may be a Haunter.
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold In total darkness, where nothing is visible, Haunter lurks, silently stalking its next victim.
Pokémon Silver Its tongue is made of gas. If licked, its victim starts shaking constantly until death eventually comes.
Pokémon Crystal It hides in the dark, planning to take the life of the next living thing that wanders close by.
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby Haunter is a dangerous Pokémon. If one beckons you while floating in darkness, you must never approach it. This Pokémon will try to lick you with its tongue and steal your life away.
Pokémon Sapphire Haunter is a dangerous Pokémon. If one beckons you while floating in darkness, you must never approach it. This Pokémon will try to lick you with its tongue and steal your life away.
Pokémon Emerald If a Haunter beckons you while it is floating in darkness, don't approach it. This Pokémon will try to lick you with its tongue and steal your life away.
Pokémon FireRed If you get the feeling of being watched in darkness when nobody is around, Haunter is there.
Pokémon LeafGreen Because of its ability to slip through block walls, it is said to be from another dimension.
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond It can slip through any obstacle. It lurks inside walls to keep an eye on its foes.
Pokémon Pearl It licks with its gaseous tongue to steal the victim's life force. It lurks in darkness for prey.
Pokémon Platinum It likes to lurk in the dark and tap shoulders with a gaseous hand. Its touch causes endless shuddering.
Pokémon HeartGold In total darkness, where nothing is visible, Haunter lurks, silently stalking its next victim.
Pokémon SoulSilver Its tongue is made of gas. If licked, its victim starts shaking constantly until death eventually comes.
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black It likes to lurk in the dark and tap shoulders with a gaseous hand. Its touch causes endless shuddering.
Pokémon White It likes to lurk in the dark and tap shoulders with a gaseous hand. Its touch causes endless shuddering.
Pokémon Black 2 It likes to lurk in the dark and tap shoulders with a gaseous hand. Its touch causes endless shuddering.
Pokémon White 2 It likes to lurk in the dark and tap shoulders with a gaseous hand. Its touch causes endless shuddering.
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X If you get the feeling of being watched in darkness when nobody is around, Haunter is there.
Pokémon Y It licks with its gaseous tongue to steal the victim's life force. It lurks in darkness for prey.
Pokémon Omega Ruby Haunter is a dangerous Pokémon. If one beckons you while floating in darkness, you must never approach it. This Pokémon will try to lick you with its tongue and steal your life away.
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Haunter is a dangerous Pokémon. If one beckons you while floating in darkness, you must never approach it. This Pokémon will try to lick you with its tongue and steal your life away.
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun It strikes at humans from total darkness. Those licked by its cold tongue grow weaker with each passing day until they die.
Pokémon Moon It fears the light and revels in the dark. It may be on the verge of extinction in cities that stay brightly lit at night.
Pokémon Ultra Sun On moonless nights, Haunter searches for someone to curse, so it's best not to go out walking around.
Pokémon Ultra Moon It's dangerous to go outside alone on nights when you're feeling sad. Haunter will catch you, and you won't be able to go back home.
Pokémon Let's Go
Pikachu
By licking, it saps the victim's life. It causes shaking that won't stop until the victim's demise.
Pokémon Let's Go
Eevee
By licking, it saps the victim's life. It causes shaking that won't stop until the victim's demise.
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword Its tongue is made of gas. If licked, its victim starts shaking constantly until death eventually comes.
Pokémon Shield If you get the feeling of being watched in darkness when nobody is around, Haunter is there.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond It can slip through any obstacle. It lurks inside walls to keep an eye on its foes.
Pokémon Shining Pearl It licks with its gaseous tongue to steal its victim's life-force. It lurks in darkness, waiting for prey.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus This frightful, malevolent spirit can glide through walls, appearing wherever it likes. According to rumor, victims of a Haunter's lick will wither to death day by day.
Ninth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Scarlet It likes to lurk in the dark and tap shoulders with a gaseous hand. Its touch causes endless shuddering.
Pokémon Violet In total darkness, where nothing is visible, Haunter lurks, silently stalking its next victim.


Game locations[]

Title Location(s)
First Pokémon generation
Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Tower
Pokémon Yellow
Pokémon Tower
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold
Route 8 Night
Pokémon Silver
Route 8 Night
Pokémon Crystal
Route 8, Rock Tunnel Night
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby
Trade
Pokémon FireRed
Pokémon Tower, Lost Cave
Pokémon LeafGreen
Pokémon Tower, Lost Cave
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond
Turnback Cave
Trade Medicham in Snowpoint City*
Old Chateau (Any Gen III game)
Pokémon Pearl
Turnback Cave
Trade Medicham in Snowpoint City*
Old Chateau (Any Gen III game)
Pokémon Platinum
Old Chateau (Any Gen III game)
Pokémon HeartGold
Route 8, Safari ZoneNight
Pokémon SoulSilver
Route 8, Safari ZoneNight
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black
Trade
Pokémon White
Evolve Gastly
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X
Routes 14 and 19, Frost Cavern, Victory Road
Pokémon Y
Routes 14 and 19, Frost Cavern, Victory Road
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun
Thrifty Megamart
Pokémon Moon
Thrifty Megamart


Evolution[]

Gastly
Reach level 25.
Haunter
Trade.
Gengar
PKMNSV092 PKMNSV093 PKMNSV094

Base Stats[]

Base Stats
HP 45
Attack 50
Defense 45
Sp. Attack 115
Sp. Defense 55
Speed 95
Total 405

Moveset[]

Main article: Haunter/moveset

Gallery[]

Sprites[]

Sprites
Red Green
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Red Blue
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Yellow
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Silver
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Crystal
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Ruby Sapphire
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Emerald
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Fire Leaf
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Diamond Pearl
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Platinum
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Heart Soul
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Black White
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Black 2 White 2
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X Y
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Pikachu Eevee
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Sword Shield
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Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
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Legends Arceus
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Scarlet Violet
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