Ghost types are weird. Seriously. Since the Red and Blue days, they’ve been the primary reason kids threw their Game Boys across the room in frustration. You’re staring at a Gengar, you click "Hyper Beam," and then—nothing. "It doesn’t affect Gengar..." is a sentence that has haunted competitive players for decades. If you want to know what is good against ghost type Pokémon, you have to look past the spooky aesthetic and actually understand the math behind their immunities. They aren't just "strong"; they are mechanically designed to be elusive.
The biggest mistake most casual players make is thinking every "dark" or "scary" move works. It doesn't.
The Type Matchup Reality Check
Most people assume that because Ghosts are dead, you need something "holy" or "bright" to beat them. Pokémon logic doesn't really work that way. In the current Generation IX meta (and looking back through the history of the franchise), Ghosts only have two specific weaknesses: Dark and Ghost itself.
That’s a short list.
Dark types are the gold standard for a reason. When Dark was introduced in Gen II, it was specifically designed to balance out the absolute dominance of Psychic and Ghost types. Dark moves like Crunch, Knock Off, and Sucker Punch hit for $2\times$ damage. But it’s not just about the damage. Dark-type Pokémon are actually resistant to Ghost-type attacks. This creates a lopsided trade where you’re dealing massive damage while taking very little in return. It’s the closest thing to a "hard counter" that exists in the game.
Then there’s the "mirror match." Ghost is weak to Ghost. This is a high-risk, high-reward scenario that often leads to "Speed creep" in competitive play. If you have a Dragapult and your opponent has a Gengar, whoever moves first wins. Period. It's a glass-cannon standoff where the first person to click Shadow Ball ends the fight. This makes Ghost types unique because they are one of only two types (the other being Dragon) that are weak to their own element.
What Actually Hits a Ghost?
The biggest hurdle isn't just finding a weakness; it's overcoming the immunities. Ghosts are completely immune to Normal and Fighting moves. That is huge. Imagine having a massive, Level 100 Machamp using Close Combat—it does zero damage. Nothing.
If you're wondering what is good against ghost type when your team is full of physical attackers, you need to look at specific "bypassing" mechanics. There are a few ways to force a Ghost to take a hit:
- The Scrappy Ability: Pokémon like Pangoro or Sirfetch'd can have the Scrappy ability. This allows them to hit Ghost types with Normal and Fighting moves as if the immunity didn't exist. This is a game-changer for Fighting-type specialists who would otherwise be walled.
- Foresight and Odor Sleuth: These are older moves, but they still exist in various formats. Using them "identifies" the Ghost, stripping away their immunity to Normal and Fighting.
- Ring Target: This is a niche held item. If you can trick a Ring Target onto a Ghost Pokémon, their immunities disappear. It's a complicated strategy used mainly in high-level Smogon or VGC play, but it works.
Honestly, though? Most people shouldn't bother with these gimmicks. Just use a Dark-type.
Defensive Strategies: Surviving the Night
Beating a Ghost isn't just about attacking. You have to survive their utility moves. Ghosts aren't just known for damage; they are the kings of "status cheese." We’re talking Will-O-Wisp to burn your physical attackers, Confuse Ray to make you hit yourself, and the dreaded Destiny Bond.
Destiny Bond is the ultimate "sore loser" move. If a Ghost Pokémon uses it and you knock them out that turn, your Pokémon faints too. It’s a 1-for-1 trade that can ruin a sweep. To beat this, you need to use "non-damaging" ways to finish them off, like sandstorm damage, poison, or simply waiting out the turn if you suspect they’ll spam it.
Normal types are actually secretly great defensive pivots against Ghosts. Since Normal types are immune to Ghost moves, you can switch a Snorlax or a Blissey into a Shadow Ball and take zero damage. This is a classic competitive maneuver. You bait the Ghost move, switch to your Normal type, and suddenly your opponent has wasted a turn.
Why Some Ghosts are Harder to Beat Than Others
Not all Ghosts are created equal. You have to look at their secondary typing.
Take Sableye or Spiritomb. For several generations, these Pokémon had no weaknesses at all because their Dark/Ghost typing cancelled out the flaws of both. It wasn't until the Fairy type was introduced in Gen VI that they finally had a hole in their armor. Now, if you're facing one of these "dual-dark" ghosts, your only hope for super-effective damage is a Fairy-type move like Moonblast or Play Rough.
Then you have the "Bulky Ghosts." Pokémon like Dusclops (holding an Eviolite) or Cofagrigus have massive Defense stats. You can hit them with a super-effective Dark move, and they might still just sit there and shrug it off. For these guys, you don't just need a "good" type; you need a "Special" attacker. Most Ghosts have lower Special Defense than Physical Defense, so hitting them with a Dark Pulse is generally more effective than a Night Slash.
🔗 Read more: Why Spyro Dawn of the Dragon Still Matters: The Darkest Era Explained
The Competitive Edge: Items and Tech
If you are building a team and keep getting swept by Flutter Mane or Annihilape, you need specific gear.
The Kasib Berry is a niche but lifesaver item. It weakens a single incoming super-effective Ghost-type attack. If you're running a Psychic type that you know is going to get targeted by a Shadow Sneak, the Kasib Berry can let you live long enough to fire back.
And don't sleep on Assault Vest. Giving this to a high-HP Pokémon allows them to tank the Special-heavy Ghost moves that are so common in the current 2026 meta.
What is good against ghost type often comes down to pure speed. Ghosts are notoriously fast or notoriously slow (Trick Room setters). If you can't outspeed them, you're going to get hit with a Spore (if they're something like a weird hybrid) or a Curse.
Essential Counter-Play Checklist
To actually win, stop clicking buttons randomly. Use this logic instead:
- Check for Abilities: Does the Ghost have Levitate (like Gengar used to, or Mismagius does now)? If so, Ground moves are out.
- Force the Switch: If you have a Normal type, switch it in. Force them to use a different move or switch out.
- Prioritize Dark Moves: Even if your Pokémon isn't a Dark type, many Pokémon can learn Bite or Crunch. Check your move pool.
- Hazards Matter: Stealth Rock and Spikes are great for chipping away at Ghosts that like to switch in and out to use U-turn or Poltergeist.
Ghosts thrive on your fear of the unknown. They want you to waste turns on moves that don't hit. Once you realize they are just glass cannons or status-trolls, they become much easier to manage.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Battle
If you're heading into a gym battle or a ranked ladder match right now, here is exactly what to do. First, verify if your lead Pokémon has a way to touch a Ghost. If you're leading with a Fighting type, make sure you have a "coverage move"—something like Ice Punch or Rock Tomb—just in case a Ghost switches in.
Second, look at your team's speed tiers. If your fastest Pokémon is slower than a base 110 speed (like Gengar), you are in trouble. You need to either use "Priority" moves like Sucker Punch (which hits Ghosts hard and always goes first) or equip a Choice Scarf to ensure you get the jump on them.
Finally, remember that Terra Types in the newest games have changed everything. A Ghost type might "Terastallize" into a Steel type mid-battle, suddenly making your Dark-type moves less effective. Always keep a backup plan, like a Fire or Ground move, to handle a potential shift in typing. Beating Ghost types is about being more prepared than they are annoying.