Pokken Tournament DX/Gengar

Edit Introduction

Introduction

Gengar is a technical character with some of the game's best defensive and avoidance options that compliment his ghostly nature. Shadow stealth and permeate allow him to cancel out of attacks into invincibility, phase through airborne attacks and projectiles, and move away from a possible counter. Additionally, there are a number of attacks that utilize invincibility frames. He can also influence his direction mid jump by holding a direction, giving some limited airborne control. Additionally, Gengar has the ability to move freely in both high and low stances, both of which also have avoid properties. Gengar's field phase homing attack also avoids many projectiles, and he has a ghost dash.

Gengar also has the unique ability to steal directly from the opponent's synergy gauge using his grab, as well as being able to utilize Curse to build his own synergy gauge in duel phase. This compliments very well with his synergy burst which is one of, if not the, strongest burst modes in the entire game. Mega Gengar becomes almost an entirely different character, and mastering both modes is essential for success.

Despite these, Gengar is not without flaws and is widely considered the hardest character in the game to play. Gengar has a low health bar and a large synergy gauge, taking a long time to build without intentional synergy farming. His defensive options, while powerful, can be tricky to time and punished easily if not used correctly. Finally, Gengar's basic combo in the astonish loop requires fairly precise timing and optimal use requires different timing on each character. Once he gets going, however, Gengar is a force to be reckoned with.

Gengar has air control when jumping.

• Gengar can move forwards and backwards during a neutral jump.
• Gengar can increase the distance of a forward or backwards jump by holding the direction.
• Gengar can halt the distance of a forward or backwards jump by pressing the opposite direction.

Shadow Stealth

Pressing R during 6Y, ]X[, 5A Shadow Ball, 6A Hypnosis, or j.A Astonish will cause Gengar to cancel whatever he's doing and sink into his own shadow. While hiding in his shadow, Gengar is Strike/Throw/Projectile invuln, and can move around freely. R can be held to continue hiding for an extended period, or until the input is released.

Shadow Stealth is a large part of what makes Gengar so incredibly dangerous. On offense, some of Gengar's best pressure enders can be freely cancelled, making a good challenge from the opponent nigh impossible with the right read. On defense, Gengar can use Shadow Sneak to slip through even the tiniest pressure gaps, forcing the opponent to run airtight offense or suffer the consequences.

Gengar #PTDX_GEN
Vitals
HP	510 HP
Shield Health	600 SH (Normal)
Synergy Gauge	250 CC
Burst Mode Duration	1080F (18 sec)
Movement
Back Dash	FP (55F) / DP (49F), 1-20F Total Invuln, Cancelable on Frame 41
Side Dash	55F, 5-40F Total Invuln, Cancelable on Frame 43
Forward Dash	37F, 5-24F Total Invuln, Cancelable on Frame 29
Unique Movement Options	Shadow Stealth, Permeate
Stances
High Stance	Low Invuln. on Frame 1, can move while active.
Low Stance	High Invuln. on Frame 1, can move while active.

General Moves

Burst Mode

Attack Type	Damage	PSP	Height	Priority	Impact	Total Frames	Hit Adv.	Block	Properties
Burst Wave	0	-12	Mid	BA (projectile)	i18	48	+8	0	1-48F Total Invuln, Pierce

Dashes are less laggy, can be cancelled earlier, and have additional i-frames. High and Low Stance Grant Counter Armor against Highs and Lows respectively on Frame 5. Counter Attack, Grab Attack, nY, sY, fY, Homing Attack, FP j.X, 5Y, 5YY, 8Y, 5X, 8X, 2X, and Shadow Ball gain new versions. Sludge Bomb's puddles are larger. Curse now has hitstun on all hits.

Burst Attack: Shadow Drop

Attack Type	Damage	PSP	Height	Priority	Impact	Throw Crush Frame	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Properties
Grab	240	Shift	Low	1	i16	1	50	Shift	1-18F Total Invuln, Pierce

Mega Gengar conjures up a shadow and disperses it on the ground. Removes active Support Pokemon upon activation.

j.R Permeate

Recovery	Properties
Until Landing +36	5-39F Strike/Throw/Projectile Invuln, Air Actionable on Frame 21

Gengar vanishes while midair, becoming invincible during this time. Holding j.R increases Permeate's duration. Gengar moves during Permeate if done from a forward, backward, left, or right jump.

Y+B Grab Attack

Version	Attack Type	Damage	PSP	Height	Priority	Impact	Total Frames	Hit Adv.	Properties
Y+B Grab Attack	Grab	FP 100 / DP 90	Shift	Ground Only	1	i11	49	FP Shift (+4) / DP Shift (Knockdown)	FP (Heal 100 Recoverable HP / Gain Synergy on Hit) / DP (Heal 40 Recoverable HP / Gain Synergy on Hit)
Burst Y+B Grab Attack	Grab	FP 140 / DP 150	Shift	Ground Only	1	i11	49	FP Shift (+4) / DP Shift	FP (Heal 100 Recoverable HP / Gain Synergy on Hit) / DP (Heal 40 Recoverable HP / Gain Synergy on Hit)

Gengar grabs the opponent and drains them of both health and synergy meter.

X+A Counter Attack

Version	Attack Type	Damage	Scaling	PSP	Height	Priority	Impact	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Block	Properties
X+A Counter Attack	Counter (Strike)	60	20%	3	Mid Low	5	i35	55	+4	0	1-28F Counter Armor, Crumple on Crit, Destroys Projectiles while active, Forward/Side Dash Cancelable on Frame 9, Back Dash Cancelable on Frame 17
Burst X+A Counter Attack	Counter (Strike)	100	N/A	4	Mid Low	5	i27	63	Knockdown	-8	1-20F Counter Armor, Destroys Projectiles while active, Forward/Side Dash Cancelable on Frame 9, Back Dash Cancelable on Frame 17
[X+A] Charged Counter Attack	Counter (Strike)	90	20%	3	Mid Low	6	i55	75	+16	+12	1-48F Counter Armor, Crumple on Crit, Destroys Projectiles while active, Forward/Side Dash Cancelable on Frame 9, Back Dash Cancelable on Frame 17
Burst [X+A] Charged Counter Attack	Counter (Strike)	140	N/A	4	Mid	6	i47	83	Knockdown	+12	1-40F Counter Armor, Pierce, Destroys Projectiles while active, Forward/Side Dash Cancelable on Frame 9, Back Dash Cancelable on Frame 17

Can be dash canceled by inputting a direction and R.

]X[ Release X

Attack Type	Damage	Scaling	PSP	Height	Priority	Impact	Throw Crush Frame	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Block	Properties
Normal (Strike)	80	20% (Last Hit Only)	3 (Last Hit Only)	Mid Low	3	i15	5	131	Knockdown	-57	Jump/Shadow Stealth Cancelable on Frame 21, 28, 38, and 54, Gain 12.5 CC Synergy once complete

Gengar attacks with a flurry of punches. At the end of the punches, Gengar laughs and receives Synergy. In Burst Mode, Gengar doesn't have access to this move.

Field Phase Attacks

nY

Version	Attack Type	Damage	Scaling	Height	Priority	Impact	Throw Crush Frame	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Block	Properties
nY	Normal (Projectile)	30	20%	Mid Low	None	i27	9	55	0	-8	Special/fY Cancelable on Frame 41
Burst nY	Normal (Projectile)	90	20% per hit	Mid Low	None	i16	5	47	+4	-9	Special/fY Cancelable on Frame 41

Gengar fires a ring-shaped projectile that chases the opponent.

sY

Version	Attack Type	Damage	Scaling	Height	Priority	Impact	Throw Crush Frame	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Block	Properties
sY	Normal (Projectile)	30	20%	Special Mid	None	i31	9	61	+4	-4	Low Invuln. on Frame 9, Special/fY Cancelable on Frame 51
Burst sY	Normal (Projectile)	60	20% per hit	Special Mid	None	i20	9	61	+2	-7	Special/fY Cancelable on Frame 51

Gengar cartwheels to the side, firing out a projectile that chases the opponent. In Burst Mode, Mega Gengar dashes to the side, throwing out a ring of flames that chases the opponent.

fY

Version	Attack Type	Damage	Height	Priority	Impact	Throw Crush Frame	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Block	Properties
fY	Normal (Strike)	80	Low	S+	i23	5	67	Shift (+4)	-12	Low Invuln. on Frame 5, Airborne on Frame 6, 23-43F Strike/Throw/Projectile Invuln.
Burst fY	Normal (Projectile)	160	Low (Initial Hit), Mid	None	i23	5	67	Shift (Launch)	-8	Pierce

Gengar jumps into the ground and attacks with a Gengar-shaped shadow. In Burst Mode, Mega Gengar fires a laser that shoots upwards.

bY

Attack Type	Damage	Height	Priority	Impact	Throw Crush Frame	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Block	Properties
Normal (Strike)	60	Mid	S+	i27	9	75	Shift (+8)	-16	Destroys Projectiles while active, Low Invuln. on Frame 9

Gengar surrounds itself with an eerie dome.

j.Y

Version	Attack Type	Damage	Scaling	Height	Priority	Impact	Throw Crush Frame	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Block	Properties
No Charge	Normal (Projectile)	40	0%	Mid	7	i23	9	Until Landing +27	-12	-24	Permeate Cancelable on Frame 1
Mid Charge	Normal (Projectile)	60	0%	Mid	8	i50	9	Until Landing +27	-6	-14	Permeate Cancelable on Frame 1
Full Charge	Normal (Projectile)	80	0%	Mid	9	i77	9	Until Landing +27	0	-12	Permeate Cancelable on Frame 1

Gengar halts in the air and throws out a ring of flames at the opponent. In Burst, Gengar lands 1 frame sooner than usual

Homing Attack

Version	Attack Type	Damage	Scaling	Height	Priority	Impact	Throw Crush Frame	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Block	Properties
X Homing Attack 1	Normal (Strike)	30	0	Mid	5	i25	1	59	+5	-8	Throw Blast, 1-24F High/Mid High Invuln, Block/Jump Cancelable on Frame 1
XX Homing Attack 2	Normal (Strike)	60	N/A	Mid	5	i56	N/A	94	Shift (+8)	-8	N/A
X[X] Charged Homing Attack 2	Normal (Strike)	90	N/A	Mid	5	i80	N/A	118	Shift (+8)	Guard Break (+22)	Pierce, Guard Break

Gengar homes in on the opponent and punches them, then follows up with a body slam. If Homing Attack 1 was blocked, there is a 28 frame window to punish a charged Homing Attack 2.

Burst Homing Attack

Version	Attack Type	Damage	Scaling	Height	Priority	Impact	Throw Crush Frame	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Block	Properties
X Burst Homing Attack 1	Normal (Strike)	60	0%	Mid	6	i17	1	76	0	-8	1-24F High/Mid High Invuln, Throw Blast, Block/Jump Cancelable on Frame 1
XX Burst Homing Attack 2	Normal (Strike)	80	N/A	Mid	6	i70	N/A	104	Shift (+8)	-8	N/A
X[X] Charged Burst Homing Attack 2	Normal (Strike)	120	N/A	Mid	6	i94	N/A	128	Shift (+8)	Guard Break (+26)	Pierce, Guard Break

Mega Gengar homes in on the opponent and does a multi-hit claw swipe before finishing with an upwards claw. Can be canceled with block or jump. If Homing Attack 1 was blocked, there is a 26 frame window to punish a charged Homing Attack 2.

j.X

Version	Attack Type	Damage	Height	Priority	Impact	Throw Crush Frame	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Block	Properties
j.X	Normal (Strike)	80	Mid High	5	i27	7	Until Landing +27	Shift (Knockdown)	-33*	7-22F Strike/Throw/Projectile Invuln, Special Cancelable on Frame 24
Burst j.X	Normal (strike)	80	Mid High	5	i27	7	Until Landing +27	Shift (Knockdown)	-33*	7-22F Strike/Throw/Projectile Invuln, Destroys Projectiles while active, Special Cancelable on Frame 24

Gengar vanishes, then lunges forward headfirst in the air. *Frame Data on block varies on how high it hits the opponent's shield. The lower it hits the more advantageous it is and vice versa.

Duel Phase Weak Attacks

5Y

Version	Attack Type	Damage	Scaling	PSP	Height	Priority	Impact	Throw Crush Frame	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Block	Properties
5Y	Normal (Strike)	30	10%	0	Mid Low	3	i15	5	37	+4	-4	Special Cancelable on Frame 21
Burst 5Y	Normal (Strike)	10, 10, 20	10% (last hit)	0	Mid Low	3	i15	5	49	0	-4	Special Cancelable on Frame 28
5YY	Normal (Strike)	60	20%	4	Mid Low	3	i36	N/A	68	+4	-8	Special Cancelable on Frame 44
Burst 5YY	Normal (Strike)	50	20%	2	Mid Low	3	i44	N/A	84	+8	-4	Special Cancelable on Frame 60

Gengar jabs the opponent with its tongue. In Burst Mode, Mega Gengar slashes the opponent with its claw. Every hit of Burst 5Y is special cancellable.

6Y

Version

Attack Type

Damage

Scaling

PSP

Height

Priority

Impact

Throw Crush Frame

Total Frames

Hit Adv

Block

Properties

6Y

Normal (Strike)

40

20%

0

High

3

i23

9

45

+12

-4

Special Cancelable on Frame 33, Airborne on Frame 9, Special / Shadow Stealth Cancelable

6YX

Normal (Strike)

60

20%

4

Mid

4

i47

N/A

83

Hard Launch

-8

Permeate Cancelable

Gengar leaps ahead and whips the opponent with Its tongue. In Burst Mode, Gengar doesn't have access to this move.

8Y

Version

Attack Type

Damage

Scaling

PSP

Height

Priority

Impact

Throw Crush Frame

Total Frames

Hit Adv

Block

Properties

8Y

Normal (Strike)

50

20%

3

Mid

BA (strike)

i19

5

65

Soft Launch

-12

1-4F High/Mid High Invuln, 5-31F Total Invuln, Airborne on Frame 5

Burst 8Y

Normal (strike)

80

20%

4

Mid

12

i23 / i52

9

65

Soft Launch

-8

1-24F High/Mid High Invuln, Destroys Projectiles while active

Charged - Burst 8[Y]

Normal (Strike)

80

20%

4

Mid

12

i52

9

94

Hard Launch

-8

1-53F High/Mid High Invuln, Destroys Projectiles while active

Gengar morphs into a tornado. In Burst Mode Mega Gengar spawns a tornado that launches the opponent. In Burst Mode, charging 8Y spawns 3 tornadoes. Can move while active.

2Y

Version

Attack Type

Damage

Scaling

PSP

Height

Priority

Impact

Throw Crush Frame

Total Frames

Hit Adv

Block

Properties

2Y

Normal (Strike)

40

N/A

0

Low

3

i11

1

51

+8

-4

Throw Blast, High Invuln. on Frame 1

Burst 2Y

Normal (Strike)

60

20% (Last Hit Only)

0

Low

3

i11

1

45

+8

+4

Throw Blast, 1-45F High Invuln.

A quick two-hit tongue swipe. In Burst Mode, Mega Gengar advances forward with a multi-hit grounded claw swipe.

j.Y

Attack Type	Damage	Scaling	PSP	Height	Priority	Impact	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Block	Properties
Normal (Strike)	20	0%	0	Mid High	3	i11	Until Landing +13	+24	+12	Special Cancelable on Frame 12

Gengar spins around in the air, surrounding itself with a ring of flames.

Duel Phase Strong Attacks

5X

Version

Attack Type

Damage

Scaling

PSP

Height

Priority

Impact

Throw Crush Frame

Total Frames

Hit Adv

Block

Properties

5X

Normal (Strike)

60

20%

3

Mid Low

5

i31

5

65

+4

-12

5-23F Total Invuln, Special Cancelable on Frame 35

Burst 5X

Normal (Strike)

10x4, 60

20%

4

Mid Low

12

i19

9

67

+12

0

15-35F Total Invuln.

Charged - 5[X]

Normal (Strike)

60

20%

3

Mid Low

5

i51

5

85

Crumple

+4

5-27F Total Invuln, Pierce, Special Cancelable on Frame 55

Charged - Burst 5[X]

Normal (Strike)

10x8, 60*

20%

4

Mid Low

12

i48

9

96

Hard Launch

+8

44-64F Total Invuln, Pierce

Gengar disappears, then reappears with a punching attack. Inputting 4X causes Gengar to reappear behind its location. Inputting 6X causes Gengar to reappear in front of Its location. In Burst Mode, Mega Gengar rapidly spins forward. Charging the move increasees the number of hits The launch height depends on how close you land the move * The opponent is considered airborne, decreasing the total damage.

8X

Version

Attack Type

Damage

Scaling

PSP

Height

Priority

Impact

Throw Crush Frame

Total Frames

Hit Adv

Block

Properties

8X

Normal (Strike)

60

20% (First Hit), 10% (Second Hit)

0

Mid High

4

i35

1

83

Hard Launch

+4

Throw Blast, 3-29F Total Invuln, Low Invuln. on Frame 1

Burst 8X

Normal (Projectile)

120

50%

4

Mid

S+

i35

1

78

Hard Launch

-8

Throw Blast, 9-29F Total Invuln,Low Invuln. on Frame 1

Gengar disappears, then reappears from above. Attacking with two kicks. In Burst Mode, Mega Gengar disappears, the reappears from above before firing a laser to the ground that erupts into a vertical pillar. Inputting 7X causes Gengar to reappear behind its location. Inputting 9X causes Gengar to reappear in front of its location.

2X

Version

Attack Type

Damage

Scaling

PSP

Height

Priority

Impact

Throw Crush Frame

Total Frames

Hit Adv

Block

Properties

2X

Normal (Strike)

20

0

0

Low

4

i19

9

53

Knockdown

-16

1-43F High Invuln.

2XX

Normal (Strike)

90

20%

4

Mid Low

4

i40

N/A

74

Hard Launch

-12

1-29F High Invuln.

Burst 2X

Normal (Projectile)

120

0

2

Low

S+

i27

9

67

Knockdown

-8

1-49F High Invuln, Destroys Projectiles while active

Gengar sweeps Its leg, causing a knockdown on the opponent. In the follow up, Gengar shoves the opponent, launching them.

j.X

Version

Attack Type

Damage

Scaling

PSP

Height

Priority

Impact

Throw Crush Frame

Total Frames

Hit Adv

Block

Properties

j.X

Normal (Strike)

60

20%

0

Mid High

4

i23

6

Until Landing +13

+8*

-8*

6-22F Strike/Throw/Projectile Invuln, Special Cancelable on Frame 24

Burst j.X

Normal (Strike)

120

20% (Last Hit Only)

0

Mid High

4

i23

6

Until Landing +13

+8*

-8*

6-22F Total Invuln, Destroys Projectiles while active, Special Cancelable on Frame 24

Gengar vanishes, then lunges forward headfirst in the air. Can be angled upwards or downwards. *Frame advantage is variable depending on where it hits the opponent's shield and if Gengar performs j.2/8X. j.8X is much more disadvantageous, if it hits at all, and j.2X is much more advantageous.

Pokemon Moves

5A Shadow Ball

Version

Attack Type

Damage

Scaling

PSP

Height

Priority

Impact

Throw Crush Frame

Total Frames

Hit Adv

Block

Properties

5A Shadow Ball

Normal (Projectile)

50 (13)

0

3

Special Mid

8

i23

9

59

+4

-8

Shadow Stealth Cancelable on Frame 12

Burst 5A Shadow Ball

Normal (Projectile)

90 (24)

0

3

Mid Low

8

i23

9

59

Soft Launch

0

Shadow Stealth Cancelable on Frame 12

5[A] Charged Shadow Ball

Normal (Projectile)

90 (24)

10% per hit

0

Mid Low

9

i53

N/A

79

+8

0

Shadow Stealth Cancelable on Frame 12

Burst 5[A] Charged Shadow Ball

Normal (Projectile)

120 (30)

10% per hit

0

Mid Low

9

i53

N/A

79

+20

+12

Shadow Stealth Cancelable on Frame 12

Gengar charges up a Shadow Ball and throws it straight forward. Charging Shadow Ball gives it three hits and travel at a much slower pace. A charged Shadow Ball disappears if Gengar grabs or does Hypnosis.

6A Hypnosis

Attack Type	Damage	Scaling	PSP	Height	Priority	Impact	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Properties
Grab	60	30%	3	Ground Only	1	i27	65	FP Shift (Knockdown) / DP +24	5-24F Strike/Throw/Projectile Invuln, Shadow Stealth Cancelable on Frame 18 and Frame 35

Gengar disappears, then reappears with a grab attack of psychic energy. Can also combo into grab or Shadow Drop in Duel Phase. Landing Hypnosis causes Gengar to swap sides with the opponent. In Burst Mode, Gengar stays in place when landing Hypnosis.

4A Shadow Punch

Version

Attack Type

Damage

Scaling

PSP

Height

Priority

Impact

Throw Crush Frame

Total Frames

Hit Adv

Block

Properties

4A Shadow Punch

Normal (Strike)

20 (5), 60 (15)

40%

0, 2

Mid Low

5, BA (Shadow Punch)

i23

9

71

Knockdown

+1~8*

Destroys Projectiles while active

4[A] Charged Shadow Punch

Normal (Strike)

20 (5), 60 (15)

20%

0, 2

Mid Low

5, BA (Shadow Punch)

i42

9

90

Hard Launch

+2 / +12

Destroys Projectiles while active, Pierce

Gengar winds up and punches, creating two portals near the opponent. Giant fists spawn from the portals and proceed to punch. The location of where the giant fists spawn depend on if the move was charged or not. Not charging causes the giant fists to spawn in front and knockdown the opponent. Charging causes the giant fists to spawn behind and launch the opponent.

2A Curse

Attack Type	Damage	PSP	Height	Priority	Impact	Throw Crush Frame	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Block	Properties
Normal (Projectile)	15 (10) per hit	0	Low	S+	i15	5	68	Knockdown	-8	20 HP Recoil, 3 HP Recoil/Hit, 9-51F Total Invuln

Gengar submerges into the ground, turning into a pool that deals damage. Can move while active. Only the final hit deals hitstun. If the opponent is crumpled the rest of the hits deal hitstun. In Burst Mode, all hits of Curse deal hitstun. Cannot KO the opponent.

j.A Astonish

Version

Attack Type

Damage

Scaling

PSP

Height

Priority

Impact

Throw Crush Frame

Total Frames

Hit Adv

Block

Properties

j.A Astonish (Face)

Normal (Projectile)

35

10% (Second Hit Only)

1 per hit

Mid

None

i30

9

N/A

Hard Launch

-12*

Shadow Stealth Cancelable on Frame 11 and Frame 22

j.A Astonish (Divekick)

Normal (Strike)

60

20%

0

Mid High

FP 5 / DP 4

i66

N/A

Until Landing FP +28 / DP +20

Knockdown

FP -12 / DP -4

N/A

Gengar creates a shadow of itself that launches the opponent. Gengar then disappears and becomes invincible from frame 36-66. *Frame disadvantage is based on whether or not Gengar commits to the follow up or cancels with Shadow Stealth.

]A[ Sludge Bomb

Version	Attack Type	Damage	PSP	Height	Priority	Impact	Total Frames	Hit Adv	Block	Properties
]A[ Sludge Bomb	Counter (Strike)	20 Per Hit	0	Mid Low	1	i23	81	+4 / Knockdown (Burst Only)	-4	Charge Time: 90F, 1-17F Counter Armor, Attack Down (opponent) for 300F on Hit
j.]A[ Sludge Bomb	Counter (Strike)	20 Per Hit	0	Mid High	1	i23	81	FP 0 / DP +4	FP -8 / DP -4	Charge Time: 90F, 1-17F Counter Armor, Attack Down (opponent) for 300F on Hit

Gengar spins around and spews out three pools of sludge. Can move while active. If the opponent walks over a puddle, they receive an Attack debuff. The Attack debuff lasts for 5 seconds. The puddles deal no damage or hitstun. In Burst Mode, the puddles increase in size.

Combos

Gengar Beginner and Combo guide

Notable Players

• Apollo (JP): Twitter, Vods

• IceBurgy (AUS): Twitter

• JrJam (US)

• Kemo (EU): Twitter

• madluk (NA): Twitter

• ouji (JP): Twitter

• Sasahune (JP): Twitter, Vods

• SirSpudd (NA): Twitter

• Tarutaro (JP): Vods

External Resources

Gengar in a Nutshell

Pokken Arena: Gengar