You can evolve Haunter into Gengar in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, but as longstanding fans will know, this requires trading your precious Pokémon to another player. So what do you do if you can't find a friend? Well, luckily, you can evolve it on your own, and all it will cost is one Pinchurcin.

Trading is one of the Special Evolution methods found not only in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, but every Pokémon game since Red and Blue in 1996.

Here’s where to find a Haunter if you haven't caught one already, and then how to evolve it into Gengar in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Where to find Gastly and Haunter in Pokémon Scarlet and VioletHow to evolve Haunter into Gengar in Pokémon Scarlet and VioletHow to solo evolve Haunter into Gengar in Pokémon Scarlet and VioletPinchurchin location in Scarlet and VioletGastly, Haunter and Gengar Pokédex entries7 Things We Liked (and 4 Things We Didn't) About Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

If you'd like to learn more about your Paldea adventure, visit our Pokémon Scarlet and Violet walkthrough.

Where to find Gastly and Haunter in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Gastly can both be found early on in Scarlet and Violet; the trick is to look for it at night, as you would with most Ghost-type Pokémon. If you haven't caught one yet, you can find them at the locations below:

Gastly and Haunter locations in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

If you are catching the former, know Gastly evolves into Haunter starting at Level 25.

How to evolve Haunter into Gengar in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Trading is probably the most famous Special Evolution method in Pokémon, with roots dating back to the franchise’s inception - and trading is how you evolve Haunter into Gengar.

To trade Pokémon, simply open the Y menu and go to the Poké Portal. If you have a friend to trade with, connect to the internet, agree on a Link Code and take it from there.

Trading is one of many methods of evolving Pokémon.

However, in Scarlet and Violet, you don't need another person - instead, there's an in-game method involving a computer-controlled character.

How to solo evolve Haunter into Gengar in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

But what if you don’t have someone to trade with, or can’t trade Pokémon for another reason?

Well, in that case, you want to trade a Pinchurchin with an NPC. You can see the NPC in question below, found in Levincia - the same location as the electric gym.

Get your free Gengar here.

Pinchurchin location in Scarlet and Violet

To find Pinchurchin, know they are very common on Paldea’s beaches, so simply head out of the city limits and grab one before heading back up to the location above.

Thankfully, unlike one trolling NPC from a previous game, this one is not holding an Everstone and will evolve as soon as it lands in your possession.

Congratulations - you now have a Gengar without needing another player!

Hauntikins is a great name.

Gastly, Haunter and Gengar Pokédex entries

If you're keen for a preview of what the Pokédex entries for the Gas and Shadow Pokémon look like, we’ve included them for you below:

Gastly Pokédex entry. Haunter Pokédex entry. Gengar Pokédex entry.

For more help in Paldea, we've got a walkthrough, including help with the Starfall Street, Victory Road, and Path of Legends stories.

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