Spooky, mischievous Ghost-type Pokemon can sometimes be tricky to use in battles. Only two elemental types are weak to its attacks: Psychic-types and Ghost-types themselves. By the same token, though, Ghost-type Pokemon only have two weaknesses and are completely immune to Normal and Fighting moves.
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Players can use these unique properties to their advantage, avoiding super-effective attacks and dealing damage with mysterious, powerful moves. With each generation's contributions to the Ghost-type move pool, there are dozens of choices available, but which generation gave players the best attack? With the exception of game-exclusive Z-Moves and Max Moves, here's every generation's most powerful Ghost-type attack, ranked from worst to best.
8 Gen I: Night Shade
Unlike most moves, Night Shade has no set base power. Instead, it inflicts damage equal to the user's level; for example, a level 15 Pokemon would do 15 points of damage. This aspect can be useful in some situations. For example, when the user's attack stats are severely lowered or the opponent's defenses have sharply risen, Night Shade will still deal consistent damage.
However, this attack's damage is obviously underwhelming at lower levels. Furthermore, when Pokemon reach very high levels, their opponents usually have over 200 HP. Generally speaking, this renders Night Shade less useful and powerful than other moves here.
7 Gen III: Shadow Punch
At 60 power, Shadow Punch is outclassed by many moves on this list; however, one advantage lies with its accuracy. This attack never misses; it bypasses accuracy checks to hit any target (unless they are in a semi-invulnerable state due to moves like Dig or Fly). Thus, it's useful for taking out the kind of slippery opponents who use Double Team three turns in a row.
Most Pokemon who can learn this attack do so fairly early, below level 30. Shadow Punch is a great choice for battles at those levels, but due to its low base damage, most players will replace it with more powerful attacks later on.
6 Gen II: Shadow Ball
With 80 base damage and 100% accuracy, Shadow Ball packs an impressive punch. It's also one of the most widespread moves on this list, as dozens of Pokemon can learn Shadow Ball through level-up, and hundreds more by TM/TR. Ever since its introduction, Shadow Ball has been one of the most dependable attacks in the Ghost-type move pool.
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In addition to its regular damage, this attack also carries a 20% chance to lower the target's Special Defense by one level, making further uses even more powerful. However, despite its reliability and decent power, other Ghost-type moves easily outrank its damage.
5 Gen VI: Phantom Force
This two-turn move packs 90 base damage and 100% accuracy, making it a powerful, reliable attack in any Ghost-type's arsenal. Furthermore, Phantom Force can hit through protection moves and lifts their effects for the rest of the turn.
Additionally, on the turn that it's used, Phantom Force causes the user to "vanish" into a semi-invulnerable state, as with Fly or Dig. Very few moves or abilities can harm a Pokemon in this state, forcing the opponent to waste a turn while they wait to be struck with this powerful attack.
4 Gen VII: Moongeist Beam
This dazzling attack is the signature move of the legendary Lunala and Dawn Wings Necrozma, the fusion of the former and Necrozma. Not only Moongeist Beam inflict 100 base damage, but it also ignores any ability that could affect its success. For example, an ability that decreases an opposing Pokemon's accuracy has no effect on Moongeist Beam, and its 100% base accuracy remains unchanged.
With five PP, players need to pick the right moment to use this attack. However, this isn't uncommon for such powerful moves. For players lucky enough to possess these legendary Pokemon, Moongeist Beam is an excellent move to have in their arsenal.
3 Gen IV: Shadow Force
Just like the Pokemon itself, Giratina's signature move is shadowy, sinister, and massively powerful. At 120 damage, Shadow Force is objectively one of the most powerful Ghost-type attacks. Like Phantom Force, Shadow Force can even hit through protection moves, removing their effects from the opposing team.
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Its execution is also similar to Phantom Force: the user vanishes into a semi-invulnerable state, then strikes on the next turn. Though Shadow Force only has five PP, its 100% base accuracy ensures that its uses aren't wasted. It's a powerful attack, worthy of this legendary Pokemon.
2 Gen VIII: Astral Barrage
Astral Barrage shares its base power with Shadow Force but doesn't require two turns to hit its target. It also affects all opponents in double and triple battles, a unique distinction among the moves on this list. Like many moves with such high base damage, Astral Barrage has only five PP; however, its 100% base accuracy is rare among such powerful attacks.
The signature move of Shadow Rider Calyrex, Astral Barrage requires a bit of effort to obtain. However, its potential for devastating damage is worth playing through the Crown Tundra expansion.
1 Gen V: Hex
At 65 power, Hex doesn't look like much at first. However, its base damage doubles to a massive 130 if the target has a non-volatile status condition such as paralysis or freezing. With 100% base accuracy and ten PP, Hex can become a game-breaker.
Of course, the user needs a status-inducing move in their roster. One choice is Will-O-Wisp, a Ghost-type move that burns the target. Additionally, several Poison-types can learn Hex, and employ it once they inflict their namesake status. This feature turns Hex into the most powerful Ghost-type move in existence, and one of the most widely useful across the games.