In the Pokemon world, there is nothing scarier than Ghost-types. They tend to have some of the series' strangest Pokedex entries and creepiest designs. These spooky spirits are just as terrifying on the battlefield, having the most immunities and type advantages over Psychic and other Ghosts. In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, any Pokemon can access these advantages without making a trip to the afterlife through Terastallization.
These powers from beyond the grave are particularly useful for those needing a little extra damage output or immunity to Fighting-type moves. Since more than a few typing combinations result in a four-times weakness to Fighting, Ghost Tera-typing can be incredibly beneficial for certain Pokemon.
6 Slaking
Slaking is incredibly powerful, with the only thing holding it back being its ability. Truant prevents Slaking from attacking every other turn, but Paldea offers several ways around this. Ability Swap, Entrainment, and Doodle all provide ways to change its ability and unleash its full potential, but it's even more menacing with a Ghost Tera type.
By Terastallizing into a Ghost-type, Slaking eliminates its only weakness, trading it for Dark and Ghost. It has a fantastic move pool for a physical Ghost-type, with Shadow Claw for STAB, Close Combat for Dark-types, and Sucker Punch for other Ghost-type Pokemon on the field. Players can even find a Ghost-type Slaking in the North Province Area Two, so it’s also incredibly accessible.
5 Gengar
As one of the first Ghost Pokemon ever, Gengar has had an interesting journey. Despite the advantages given to Ghost-types in Gen 2, its Poison-typing makes Psychic Pokemon a real headache. By Terastallizing into a pure Ghost, it can unleash its full potential as a speedy Special Attacker.
Its powerful base 130 Special Attack stat is made even stronger with the increased STAB damage, and losing its Poison typing means that it can actually counter Psychic types too. It’s even more fitting the crown it dawns is its original pre-SilphCo sprite, adding a nice little nostalgic cherry on top.
4 Tyranitar
In the trailers before Scarlet & Violet's release, a Ghost-type Tyranitar was used as an example of how effective Terastallization could be, and for a good reason. Tyranitar is incredibly powerful and remains viable in every meta it has been allowed in, but its Achilles’ heel has always been its four-times weakness to Fighting-type moves. There are many Pokemon that can thrive with such a weakness, and while Tyranitar is definitely one of them, Terastallizing into a Ghost type turns that weakness into an immunity.
Since Tyranitar doesn’t lose STAB offensively when it Terastallizes, this allows it to absolutely wreak havoc on those around it. It can freely provide the necessary setup for sand teams without the fear of switching into one of the many Fighting moves made accessible to an increasingly wide variety of Pokemon. It’s a great way to keep opponents on their toes and constantly guessing.
3 Annihilape
Primeape's raging spiritual evolution is also a great candidate for the creepy crystal cap. Annihilape is such a powerful force in the competitive meta that it already has players rage-quitting on the battle ladder. Its signature move, Rage Fist, increases in power by 50 every time Annihilape takes a hit, and can stack up to 6 times for a whopping 350 base power.
By Terastallizing into a Ghost-type, Annihilape becomes vulnerable to Dark-type moves, which can combo well with a Weakness Policy. By having a teammate attack it with Beat Up, it can activate a Weakness Policy while simultaneously charging up Rage Fist to a base 200 power move - plus the extra boost from Terastallization. When used correctly, the Ghost Tera crown makes this mad monkey cartoonishly overpowered.
2 Flutter Mane
Alongside Terastallization, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet also introduced us to Paradox Pokemon. These Pokemon represent either Past or Future Forms of current Pokemon, with different typing, abilities, and stats. By far, one of the strongest Paradox Pokemon of the past is the Primitive form of Misdreavus: Flutter Mane. This primordial spirit is a Ghost- and Fairy-type and has one of the highest Special Attack stats in the game, with Speed to match.
With the right nature, its ability Protosynthesis can boost its Special Attack in the sun. With a Ghost-type Terastallization, not only can boost its attack even further, but it also takes away its Fairy typing, which is vulnerable to Fire-types - especially in the sun. Terastallization streamlines Flutter Manes's effectiveness, becoming a nightmare for any opponent.
1 Kingambit
If there's one Pokemon truly fit to wear the Ghost Tera Crown, it's the King. Kingambit leads the pack when it comes to Ghost-type Terastallization. Like Tyranitar, Kingambit's Dark- and Steel-typing gives it a four times weakness to Fighting-type moves, and while its HP and Defense stats will have drastically increased since evolving, it still only takes a couple of well-placed shots to take this monarch down.
As a Ghost-type, it becomes completely immune to Fighting-type moves, and with access to moves like Shadow Claw, it can utilize its new typing as well. Having one of the strongest Sucker Punches in the game means that it's not worried about other Ghost-types, regardless of Speed. Terastallization turns this valiant leader into a spiritual warrior with anime-level power, making it the best suited for the creepy crown.