Ranking The Scariest Gengar Pokemon TCG Cards

Introduced in Pokemon Red and Blue, Gengar is a Ghost and Poison-type Pokemon known for its sinister behavior but simultaneously playful nature. Many of Gengar’s Pokedex entries speak of how it likes to hide in people’s shadows and play tricks on them, so it’s unsurprising that illustrators for the Pokemon TCG decided to lean into this when designing their Gengar cards.

Whether they show Gengar creeping in a back alley or becoming the fuel for a child’s nightmare, each of these cards celebrates the spooky nature of Gengar, showing why it’s one of the most popular Ghost-type Pokemon ever created.

10 Under The Moonlight: Gengar (Sword & Shield Promos #SWSH241)

This Gengar card, illustrated by Uta, features Gengar in a dynamic pose flying through the air as a full red moon looms in the background. Thanks to Gengar’s signature grin, it’s clear that this Pokemon is up to no good, especially as the text on the bottom of the card says that, on nights with a full moon, Gengar uses shadows to terrorize people for its own enjoyment.

This Gengar is positioned as if it’s flying straight towards you, with its red eyes staring you down. You wouldn’t want to encounter Gengar on a full moon, as it’s sure to end in disaster.

9 About To Strike: Gengar LV.X (Arceus #97)

The pose on this Gengar card, illustrated by Shizurow, makes it appear as though Gengar is just about to hit you with one of its powerful moves. Gengar is depicted mid-strike as it charges up its attack in its hand, and the slight blur effect used on the card helps to make it look like Gengar has been captured mid-motion.

Gengar also goes outside of the illustration’s border, making it look as though Gengar is escaping from the confines of the card. The finishing touch of this illustration is Gengar’s red eyes that glow with the force of its upcoming move.

8 Tricksy Specter: Gengar (Breakthrough #60)

Unlike other Gengar cards, Saya Tsuruta took a different approach with their interpretation of Gengar. The graffiti-like art style is the perfect medium for this spirited Pokemon as it captures its playful essence alongside its spookiness.

The card depicts Gengar in a spooky pose, sticking out its tongue and holding its claw-like hands out to grab you. The background of this card also lends it a nightmarish quality, making it seem as though Gengar is reaching out of the abyss to drag you in as well.

7 Nightmare Team: Gengar And Mimikyu-GX (Team Up #53)

The perfect spooky duo, Gengar and Mimikyu take center stage in this Pokemon card. Illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita, the card shows Gengar and Mimikyu in a spooky forest with a bright yellow moon in the background.

The best part of this card is the pairing of these two haunting Pokemon - Gengar sports a menacing smile, and Mimikyu looms mysteriously behind it. It’s fun to imagine these two Pokemon hanging out together, but you wouldn’t want to run into them when they’re carrying out their ghoulish pranks.

6 Carnival Ride: Gengar VMAX (Fusion Strike #271)

This full art card by Sowsow shows a Gigantamax Gengar using its enormous mouth to consume berry-filled trees. The entire card has a Halloween feel, especially considering that Gengar appears to be in a spooky forest with a haunted mansion and a waning crescent moon in the background. Gengar’s face even looks like the entrance to a carnival fun house, replacing the traditional clown design with Gengar’s gaping maw.

It’s a fun depiction of Gengar’s Gigantamax form, showing the havoc it can wreak when it’s this large. Gengar is the perfect mascot for the spooky season, and this card encapsulates that energy entirely.

5 Watch Your Step: Gengar (Chilling Reign #057)

Aya Kusube’s pencil-shaded depiction of Gengar means it wouldn’t be amiss in a Junji Ito manga. The Gengar in this card is up to no good as it’s prowling the streets at night, looking for a life to steal.

Gengar is often depicted sticking out its long tongue, a fact that this Pokemon card uses to its benefit. It’s easy to imagine someone standing at the top of the stairs looking down at Gengar as it threatens them with its tongue. As this card shows, no one’s safe from Gengar on a dark night.

4 Dark In More Than Name: Dark Gengar (Neo Destiny #6)

In the Pokemon TCG, “Dark” Pokemon are considered the dark versions of the normal Pokemon after becoming influenced by a villainous team such as Team Rocket. This is a spooky idea in its own right but becomes even spookier when you consider what the Dark version of an already spine-tingling Pokemon like Gengar would be like.

This card gives us a glimpse into this, as Aya Kusube’s stylized illustration of Gengar makes it appear even more sinister than usual. The expression on this Gengar’s face shows it’s not to be messed with, thanks to its unnerving smile.

3 Playful Haunting: Gengar (Arceus #17)

If you hear mysterious footsteps on your rooftop and laughter ringing in the air on a stormy night, then it might be a Gengar preparing to lay some curses on you; at least, that’s what this card would have you believe.

Mitsuhiro Arita’s depiction of Gengar is impish, as it looks to be having a great time performing its naughty misdeeds. The backdrop of a city during a thunderstorm only adds to this malevolent scene, as it’s the perfect environment for Gengar to enact its playful curses.

2 Hiding In Plain Sight: Gengar (Crimson Invasion #38)

Illustrated by Shin Nagasawa, this Gengar card perfectly captures the spooky nature of this Ghost and Poison-type Pokemon. In this card, Gengar smirks mischievously as it peeks out from a street corner, although Gengar isn’t exactly hiding, as if it wants you to see it.

To make the scene even creepier, it takes place in a dark alley at nighttime - the last place you’d want to run into a Gengar. The text at the bottom of the card only enhances this sentiment, stating that if a Gengar approaches you, there’s no escape, and it’s best if you just give up.

1 Shadows Of Your Nightmares: Gengar (Unbroken Bonds #70)

In the Pokedex entry for Gengar in Pokemon Crystal, it’s said that Gengar is known for “hiding in people’s shadows at night.” The illustrator, So-taro, showcases Gengar’s shadowy abilities in this card, as they’ve chosen to represent Gengar among the shadows.

The text accompanying this illustration states that Gengar visits naughty children, implying that it’s the Pokemon universe’s equivalent to a boogeyman. With this context, you can infer that this illustration is set in a child’s bedroom, making it all the more frightening that Gengar is waiting in the shadows.

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