Timid is the best default nature for a competitive special-attacker Gengar in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. It raises Speed and lowers Attack, letting Gengar make better use of its 110 base Speed and 130 base Special Attack. Choose Modest instead when extra damage matters more than the Speed lost—or when your build can control turn order another way.
Why Timid is the default
Gengar is naturally suited to special offense: its listed base stats include 130 Special Attack and 110 Speed, compared with 65 Attack. Timid raises Speed while lowering Attack, so its penalty affects the stat a typical special-attacker build relies on least. Serebii lists Gengar’s stats for Scarlet and Violet in its Pokédex entry.
In competitive battles, moving first can let Gengar attack before an opponent or avoid taking a hit first. Timid is therefore the safer choice when the opposing Pokémon you need to outspeed determines whether Gengar can do its job. The recommendation is especially direct for Scarlet and Violet competitive singles; it should not be treated as a universal answer for every Pokémon game or format.
When Modest makes sense
Modest raises Special Attack and lowers Attack. It suits a build that values stronger special attacks over speed, particularly if the lost Speed does not change the matchups that matter or another part of the team can manage turn order. Pokémon Database lists Gengar’s Generation 9 move learnset for Scarlet, Violet, and Legends: Z-A, but that coverage alone does not establish that competitive mechanics or the best nature recommendation are identical across those games.
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#1 Best Overall
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- CROSS PLAY: Misdreavus fits inside Clip 'N' Go Poké Ball and Carry Case Playset
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For Scarlet and Violet competitive singles, a guide by Michael R. at Switchblade Gaming, dated August 25, 2026, reports Timid as the leading choice and Modest as a less common alternative. Those usage figures are secondary figures attributed by the guide to Pikalytics, not independently verified primary data, and should not be generalized to other formats.
How to choose between Timid and Modest
Compare your build against the opponents it is meant to handle on two questions: whether Gengar needs to outspeed them, and whether extra Special Attack changes a meaningful damage threshold. The answer depends on the game, level, EVs, IVs, held item, and opponent’s spread; without those assumptions, a specific matchup or knockout claim would be misleading.
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- ICONIC POKÉMON: Choose Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon
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- Pick Timid if acting first is important to the plan or you are unsure which nature your competitive build needs.
- Pick Modest if the Speed trade-off does not affect relevant matchups and the added power is more valuable to the team.
Game8’s Scarlet and Violet Gengar builds provide additional secondary context for that game, but the choice should still be tied to your set and the format you play.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the best nature change by game or activity?
It can. The clearest recommendation available here is for Scarlet and Violet competitive singles. Story progression, raids, and other formats may put different value on Speed, damage, and team support, so there is no context-free best nature for every Gengar. Older-generation or Mega Gengar advice should not be carried over to a current build without checking that game’s mechanics.
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Rank #4
- BATTLE FIGURE: Choose Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon.
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- AUTHENTIC DETAILS: Includes authentic details from the Pokémon Animated Series.
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Rank #3
- (C) Nintendo, Creatures, Game Freak, TV Tokyo, ShoPro, JR Kikaku (C) Pokémon
- Does not use batteries
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