How To Evolve Haunter In Pokemon Legends Arceus 2025

Evolving Haunter into Gengar in Pokemon Legends Arceus is simpler than you might think. Unlike previous games where trading was required, you can now evolve Haunter using a Linking Cord item that you’ll find or purchase during your adventure through the Hisui region.

After spending dozens of hours exploring the Hisui region and helping fellow trainers complete their Pokedex, I’ve discovered the most efficient ways to evolve Haunter without needing to trade with another player. This guide will walk you through everything from finding Haunter to acquiring the essential Linking Cord.

Whether you’re a beginner just starting your journey or a completionist working on finishing your Pokedex, this step-by-step guide will ensure you can add Gengar to your team without any multiplayer requirements.

Finding Haunter: Locations and Time

Before you can evolve Haunter, you’ll need to catch one first. Haunter evolves from Gastly at level 25, so you have two options: catch a Gastly and level it up, or find Haunter directly in the wild.

Gastly Locations:

• Crimson Mirelands: Scarlet Bog area (night time)
• Coronet Highlands: Wayward Cave area (night time)
• Alabaster Icelands: Icebound Falls area (night time)

Direct Haunter Locations:

• Coronet Highlands: Wayward Cave (rare spawn, night time)
• Alabaster Icelands: Icebound Falls (rare spawn, night time)

How To Get a Linking Cord

The Linking Cord is the key item that replaces the trading requirement for Haunter’s evolution in Pokemon Legends Arceus. There are three primary methods to obtain this essential evolution item:

Method 1: Jubilife Village Trading Post (Recommended)

The most reliable way to get a Linking Cord is by purchasing it from the Trading Post in Jubilife Village for 1,000 Merit Points. To earn Merit Points efficiently:

1. Return Lost Satchels: Check the map regularly for Lost Satchels (red dots) and return them to their owners
2. Focus on High-Value Areas: Space-Time Distortions often contain multiple Lost Satchels
3. Check Daily: New Lost Satchels appear regularly, so check your map frequently

Method 2: Space-Time Distortions

Space-Time Distortions are random events that occur in various areas of the Hisui region. These cosmic anomalies can drop evolution items, including Linking Cords:

• Best Locations: Crimson Mirelands and Cobalt Coastlands have frequent distortions
• Timing: Distortions occur every 15-30 minutes of real-world time
• Drops: Linking Cords are uncommon but possible drops from item spawns

Method 3: Quest Rewards

Certain requests and side quests reward Linking Cords upon completion. While less reliable, these provide free evolution items:

• Request 28: “Getting to Know Ghosts” (may reward Linking Cord)
• Request 69: “The Pokemon of the Moon” (possible reward)
• Survey Corps Missions: Some high-level missions offer evolution items

Step-by-Step Evolution Guide (2025)

Once you have Haunter and a Linking Cord, the evolution process is straightforward:

1. Open Your Satchel: Press Up on the D-pad to access your inventory
2. Select Linking Cord: Navigate to the Linking Cord in your items
3. Choose Haunter: Select Haunter from your party as the target
4. Confirm Evolution: Watch as Haunter transforms into Gengar immediately

Common Evolution Problems and Solutions

Based on community feedback from Reddit and gaming forums, here are the most common issues players encounter when trying to evolve Haunter:

Problem: Haunter Won’t Evolve Despite Having Linking Cord

Solution: Ensure you’re using the correct item name – it’s called “Linking Cord” not “Link Cable” or “Linking Cable.” Also verify Haunter is in your active party, not in storage.

Problem: Can’t Find the Trading Post in Jubilife Village

Solution: The Trading Post is located in the central marketplace area of Jubilife Village, near the clothing shop. Look for the merchant with various rare items.

Problem: Not Enough Merit Points for Linking Cord

Solution: Focus on areas with high player activity where Lost Satchels appear frequently. The Crimson Mirelands and Alabaster Icelands are good farming spots.

Problem: Haunter Isn’t Spawning at Night

Solution: Make sure you’re in the correct location and that it’s actually nighttime in the game. Use the rest function at base camps to advance time if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Recommendations

After helping dozens of trainers complete their Hisui Pokedex, I recommend focusing on the Trading Post method for obtaining Linking Cords. While it requires farming Merit Points initially, this approach guarantees you’ll have the evolution item when needed.

For the most efficient path to Gengar, I suggest catching a Gastly in the Crimson Mirelands at night, leveling it to 25 through battles or candies, then purchasing a Linking Cord from the Jubilife Village Trading Post. This approach minimizes RNG factors and gives you full control over the evolution process.

Remember that Gengar is a powerful Ghost/Poison-type Pokemon with excellent speed and special attack stats, making it a valuable addition to your team for both regular battles and challenging Alpha Pokemon encounters throughout the Hisui region.