In Generation 1, which Pokemon cannot damage Ghost types at all?

Question

In Generation 1, the player will be unable to defeat the Channelers and reach the end of the Pokémon Tower if there are no available moves (with PP remaining) that can damage Ghost-type Pokémon, either directly or indirectly such as via confusion. This is due to the fact that in this generation, Ghost-type Pokémon are immune to Struggle (being a Normal-type move), all opposing Pokémon have infinite PP, and there are no moves or abilities that can ignore type immunities (Foresight, Odor Sleuth, etc.). This applies to the battle against Agatha at the Indigo Plateau as well.

Assuming that no moves are learned from TMs or from other games (Gens 1-2), which Pokemon in Gen 1 cannot learn any level up moves that can damage Ghost type Pokemon?

P.S.: I was watching MahDryBread's video of him attempting the challenge to beat Pokemon Red with only an Eevee. (link) He said that this challenge is impossible because he cannot damage any Ghost types at all and cannot progress past the Channelers and the Pokemon Tower.

Comments

caterpie, eevee

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Further context may be needed. I would think any Eeveelution would have elemental coverage that works in this situation, but I'm assuming the challenge doesn't allow Eevee to be evolved or learn any TM moves.

There are some Gen I moves that can ignore type immunity, such as Counter. But several conditions must be met for Counter to be activated, so I'm not sure how that would pan out in this situation.

Answer 1

All right, this is gonna hurt to answer….

(One eternity later….)

Ok, so ignoring TMs, there is an actually woefully long list of Pokémon that cannot hit Ghost types in Gen 1.

Pokémon with no way to directly damage Ghost Types:

1:Without TMs:

• Caterpie ( including TMs)
• Metapod ( including TMs)
• Rattata
• Raticate
• Clefairy
• Clefable
• Jigglypuff
• Wigglytuff
• Meowth
• Persian
• Abba
• Hitmonlee ( including TMs)
• ?(Lickitung if HMs are ignored)
• Rhyhorn
• ?(Rhydon if HMs are ignored)
• Chansey
• ?(Kangaskhan if HMs are ignored)
• Magikarp-Don’t forget about me!( including TMs)
• Eevee(including TMs)
• ?(Snorlax if HMs are ignored)

2:Including TMs and HMs:

• Caterpie
• Metapod
• Hitomlee
• Magikarp
• Eevee

Pokémon with no way to directly or indirectly damage Ghost types.

3: Without TMs:

• Same as 1

4: Including TMs and HMs:

• Caterpie
• Metapod
• Magikarp :(

There it is!
Source: The pain of the gray Red / Blue Pokédex. All this should apply to Yellow too. Tell me if I missed anything! Hope this helped!

Comments

In gen1, seismic toss can hit ghosts despite their immunity and primeape can learn it.

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Thanks! Good to know!