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How to beat Dialga

Dialga has 3 versions in the 2026–27 Standard format, with up to 140 HP as a Metal Pokémon. Here's the maths for Knocking it Out — worked out from every Standard-legal card.

HP

140

Weakness

Fire

Resistance

Grass

Prizes

1

One-hit KOs

298

Fastest KO

1 Energy

Game plan

1. Hit its Weakness. Dialga is weak to Fire, so those attacks do double damage. 81 Standard cards can Knock it Out in one hit that way — the fastest needs just 1 Energy.
2. Don't over-invest. It only gives up 1 Prize card, so avoid spending a big two-Prize attacker on it if a cheaper Pokémon can do the job.
3. Avoid Grass attacks. Dialga resists them, so they do less damage.
4. Plan for its big hit. Its strongest printed attack is Buster Tail for 160 (3 Energy). 263 Standard cards have enough HP to survive one hit — before any Weakness, + or × effects.
5. Watch the Retreat Cost. It costs 2 Energy to retreat. If it gets stuck in the Active Spot, that's your chance.

One-hit Knock Outs using Weakness

These Fire attacks do at least 140 after Weakness. Fastest (fewest Energy) first.

One-hit Knock Outs without Weakness

Attacks with a printed 140+ damage (after Resistance).

Pokémon that survive its biggest attack

These can take a printed 160 from Buster Tail and stay in play (Weakness included). Single-Prize Pokémon first.

Every Standard Dialga card

Damage is the number printed on the card. Attacks marked + or × can do more, and Abilities, Tools and Stadiums can change the maths — always read the card. Energy letters: G Grass, R Fire, W Water, L Lightning, P Psychic, F Fighting, D Darkness, M Metal, N Dragon, C Colorless (any Energy).

Related: all Dialga cards in Standard · how to knock out a 140 HP Pokémon · Fire vs Metal · beating big Pokémon ex · more counter guides

Questions people ask

What is Dialga weak to?

Dialga is weak to Fire, so those attacks do double damage (×2).

How much HP does Dialga have?

Up to 140 HP in Standard (140 on the Mega Evolution version, 130 on the 30th Celebration version, 130 on the Surging Sparks version).

How many Prize cards does Dialga give up?

1 — it's a regular Pokémon.

What can one-hit KO Dialga?

298 Standard cards can, going by printed damage. The fastest: Ceruledge's Infernal Slash (1 Energy, 440 damage); Centiskorch's Billowing Heat Wave (1 Energy, 260 damage); Palafin ex's Giga Impact (1 Energy, 250 damage).

What is Dialga's strongest attack?

Buster Tail, which prints 160 damage for 3 Energy.

What does Dialga resist?

Grass — those attacks do less damage to it.