How to beat Golurk

Golurk has 2 versions in the 2026–27 Standard format, with up to 160 HP as a Psychic Pokémon. Here's the maths for Knocking it Out — worked out from every Standard-legal card.

Game plan

1. Hit its Weakness. Golurk is weak to Darkness and Grass, so those attacks do double damage. 83 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 Fighting attacks. Golurk resists them, so they do less damage.
4. Plan for its big hit. Its strongest printed attack is Golurk Hammer for 200 (5 Energy). 180 Standard cards have enough HP to survive one hit — before any Weakness, + or × effects.
5. Watch the Retreat Cost. It costs 4 Energy to retreat. If it gets stuck in the Active Spot, that's your chance.

One-hit Knock Outs using Weakness

These Darkness/Grass attacks do at least 160 after Weakness. Fastest (fewest Energy) first.

One-hit Knock Outs without Weakness

Attacks with a printed 160+ damage (after Resistance).

Pokémon that survive its biggest attack

These can take a printed 200 from Golurk Hammer and stay in play (Weakness included). Single-Prize Pokémon first.

Every Standard Golurk 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 Golurk cards in Standard · how to knock out a 160 HP Pokémon · Darkness vs Psychic · beating big Pokémon ex · more counter guides

Questions people ask

What is Golurk weak to?

Golurk is weak to Darkness and Grass, so those attacks do double damage (×2).

How much HP does Golurk have?

Up to 160 HP in Standard (160 on the Black Bolt version, 160 on the Temporal Forces version).

How many Prize cards does Golurk give up?

1 — it's a regular Pokémon.

What can one-hit KO Golurk?

224 Standard cards can, going by printed damage. The fastest: Malamar's Brain Crush (1 Energy, 260 damage); Palafin ex's Giga Impact (1 Energy, 250 damage); Tinkaton's Windup Swing (1 Energy, 240 damage).

What is Golurk's strongest attack?

Golurk Hammer, which prints 200 damage for 5 Energy.

What does Golurk resist?

Fighting — those attacks do less damage to it.