How to beat Hop's Pincurchin ex

Hop's Pincurchin ex has 1 version in the 2026–27 Standard format, with up to 200 HP as a Lightning Pokémon. Here's the maths for Knocking it Out — worked out from every Standard-legal card.

Game plan

1. Hit its Weakness. Hop's Pincurchin ex is weak to Fighting, so those attacks do double damage. 71 Standard cards can Knock it Out in one hit that way — the fastest needs just 1 Energy.
2. Win the Prize trade. It gives up 2 Prize cards when Knocked Out. 82 single-Prize Pokémon can take it out in one attack, so you trade 1 Prize for 2.
3. Plan for its big hit. Its strongest printed attack is Spiky Thunder for 120 (3 Energy). 524 Standard cards have enough HP to survive one hit — before any Weakness, + or × effects.
4. 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 Fighting attacks do at least 200 after Weakness. Fastest (fewest Energy) first.

One-hit Knock Outs without Weakness

Attacks with a printed 200+ damage.

Best Prize trades

Single-Prize Pokémon that Knock Out Hop's Pincurchin ex in one attack — you give up 1 Prize, they give up 2.

Pokémon that survive its biggest attack

These can take a printed 120 from Spiky Thunder and stay in play (Weakness included). Single-Prize Pokémon first.

Every Standard Hop's Pincurchin ex 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 Pincurchin cards in Standard · how to knock out a 200 HP Pokémon · Fighting vs Lightning · beating big Pokémon ex · more counter guides