How to beat Magcargo ex

Magcargo ex has 1 version in the 2026–27 Standard format, with up to 270 HP as a Fire Pokémon. Here's the maths for Knocking it Out — worked out from every Standard-legal card.

HP: 270

Weakness: Water

Resistance: None

Prizes: 2

One-hit KOs: 44

Fastest KO: 1 Energy

Game plan

Hit its Weakness. Magcargo ex is weak to Water, so those attacks do double damage. 30 Standard cards can Knock it Out in one hit that way — the fastest needs just 1 Energy.
Win the Prize trade. It gives up 2 Prize cards when Knocked Out. 17 single-Prize Pokémon can take it out in one attack, so you trade 1 Prize for 2.
Plan for its big hit. Its strongest printed attack is Ground Burn for 140+ (3 Energy). 296 Standard cards have enough HP to survive one hit — before any Weakness, + or × effects.
Watch the Retreat Cost. It costs 3 Energy to retreat. If it gets stuck in the Active Spot, that's your chance.

One-hit Knock Outs using Weakness

These Water attacks do at least 270 after Weakness. Fastest (fewest Energy) first.

Pokémon	Type	Attack	Damage	Damage to Magcargo ex	HP	Prizes
Palafin ex Prismatic Evolutions	Water	Giga Impact W	250	500	340	2
Walrein Surging Sparks	Water	Megaton Fall WW	170	340	170	1
Feraligatr Temporal Forces	Water	Giant Wave WW	160	320	180	1
Greninja ex 30th Celebration	Water	Aqua Edge WW	160	320	300	2
Carracosta Stellar Crown	Water	Tidal Wave WW	150	300	160	1
Vaporeon ex Prismatic Evolutions	Water	Aquamarine RWL	280	560	280	2
Clawitzer Mega Evolution	Water	Aqua Launcher WWW	210	420	130	1
Mega Starmie ex Perfect Order	Water	Nebula Beam CCC	210	420	330	3
Iron Bundle Surging Sparks	Water	Gusting Collision WWC	200-	400	100	1
Mega Abomasnow ex Mega Evolution	Water	Frost Barrier WWW	200	400	350	3
Mega Feraligatr ex Ascended Heroes	Water	Mortal Crunch WWC	200+	400	370	3
Crawdaunt Twilight Masquerade	Water	Rampaging Hammer WWC	180	360	130	1

One-hit Knock Outs without Weakness

Attacks with a printed 270+ damage.

Pokémon	Type	Attack	Damage	Damage to Magcargo ex	HP	Prizes
Slaking ex Surging Sparks	Colorless	Great Swing CC	280	280	340	2
Mega Lucario ex Ascended Heroes	Fighting	Mega Brave FF	270	270	340	3
Mega Dragonite ex Ascended Heroes	Dragon	Ryuno Glide WLL	330	330	370	3
Mega Emboar ex Ascended Heroes	Fire	Crimson Blast RRC	320	320	380	3
Pikachu ex Ascended Heroes	Lightning	Topaz Bolt GLM	300	300	200	2
Mega Latias ex Mega Evolution	Dragon	Illusory Impulse RPC	300	300	280	3
Mega Pyroar ex Chaos Rising	Fire	Fiery Big Bang RRC	290-	290	340	3
Ceruledge ex Prismatic Evolutions	Fire	Raging Amethyst RPM	280	280	270	2
Cinderace ex Ascended Heroes	Fire	Flare Strike RCC	280	280	320	2
Flareon ex Prismatic Evolutions	Fire	Carnelian RWL	280	280	270	2

Best Prize trades

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

Pokémon	Type	Attack	Damage	Damage to Magcargo ex	HP	Prizes
Walrein Surging Sparks	Water	Megaton Fall WW	170	340	170	1
Feraligatr Temporal Forces	Water	Giant Wave WW	160	320	180	1
Carracosta Stellar Crown	Water	Tidal Wave WW	150	300	160	1
Clawitzer Mega Evolution	Water	Aqua Launcher WWW	210	420	130	1
Iron Bundle Surging Sparks	Water	Gusting Collision WWC	200-	400	100	1
Crawdaunt Twilight Masquerade	Water	Rampaging Hammer WWC	180	360	130	1
Aurorus Perfect Order	Water	Freezing Chill WWC	150	300	170	1
Carracosta Black Bolt	Water	Big Bite WCC	150	300	180	1

Pokémon that survive its biggest attack

These can take a printed 140+ from Ground Burn and stay in play (Weakness included). Single-Prize Pokémon first.

Pokémon	Type	Stage	HP	Weakness	Retreat	Prizes
Wailord Journey Together	Water	Stage 1	240	Lightning ×2	4	1
Rhyperior Stellar Crown	Fighting	Stage 2	200	Grass ×2	4	1
Tyranitar Journey Together	Darkness	Stage 2	190	Grass ×2	3	1
Alolan Golem Journey Together	Lightning	Stage 2	180	Fighting ×2	4	1
Carracosta Black Bolt	Water	Stage 2	180	Lightning ×2	3	1
Cetitan Surging Sparks	Water	Stage 1	180	Metal ×2	3	1
Coalossal Ascended Heroes	Fighting	Stage 2	180	Grass ×2	4	1
Coalossal Temporal Forces	Fighting	Stage 2	180	Grass ×2	4	1

Every Standard Magcargo ex card

Card	Set	HP	Stage	Attacks (cost · damage)	Retreat	Weakness
Magcargo ex 29/167	Twilight Masquerade H	270	Stage 1	Hot Magma RC 70 Ground Burn RRC 140+	3	Water ×2

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).

Questions people ask

What is Magcargo ex weak to?

Magcargo ex is weak to Water, so those attacks do double damage (×2).

How much HP does Magcargo ex have?

Up to 270 HP in Standard.

How many Prize cards does Magcargo ex give up?

2 — it's a Pokémon ex.

What can one-hit KO Magcargo ex?

44 Standard cards can, going by printed damage. The fastest: Palafin ex's Giga Impact (1 Energy, 500 damage); Walrein's Megaton Fall (2 Energy, 340 damage); Feraligatr's Giant Wave (2 Energy, 320 damage).

What is Magcargo ex's strongest attack?

Ground Burn, which prints 140+ damage for 3 Energy.

Pully Play is an independent fan guide. It isn't run by The Pokémon Company. Format facts are checked against official announcements; always confirm card legality with the official rules before a tournament.

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