How to beat Melmetal ex

Melmetal ex has 1 version in the 2026–27 Standard format, with up to 280 HP as a Metal Pokémon. Here's the maths for Knocking it Out — worked out from every Standard-legal card.

Game plan

1. Hit its Weakness. Melmetal ex is weak to Fire, so those attacks do double damage. 31 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. 15 single-Prize Pokémon can take it out in one attack, so you trade 1 Prize for 2.
3. Avoid Grass attacks. Melmetal ex resists them, so they do less damage.
4. Plan for its big hit. Its strongest printed attack is Iron Swing for 100× (4 Energy). 819 Standard cards have enough HP to survive one hit — before any Weakness, + or × effects.
5. 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 Fire attacks do at least 280 after Weakness. Fastest (fewest Energy) first.

One-hit Knock Outs without Weakness

Attacks with a printed 280+ damage (after Resistance).

Best Prize trades

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

Pokémon that survive its biggest attack

These can take a printed 100× from Iron Swing and stay in play (Weakness included). Single-Prize Pokémon first.

Every Standard Melmetal 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 Melmetal cards in Standard · how to knock out a 280 HP Pokémon · Fire vs Metal · beating big Pokémon ex · more counter guides

Questions people ask

What is Melmetal ex weak to?

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

How much HP does Melmetal ex have?

Up to 280 HP in Standard.

How many Prize cards does Melmetal ex give up?

2 — it's a Pokémon ex.

What can one-hit KO Melmetal ex?

39 Standard cards can, going by printed damage. The fastest: Ceruledge's Infernal Slash (1 Energy, 440 damage); Blaziken ex's Smolder-sault (2 Energy, 400 damage); Centiskorch's Charring Breath (2 Energy, 360 damage).

What is Melmetal ex's strongest attack?

Iron Swing, which prints 100× damage for 4 Energy.

What does Melmetal ex resist?

Grass — those attacks do less damage to it.