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How to beat Moltres
Moltres has 2 versions in the 2026–27 Standard format, with up to 120 HP as a Fire Pokémon. Here's the maths for Knocking it Out — worked out from every Standard-legal card.
- HP
- 120
- Weakness
- Water
- Resistance
- None
- Prizes
- 1
- One-hit KOs
- 471
- Fastest KO
- 0 Energy
Game plan
- Hit its Weakness. Moltres is weak to Water, so those attacks do double damage. 109 Standard cards can Knock it Out in one hit that way — the fastest needs just 1 Energy.
- 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.
- Plan for its big hit. Its strongest printed attack is Fire Spin for 130 (3 Energy). 375 Standard cards have enough HP to survive one hit — before any Weakness, + or × effects.
- Watch the Retreat Cost. It costs 1 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 120 after Weakness. Fastest (fewest Energy) first.
| Pokémon | Type | Attack | Damage | Damage to Moltres | HP | Prizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palafin ex Prismatic Evolutions | Water | Giga Impact W | 250 | 500 | 340 | 2 |
| Palafin Temporal Forces | Water | Vanguard Punch W | 130 | 260 | 150 | 1 |
| Mega Starmie ex Perfect Order | Water | Jetting Blow W | 120 | 240 | 330 | 3 |
| Inteleon Mega Evolution | Water | Water Shot W | 110 | 220 | 150 | 1 |
| Misty's Gyarados Destined Rivals | Water | Splashing Panic W | 70× | 140 | 180 | 1 |
| Avalugg Chaos Rising | Water | Iceberg Breaker W | 60× | 120 | 160 | 1 |
| Misty's Starmie Destined Rivals | Water | Abrupt Flash W | 60+ | 120 | 100 | 1 |
| Seaking Prismatic Evolutions | Water | Rapid Draw C | 60 | 120 | 110 | 1 |
| Walrein Surging Sparks | Water | Frigid Fangs W | 60 | 120 | 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 |
One-hit Knock Outs without Weakness
Attacks with a printed 120+ damage.
| Pokémon | Type | Attack | Damage | Damage to Moltres | HP | Prizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alolan Dugtrio Surging Sparks | Metal | Trio-Cheehoo Free | 120 | 120 | 110 | 1 |
| Tinkaton Mega Evolution | Metal | Windup Swing M | 240- | 240 | 160 | 1 |
| Ceruledge Phantasmal Flames | Fire | Infernal Slash R | 220 | 220 | 140 | 1 |
| Decidueye Shrouded Fable | Grass | Power Shot G | 170 | 170 | 150 | 1 |
| Greninja ex Twilight Masquerade | Fighting | Shinobi Blade W | 170 | 170 | 310 | 2 |
| Medicham Ascended Heroes | Fighting | Seventh Kick F | 150 | 150 | 120 | 1 |
| Diggersby Perfect Order | Colorless | Earthquake C | 140 | 140 | 150 | 1 |
| Annihilape Surging Sparks | Fighting | Tantrum F | 130 | 130 | 140 | 1 |
| Centiskorch Surging Sparks | Fire | Billowing Heat Wave R | 130 | 130 | 130 | 1 |
| Lurantis Destined Rivals | Grass | Petal Blade Dance G | 130 | 130 | 120 | 1 |
Pokémon that survive its biggest attack
These can take a printed 130 from Fire Spin 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 Moltres card
| Card | Set | HP | Stage | Attacks (cost · damage) | Retreat | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moltres 11/128 Ability: Fiery Flapping | 30th Celebration J | 120 | Basic | Fire Spin RRC 130 | 1 | Water ×2 |
| Moltres 14/94 | Phantasmal Flames I | 120 | Basic | Fighting Wings R 20+ | 1 | 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).
Related: all Moltres cards in Standard · how to knock out a 120 HP Pokémon · Water vs Fire · beating big Pokémon ex · more counter guides
Questions people ask
What is Moltres weak to?
Moltres is weak to Water, so those attacks do double damage (×2).
How much HP does Moltres have?
Up to 120 HP in Standard (120 on the 30th Celebration version, 120 on the Phantasmal Flames version).
How many Prize cards does Moltres give up?
1 — it's a regular Pokémon.
What can one-hit KO Moltres?
471 Standard cards can, going by printed damage. The fastest: Alolan Dugtrio's Trio-Cheehoo (0 Energy, 120 damage); Palafin ex's Giga Impact (1 Energy, 500 damage); Palafin's Vanguard Punch (1 Energy, 260 damage).
What is Moltres's strongest attack?
Fire Spin, which prints 130 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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