How to beat Noivern

Noivern has 2 versions in the 2026–27 Standard format, with up to 120 HP as a Dragon Pokémon. Here's the maths for Knocking it Out — worked out from every Standard-legal card.

Game plan

1. Hit its Weakness. Noivern is weak to Lightning, so those attacks do double damage. 46 Standard cards can Knock it Out in one hit that way — the fastest needs just 2 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. Noivern resists them, so they do less damage.
4. Plan for its big hit. Its strongest printed attack is Frightening Howl for 110 (3 Energy). 755 Standard cards have enough HP to survive one hit — before any Weakness, + or × effects.
5. Watch the Retreat Cost. It retreats for free, so it can swap out easily — expect it to dodge.

One-hit Knock Outs using Weakness

These Lightning attacks do at least 120 after Weakness. Fastest (fewest Energy) first.

One-hit Knock Outs without Weakness

Attacks with a printed 120+ damage (after Resistance).

Pokémon that survive its biggest attack

These can take a printed 110 from Frightening Howl and stay in play (Weakness included). Single-Prize Pokémon first.

Every Standard Noivern 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 Noivern cards in Standard · how to knock out a 120 HP Pokémon · beating big Pokémon ex · more counter guides