How to beat Scream Tail ex

Scream Tail ex has 1 version in the 2026–27 Standard format, with up to 190 HP as a Psychic Pokémon. Here's the maths for Knocking it Out — worked out from every Standard-legal card.

Game plan

1. Hit its Weakness. Scream Tail ex is weak to Darkness, so those attacks do double damage. 60 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. 70 single-Prize Pokémon can take it out in one attack, so you trade 1 Prize for 2.
3. Avoid Fighting attacks. Scream Tail ex resists them, so they do less damage.
4. Plan for its big hit. Its strongest printed attack is Crunch for 120 (3 Energy). 562 Standard cards have enough HP to survive one hit — before any Weakness, + or × effects.
5. 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 Darkness attacks do at least 190 after Weakness. Fastest (fewest Energy) first.

One-hit Knock Outs without Weakness

Attacks with a printed 190+ damage (after Resistance).

Best Prize trades

Single-Prize Pokémon that Knock Out Scream Tail 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 Crunch and stay in play (Weakness included). Single-Prize Pokémon first.

Every Standard Scream Tail 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 Scream Tail cards in Standard · how to knock out a 190 HP Pokémon · Darkness vs Psychic · beating big Pokémon ex · more counter guides

Questions people ask

What is Scream Tail ex weak to?

Scream Tail ex is weak to Darkness, so those attacks do double damage (×2).

How much HP does Scream Tail ex have?

Up to 190 HP in Standard.

How many Prize cards does Scream Tail ex give up?

2 — it's a Pokémon ex.

What can one-hit KO Scream Tail ex?

152 Standard cards can, going by printed damage. The fastest: Malamar's Brain Crush (1 Energy, 260 damage); Palafin ex's Giga Impact (1 Energy, 250 damage); Tinkaton's Windup Swing (1 Energy, 240 damage).

What is Scream Tail ex's strongest attack?

Crunch, which prints 120 damage for 3 Energy.

What does Scream Tail ex resist?

Fighting — those attacks do less damage to it.