Electric moves don't affect Golem at all — that's the advantage of Rock/Ground typing. It works well under Trick Room. An original Gen 1 pick. Known as the Megaton Pokemon.
Defense leads and Speed gets almost nothing. That's Golem's stat line in a nutshell. 3 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Tough to catch and yields 3 Defense EVs.
It sheds its skin once a year. The discarded shell immediately hardens and crumbles away.
It is capable of blowing itself up. It uses this explosive force to jump from mountain to mountain.
Golem Weakness
FragileGolem is weak to Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Ground, and Steel-type moves. Watch out for Water and Grass attacks, those deal 4x damage. On the flip side, it's immune to Electric-type moves entirely. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Golem's physical bulk (base 130 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
Getting Golem requires a trade, not just grinding levels. The chain starts at Geodude. Breed this form to get Geodude eggs (quick to hatch). HP grew the most through evolution (+40 over Geodude), and Golem peaks at 495 total stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Golem to get Geodude eggs easily using 29 partners from the Mineral egg group. Notable egg moves include Block, Curse, Flail and 3 more.
Focus Sash guarantees Golem survives one hit from full HP. That's enough to deal early damage and fire off Earthquake before going down. Rockhead and max Attack and Speed EVs maximize first-turn impact.
Best Build
Best Golem Moveset
- Earthquake
- Explosion
- Sucker Punch
- Rock Polish
Recommended Teammates
Egg moves make a real difference. Golem gets Block and Curse exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 7 types rounds out the picture alongside Earthquake and Stone Edge.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
A trade step sits in Golem's 3-stage chain from Geodude. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Geodude shows up at solid rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
How to Obtain Golem in HeartGold & SoulSilver
The path to Golem starts with Geodude at Lv. 2-43 via walking, rock smash, and more encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch GeodudeEFFORTLESSDark Cave - WestSoulSilverGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSDark Cave - WestHeartGoldGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSRoute 46SoulSilverGrassLv.2-3CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 46HeartGoldGrassLv.2-3CommonEarlyRouteEASYRuins of Alph - OutsideSoulSilverSmashing rocksLv.3-14CommonEarlyRuinsEASYRuins of Alph - OutsideHeartGoldSmashing rocksLv.3-14CommonEarlyRuinsEFFORTLESSUnion Cave - 1FSoulSilverGrassLv.6CommonEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSUnion Cave - 1FHeartGoldGrassLv.6CommonEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSMt. Moon - 1FSoulSilverGrassLv.6-10CommonEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSMt. Moon - 2FSoulSilverGrassLv.6-10CommonEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSUnion Cave - B1FHeartGoldGrassLv.8CommonEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSUnion Cave - B1FSoulSilverGrassLv.8CommonEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSMt. Moon - 1FHeartGoldGrassLv.8CommonEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSMt. Moon - 2FHeartGoldGrassLv.8CommonEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSRock Tunnel - 1FSoulSilverGrassLv.10CommonEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSRock Tunnel - 1FHeartGoldGrassLv.10CommonEarlyCaveEASYRock Tunnel - B1FSoulSilverSmashing rocksLv.12-21CommonEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSRock Tunnel - B1FSoulSilverGrassLv.12CommonEarlyCaveEASYRock Tunnel - B1FHeartGoldSmashing rocksLv.12-21CommonEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSRock Tunnel - B1FHeartGoldGrassLv.12CommonEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSMt. Mortar - 1F NorthSoulSilverGrassLv.13-15CommonEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSMt. Mortar - 1F NorthHeartGoldGrassLv.13-15CommonEarlyCaveMODERATEDark Cave - WestHeartGoldSmashing rocksLv.8-14UncommonEarlyCaveMODERATEDark Cave - WestSoulSilverSmashing rocksLv.8-14UncommonEarlyCaveCHALLENGINGMt. Mortar - 1F SouthSoulSilverGrassLv.14RareEarlyCaveCHALLENGINGMt. Mortar - 1F SouthHeartGoldGrassLv.14RareEarlyCaveEFFORTLESSDark Cave - EastSoulSilverGrassLv.23CommonMidCaveEFFORTLESSDark Cave - EastHeartGoldGrassLv.23CommonMidCaveEFFORTLESSRoute 45SoulSilverGrassLv.23CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 45HeartGoldGrassLv.23CommonMidRouteEASYVictory Road - 1FSoulSilverSmashing rocksLv.24-32CommonMidCaveEASYVictory Road - 1FHeartGoldSmashing rocksLv.24-32CommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - 1FSoulSilverGrassLv.19UncommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - 1FHeartGoldGrassLv.19UncommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - 2FSoulSilverGrassLv.19UncommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - 2FHeartGoldGrassLv.19UncommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - B1FSoulSilverGrassLv.19UncommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - B1FHeartGoldGrassLv.19UncommonMidCaveEASYUnion Cave - B2FHeartGoldGrassLv.21UncommonMidCaveEASYUnion Cave - B2FSoulSilverGrassLv.21UncommonMidCaveCHALLENGINGMt. Mortar - B1FSoulSilverGrassLv.16RareMidCaveCHALLENGINGMt. Mortar - B1FHeartGoldGrassLv.16RareMidCaveHARDTeam Rocket HQ - B1FSoulSilverInteract with PokemonLv.21LimitedMidHARDTeam Rocket HQ - B1FHeartGoldInteract with PokemonLv.21LimitedMidEASYMt. Mortar - 2FSoulSilverGrassLv.31-32UncommonLateCaveEASYMt. Mortar - 2FHeartGoldGrassLv.31-32UncommonLateCave
Step 2Catch or Evolve GravelerEFFORTLESSRoute 45HeartGoldGrassLv.23-27CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 45SoulSilverGrassLv.23-25CommonMidRouteEASYDark Cave - EastHeartGoldGrassLv.25UncommonMidCaveEASYDark Cave - EastSoulSilverGrassLv.25UncommonMidCaveMODERATEVictory Road - 1FHeartGoldSmashing rocksLv.30-33UncommonMidCaveMODERATEVictory Road - 1FSoulSilverSmashing rocksLv.30-33UncommonMidCaveCHALLENGINGCliff Cave - 1FSoulSilverGrassLv.20RareMidCaveCHALLENGINGCliff Cave - 1FHeartGoldGrassLv.20RareMidCaveCHALLENGINGCliff Cave - 2FHeartGoldGrassLv.20RareMidCaveCHALLENGINGCliff Cave - 2FSoulSilverGrassLv.20RareMidCaveCHALLENGINGCliff Cave - B1FHeartGoldGrassLv.20RareMidCaveCHALLENGINGCliff Cave - B1FSoulSilverGrassLv.20RareMidCaveEFFORTLESSMt. Mortar - 2FHeartGoldGrassLv.31CommonLateCaveEFFORTLESSMt. Mortar - 2FSoulSilverGrassLv.31CommonLateCaveEFFORTLESSVictory Road - 1FHeartGoldGrassLv.32CommonLateCaveEFFORTLESSVictory Road - 1FSoulSilverGrassLv.32CommonLateCaveEASYMt. Silver - 1FHeartGoldGrassLv.41-43UncommonLateCaveEASYMt. Silver - 1FSoulSilverGrassLv.41-43UncommonLateCaveor evolve from Geodude (Step 1)- Step 3Golem ✓
We rate Golem C-Tier — a situational pick that fills a niche. At 495 BST, it fits the wallbreaker role. Base 130 Defense stands out.
Golem's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Venusaur (Grass), and Lapras (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Gyarados is the most dangerous since Water moves deal 4x damage. Fighting, Ground, and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Rock Head is the go-to ability for Golem. It protects against recoil damage. Its hidden ability Sand Veil can work in specific setups. Sturdy is the other option — pick based on what your team needs.
Base 45 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Golem is a physical attacker with base 120 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a wallbreaker.
Golem appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Golem has appeared in 20 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received an Alolan form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A