Stats & Training
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
Golem is weak to Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. 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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Water, Grass |
| 2x (Weak) | Ice, Fighting, Ground, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Fire, Flying, Rock |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Poison |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Infernape can KO Golem with Close Combat (90-106%). Flygon's Earthquake hits Golem for 73-86%. Bronzong deals 50-58% with Earthquake.
 Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Golem View Infernape builds →Close Combat 2x90-106%KO U Turn17-21% Fire Blast26-31% | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Golem View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x73-86% Outrage44-51% U Turn17-20% | ||
 Bronzong SteelPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLeftovers NatureBrave Moves
Damage vs Golem View Bronzong builds →Explosion31-36% Earthquake 2x50-58% | ||
 Swampert WaterGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Golem View Swampert builds →Earthquake 2x62-74% Ice Beam 2x53-63% Waterfall 4x102-120%KO | ||
 Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves View Roserade builds →
| ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution
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 485 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
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.
HeartGold & SoulSilver Golem Best Moveset
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
Golem best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Explosion
- Sucker Punch
- Rock Polish
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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
How to Get Golem in HeartGold & SoulSilver
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 GeodudeRuins of Alph - OutsideSoulSilverSmashing rocks Lv.3-14 Ruins100%EarlyRuins of Alph - OutsideHeartGoldSmashing rocks Lv.3-14 Ruins100%EarlyRock Tunnel - B1FSoulSilverSmashing rocks Lv.12-21 Cave100%EarlyRock Tunnel - B1FHeartGoldSmashing rocks Lv.12-21 Cave100%EarlyDark Cave - WestSoulSilverGrass Lv.2-4 CaveCommonEarlyDark Cave - WestHeartGoldGrass Lv.2-4 CaveCommonEarlyRoute 46SoulSilverGrass Lv.2-3 RouteCommonEarlyRoute 46HeartGoldGrass Lv.2-3 RouteCommonEarlyUnion Cave - 1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.6 CaveCommonEarlyUnion Cave - 1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.6 CaveCommonEarlyMt. Moon - 1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.6-10 CaveCommonEarlyMt. Moon - 2FSoulSilverGrass Lv.6-10 CaveCommonEarlyUnion Cave - B1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.8 CaveCommonEarlyUnion Cave - B1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.8 CaveCommonEarlyMt. Moon - 1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.8 CaveCommonEarlyMt. Moon - 2FHeartGoldGrass Lv.8 CaveCommonEarlyRock Tunnel - 1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.10 CaveCommonEarlyRock Tunnel - 1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.10 CaveCommonEarlyRock Tunnel - B1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.12 CaveCommonEarlyRock Tunnel - B1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.12 CaveCommonEarlyMt. Mortar - 1F NorthSoulSilverGrass Lv.13-15 CaveCommonEarlyMt. Mortar - 1F NorthHeartGoldGrass Lv.13-15 CaveCommonEarlyDark Cave - WestHeartGoldSmashing rocks Lv.8-14 Cave20%EarlyDark Cave - WestSoulSilverSmashing rocks Lv.8-14 Cave20%EarlyMt. Mortar - 1F SouthSoulSilverGrass Lv.14 CaveRareEarlyMt. Mortar - 1F SouthHeartGoldGrass Lv.14 CaveRareEarlyDark Cave - EastSoulSilverGrass Lv.23 CaveCommonMidDark Cave - EastHeartGoldGrass Lv.23 CaveCommonMidRoute 45SoulSilverGrass Lv.23 RouteCommonMidRoute 45HeartGoldGrass Lv.23 RouteCommonMidVictory Road - 1FSoulSilverSmashing rocks Lv.24-32 CaveCommonMidVictory Road - 1FHeartGoldSmashing rocks Lv.24-32 CaveCommonMidCliff Cave - 1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.19 CaveUncommonMidCliff Cave - 1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.19 CaveUncommonMidCliff Cave - 2FSoulSilverGrass Lv.19 CaveUncommonMidCliff Cave - 2FHeartGoldGrass Lv.19 CaveUncommonMidCliff Cave - B1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.19 CaveUncommonMidCliff Cave - B1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.19 CaveUncommonMidUnion Cave - B2FHeartGoldGrass Lv.21 CaveUncommonMidUnion Cave - B2FSoulSilverGrass Lv.21 CaveUncommonMidMt. Mortar - B1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.16 CaveRareMidMt. Mortar - B1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.16 CaveRareMidTeam Rocket HQ - B1FSoulSilverInteract with Pokemon Lv.21LimitedMidTeam Rocket HQ - B1FHeartGoldInteract with Pokemon Lv.21LimitedMidMt. Mortar - 2FSoulSilverGrass Lv.31-32 CaveUncommonLateMt. Mortar - 2FHeartGoldGrass Lv.31-32 CaveUncommonLate
Step 2Catch or Evolve GravelerRoute 45HeartGoldGrass Lv.23-27 RouteCommonMidRoute 45SoulSilverGrass Lv.23-25 RouteCommonMidDark Cave - EastHeartGoldGrass Lv.25 CaveUncommonMidDark Cave - EastSoulSilverGrass Lv.25 CaveUncommonMidVictory Road - 1FHeartGoldSmashing rocks Lv.30-33 CaveUncommonMidVictory Road - 1FSoulSilverSmashing rocks Lv.30-33 CaveUncommonMidCliff Cave - 1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.20 CaveRareMidCliff Cave - 1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.20 CaveRareMidCliff Cave - 2FHeartGoldGrass Lv.20 CaveRareMidCliff Cave - 2FSoulSilverGrass Lv.20 CaveRareMidCliff Cave - B1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.20 CaveRareMidCliff Cave - B1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.20 CaveRareMidMt. Mortar - 2FHeartGoldGrass Lv.31 CaveCommonLateMt. Mortar - 2FSoulSilverGrass Lv.31 CaveCommonLateVictory Road - 1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.32 CaveCommonLateVictory Road - 1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.32 CaveCommonLateMt. Silver - 1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.41-43 CaveUncommonLateMt. Silver - 1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.41-43 CaveUncommonLateor evolve from Geodude (Step 1)
Step 3Golem ✓
Golem Guide
For HeartGold & SoulSilver, we rate Golem C-Tier: a niche pick in HeartGold & SoulSilver's meta. At 485 BST, it fits the tank role. Earthquake with Focus Sash is the standard set.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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 110 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a tank.
For HeartGold & SoulSilver, the core moveset is Earthquake, Explosion, Sucker Punch, and Rockpolish. Earthquake leads at 24% usage. Earthquake provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Golem has appeared in 20 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received an Alolan form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves