The Megaton Pokemon. Golem needs a trade partner in Emerald, but Rock Head plus Explosion and Earthquake make it an A-Tier physical powerhouse worth the effort.
Ability 1Rock HeadAbility 1Protects against recoil damage.Ability 2SturdyAbility 2Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
485HP80Attack110Defense130Speed45Sp.Def65Sp.Atk55
Geodude
Graveler
Golem
Weak to
Physical
Tank
45Speed · Slow

Is Golem Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Trade evolution from Graveler. Golem with AbilityRock Head hits hard with recoil-free attacks. Rock/Ground handles Wattson and Winona. The 4x Water weakness is a problem against Juan and Wallace's Water-heavy endgame though. Strong through mid-game, risky at the finish.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTTESEEEEEEGEERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2GeodudeCatchableWattsonGym 3GravelerEvolveFlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6GolemEvolveTate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8SidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Tough

Roxanne's typing presses Geodude's defenses.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Even
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Tough

Brawly's team hits Geodude's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Machop
Lv 16
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopLow KickSeismic TossBulk Up
Risky
Meditite
Lv 16
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Focus PunchLight ScreenReflectBulk Up
Risky
Makuhita
Lv 19
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustVital ThrowReversalBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Geodude trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

You Win
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSparkSelf DestructShock Wave
You Win
Electrike
Lv 20
Electric
Static
Shock WaveLeerQuick AttackHowl
Risky
Magneton
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicShock WaveThunder WaveSonic Boom
Even
Manectric
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveShock WaveHowl
Flannery
Gym 4
Strong

Graveler resists most of Flannery's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Numel
Lv 24
FireGround
Oblivious
OverheatTake DownMagnitudeSunny Day
Easy KO
Slugma
Lv 24
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
You Win
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Graveler trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

You Win
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
You Win
Vigoroth
Lv 27
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFacadeEncoreFeint Attack
You Win
Linoone
Lv 29
Normal
Pickup
SlashBelly DrumFacadeHeadbutt
Even
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
CounterYawnFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Graveler trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

You Win
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
Even
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
Even
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Even
Skarmory
Lv 31
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Even
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Even

Golem trades roughly evenly with Tate & Liza's team.

Risky
Claydol
Lv 41
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
EarthquakeAncient PowerPsychicLight Screen
Even
Xatu
Lv 41
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
PsychicSunny DayConfuse RayCalm Mind
Even
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Risky
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Juan
Gym 8
Even

Golem trades roughly evenly with Juan's team.

Even
Luvdisc
Lv 41
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Even
Whiscash
Lv 41
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 43
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Even
Crawdaunt
Lv 43
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
Water PulseCrabhammerTauntLeer
Risky
Kingdra
Lv 46
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
Water PulseDouble TeamIce BeamRest
Sidney
Elite Four
Even

Golem trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

You Win
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarDouble EdgeSand AttackCrunch
You Win
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
TormentDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Even
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Even
Crawdaunt
Lv 48
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
SurfSwords DanceStrengthFacade
You Win
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceRock SlideSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Golem trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

You Win
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
You Win
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Good

Golem has the type edge here and should clean up Glacia's team.

Easy KO
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamHailIce Ball
You Win
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchIcy WindIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDouble EdgeHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallExplosionHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamIce BeamSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Even

Golem trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectDouble Edge
Even
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Double EdgeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Risky
Kingdra
Lv 53
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenDragon DanceSurfBody Slam
Risky
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
Even
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Even

Golem trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

Even
Wailord
Lv 57
Water
Water Veil
Rain DanceWater SpoutDouble EdgeBlizzard
You Win
Tentacruel
Lv 55
WaterPoison
Clear Body
ToxicHydro PumpSludge BombIce Beam
Risky
Ludicolo
Lv 56
WaterGrass
Swift Swim
Giga DrainSurfLeech SeedDouble Team
Risky
Whiscash
Lv 56
WaterGround
Oblivious
EarthquakeSurfAmnesiaHyper Beam
Even
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon DanceEarthquakeHyper BeamSurf
Risky
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverSurfIce BeamToxic

Catch Geodude

Available after Badge 2
Type
RockGround
Tier
E

Catch Geodude in Granite Cave (walking, Lv 6-9, uncommon).

View Geodude locations

Evolve Geodude to Graveler

Level 25
Type
RockGround
Tier
E

Geodude evolves into Graveler at Level 25. Your Geodude should hit Level 25 before you reach Flannery, at typical leveling pace.

View Graveler locations

Recommended Moves

  • STARTING (Lv 25)
    • LV 25NormalSelf-DestructPower 200Accuracy 100%PP 5
  • After Brawly
  • After Norman
    • LV 45GroundEarthquakePower 150Accuracy 100%PP 10
    • LV 53NormalExplosionPower 250Accuracy 100%PP 5
    • LV 62NormalDouble-EdgePower 120Accuracy 100%PP 15
  • Post-Game

Evolve Graveler to Golem

Trade
Type
RockGround
Tier
A

Graveler evolves into Golem when traded. Most players are ready to trade before reaching Tate & Liza.

Recommended Moves

  • STARTING (Lv 33)
    • LV 33NormalSelf-DestructPower 200Accuracy 100%PP 5
  • After Norman
    • LV 45GroundEarthquakePower 150Accuracy 100%PP 10
    • LV 53NormalExplosionPower 250Accuracy 100%PP 5
    • LV 62NormalDouble-EdgePower 120Accuracy 100%PP 15
  • Post-Game

How to Get Golem in Emerald

Golem will not turn up wild in Emerald. Raise a Geodude to Graveler at 25, then link-trade it to seal the rock line. Only a player trade completes that last step.

Wild Golem may be holding when caught:

Everstone (5% chance) A wondrous hold item that prevents evolution.

Catch Geodude or Graveler at any of these 6 spots to eventually evolve into Golem.

Encountered via tall grass encounters

  1. 1
    Catch Geodude
  2. 2
    Evolve Gravelerat Lv.25
  3. 3
    Evolve Golemby trading
Badge 2
Badge 3
Rock Smash
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8

How to Obtain Golem in E

The path to Golem starts with Geodude at Lv. 5-40 via rock smash and walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Golem
    Step 3Golem ✓
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Geodude egg.

How to Get Shiny Golem in Emerald

Golem never turns up wild in Hoenn, so shine up a Graveler along Victory Road and trade it to a partner to evolve; the shimmer survives the cable intact and rides straight into Golem on the other side. Compare Shiny Golem odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Golem in EmeraldNormal
Shiny Golem in Emerald Shiny
Color ShiftBrown
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Golem Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Emerald Shiny Golem Calculator

2 Methods
Shiny Odds

Both methods here share the same odds, about 1 in 8,192 on each try. Pick whichever fits how you play.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Emerald

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Breeding: Hatch eggs of this line; each egg rolls at the base shiny rate (no Masuda before Gen IV).

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 8,192Full Odds
Chance By Now50.0%at 5,678 encountersAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few864----
25%one in four2,357----
50%coin flip5,678----
90%very likely18,862----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

For time estimates and charm math, open the Emerald shiny odds calculator with Golem already selected.

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.

Golem Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Water, Grass
2x (Weak)Ice, Fighting, Ground, Steel
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Fire, Flying, Rock
0.25x (Resist)Poison
0x (Immune)Electric
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Golem Weak Against

Fragile
6Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score-7

What is Golem Strong Against

8Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+8
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Golem

Kyogre
Kyogre
Water
S
Groudon
Groudon
Ground
S
Breloom
Breloom
GrassFighting
B
Hariyama
Hariyama
Fighting
B
Heracross
Heracross
BugFighting
A

Golem Evolutions

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

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Geodude
RockGround
Graveler
RockGround
Golem
RockGround
HP
40
55+15
80+25
ATK
80
95+15
120+25
DEF
100
115+15
130+15
SP.ATK
30
45+15
55+10
SP.DEF
30
45+15
65+20
SPE
20
35+15
45+10
BST
300E-Tier
390E-Tier+90
495A-Tier+105
ROLE
Trick Room
Trick Room
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Physical
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Golem to get Geodude eggs easily using 23 partners from the Mineral egg group. Notable egg moves include Block, Mega Punch, Rock Slide.

Egg Groups
Mineral
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
15 cycles·3,855 steps
Quick~4 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
3moves
Breed With (best first)
glaliesnoruntporygon2claydolelectrodemagnetonsudowoodogravelerporygonnosepassmagnemitevoltorb

E Golem Best Moveset

Golem closes games through sheer physical force, turning MoveEarthquake and MoveExplosion into win conditions. AbilityRock Head removes MoveDouble-Edge recoil, adding free Normal damage to the moveset. Rock/Ground walling stops physical attackers cold at 130 Defense, but 4x weaknesses to Water and Grass demand careful team positioning.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Wallbreaker
Ability
Rock Head
Item
Choice BandPOWER
Best Nature for Golem

Golem best EVs are HP and Attack

EVs

Physical Wallbreaker Moveset

  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • Rock SlideSTAB
  • ExplosionCoverage
  • Double Edge

Moves List

Egg moves make a real difference. Golem gets Block and Mega Punch exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Normal and Fighting coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Earthquake and Dig.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Defense Curl
D——40Normal
Lv 1
Mud Sport
———15Ground
Lv 1
Rock Throw
—759015Rock
Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 6
Mud Sport
———15Ground
Lv 11
Rock Throw
—759015Rock
Lv 16
Magnitude
——10030Ground
Lv 21
Self-Destruct
B2001005Normal
Lv 29
Rollout
—459020Rock
Lv 37
Rock Blast
D379010Rock
Lv 45
Earthquake
B15010010Ground
Lv 53
Explosion
B2501005Normal
Lv 62
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal

TM Moves

All 23 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM31
Brick BreakSootopolis Citynot until badge 7
A7510015Fighting
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
B9010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM26
EarthquakeSeafloor Cavernnot until badge 7
B15010010Ground
TM42C7010020Normal
TM38
Fire BlastLilycove Department Storebadge 5
D120855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510015Fire
TM01
Focus Punch-3Route 115badge 5
B15010020Fighting
TM21
FrustrationPacifidlog Townbadge 5
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamLilycove Department Storebadge 5
C150905Normal
TM17C——10Normal
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6Route 114badge 3
C——20Normal
HM06D2010015Fighting
TM39C909510Rock
TM37
SandstormRoute 111badge 4
D——10Rock
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
HM04—8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Block
———5Normal
Egg
Mega Punch
—808520Normal
Egg
Rock Slide
B1129010Rock

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Tutor
Counter-5
D—10020Fighting
Tutor
Defense Curl
D——40Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Tutor
Dynamic Punch
D100505Fighting
Tutor
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Tutor
Explosion
B2501005Normal
Tutor
Fire Punch
C7510015Fire
Tutor
Fury Cutter
—109520Bug
Tutor
Mega Kick
C120755Normal
Tutor
Mega Punch
—808520Normal
Tutor
Metronome
D——10Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D——10Normal
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D3010010Ground
Tutor
Rock Slide
B1129010Rock
Tutor
Rollout
—459020Rock
Tutor
Seismic Toss
D—10020Fighting
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D——10Normal
Tutor
Snore
—4010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C——10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D—9015Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP80
C
Attack110
B
Defense130
A
Sp. Atk55
D
Sp. Def65
C
Speed45
D
Total485
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.4 m
Weight300.0 kg
Base XP223
Abilities
Rock Head
Protects against recoil damage.
Sturdy
Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+3SpASpDSpe
Strong Defense training target
Pokedex Entry

It is said to live in volcanic craters on mountain peaks. Once a year, it sheds its hide and grows larger. The shed hide crumbles and returns to the soil.

Pokemon Emerald

Golem Emerald Guide

  • Golem is obtained by trade-evolving Graveler. Catch or evolve a Graveler first, then trade. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Graveler to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required.

  • In Emerald, Golem plays as a tank. Not the fastest, so pick your spots carefully. Earthquake is the primary attack.

  • In Emerald, Golem pairs best with Gengar, Claydol, and Jolteon. Gengar has Decent synergy and covers what Golem can't handle on its own.

  • Yes. Alolan Golem is a regional variant with different typing and a reworked stat spread. Introduced in Gen 7. Plays completely differently from the original.

  • In Emerald, Adamant is the go-to nature for Golem. That's +Attack / -Sp. Atk. Pair it with 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD EVs. Fits the tank role.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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