Is Golem Good in HeartGold & SoulSilver Playthrough?
Trade evolution from Graveler. Rock/Ground with AbilityRock Head removing recoil. Strong Attack and good Defense make Golem reliable against Jasmine, Pryce, and most of the Kanto Rock and Electric gyms. The trade requirement limits access for solo players.
Geodude has the type edge here and should clean up Falkner's team.
Geodude has the type edge here and should clean up Bugsy's team.
Geodude trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.
Graveler trades roughly evenly with Morty's team.
Chuck's team hits Graveler's weaknesses hard.
Graveler has the type edge here and should clean up Jasmine's team.
Graveler trades roughly evenly with Pryce's team.
Golem trades roughly evenly with Clair's team.
Golem has the type edge here and should clean up Brock's team.
Golem trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.
Golem resists most of Lt. Surge's coverage and hits back hard.
Golem trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.
Golem has the type edge here and should clean up Janine's team.
Golem trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.
Golem resists most of Blaine's coverage and hits back hard.
Golem trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.
Golem has the type edge here and should clean up Will's team.
Golem resists most of Koga's coverage and hits back hard.
Golem trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.
Golem has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.
Golem has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.
Catch Geodude
Catch Geodude in the Ruins of Alph (Rock Smash, Lv 3-14, common).
Recommended Moves
- After Bugsy
- TM28GroundDigPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 10National Park
- TM38FireFire BlastPower 120Accuracy 85%PP 5Goldenrod Department Store
- LV 18NormalSelf-DestructPower 200Accuracy 100%PP 5
- LV 29GroundEarthquakePower 150Accuracy 100%PP 10
- After Chuck
- TM01FightingFocus PunchPower 150Accuracy 100%PP 20Prize for defeating Chuck
- LV 32NormalExplosionPower 250Accuracy 100%PP 5
- LV 36NormalDouble-EdgePower 120Accuracy 100%PP 15
- LV 39RockStone EdgePower 150Accuracy 80%PP 5
Evolve Geodude to Graveler
Geodude evolves into Graveler at Level 25. Your Geodude should hit Level 25 before you reach Morty, at typical leveling pace.
Recommended Moves
- STARTING (Lv 25)
- LV 25NormalSelf-DestructPower 200Accuracy 100%PP 5
- After Bugsy
- TM28GroundDigPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 10National Park
- TM38FireFire BlastPower 120Accuracy 85%PP 5Goldenrod Department Store
- After Chuck
- TM01FightingFocus PunchPower 150Accuracy 100%PP 20Prize for defeating Chuck
- LV 33GroundEarthquakePower 150Accuracy 100%PP 10
- LV 38NormalExplosionPower 250Accuracy 100%PP 5
- LV 44NormalDouble-EdgePower 120Accuracy 100%PP 15
- LV 49RockStone EdgePower 150Accuracy 80%PP 5
Evolve Graveler to Golem
Graveler evolves into Golem when traded. Most players are ready to trade before reaching Clair.
Recommended Moves
- STARTING (Lv 34)
- LV 34GroundEarthquakePower 150Accuracy 100%PP 10
- LV 34NormalSelf-DestructPower 200Accuracy 100%PP 5
- After Bugsy
- TM28GroundDigPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 10National Park
- TM15NormalHyper BeamPower 150Accuracy 90%PP 5Goldenrod Department Store
- After Chuck
- TM01FightingFocus PunchPower 150Accuracy 100%PP 20Prize for defeating Chuck
- LV 38NormalExplosionPower 250Accuracy 100%PP 5
- LV 44NormalDouble-EdgePower 120Accuracy 100%PP 15
- LV 49RockStone EdgePower 150Accuracy 80%PP 5
How to Get Golem in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Golem has no wild encounters. Graveler evolves into it only through a trade, so the boulder needs a partner to finish. Like the other Gen-1 trade-evolutions, there is no way to complete this one on your own.
Wild Golem may be holding when caught:
Everstone (5% chance) An item to be held by a Pokemon. The Pokemon holding this peculiar stone is prevented from evolving.Catch Geodude or Graveler at any of these 14 spots to eventually evolve into Golem.
Encountered via tall grass encounters
Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8How to Obtain Golem in HGSS
The path to Golem starts with Geodude at Lv. 2-32 via walking, rock smash, and more encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
- Step 1Catch GeodudeRuins of Alph - OutsideLv.3-14Smashing rocksRate 100%Rock Tunnel - B1FLv.12-21Smashing rocksRate 100%Dark Cave - WestLv.2-4CaveRate 60%Mt. Mortar - 1F BackLv.13-15CaveRate 50%Route 46Lv.2-3GrassRate 45%NightRoute 46Lv.2-3GrassRate 40%Morning/daySafari Zone - PeakLv.15-17FloorRate 40%Mt. Moon - 1FLv.8-10CaveSoulSilverRate 35%Mt. Moon - 2FLv.8-10CaveSoulSilverRate 35%Union Cave - 1FLv.6CaveRate 30%Union Cave - B1FLv.8CaveRate 30%Mt. Moon - 1FLv.8CaveHeartGoldRate 30%Mt. Moon - 2FLv.8CaveHeartGoldRate 30%Rock Tunnel - 1FLv.10CaveRate 30%Rock Tunnel - B1FLv.12CaveRate 30%Dark Cave - WestLv.8-14Smashing rocksRate 10%Mt. Mortar - 1F EntranceLv.14CaveRate 5%Cerulean Cave - 1FLv.22-24Smashing rocksRate 90%Cerulean Cave - B1FLv.22-24Smashing rocksRate 90%Victory Road - 3FLv.24-32Smashing rocksRate 90%Dark Cave - EastLv.23CaveRate 30%Route 45Lv.23GrassRate 30%Cliff Cave - 1FLv.19CaveRate 20%Union Cave - B2FLv.21CaveRate 10%Mt. Mortar - B1FLv.16CaveRate 5%Team Rocket HQ - B1FLv.21Interact with PokemonLimitedMt. Mortar - 2FLv.31CaveRate 20%
- Step 2Catch or Evolve GravelerRoute 45Lv.23-25GrassSoulSilverRate 55%Route 45Lv.23-27GrassHeartGoldRate 40%Safari Zone - PeakLv.16-17FloorRate 20%Morning/dayDark Cave - EastLv.25CaveRate 20%Cerulean Cave - 1FLv.26-30Smashing rocksRate 10%Cerulean Cave - B1FLv.26-30Smashing rocksRate 10%Victory Road - 3FLv.30-33Smashing rocksRate 10%Cliff Cave - 1FLv.20CaveRate 4%Morning/dayMt. Mortar - 2FLv.31CaveRate 30%Victory Road - 1FLv.32CaveRate 30%Victory Road - 2FLv.32CaveRate 30%Victory Road - 3FLv.32CaveRate 30%Mt. Silver - 1FLv.41-43CaveRate 20%or evolve from Geodude (Step 1)
- Step 3Golem ✓
How to Get Shiny Golem in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Golem evolves by trade, so breed a Geodude Masuda-style and trade it to finish the line. Compare Shiny Golem odds across every game
HeartGold & SoulSilver Shiny Golem Calculator
3 MethodsThe best route is Masuda Method, about 1 in 1,639 on each try.
Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.
Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.
Soft Reset: Save in front of a static, gift, or legendary encounter, then reset until it sparkles.
How many you have done, or plan to do.
| Chance | Encounters | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 10%lucky few | 173-- | -- |
| 25%one in four | 472-- | -- |
| 50%coin flip | 1,136-- | -- |
| 90%very likely | 3,773-- | -- |
Time assumes -- at your pace and does not change your shiny odds.
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.
For time estimates and charm math, open the HeartGold & SoulSilver 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.
| 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)
What is Golem Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Golem
 Tangrowth Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golem View Tangrowth builds →Solar Beam 4x268-315%KO Earthquake 2x39-46% Focus Blast 2x89-105%KO | ||
 Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
 Sceptile Grass | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Treecko (Silph Co Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golem View Sceptile builds →Leaf Storm 4x301-355%KO Focus Punch 2x51-60% Earthquake 2x34-40% Iron Tail 2x34-40% | ||
 Cacturne GrassDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golem View Cacturne builds →Solar Beam 4x280-330%KO Focus Punch 2x65-77% | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Bulbasaur (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golem View Venusaur builds →Solar Beam 4x249-293%KO Earthquake 2x33-39% Rock Smash 2x14-17% | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golem View Breloom builds →Seed Bomb 4x120-141%KO Focus Punch 2x110-130%KO Iron Tail 2x49-58% | ||
 Victreebel GrassPoison | C | |
 Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golem View Vileplume builds →Solar Beam 4x268-315%KO Drain Punch 2x20-23% | ||
 Suicune Water | A | |
Obtain MethodBurned Tower Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golem View Suicune builds →Surf 4x182-214%KO Ice Beam 2x61-71% Dig 2x25-30% Iron Tail 2x31-37% | ||
 Kingler Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golem View Kingler builds →Crabhammer 4x148-175%KO Dig 2x40-47% Brick Break 2x37-44% Metal Claw 2x25-30% | ||
 Shiftry GrassDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golem View Shiftry builds →Leaf Storm 4x266-313%KO Dig 2x32-38% Focus Blast 2x76-89% | ||
 Meganium Grass | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chikorita (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golem View Meganium builds →Solar Beam 4x213-251%KO Earthquake 2x33-39% Iron Tail 2x33-39% Rock Smash 2x14-17% | ||
 Ludicolo WaterGrass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golem View Ludicolo builds →Solar Beam 4x227-268%KO Surf 4x182-214%KO Focus Punch 2x44-52% Ice Beam 2x61-71% | ||
 Slowbro WaterPsychic | C | |
Obtain MethodSlowpoke Well Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golem View Slowbro builds →Surf 4x196-231%KO Focus Punch 2x46-54% Ice Beam 2x65-77% Earthquake 2x31-37% | ||
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
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.
HGSS Golem Best Moveset
Trade evolution produces a physical tank: 120 Attack and 130 Defense behind Rock/Ground typing. AbilityRock Head removes recoil from MoveDouble-Edge, and the moveset hits physically with MoveEarthquake and Rock attacks. 4x Water and Grass weaknesses are the constant threat.
Best Build
Golem best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Explosion
- Sucker Punch
- Rock Polish
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
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.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
All 24 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
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 HeartGold & SoulSilver Guide
Golem is obtained by trade-evolving Graveler. Catch or evolve a Graveler first, then trade.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Golem plays as a tank. Not the fastest, so pick your spots carefully. Earthquake is the primary attack.
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 HeartGold & SoulSilver, Adamant is the go-to nature for Golem. That's +Attack / -Sp. Atk. Pair it with 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe 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.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7Let's Go
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves
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