Devastating Explosion but requiring a trade to evolve, Golem sits at C-Tier in Red & Blue with 4x Water and Grass weaknesses keeping it risky.
475HP80Attack110Defense130Speed45Sp.Def55Sp.Atk55
Geodude
Graveler
Golem
Weak to
Physical
Tank
45Speed · Slow

Is Golem Good in Red & Blue Playthrough?

If you can trade Graveler, Golem is a wrecking ball physically. Handles Blaine, most of Agatha's team, and anything weak to Ground. The massive weakness to Water and Grass is the trade-off, and both show up constantly at the E4. A powerhouse in the right matchups, a liability in the wrong ones.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTTSTSGSGEEGGGBrockGym 1GeodudeCatchableMistyGym 2SurgeGym 3GravelerEvolveErikaGym 4GolemEvolveKogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4BlueChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Tough

Brock's typing presses Geodude's defenses.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Avoid
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleScreechBide
Misty
Gym 2
Tough

Misty's team hits Geodude's weaknesses hard.

Even
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleWater Gun
Risky
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
TackleWater GunBubble Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Strong

Geodude resists most of Lt. Surge's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
TackleScreechSonic Boom
Easy KO
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Thunder ShockGrowlThunder WaveQuick Attack
You Win
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Thunder ShockGrowlThunderbolt
Erika
Gym 4
Tough

Erika's team hits Graveler's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Razor LeafWrapPoison PowderSleep Powder
Even
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
ConstrictBind
Risky
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Petal DancePoison PowderMega DrainSleep Powder
Koga
Gym 5
Strong

Golem resists most of Koga's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
TackleSmogSludgeSmokescreen
Easy KO
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
DisablePoison GasMinimizeSludge
Easy KO
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
TackleSmogSludgeSmokescreen
You Win
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludgeToxicSelf Destruct
Sabrina
Gym 6
Good

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

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
DisablePsybeamRecoverPsychic
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 37
Psychic
Soundproof
ConfusionBarrierLight ScreenDouble Slap
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
Poison PowderLeech LifeStun SporePsybeam
Even
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsywaveReflect
Blaine
Gym 7
Strong

Golem resists most of Blaine's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
EmberLeerTake DownAgility
Easy KO
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
Tail WhipStompGrowlFire Spin
Easy KO
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
Tail WhipStompGrowlFire Spin
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
RoarEmberFire BlastTake Down
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

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

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
StompTail WhipFury AttackHorn Drill
Even
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
GrowlDigSand AttackSlash
You Win
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ScratchTail WhipBody SlamPoison Sting
You Win
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
TackleHorn AttackPoison StingThrash
You Win
Rhydon
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
StompTail WhipFissureHorn Drill
Lorelei
Elite Four
Even

Golem trades roughly evenly with Lorelei's team.

You Win
Dewgong
Lv 54
WaterIce
Thick Fat
GrowlAurora BeamRestTake Down
Even
Cloyster
Lv 53
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SupersonicClampAurora BeamSpike Cannon
Even
Slowbro
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
GrowlWater GunWithdrawAmnesia
You Win
Jynx
Lv 56
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapIce PunchBody SlamThrash
You Win
Lapras
Lv 56
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Body SlamConfuse RayBlizzardHydro Pump
Bruno
Elite Four
Even

Golem trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.

You Win
Onix
Lv 53
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowRageSlamHarden
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 55
Fighting
Keen Eye
Ice PunchThunder PunchMega PunchCounter
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 55
Fighting
Limber
Jump KickFocus EnergyHigh Jump KickMega Kick
You Win
Onix
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowRageSlamHarden
Even
Machamp
Lv 58
Fighting
Guts
LeerFocus EnergyFissureSubmission
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Gengar
Lv 56
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayNight ShadeHypnosisDream Eater
You Win
Golbat
Lv 56
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
SupersonicConfuse RayWing AttackHaze
You Win
Haunter
Lv 55
GhostPoison
Levitate
Confuse RayNight ShadeHypnosisDream Eater
You Win
Arbok
Lv 58
Poison
Intimidate
BiteGlareScreechAcid
You Win
Gengar
Lv 60
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayNight ShadeToxicDream Eater
Lance
Elite Four
Good

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

Even
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
AgilitySlamDragon RageHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
AgilitySlamDragon RageHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 60
RockFlying
Rock Head
SupersonicBiteTake DownHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 62
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
AgilitySlamBarrierHyper Beam
Blue
Champion
Good

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

You Win
Pidgeot
Lv 61
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
WhirlwindWing AttackSky AttackMirror Move
Even
Alakazam
Lv 59
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsychicReflect
You Win
Rhydon
Lv 61
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Tail WhipFury AttackHorn DrillLeer
Easy KO
Arcanine
Lv 61
Fire
Intimidate
RoarEmberLeerTake Down
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 63
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
BarrageHypnosisStomp
Risky
Blastoise
Lv 65
Water
Torrent
BiteWithdrawBlizzardHydro Pump

Catch Geodude

Available after Badge 1
Type
RockGround
Tier
E

Catch Geodude in Mt. Moon (walking, Lv 7-9, common).

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 Erika, at typical leveling pace.

View Graveler locations

Recommended Moves

Evolve Graveler to Golem

Trade
Type
RockGround
Tier
C

Graveler evolves into Golem when traded. Most players are ready to trade before reaching Koga.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Golem in Red & Blue

Golem is a trade evolution, full stop. A Graveler turns into one the moment it is traded to another player, so without a trade partner you cannot complete this line solo.

Catch Geodude or Graveler at any of these 3 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 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8

How to Obtain Golem in RB

To get Golem, start by catching Geodude through walking encounters at Lv. 7-26. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Golem
    Step 3Golem ✓

Golem Weakness

Golem is weak to Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, and Ground. 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
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Fire, Flying, Rock
0.25x (Resist)Poison
0x (Immune)Electric
Gen I Type Chart
  • Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
  • Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
  • Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split

What is Golem Weak Against

Fragile
5Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score-5
4xCritical
¼xResist
0xImmune

What is Golem Strong Against

7Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+7
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Golem

Tangela
Tangela
Grass
C
Venusaur
Venusaur
GrassPoison
C
Exeggutor
Exeggutor
GrassPsychic
S
B
Slowbro
Slowbro
WaterPsychic
B

Golem Evolutions

Golem is the evolved form of Geodude, reached by trading. A Rock/Ground type at 475 stats that still can't breed. HP grew the most through evolution (+40 over Geodude), and Golem peaks at 475 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
495C-Tier+105
ROLE
Trick Room
Trick Room
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Physical
Physical
Physical
Breeding not available · Introduced in Gen 2

RB Golem Best Moveset

110 Attack fires strong MoveEarthquake and Rock TermStab, but 4x Water and Grass weaknesses mean half the top tier ends the run immediately. MoveExplosion is the safety valve when things go wrong. Hits hard physically and detonates when cornered.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Golem
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • ExplosionCoverage
  • Rock SlideSTAB
  • Body Slam

Moves List

TMs carry this one. Golem learns Earthquake and Dig naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Fighting and beyond give it real matchup play.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Defense Curl
D——40Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 11
Defense Curl
D——40Normal
Lv 16
Rock Throw
—756515Rock
Lv 21
Self-Destruct
B2001005Normal
Lv 29
Harden
D——30Normal
Lv 36
Earthquake
B15010010Ground
Lv 43
Explosion
B2501005Normal

TM Moves

All 25 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM34D——10Normal
TM08
Body SlamS.S. Annebadge 2
B8510015Normal
TM18
Counter-5Celadon Department Storebadge 3
D—10020Fighting
TM32
Double TeamSafari Zonebadge 3
———15Normal
TM10
Double-EdgeRocket Hideoutbadge 3
B12010015Normal
TM26
EarthquakeSilph Co.badge 5
B15010010Ground
TM47
ExplosionVictory Road 3Fnot until badge 8
B2501005Normal
TM38D120855Fire
TM27——305Ground
TM15
Hyper BeamRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
C150905Normal
TM05
Mega KickCeladon Department Storebadge 3
C120755Normal
TM01
Mega PunchMt. Moonbadge 1
C808520Normal
TM35
MetronomePokémon Labbadge 6
D——10Normal
TM31
MimicSaffron Citybadge 5
D——10Normal
TM20
RageRoute 15badge 3
D2010020Normal
TM44
RestS.S. Annebadge 2
C——10Psychic
TM48B1129010Rock
TM19
Seismic TossRoute 25badge 1
D—10020Fighting
TM36
Self-DestructSilph Co.badge 5
B2001005Normal
HM04
StrengthFuchsia Citybadge 4
—8010015Normal
TM17
SubmissionCeladon Department Storebadge 3
C808025Fighting
TM50
SubstituteRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
A——10Normal
TM09
Take DownSilph Co.badge 3
C908520Normal
TM06C—9010Poison

Tutor Moves

Golem can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP80
C
Attack110
B
Defense130
A
Sp. Atk55
D
Sp. Def55
D
Speed45
D
Total475
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.4 m
Weight300.0 kg
Base XP223
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+3SpASpDSpe
Strong Defense training target
Pokedex Entry

Its boulder-like body is extremely hard. It can easily withstand dynamite blasts without damage.

Pokemon Red / Pokemon Blue

Golem Red & Blue Guide

  • Golem is obtained by trade-evolving Graveler. Catch or evolve a Graveler first, then trade.

  • In Red & Blue, 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.

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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