Summary
The new Golem fromPokemon Pocket’s Mythical Island set has proven to be a powerful card, especially when paired with top Fighting-types like Marshadow and Hitmonlee. The addition of Druddigon to Golem’s lineup completed the puzzle, creating a dominant deck that ruled mostPokemon TCG Pockettournaments for a while. While Golem’s popularity is slowly waning in the META, many players are seeking the best counters. Currently, most Golem decks are incredibly strong and tanky against top-tier lineups. But here’s a list ofthe most effective counter duos for Golembased on recent metagame trends.
6Mankey + Primeape
This Duo Kills Golem’s Kingmaker
Mankey and Primeape may not be a direct counter to Golem, but they can effectively target a key card in Golem decks: Druddigon. One of the reasons Golem rose in the META was the protection Druddigon provided, allowing it to build up slowly without being interrupted.The Mankey-Primeape duocan disrupt this protection early, leaving Golem vulnerable.
Here’s how the duo works: Mankey attacks Druddigon, absorbing the 20 damage it returns. The next turn, Mankey evolves into Primeape, which is now in revenge mode and deals 100 damage to Druddigon. For those unfamiliar, Primeape deals an additional 60 damage when it’s hurt, and since Druddigon always retaliates, this buff is guaranteed to trigger.
The Mankey + Primeape combo mentioned here refers tothe Genetic Apex variants of the cards. The new Primeape from the Mythical Island mini-set does not have the revenge buff.
5Venusaur ex + Exeggutor ex
An Underrated Pair for Exploiting Golem’s Weakness
Golem is weak to Grass-type, which is well-known. However,Pokemon Pocket’s current METAlacks a strong Grass lineup to counter Golem—except for the Venusaur ex and Exeggutor ex duo. With this combo, players can tank damage and deal solid damage in return.
Venusaur ex, in particular, can withstand two Golem attacks while hitting back for 180 damage. Here’s the math: Venusaur ex’s HP is 190, and it heals 30 damage, effectively reducing Golem’s ATK to 90 instead of 120. Venusaur ex’s base damage is 100, which should drop to 70 because of Golem’s protection. But since Golem is weak to Grass-type, it’s counted as 90 per attack—180 total. In two turns, Venusaur ex can endure and defeat Golem.
4Zebstrika + Raichu
A META Combo for AoE and Sniping
Golem is a slow-build Pokemon, meaning its basic and Stage One forms, Geodude and Graveler, will sit on the Bench for a while. This weakness presents a perfect disruption opportunity: players can drop Zebstrika early to snipe Golem’s Evolution line before it’s ready. Zebstrika’s primary move allows it to target any of the enemy’s Pokemon and deal 30 damage. This lets it chip away at Golem’s HP by damaging Geodude and Graveler, a lifesaver in late-game rounds.
Once Zebstrika’s done with Golem’s Bench, Raichu enters the scene. The new Raichu from the Mythical Island set deals 60 damage to the enemy’s active Pokemon and 20 damage to each of their Benched Pokemon. Combined with Zebstrika’s sniping ability, Raichu can effectively neutralize Golem lineups before they can leave the Bench.
3Greninja + Gyarados ex
Chipping Away the Beast’s HP
Gyarados ex is already one of the top META cards inPokemon Pocket, and it performs equally well against all Fighting-type decks, including Golem setups. Judging by Gyarados ex’s total damage output of 140 per shot, one might think that Golem holds the advantage, especially since Golem reduces incoming damage by 30, lowering Gyarados ex’s output to 110. But that’s not what happens in their matchups.
Gyarados ex is empowered by Greninja, a stealthy Pokemon that starts chipping away at Geodude and Graveler’s HP before they even evolve into Golem. As a result, the Golem that eventually enters the Active Spot typically has less than 160 HP, often within the range of Gyarados ex’s debuffed damage. By the time Golem leaves the Bench,the Greninja and Gyarados ex duowill be ready to take it out in one shot.
2Mew ex + Mewtwo ex
The Anti-Golem Mirroring Combo
Pokemon Pocket’s metagame is largely dominated by Mewtwo ex, and Mew ex has been boosting its power with tech support. Currently,the Mewtwo ex and Mew ex combois one of the most consistent ways to take down Golem decks. Players can either use Giovanni on Mewtwo ex to deal 130 damage, knocking out Golem in two turns, or copy Golem’s Guard Press with Mew ex, which deals a massive 90 damage. (The latter strategy, using Mew ex against Golem, is a bit tricky since it requires retreating Mew ex with Budding Expeditioner. Without this, Golem might gain the upper hand and destroy Mew ex first.)
1Hitmonlee + Aerodactyl ex
A Bench-Sniping Combo to Disrupt Golem’s Evolution
Golem’s best counter that’s been gaining popularity is Hitmonlee. This newly appreciated Pokemon has all the features an S-tier tech card needs: 1) It’s a Basic Pokemon, making it easy to draw; 2) It attacks with one Energy, making it easy to set up; and 3) Its retreat cost is only one, allowing for easy swaps. What makes Hitmonlee especially effective against Golem is its Bench-inflicted damage.
Hitmonlee can deal 30 damage to one of the opponent’s Benched Pokemon, which, in the case of Golem, will be either Geodude or Graveler. When paired with Aerodactyl ex, Hitmonlee becomes even more disruptive, forcing the enemy to evolve on the Bench. Additionally, Hitmonlee is often teamed up with Marshadow,the new Fighting-type star, which can strengthen the counter lineup and potentially one-shot the enemy’s pre-Golem plays.
