Key Takeaway
You need to use a Linking Cord on Graveler to evolve it into Golem.
While you can trade Pokémon with others in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, there are no evolutions that happen through doing so. As such, Pokémon like Graveler (who normally evolve via trading) need to be evolved with a different method.
Table Of Contents
What You Need to Evolve Graveler
You need a Linking Cord to evolve Graveler into Golem. To compelte the evolution, you’ll need to have both a Linking Cord in your inventory and a Graveler in your party. When you do, select the Linking Cord and then use it on your Graveler.
How to Get a Linking Cord
The quickest and easiest way to get a Linking Cord is to buy one from Simona in Jubilife Village (near the Training Grounds). This merchant will sell Linking Cords for 1,000 Merit Points each. To get Merit Points, you’ll need to explore, find, and return lost satchels to their original owners. Each lost satchel you return this way will give you between 50 to 100 Merit Points.
Alternatively, you can potentially buy Linking Cords from Ginter, who hangs out near the entrance to Galaxy Hall. While his inventory is randomized, it’s possible for him to possess a Linking Cord under the name “Mysterious Cord.” He’ll sell such goods for $8,000 each. To refresh Ginter’s inventory, head out and catch 20 Pokémon of any kind before returning to Jubilife Village.
Reasons to Use Golem on Your Team
If you need a Rock and Ground-type Pokémon on your team, Golem is a decent choice. Although not the only pocket monster with this type combination in-game, Golem has some coverage moves that help it stand out. Its solid stats also make Golem a decent choice in battle.
About Golem’s Typing
Firstly, you should take note of Golem’s potential type matchups. For the most part, it can wall a fair number of foes—particularly Electric-type Pokémon. However, Golem has a crippling quadruple weakness to both Water and Grass-type attacks. As such, keep it away from Water and Grass-type enemies in most cases.
A Breakdown of Golem’s Stats
Golem’s best stat is its Defense, although its Attack stat is not far behind. Its HP stat, however, is the most notable. These three allow Golem to be an excellent physically-oriented Pokémon.
With that said, Golem has poor Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed stats. This results in the otherwise stalwart pocket monster being pretty vulnerable to special attacks—even ones that aren’t super effective against it. Furthermore, the low Speed stat means that Golem is unlikely to ever out-speed an opponent.
The Best Moves for Golem in Pokémon Legends: Arceus
For the most part, you’ll want to focus on teaching Golem physical damage-dealing moves. The only exception to this is Iron Defense, as it offers a number of benefits to Golem’s moveset.
In this game, Iron Defense raises both the user’s Defense and Special Defense stats for a few turns. The buff to Special Defense will help Golem deal with incoming special attacks. Furthermore, using Iron Defense will increase the user’s action order, which will help Golem move more often in battle and offset its low Speed stat.
Besides Iron Defense (learned at level 15), here are the best moves that Golem can learn through leveling up:
- Rock Slide, learned at level 21 [Rock-type] (75 base power)
- Bulldoze, learned at level 26 [Ground-type] (60 base power)
- Double-Edge, learned at level 37 [Normal-type] (100 base power)
- Self-Destruct, learned at level 47 [Normal-type] (150 base power)
- Stone Edge, learned at level 57 [Rock-type] (100 base power)
As for moves learned via the move tutor, here are the best physical damage-dealing ones for Golem:
- Fire Punch [Fire-type] (75 base power)
- Thunder Punch [Electric-type] (75 base power)
- Iron Head [Steel-type] (80 base power)
- Giga Impact [Normal-type] (120 base power)
Tips for Putting Together the Best Moveset for Golem
Overall, it’s advised to teach Golem Iron Defense and three damage-dealing physical moves (one of which should definitely be Stone Edge).
While Golem can learn decent special damage-dealing moves from the move tutor (like Flamethrower and Earth Power), Golem simply does not have a high enough Special Attack stat to use them effectively.
Furthermore, Bulldoze, while being Golem’s only damage-dealing physical Ground-type move, may not always be worth putting into a move slot due to its relatively low base power. Although, since it decreases the opponent’s action order, it can be beneficial.
Potentially, you’d be better off teaching Golem Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, or Iron Head instead. This is due to those moves being better against opponents who would usually give Golem some trouble, such as Grass-type and Water-type Pokémon.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that although the Normal-type physical moves Golem can learn aren’t the most strategically advantageous, they do hit hard. This can let Golem potentially one-shot foes. Although, the only appropriate time to use them is against foes who resist Rock-type moves— otherwise, Stone Edge would be the better choice.
