Golem is an 8-elixir tank with enormous hit points; when it dies it splits into two Golemites and deals death damage. Golem decks build a huge push behind it, so answer the Golem cheaply and spend your elixir on the support cards.

Quick answer: the most efficient counters to Golem are Inferno Tower, P.E.K.K.A, Inferno Dragon, Skeleton Army.

Best counters to Golem

These cards deal with it safely and for little elixir. Tap a card’s name to open its own guide.

• 
  Inferno Tower 5 elixir +3 elixir trade
  Inferno Tower melts the Golem with its ramping beam for 5 elixir and keeps it in the middle of your side.
• 
  P.E.K.K.A 7 elixir +1 elixir trade
  P.E.K.K.A breaks down the Golem and the Golemites and usually survives for a counterpush.
• 
  Inferno Dragon 4 elixir +4 elixir trade
  Inferno Dragon flies over the Golem and melts it, and the Golem can’t hit it back.
• 
  Skeleton Army 3 elixir +5 elixir trade
  Skeleton Army takes the Golem down because it only hits buildings; keep in mind its death damage kills the skeletons around it.

How to defend

• When the opponent plays Golem at the back, punish the other lane immediately: they’ve just spent 8 elixir.
• Don’t spell the Golem. Save Fireball, Poison or Lightning for the support behind it (Night Witch, Baby Dragon, Lumberjack).
• Defend near your tower and keep the Golem in the middle so both princess towers shoot it.
• Expect Zap or Lightning on your Inferno: keep a second tank killer or a swarm ready.

Common mistakes

• Spending all your elixir on the Golem itself and having nothing left for the support behind it.
• Placing Inferno Tower where the opponent’s spell can hit it together with your tower.
• Forgetting the Golemites: after the Golem dies, the two Golemites still walk to the tower.

After defending: the counterattack

Every Golem push leaves the opponent short on elixir. Attack the opposite lane while they build, and after you defend, take your surviving troops straight to the bridge.

Which spells kill it on their own?

At equal levels, whether a single spell takes this troop out without help from towers or other cards:

• Golem (HP 5120): no single spell kills it
• Golemite (HP 1039): Lightning, Rocket

* Poison and Earthquake only kill it if the troop stays in the area for the whole duration. Values assume equal levels; level differences change the outcome.

Best decks against Golem

Decks ElixirDeck’s deck builder makes against Golem: each one is scored on both deck balance and its matchup against this card (all cards at the same level, evolutions and heroes unlocked). Every deck uses a different win condition; if your cards differ, you can adapt any deck to your collection.

Classic decks with a good matchup against Golem

Each guide explains step by step how the deck is played.

• LumberLoon Freeze · Great matchup
• Rune Giant Lumberjack · Great matchup
• Mega Knight Miner · Great matchup
• Mighty Miner Wall Breakers · Great matchup

Which decks use Golem?

Guides to the classic decks that run this card; each one also explains what to play against that deck.

Build a counter deck from your own cards

Enter your player tag and ElixirDeck finds the best decks against Golem with your cards and levels.

Matchups are estimated from card roles and well-known counters; player skill and card levels change the result a lot.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best counter to Golem?

The most efficient counters to Golem are Inferno Tower, P.E.K.K.A, Inferno Dragon, Skeleton Army. Inferno Tower melts the Golem with its ramping beam for 5 elixir and keeps it in the middle of your side.

What deck is good against Golem?

Among the classic decks, LumberLoon Freeze, Rune Giant Lumberjack, Mega Knight Miner match up well against it. The best counter deck ElixirDeck builds is a Goblin Barrel deck: Goblin Barrel, Goblins, Hunter, The Log, Princess, Goblin Gang, Inferno Tower, Rocket.

How do you get a positive elixir trade against Golem?

Stop Golem (8 elixir) cleanly with Skeleton Army (3 elixir) and you are 5 elixir ahead, enough to attack the other lane.

Golem card guide: stats, decks and balance history →

How to counter other cards