Kartana build: Grass and Steel melee with a small HP reserve

Moves, damage categories and recipes

These pieces form the target group. Evolutions and fusions are earned during the run, rather than assumed at the opening.

Each evolving attack needs level 5, its required run card and its own gold evolution choice. When two recipes share a card, one obtained card can meet both prerequisites; it does not automatically evolve both attacks.

From the opening to the completed group

1. Start with the real opening: Vine Whip

   Keep Vine Whip active and improve its ability to clear enemies before searching for every support piece.

   This route assumes you already own Kartana. Check its Alola collection before planning the run.

2. Develop the attacks and their recipes

   Vine Whip → Power Whip (Power); Metal Claw → Iron Head (Power).

   Prioritize the attack handling your current pressure. Permanent upgrades and held items do not replace the evolution card obtained in that run.

3. Form the group with 2 earned Bonds

   Vine Whip + Metal Claw + Harden.

   Join Vine Whip and Metal Claw with the first Bond. Add each remaining move with another Bond. Keep that group selected: separate slots do not attack simultaneously.

Positioning and combat decisions

Use pack edges and take a health-restoring choice when repeated contact makes the next engagement unsafe. The high physical attack multiplier helps damage, but the 97 base HP leaves limited room for mistakes.

One held item: compare the benefit

Leftovers restores health; Assault Vest favors damage reduction instead. Life Orb’s health cost is a real tradeoff on this low-HP opening, so it is not the default recommendation.

Items are found in chests and from defeated bosses. You can hold only one; finding an alternative means choosing between them, and the recommended drop is not guaranteed.

Base stats and permanent upgrades

97

Base HP

×1.70

Physical Attack

×1.02

Special Attack

124

Base movement speed

These are game base values before account upgrades and run cards. They are not a DPS measurement and do not include target defenses, type matchups or actual landed hits.

• Permanent upgrades belong to each Pokémon; investing in another partner does not strengthen this one.
• Strength and Vitality help damage and health; Reflexes and Stride support frequency and movement. Prioritize the problem limiting your next attempt.
• Ban and Card reroll can shape offers, but do not guarantee a particular card sequence.

Kartana build questions