Move Tutors & TM Management
Which TMs are reusable, which tutors are worth using, and how to avoid wasting limited resources.
TMs and move tutors are how you teach moves your Pokémon wouldn't learn otherwise. Some are reusable. Some aren't. Some tutors are one-time. Some cost resources.
Use this guide to avoid wasting limited resources on moves you don't need.
Reusable vs. One-Time TMs
In Polished Crystal, most TMs are reusable. You can teach them as many times as you want.
Reusable TMs (Can Be Used Infinitely)
These TMs work like HMs. Teach them to as many Pokémon as you want.
- TM02: Headbutt
- TM03: Curse
- TM05: Roar
- TM06: Toxic
- TM10: Hidden Power
- TM11: Sunny Day
- TM12: Sweet Scent
- TM13: Snore
- TM16: Icy Wind
- TM17: Protect
- TM18: Rain Dance
- TM20: Endure
- TM21: Frustration
- TM22: Solar Beam
- TM23: Iron Tail
- TM24: DragonBreath
- TM27: Return
- TM28: Dig
- TM31: Mud-Slap
- TM32: Double Team
- TM33: Ice Punch
- TM34: Swagger
- TM35: Sleep Talk
- TM36: Sludge Bomb
- TM37: Sandstorm
- TM38: Fire Blast
- TM39: Swift
- TM40: Defense Curl
- TM41: ThunderPunch
- TM42: Dream Eater
- TM43: Detect
- TM44: Rest
- TM45: Attract
- TM46: Thief
- TM47: Steel Wing
- TM48: Fire Punch
- TM49: Fury Cutter
- TM50: Nightmare
One-Time TMs (Use Carefully)
These TMs disappear after you use them. Don't waste them.
- TM01: DynamicPunch
- TM04: Rollout
- TM07: Zap Cannon
- TM08: Rock Smash (also an HM in some contexts)
- TM09: Psych Up
- TM14: Blizzard
- TM15: Hyper Beam
- TM19: Giga Drain
- TM25: Thunder
- TM26: Earthquake
- TM29: Psychic
- TM30: Shadow Ball
Critical One-Time TMs
These are the TMs you should be most careful with:
TM26 (Earthquake) The best Ground move in the game. Teach it to your primary Ground-type or a strong physical attacker. Don't waste it on a Pokémon you're not keeping.
TM29 (Psychic) The best Psychic move. Teach it to Espeon, Alakazam, or Starmie. Don't teach it to a Pokémon with low Special Attack.
TM30 (Shadow Ball) The best Ghost move. Teach it to Gengar, Misdreavus, or Shedinja. Don't waste it.
TM14 (Blizzard) and TM25 (Thunder) High-power but low-accuracy moves. Only worth using in specific weather (Hail for Blizzard, Rain for Thunder). Most players skip these.
TM15 (Hyper Beam) Gimmick move. High power, but you lose a turn after using it. Not worth the TM slot.
Move Tutors
Move tutors teach moves that TMs don't cover. Some cost resources. Some are one-time. Some are repeatable.
Elemental Punch Tutors (Repeatable)
Location: Goldenrod City, Move Tutor's House Cost: Free (one move per day)
Teaches:
- Fire Punch
- Ice Punch
- ThunderPunch
These are also TMs (TM48, TM33, TM41), but the tutor is free if you don't have the TMs yet.
Good on: Ampharos, Kangaskhan, Dragonite, Electivire.
Starter Move Tutors (One-Time per Pokémon)
Location: Various NPCs in Johto and Kanto Cost: Free
Teaches:
- Blast Burn (Fire-type Hyper Beam): Typhlosion, Charizard, Blaziken
- Hydro Cannon (Water-type Hyper Beam): Feraligatr, Blastoise, Swampert
- Frenzy Plant (Grass-type Hyper Beam): Meganium, Venusaur, Sceptile
These are strong but have the same drawback as Hyper Beam (you lose a turn). Only worth using in specific fights.
Draco Meteor Tutor (Repeatable)
Location: Blackthorn City, Dragon's Den Cost: Free (requires max friendship with a Dragon-type)
Teaches:
- Draco Meteor: The strongest Dragon move, but lowers Special Attack after use.
Good on: Dragonite, Kingdra, Garchomp, Salamence.
Only use this if you're planning to switch out after attacking or if you need one big hit.
Softboiled Tutor (Repeatable)
Location: Goldenrod City, Move Tutor's House Cost: Free
Teaches:
- Softboiled: Heals 50% HP. Only works on Chansey and Blissey.
Useful for tank builds or stall strategies. Not useful in story mode.
Move Reminder (Repeatable)
Location: Blackthorn City Cost: 1 Heart Scale per move
Teaches:
- Any move your Pokémon learned by level-up
- Egg moves (even if the Pokémon wasn't bred)
This is the most important tutor in the game. If you accidentally overwrite a good move, the Move Reminder fixes it.
Heart Scales are found:
- Wild Luvdisc (rare hold item, fish in Olivine City or Cianwood City)
- Pokéathlon Dome (trade points for Heart Scales)
- Hidden Grottoes (rare spawn)
Stock up on Heart Scales. You'll need them.
Move Deleter (Repeatable)
Location: Blackthorn City Cost: Free
Deletes any move, including HMs.
Use this to remove Surf, Strength, or Flash from your Pokémon when you don't need them anymore.
Which TMs to Use First
If you have a one-time TM, teach it to a Pokémon you're keeping until endgame. Don't teach Earthquake to a Graveler you're going to box at Lv. 30.
Priority List for One-Time TMs
- TM26 (Earthquake): Teach to Donphan, Garchomp, Rhyperior, or Mamoswine.
- TM29 (Psychic): Teach to Espeon, Alakazam, or Starmie.
- TM30 (Shadow Ball): Teach to Gengar, Misdreavus, or Dusknoir.
- TM19 (Giga Drain): Teach to Meganium, Venusaur, or Exeggutor.
- TM25 (Thunder) and TM14 (Blizzard): Only use if you have weather support. Otherwise skip.
Which Move Tutors to Prioritize
Use These First
- Move Reminder: Relearn moves you accidentally deleted.
- Draco Meteor Tutor: Teach to your Dragon-type if it has high Special Attack.
- Elemental Punch Tutors: Free coverage moves.
Skip These Unless You Have a Specific Build
- Blast Burn, Hydro Cannon, Frenzy Plant: Same drawback as Hyper Beam. Not worth it for story mode.
- Softboiled: Only useful on Chansey/Blissey stall builds.
How to Get More Heart Scales
Heart Scales are the currency for the Move Reminder. You'll need a lot of them.
Best Methods
- Fish for Luvdisc (Olivine City, Cianwood City, Route 40-41). Luvdisc has a 5% chance to hold a Heart Scale.
- Pokéathlon Dome: Trade points for Heart Scales. Play the minigames to earn points.
- Hidden Grottoes: Check Grottoes daily. Heart Scales spawn rarely.
- Rock Smash: Some rocks have a low chance to drop Heart Scales.
How Many Heart Scales Do You Need?
Plan for 10-15 Heart Scales by endgame. You'll need them for:
- Relearning moves you deleted
- Teaching egg moves to Pokémon you caught in the wild
- Fixing mistakes
Common Mistakes
Teaching Earthquake to a Geodude
Geodude evolves into Graveler, then Golem. Golem is good, but if you're not going to use Golem endgame, don't waste Earthquake on it.
Fix: Wait until you have your final Ground-type before teaching Earthquake.
Using TM15 (Hyper Beam)
Hyper Beam is a trap. It's strong, but you lose a turn after using it. You're better off attacking twice with a weaker move.
Fix: Don't use Hyper Beam. Teach a reusable TM instead.
Not Checking If a TM Is Reusable
Some players hoard all TMs because they think they're one-time. Most TMs in Polished Crystal are reusable.
Fix: Check the list above. If it's reusable, use it.
Forgetting the Move Reminder Exists
If you accidentally overwrite Surf or a good level-up move, the Move Reminder can fix it.
Fix: Keep a few Heart Scales in your bag. Visit the Move Reminder when needed.
Teaching Ice Punch to a Pokémon With Low Attack
Ice Punch is a physical move. If your Pokémon has 60 Attack and 120 Special Attack, don't teach it Ice Punch. Teach it Ice Beam instead.
Fix: Check if the move is physical or special before teaching it.
Related: Recommended Teams by Phase
TM Locations (Quick Reference)
This is not a full list. This is the list of TMs you actually care about.
- TM26 (Earthquake): Victory Road
- TM29 (Psychic): Saffron City, Mr. Psychic's house
- TM30 (Shadow Ball): Ecruteak City, Dance Theater (after Morty)
- TM19 (Giga Drain): Celadon City, Department Store (purchase)
- TM25 (Thunder): Goldenrod City, Department Store (purchase)
- TM14 (Blizzard): Goldenrod City, Department Store (purchase)
- TM38 (Fire Blast): Goldenrod City, Department Store (purchase)
Related: Items
Final Advice
- Use reusable TMs freely. They don't disappear.
- Save one-time TMs for your final team. Don't waste Earthquake on a Pokémon you're boxing in 10 levels.
- Stock up on Heart Scales. You'll need them for the Move Reminder.
- Check if a move is physical or special before teaching it. Don't teach Fire Punch to a special attacker.
- Don't use Hyper Beam or its variants. They're not worth the turn loss.
Related: Common Beginner Mistakes