Can You Move Relearner Egg Moves? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, the Move Relearner can indeed reteach Egg Moves to a Pokémon, but with a crucial condition: the Pokémon must have known the Egg Move at some point in its life. This usually means the Pokémon was hatched with the Egg Move initially. If a Pokémon hatches with an Egg Move and subsequently forgets it (through leveling up and learning new moves or by TM usage), the Move Relearner can help it remember that lost Egg Move.
This mechanic provides players with flexibility in team building and movepool customization without completely circumventing the breeding process. It’s a quality-of-life feature that prevents players from being permanently locked out of Egg Moves if they make a mistake or want to experiment with different move combinations. However, you can’t just teach any Pokémon any Egg Move through the Move Relearner. The Pokémon’s lineage is still important, but the Relearner offers a safety net and a chance to correct errors.
Understanding Egg Moves and the Move Relearner
Before diving deeper, let’s clarify some fundamental concepts:
- Egg Moves: These are moves that a Pokémon can only learn through breeding. Typically, the father Pokémon (or both parents in more recent games) must know the move, which is then passed down to the offspring. These moves are generally unavailable through leveling up, TMs, or Move Tutors (unless specifically allowed).
- Move Relearner: This NPC (Non-Player Character) exists in almost every Pokémon game. They allow players to relearn moves that their Pokémon have previously known, usually in exchange for a specific item, such as a Heart Scale. This is exceptionally useful for retrieving moves accidentally overwritten or accessing moves learned at lower levels.
The combination of these mechanics allows for a level of strategic depth. Players can meticulously breed Pokémon with desirable Egg Moves, train them, and then utilize the Move Relearner to optimize their movesets for competitive battling or in-game challenges.
The Importance of Breeding
While the Move Relearner offers a second chance, breeding remains the primary method for acquiring Egg Moves. Understanding the breeding mechanics is crucial for maximizing the potential of your Pokémon.
- Passing Down Moves: The father Pokémon (or either parent) must know the desired Egg Move at the time of breeding. The offspring will then inherit the move upon hatching.
- Egg Groups: Pokémon are categorized into Egg Groups. Only Pokémon within compatible Egg Groups can breed together (with Ditto being a universal partner).
- Ditto’s Role: Ditto can breed with almost any Pokémon, but it cannot pass down moves itself. The non-Ditto parent determines the species of the offspring and passes down any applicable Egg Moves.
It’s important to note the evolution of the Move Relearner mechanic over the course of the Pokémon games. The information is valid for games Generation VI onward, however, in older generations, Egg moves are generally not able to be retaught.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Egg Moves and the Move Relearner
Here are some common questions players have regarding Egg Moves and the Move Relearner, providing further clarity on the intricacies of this system:
1. Can a Pokémon learn multiple Egg Moves?
Yes! A Pokémon can potentially learn up to four Egg Moves, filling its entire moveset with them. This requires careful breeding, ensuring that the parent Pokémon knows all the desired moves and that the offspring is capable of learning them.
2. How do I pass down Egg Moves effectively?
Ensure that the parent Pokémon (typically the father, but both parents can pass down Egg Moves in newer games) knows the desired Egg Move at the time of breeding. Using a Destiny Knot to pass down IVs (Individual Values) and a Everstone to pass down nature can also increase your chances of getting the desired traits on your egg moves.
3. Can I teach Egg Moves without breeding?
In Pokémon Sword & Shield and subsequent games like Scarlet & Violet, a new mechanic was introduced allowing Pokémon to inherit Egg Moves from other Pokémon of the same species in the Day Care or Picnic area. This requires one Pokémon to have an open move slot and the other to know the desired Egg Move.
4. Does Ditto pass down Egg Moves?
No, Ditto cannot pass down Egg Moves. It only ensures that the offspring is the same species as the non-Ditto parent.
5. Can I use TMs to teach Egg Moves?
Generally, no. Egg Moves are specifically learned through breeding and cannot be taught via TMs or HMs (Hidden Machines).
6. What are the best Egg Moves to breed?
The “best” Egg Moves depend on the Pokémon and your strategy. Some popular and powerful Egg Moves include:
- Volt Tackle (Pikachu)
- Dragon Dance (Tyranitar)
- Sucker Punch (Bisharp)
- High Jump Kick (Cinderace)
7. Can Egg Moves be relearned in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?
Yes, Egg Moves can be relearned in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet using the Move Relearner. Additionally, Scarlet and Violet introduced the Mirror Herb method, which allows you to instantly transfer Egg Moves during Picnics.
8. How does the Mirror Herb work for teaching Egg Moves?
The Mirror Herb is held by the Pokémon you want to learn the Egg Move. Then, initiate a picnic with another Pokémon of the same species that already knows the move. Upon starting (and immediately cancelling) the picnic, the Pokémon holding the Mirror Herb will learn the Egg Move, provided it has an empty move slot.
9. Are Egg Moves important for competitive battling?
Yes, Egg Moves are often crucial for competitive battling. They can provide access to moves that a Pokémon would otherwise not be able to learn, expanding its strategic options and making it more versatile.
10. What happens if both parents know different Egg Moves?
If both parents know different Egg Moves that the offspring can learn, the offspring will inherit all applicable Egg Moves, up to a maximum of four.
11. Can a Pokémon relearn a move it never knew?
While Pokémon can typically only relearn moves they previously knew, in Pokémon games, there have been instances of Pokémon “remembering” moves they never learned naturally. These cases are exceptions and not the norm.
12. Does gliding count towards egg steps?
Yes, actions like gliding and swimming typically count towards the steps needed to hatch an egg.
13. How do I hatch eggs faster?
Using a Pokémon with the Flame Body or Magma Armor ability in your party halves the number of steps required to hatch eggs. Additionally, using Egg Power from a meal will speed up the hatching process.
14. Can you tell if an egg is shiny before it hatches?
No, you cannot determine if an egg is shiny before it hatches. The shiny status is determined when the egg is generated, but it is only revealed upon hatching.
15. Can you teach a parent Pokémon Egg Moves?
In recent games, Pokémon in the Day Care or Picnic can teach each other Egg Moves if they are the exact same species and one knows the Egg Move while the other has an open move slot.
The Ever-Evolving World of Pokémon
The Pokémon franchise constantly evolves, introducing new mechanics and features to enhance the gameplay experience. The Move Relearner and the Mirror Herb methods demonstrate this commitment to player convenience and strategic depth. By understanding these mechanics, players can optimize their teams and achieve success in both casual and competitive settings. Remember, the best way to improve your understanding of the game is through research and practice. The Games Learning Society explores how people learn in and through games, which includes practical research applicable to the Pokémon franchise. For more information, visit GamesLearningSociety.org. With careful planning and a bit of luck, you can breed the perfect Pokémon team!