Can You Remember a TM Move If You Forget It? Your Comprehensive Pokémon Move Relearning Guide
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Yes, generally speaking, TM moves can be relearned in Pokémon games. The specifics vary depending on the game generation, but the overall trend is towards making move relearning easier and more accessible. This means that if you overwrite a TM move with a different move and later regret it, you often have the option to relearn that TM move through in-game mechanics. The key is to understand how move relearning works in the specific Pokémon game you’re playing.
Understanding Technical Machines (TMs) and Technical Records (TRs)
Before diving into the specifics of relearning, it’s crucial to distinguish between Technical Machines (TMs) and Technical Records (TRs), as their behavior differs across game generations.
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TMs (Technical Machines): In earlier generations, TMs were single-use items. However, starting with Pokémon Black and White, TMs became reusable, allowing you to teach the same move to multiple Pokémon.
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TRs (Technical Records): Introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield, TRs are similar to TMs but are consumed upon use, functioning like the older generation TMs.
The ability to relearn TM moves largely stems from the introduction of reusable TMs and the move relearner mechanic.
The Role of the Move Relearner
The Move Relearner is an NPC found in various locations throughout the Pokémon world, depending on the game. Their primary function is to help your Pokémon remember moves they have previously learned but have since forgotten. This includes moves learned through leveling up, Egg Moves, and, importantly, TM/TR moves.
To access the Move Relearner’s services, you typically need to pay a fee, often in the form of Heart Scales or other specific items. Once you’ve paid, you can browse a list of moves your Pokémon can relearn and choose which one you want to add back to their moveset.
Specifics by Generation
The exact method for relearning TM moves can vary slightly between generations. Here’s a breakdown:
- Generations I-IV: TMs were single-use. Once a Pokémon forgot a TM move, it was permanently lost unless you acquired another TM.
- Generations V-VII: TMs became reusable, making it easier to teach the same move to multiple Pokémon. The Move Relearner could re-teach TM moves that had been forgotten.
- Generation VIII (Sword/Shield): TRs were single-use. The Move Relearner can re-teach TR moves that have been learned and subsequently forgotten.
- Generation IX (Scarlet/Violet): TMs are reusable and can be crafted using the TM Machine. The Move Relearner is available in every Pokémon Center, making move relearning very accessible. TM moves can be relearned here easily.
Important Considerations
- Raid Pokémon: Pokémon caught in raids may know TM moves by default. If they forget these moves, you will need to use the TM again to re-teach them.
- Egg Moves: Egg Moves can be relearned using the Move Relearner, as long as the Pokémon knew the move upon hatching.
- Move Deletion: Some games have a Move Deleter, an NPC who can force a Pokémon to forget a move, including HM moves that can’t be overwritten in the traditional way. Once a move is deleted, the Move Relearner is typically required to get it back.
- Hidden Machines (HMs): In earlier generations, HMs were essential for navigating the game world, but they could be a burden on a Pokémon’s moveset. HM moves could only be forgotten by visiting the Move Deleter.
- Not All Pokémon Can Learn All TMs: Some Pokémon simply cannot learn certain TMs, regardless of whether they’ve forgotten them or not. Check online resources or in-game information to confirm which TMs are compatible with your Pokémon. Beldum, Blipbug, Burmy, Cascoon, Caterpie, Combee, Cosmog and Cosmoem are just a few.
Planning Your Moveset
Ultimately, successful Pokémon training involves careful planning of your Pokémon’s moveset. Consider the following tips:
- Research Available Moves: Before teaching a TM, research the other moves your Pokémon can learn via leveling up or breeding.
- Consider Type Coverage: Aim for a balanced moveset that covers a variety of types to maximize your effectiveness in battle.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: The Move Relearner allows you to try different movesets without permanent consequences.
- Utilize Online Resources: Websites and forums dedicated to Pokémon can provide valuable information on optimal movesets for specific Pokémon.
FAQs: Relearning TM Moves
1. Can a Pokémon relearn a move it forgot if it was learned through a TM?
Yes, in most modern Pokémon games (Generations V onward), a Pokémon can relearn a TM move if it has been forgotten, using the Move Relearner.
2. What happens if I accidentally overwrite a TM move?
Simply visit the Move Relearner in a Pokémon Center (or the appropriate location in the game) and pay the required fee to relearn the TM move.
3. Are TR moves also recoverable?
Yes, TR moves can be relearned from the Move Relearner in Pokémon Sword and Shield, even though TRs are single-use.
4. Do I need a specific item to relearn a TM move?
Usually, you need Heart Scales or another specific item to pay the Move Relearner for their services. The type of item and quantity needed can vary by game.
5. Can Pokémon caught in raids relearn TM moves?
If a raid Pokémon forgets a TM move it initially knew, you typically need to use the TM again to re-teach it.
6. Is there a limit to how many times I can relearn a move?
No, you can usually relearn a move as many times as you like, as long as you have the necessary resources (e.g., Heart Scales) to pay the Move Relearner.
7. Are there any Pokémon that cannot learn TMs?
Yes, some Pokémon, such as Beldum, Blipbug, and Cosmog, cannot learn TMs in certain generations. Always check the specific game’s compatibility list.
8. What’s the difference between a TM and a HM?
TMs are Technical Machines that teach moves to Pokémon. HMs (Hidden Machines) were also moves but were essential for overworld navigation. HMs often required a specific Move Deleter to be forgotten.
9. Can Egg Moves be relearned?
Yes, Egg Moves that a Pokémon knew upon hatching can be relearned from the Move Relearner.
10. Where can I find the Move Relearner?
The location of the Move Relearner varies by game. Consult online guides for specific locations in your game. In more recent generations, the Move Relearner can be found in every Pokemon Center.
11. What happens if a Pokémon levels up through auto-battling and misses a move?
If a Pokémon levels up through auto-battling and misses a move, you can typically use the Move Relearner to learn the move later.
12. Can a Pokémon learn moves it never knew before?
While the Move Relearner primarily helps Pokémon remember forgotten moves, some games may allow Pokémon to learn moves they never knew if those moves are part of their potential moveset.
13. What is the Move Deleter, and how does it relate to relearning moves?
The Move Deleter is an NPC who can force a Pokémon to forget a move, including HM moves. If a move is deleted by the Move Deleter, the Move Relearner is needed to relearn it.
14. Are there any strategies for planning my Pokémon’s moveset effectively?
Research available moves, consider type coverage, don’t be afraid to experiment, and utilize online resources to plan your Pokémon’s moveset effectively.
15. How does the design of Pokémon games influence learning and decision-making?
The restrictions within Pokémon games, such as the limited number of moves a Pokémon can know, foster creativity and meaningful choices. If every Pokémon could know every move, the strategic depth would be diminished. More broadly, the game provides an environment where players are forced to learn and adapt, which is something that researchers at the Games Learning Society study extensively, exploring how game mechanics can be used for educational purposes. You can learn more about their work at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion
Relearning TM moves in Pokémon is generally possible, thanks to the Move Relearner and the shift towards reusable TMs. Understanding the specific mechanics of the game you’re playing is crucial for optimizing your team’s movesets and ensuring you can always recover from accidental move overwrites. So, go forth and experiment with confidence, knowing that your favorite TM moves are usually just a Move Relearner visit away!