Stuck with an HM Move? Let’s Get Rid of That Pokémon Barnacle!
Have you ever taught your favorite Pokémon an HM move like Cut? Only to wish you hadn’t? We’ve all been there. HMs (Hidden Machines) are a mixed bag. They’re useful for exploring, letting you cut trees or surf oceans. But once a Pokémon learns an HM, it sticks around like an unwanted guest.
Unlike TMs (Technical Machines), which are easy to forget, HMs stay for good. You can use them as long as you want. You can teach them to many Pokémon, if they can learn them. Think of HMs as tools for your journey. But soon you realize there is no space for fighting moves left.
Now, here’s the catch: since Generation VII, Game Freak decided HMs were outdated. Newer games got rid of them. But if you are playing older games, managing HMs is a task. So, how do you remove these HM moves from your team?
Enter the Move Deleter: Your Pokémon Move Exorcist
The solution is the Move Deleter. This is not a regular item in the game; it’s a specific NPC (Non-Player Character). This specialist removes moves. Think of them as Marie Kondo but for Pokémon moves. They help when a move stops being useful.
The Move Deleter is your only way to forget HM moves. You cannot ask Nurse Joy at the Pokémon Center to remove them. It needs a specialist for this job. It is like needing a plumber for a broken pipe.
Finding the Move Deleter is a small quest. Their places change with the game you play. For example, in Pokémon Emerald, head to Lilycove City. There, you’ll find your move-removal savior. In Pokémon X and Y, go to Dendemille Town to locate them.
For a specific example, in Pokémon Emerald, find the Move Deleter in Lilycove City. Talk to them, and they will help you. In Pokémon X and Y, Dendemille Town is your spot for HM removal. In Sinnoh games (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum), they are found in Canalave City. For trainers in FireRed and LeafGreen, visit Fuchsia City. Just walk next to the Pokémon Center to find help.
The Move Deleter exists for one reason: to remove HMs. This is the only way to do it. They are the specialists for removing HM moves.
A Few Words of Caution Before You Go Delete-Happy
Before rushing to delete HMs, there’s something to remember. HM moves are meant to be essential. They are not easy to forget in games where they work as HMs. Even if a Pokémon learns a better move, that HM stays until you visit the Deleter.
Pro-tip: Before deleting an HM, check to see if you have another Pokémon with that HM. This is crucial for moves like Surf or Fly. Without these moves, you might be stranded on your journey. The designers thought of this to stop accidental mistakes.
Thinking Outside the Box: Alternative (and Glitchy) Methods
The Move Deleter is your main option. But what if you’re in a bind or feeling adventurous? There are rumors about alternative methods, though these aren’t backed by the Pokémon League.
One method involves the Pokémon Day Care. You send your Pokémon there to level up. Even in Colosseum and XD, where HMs are not field moves, it might work. The rumor is that if you have the HM as the first move and level it up, the new move can overwrite it. It’s a gamble, but for those daring enough, it’s an option.
For trainers still playing Red, Blue, or Yellow, you’re out of luck. Those games lack a Move Deleter. There is no way to delete HMs. Just accept that challenge.
The HM Slave: A Necessary Evil (or Just Smart Training?)
Because HMs are so permanent and often not great in battles, many trainers use a controversial strategy: the HM slave. An “HM slave” refers to a Pokémon meant to know HM moves. This is your utility Pokémon.
Trainers often use HM slaves. Why? You can fill one Pokémon with needed HMs—like Cut, Surf, Strength, and Fly—keeping your main team free. It is practical, if a bit harsh. Bibarel and Tropius are often good choices due to their wide HM pools.
Game-Specific Hotspots for Move Deletion
Here are key locations for Move Deleters across different games:
- FireRed and LeafGreen: Fuchsia City, next to the Pokémon Center.
- Emerald: Lilycove City, in a house.
- Diamond, Pearl, Platinum: Canalave City, look for a house.
- X and Y: Dendemille Town, again, check the houses.
These places are your go-tos for HM removal in these games. Don’t look for a Move Deleter in Pallet Town while playing Pokémon Emerald; you will be disappointed.
Move Reminder: Helpful, but Not for HMs
You might wonder about the Move Reminder. Can they help you with HM moves? Nice try, but the answer is no. The Move Reminder can only remind about moves learned from leveling or TMs. They cannot overwrite HM moves, just like other methods (except the Day Care glitch).
TMs vs. HMs: The Forgettable and the… Less Forgettable
Let’s clarify: TMs are flexible; HMs are not. TMs can be taught and forgotten as you wish (or replaced with a new move). HMs require a trip to the Move Deleter for removal. Both TMs and HMs allow reuse (in games where TMs are reusable). But when managing moves, the rules differ. TMs are like temporary tattoos; HMs are more permanent.
So there it is. Your guide to getting rid of those stubborn HM moves. Remember the Move Deleter is key, plan ahead, and consider an HM slave for competitive play. Now go optimize those move sets!
