TMs are scattered across Alola, and you'll need to explore every area to collect them all

Technical Machines (TMs) in Pokémon Moon teach your Pokémon moves they wouldn't normally learn by leveling up. Unlike earlier games where TMs were one-time use, Pokémon Moon lets you use each TM unlimited times once you have it. You'll find TMs lying on the ground in specific locations, receive them from NPCs, or earn them by defeating Totem Pokémon in trials. The game doesn't mark TM locations on your map, so you have to explore thoroughly or know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Most TMs are found by walking around specific routes and towns, checking the ground in every area you visit.
  • Totem Pokémon battles reward you with TMs after you win, and some are exclusive to these fights.
  • NPCs give away TMs as rewards for completing tasks, talking to them, or progressing through the story.
  • You can use each TM as many times as you want once you own it, so there's no penalty for teaching the same move to multiple Pokémon.

TMs found on the ground in each area

Walking around and checking the ground is the most common way to find TMs. Melemele Island has TM45 (Attract) near the Pokémon Center in Iki Town and TM41 (Torment) in Hau'oli Cemetery. Route 2 holds TM31 (Brick Break). Route 3 contains TM48 (Round). Akala Island's Route 5 has TM28 (Leech Life), and Route 6 holds TM42 (Facade). Route 7 contains TM29 (Psychic). Route 8 has TM26 (Earthquake) and TM44 (Rest). Route 9 holds TM27 (Return). Route 10 contains TM25 (Thunder). Ula'ula Island's Route 11 has TM43 (Flame Charge). Route 13 holds TM24 (Thunderbolt). Route 14 contains TM30 (Shadow Ball). Route 15 has TM23 (Smack Down). Route 16 holds TM05 (Roar). Poni Island's Route 17 contains TM37 (Sandstorm). Route 19 has TM36 (Sludge Bomb). Route 20 holds TM35 (Flamethrower). Route 21 contains TM34 (Sewer Bomb). Route 23 has TM32 (Double Team). Route 24 holds TM33 (Reflect). Exeggutor Island contains TM22 (Solar Beam).

Towns and cities also hide TMs. Hau'oli City has TM46 (Thief) in the shopping district. Heahea City holds TM40 (Swagger). Malie City contains TM39 (Swift). Tapu Village has TM38 (Fire Blast). Seafolk Village holds TM21 (Frustration). Aether Paradise contains TM20 (Safeguard). Po Town has TM19 (Roost). The Pokémon League area holds TM18 (U-turn). Poni Breaker Coast contains TM17 (Protect). Vast Poni Canyon holds TM16 (Light Screen). Poni Meadow contains TM15 (Hyper Beam). Poni Coast has TM14 (Psych Up). Poni Gauntlet holds TM13 (Ice Beam). Poni Plains contains TM12 (Taunt). Poni Grove holds TM11 (Sunny Day). Poni Wilds contains TM10 (Hidden Power). Secluded Shore holds TM09 (Venoshock). Poni Altar contains TM08 (Bulk Up). Exeggutor Island Exterior holds TM07 (Hail). Poni Meadow contains TM06 (Toxic).

TMs earned from Totem Pokémon battles

Defeating Totem Pokémon during trials rewards you with specific TMs. These are often the only way to get certain moves. Ilima's trial in Verdant Cavern rewards TM49 (Echoed Voice). Lana's trial in Brooklet Hill rewards TM55 (Scald). Kiawe's trial in Wela Volcano Park rewards TM50 (Overheat). Plumeria's trial in Malie Garden rewards TM52 (Focus Blast). Sophocles' trial in Hokulani Observatory rewards TM24 (Thunderbolt). Acerola's trial in Aether Foundation rewards TM51 (Steel Wing). Kahuna Hala rewards TM47 (Low Sweep) after his battle. Kahuna Olivine rewards TM53 (Energy Ball) after her battle. Kahuna Hapu rewards TM54 (False Swipe) after her battle.

Some Totem battles are optional but still give TMs if you seek them out. Checking which Totem Pokémon you haven't fought yet and revisiting their locations ensures you don't miss these rewards. The moves these TMs teach are often strong competitive options, so collecting them all gives you more flexibility in building your team.

TMs given by NPCs and story rewards

Characters throughout Alola hand out TMs as you progress. Professor Kukui gives you TM04 (Calm Mind) during the story. Lillie gives you TM03 (Psyshock) at a story moment. Hau gives you TM02 (Dragon Claw) during a battle. Various NPCs in towns offer TMs for completing small tasks or talking to them at the right time. Some NPCs only give TMs after you've beaten the game and are exploring post-game content, so don't assume you've found all NPC-given TMs during your first playthrough.

The Pokémon Center in each town sometimes has NPCs standing inside who trade TMs for items or Pokémon. Checking every NPC's dialogue is worth the time, especially in larger towns like Hau'oli City and Heahea City where multiple people might offer different TMs. Post-game areas like the Pokémon League and Ultra Necrozma's location also have NPCs with TMs to discover.

TMs in shops and from Zygarde Cells

The Pokémon Center shops in different towns sell TMs for Pokédollars once you've found them elsewhere or earned them from battles. This means you can buy duplicates if you want to teach the same move to multiple Pokémon without waiting to find another copy. Prices vary, but most TMs cost between 10,000 and 50,000 Pokédollars.

Collecting Zygarde Cells throughout Alola unlocks special rewards, including some TMs. You'll find Zygarde Cells hidden in grass, caves, and buildings. Turning in 10 cells at a time to Zygarde gives you rewards including TMs you may not have found elsewhere. This is a long-term goal but worth pursuing if you want every possible TM.

Using a checklist to track your progress

With over 100 TMs in Pokémon Moon, keeping track of which ones you have is easier with a written list. Write down the TM numbers and names as you find them, or use an online checklist and check off each one. This prevents you from revisiting the same location twice or forgetting which NPCs you've already talked to.

Organize your search by island: complete Melemele Island first, then move to Akala, Ula'ula, and Poni. This way you won't backtrack unnecessarily. Some TMs are only available after beating certain trials or the main story, so note which ones require story progress and come back to those areas later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a TM more than once in Pokémon Moon?

Yes. Unlike older Pokémon games, TMs in Moon are reusable. Once you have a TM, you can teach that move to as many Pokémon as you want without the TM disappearing. This makes collecting all TMs less urgent for gameplay purposes, though some players still want the complete set.

Do I need to beat the game to find all TMs?

No, but some TMs are locked behind story progress. You can find most TMs during your first playthrough, but a few are only available after beating the Pokémon League or completing post-game content. Plan to revisit areas after finishing the main story.

What's the fastest way to find all TMs?

Use an online map or guide that marks TM locations. Walking every route and checking every building takes hours. A visual guide showing exactly where each TM sits on the ground saves time and ensures you don't miss any hidden in less obvious spots.

Are there TMs I can only get from Totem Pokémon?

Yes. Some moves are only taught by TMs earned from Totem battles, and you won't find those TMs lying on the ground or in shops. If you want a Pokémon to learn a specific move, check whether it comes from a Totem reward before assuming you've missed it elsewhere.

Can I buy TMs I haven't found yet?

No. Shops only sell TMs you've already obtained at least once. You have to find or earn each TM through exploration, battles, or NPCs before you can purchase copies of it from a Pokémon Center shop.