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Although you don’t technically need Rock Smash to progress in Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver, you can get it from an NPC in a pink shirt located on Route 36. And you can unlock a few items by having this move in your arsenal.
You can get HM06 directly on Route 36 with no prerequisites. You’ll find a man in a pink shirt and overalls located on this route (west of Violet City and above the Ruins of Alph), and he will give you the HM if you talk to him.
In the Gen II games, clearing the Sudowoodo was a requirement for this HM, which meant you could only receive it after going to Goldenrod City and getting a Squirt Bottle.
However this is no longer necessary in the Gen IV remakes.
You can get HM06 as soon as you finish the Violet City Gym.
How To Get Rock Smash
You’ll get Rock Smash on Route 36, which is located to the west of Violet City.
Following the cobbled path in Violet City
From the Pokémon Center, take the path going up.
Walking past the Violet City Pokémon Mart
Head to the left, where you’ll see another path going up.
Follow it until you see a path heading into a horizontal gate.
Route 36 is on the other side of this gate
Go through the gate and out the other end that leads to Route 36.
Here, you should see a man wearing a pink shirt facing west.
The HM06 Hiker
Simply talk to this man and he’ll give you HM06 Rock Smash.
With this move, you can now use Rock Smash in and outside of battle.
But keep in mind that you can only use Rock Smash in the field if you’ve already acquired the Zephyr Badge, which you’ll get when you defeat Falkner of the Violet City Gym.
Rock Smash FAQs
Do I need Rock Smash in HGSS?
Technically, you don’t need Rock Smash to finish the game and battle the Elite 4.
However, there are some things that you can unlock by using Rock Smash.
For instance, you can get only get the Shell Bell on Route 32 if you use HM06 to break a rock in between the trees.
There are also items that can be found inside the rocks themselves, such as shards, Heart Scales, and even fossils.
Who’s a Good Pokémon To Teach Rock Smash?
There are dozens of Pokémon that can learn Rock Smash, including all three of the Johto starters (specifically their second and third evolutions).
But if you’d rather give this move to a different Pokémon, here’s a few ideas for good HG/SS Rock Smash users:
Sentret/Furret
Geodude/Graveler
Krabby
Machop
Togepi
What Are Rock Smash’s stats?
Rock Smash is a Physical move with a base power of 40, accuracy of 100, and PP of 15.
Jean is a full-time writer with two bookshelves, three aquariums, six dogs, and an entire library of games she has yet to play. When she’s not writing articles, cuddling with her dogs, or playing video games, she's probably got her nose buried in another crime thriller – or three.
