Can this Pokémon learn that move in your game?
Find the right learnset for your game, form and battle format.
By Pokémonism · Maintained by Stone Baldwin · Published · Sources & editorial policy
Choose the game and form
A useful move check needs four things: the Pokémon's exact form, the move, the game or version group, and the battle format. 'Can it learn this?' can mean that the species learned it in any game, that the current game offers a way to teach it, or that a particular competition permits the resulting set. Those are different claims.
An encyclopedia often combines many generations of data to help readers discover a Pokémon's history. That combined list is useful for browsing but can mislead team building. A move learned from a tutor in one game does not automatically become available from a tutor, TM or level-up in every later game.
Find a way to teach the move
A level-up entry tells you when that source records the move being learned. A machine entry identifies a learning method, not a universal TM number: machine numbering and availability change between games. An egg entry signals a breeding-related route in that version's data. A tutor entry requires the relevant game's tutor and its own conditions.
When a move appears at several levels, an index may show the earliest one. Check the game-specific learnset for later opportunities to learn it.
Form and transfer rules can change the answer
A regional or alternate form can have a different learnset from the ordinary species. Selecting the National Pokédex number alone may therefore be insufficient. Confirm the displayed form and typing before copying a set. An evolutionary relative learning a move is also not proof that the final form can obtain it by the same method.
Moving a Pokémon between games can reset its moves or leave some unavailable. Competitions may also restrict where a Pokémon or move came from. Check the destination game’s transfer rules and your chosen format.
Check the battle rules
Check three things for each move: whether it appears in that game’s learnset, how to teach it, and whether the battle format allows it. If a new game’s learnset is missing, check in-game before ruling the move out.
Choose the game in Pokémonism’s move checker to see its learning methods. For event-exclusive moves, also check the distribution announcement.
Check all four moves
Open the exact form, choose the intended game, and inspect all four moves separately. Note the method for each and any special acquisition requirement. Then review the current competition's species, item and move restrictions. Finally, use the game's own team validation before investing in a tournament preparation plan.
If you find an error, send us the Pokémon, form, move, game and learning method. Include a source or a screenshot showing the game version.
Sources and scope
Written with AI assistance. Examples use the linked game data and Pokémonism calculators.
Report an error with the game, format and source so we can reproduce it.