Where To Get TM08 Rock Smash in Pokémon Crystal

TM08 Rock Smash
#	Location	Repeatable?
1	Route 36, Violet City Side. Given out by a buff NPC after removing the nearby Sudowoodo blocking the way through Route 36.	No
2	Goldenrod City Department Store, 5F (after getting the TM on Route 36). Costs 1000 Pokédollars.	Yes

In Pokémon Crystal there are two ways to get the Rock Smash TM.

You’ll first receive TM08 Rock Smash from an NPC in a blue shirt on Route 36. He gives you the TM as a token of appreciation for removing the nearby Sudowoodo obstacle with the Squirtbottle.

And then after receiving TM08 from the NPC on Route 36, you can buy more copies of Rock Smash from the TM Corner at the Goldenrod City Dept. Store’s 5th Floor. Each copy will cost 1000 Pokédollars.

Prerequisites

You’ll first need to remove the Sudowoodo blocking Route 36 using the Squirtbottle before TM08 Rock Smash becomes available.

Using the Squirtbottle on Sudowoodo.

But to get the Squirtbottle from the older sister at the Flower Shop beside Goldenrod Gym, you must first:

Talk to her little sister near the Sudowoodo tree on the Goldenrod City side of Route 36.
Defeat Goldenrod Gym Leader Whitney to earn her respect.

Once these conditions have been met, the florist will give you the Squirtbottle, which you can then use to remove the weird-looking tree after a fight with Sudowoodo.

Getting TM08 Rock Smash (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Starting at the three-way split on Route 36 where Sudowoodo used to be, go right toward Violet City.

Approaching Violet City from the three-way split in Route 36.

Step 2: Continue until you bump into a buff NPC in a blue shirt standing near a signpost.

Reaching our target near the signpost.

Step 3: Talk to the NPC to receive TM08 Rock Smash.

Receiving TM08 Rock Smash.

Note: You can also reach this NPC by traveling northeast from Violet City, but in a typical playthrough you’ll get this TM faster by traveling through the hole left behind by Sudowoodo.

How To Get More Copies of TM08 Rock Smash

Once you’ve obtained TM08 Rock Smash from the buff NPC on Route 36, you can acquire more copies of this Technical Machine at Goldenrod City’s Dept. Store.

Just head to the fifth floor (5F, TM Corner) and talk to the NPC at the counter to browse their selection of TMs.

TM Corner at Goldenrod City’s Dept. Store, 5F.

You can buy TM08 Rock Smash here for 1000 Pokédollars. It’s the cheapest TM on the list, and you can get unlimited copies this way.

TM08 Rock Smash Details + Uses

Rock Smash Move Details
Type	Fighting
Category	Physical
Power	20
Effect	50% chance of lowering the target’s Defense
Accuracy	100%
PP	15 (max. 24)

Rock Smash makes up for its low Power with a 50% chance of lowering the target’s Defense.

Still, it’s not a game-changing move.

Only Rock-type Pokémon like Geodude and Onix could use it somewhat successfully in battle thanks to the same-type attack bonus (STAB).

Tip: Flying, Bug, Fire, and Ice-type Pokémon are weak against Rock-type moves, so keep Rock Smash in mind whenever these types appear.

This move’s utility is much greater in the field than in battle. It allows your Pokémon to smash those circular breakable rocks in the overworld, letting you access new areas and find hidden items.

Best Pokémon To Teach Rock Smash

Here are some good early-to-mid game Pokémon that can learn Rock Smash:

Pokémon	Type	Location
Machop	Fighting	Mt. Mortar (Morning, Day)
Geodude	Rock/Ground	Routes 33, 45, and 46. Most caves.
Onix	Rock/Ground	Union Cave, Mt. Silver, Violet City (Trade)
Phanpy	Ground	Routes 45 and 46
Sandshrew	Ground	Union Cave

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Nelson Chitty

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Nelson Chitty is a Venezuelan expat living in Argentina. He’s a writer and translator passionate about history and foreign cultures. His ideal weekend is spent between leisurely playing games of Civilization VI and looking for the next seinen anime to marathon.

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