How To Get TM23 Smack Down in Pokémon ORAS

Using Smack Down in battle (Pokémon Alpha Sapphire)

TM23 Smack Down will be given to you by Professor Cozmo after you defeat Team Aqua/Magma the first time you arrive in Meteor Falls, which is a large cave west of Fallarbor Town.

Smack Down is an attack that grounds the Pokémon hit by the move, removing their immunity to Ground-type moves. This affects Flying-types and Pokémon with the ability Levitate. Pokémon in the middle of moves like Fly, Bounce and Sky Drop can also be hit, canceling those moves in the process.

TM23 Smack Down Location (Step-by-Step)

When you first get to Meteor Falls, you’ll encounter Team Aqua/Magma trying to steal a meteorite from Professor Cozmo.

With the help of your Rival, you’ll defeat Team Aqua/Magma in a double battle.

When you win the battle, Team Aqua/Magma will steal the meteorite anyway. At that point, escort Professor Cozmo back to his house in Fallarbor Town, and he’ll give you the TM for Smack Down.

But before you can head to Meteor Falls, you should already have two other things completed:

  • Obtained the fifth Gym badge from Wattson, Mauville City’s Gym Leader
  • Explored Fallarbor Town and Route 114, the location of Meteor Falls’ entrance

If you haven’t been to Meteor Falls yet, start by heading to Fallarbor Town’s Pokémon Center:

Step 1: Outside the Pokémon Center, follow the path on the left.

Fallarbor Town’s Pokémon Center / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Fallarbor Town’s Pokémon Center

Step 2: Continue heading west along Route 114.

Running along Route 114 / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Running along Route 114

Step 3: Then once you reach an NPC all the way to the west, you should follow the path heading south.

Following the path heading south / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Following the path heading south

Step 4: Head past the bridge and continue heading south through the tall grass.

The other side of the bridge / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
The other side of the bridge

Step 5: Turn left and go up the nearby stairs – these appear directly after a pair of trainers.

Walking outside Meteor Falls / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Walking outside Meteor Falls

Step 6: Wrap around the stairs and then head south, eventually following this path going east.

Passing through the craters around Meteor Falls / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Passing through the craters around Meteor Falls

Step 7: Go up the short staircase, then start heading south past the trainer.

Walking past the trainer / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Walking past the trainer

Step 8: Head up another staircase on your left, then cross the giant crater going west.

The giant crater outside Meteor Falls / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
The giant crater outside Meteor Falls

Step 9: The entrance to Meteor Falls should be up ahead past a hiker.

The entrance to Meteor Falls / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
The entrance to Meteor Falls

Step 10: Inside the cave, prepare to battle Team Aqua/Magma with the help of your Rival.

Encountering Team Aqua inside Meteor Falls / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Encountering Team Aqua inside Meteor Falls

Step 11: You’ll eventually end up in Professor Cozmo’s house. And as a reward for rescuing him, he’ll reward you with TM23 Smack Down.

Professor Cozmo rewards you for your rescuing him / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Professor Cozmo rewards you for your rescuing him

Smack Down Details + Uses

In-game details for TM23 Smack Down / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
In-game details for TM23 Smack Down
Smack Down Move Details
Type Rock
Category Physical
Power 50
Accuracy 100%
PP 15 (max. 24)

TM23 Smack Down is a Physical Rock-type move that grounds the target until it switches out. When a Pokémon is grounded, they will be vulnerable to Ground-type moves, even if they were originally immune.

This includes bypassing the Ground-type immunity given by:

  • Being a Flying-type
  • The ability Levitate
  • The move Magnet Rise
  • The move Telekinesis
  • The held item Air Balloon

Smack Down can also hit targets during the semi-invulnerable turns of moves like Fly, Bounce, and Sky Drop. If it does, it cancels the move. It still grounds them, but it won’t prevent them from using those moves again.

After grounding your opponent, follow it up with any Ground-type attack.

Ideally, the target you use Smack Down on should be weak to Ground-types. This is especially useful in double battles, where you can perform this combo on the same turn.

While the move completely counters Pokémon relying on their immunity to Ground-types, Smack Down is still very situational. Without an ideal target to use it on, its 50 base power isn’t very good on its own.

If you still want to use it, you should consider running a stronger Rock-type move alongside Smack Down.

StormSwampert

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Though he spends most of his time playing a wide variety of games, Pokémon has always been his favorite. When he’s not playing games or writing guides, you can find him watching anime and collecting trading cards.

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