
You can only obtain TM39 Rock Tomb by defeating the first Gym Leader Roxanne, located in Rustboro City. You can challenge Roxanne as soon as you arrive at Rustboro City from Route 104.
TM39 Rock Tomb is a damage-dealing Rock-type move that also lowers the target’s Speed stat.
Rock Tomb may be one of the weaker Rock-type moves out there, but it can be used as a utility move against offensive threats. Lowering an opposing Pokémon’s Speed might prevent them from sweeping your team, as it makes them easier to outspeed.
TM39 Rock Tomb Location
Rustboro City is one of the earliest cities you can visit during your playthrough. It’s home to the Devon Corporation and the Rustboro Gym. You can reach the city by heading north from Route 104.
The Rustboro Gym is the first Gym you’re going to have to face in the Hoenn region.
If you don’t know where the Rustboro Gym is, start by going to the city’s Pokémon Center:
Step 1: Follow the path on the right that’s heading north.

Step 2: Continue heading north past the buildings.

Step 3: When you see a building with an orange-yellow roof, that’s the gym. Turn right and go inside to enter the Rustboro City Gym.

Step 4: Once you’re there, get ready to face off against Roxanne (among some other trainers). Once you beat Roxanne, she’ll give you TM39 Rock Tomb.

Rock Tomb Details + Uses

Rock Tomb Move Details | |
---|---|
Type | Rock |
Category | Physical |
Power | 60 |
Accuracy | 95 |
PP | 15 (max. 24) |
TM39 Rock Tomb is a Physical Rock-type move that also lowers the target’s Speed by one stage. Each stat can be raised and lowered up to six times.
Here’s how much each use of Rock Tomb modifies your opponent’s Speed stat:
Stage | Main Stat |
---|---|
0 | x1 |
-1 | x0.66 |
-2 | x0.5 |
-3 | x0.4 |
-4 | x0.33 |
-5 | x0.285 |
-6 | x0.25 |

Since Rock Tomb only has 60 base power, it doesn’t really fit in any Physical attacker’s moveset. Especially since moves like Stone Edge and Rock Slide are infinitely better options.
You can have utility or defensive Pokémon learn the move instead of your sweepers.
Using Rock Tomb can be more effective in Double Battles, as you can use it to slow down fast Pokémon to change up the turn order for the current turn and the following turns. Lowering the Speed of your opponent’s offensive threats might prevent them from sweeping your entire team.
Despite being an already weak move, it still has a slight chance of missing.
You’re better off just using Rock Tomb in the early game of your playthrough, where there aren’t many options for better moves yet.
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Pokémon ORAS
- How To Get TM39 Rock Tomb in Pokémon ORAS