How To Get TM53 Energy Ball in Pokémon Platinum

You can find TM53 Energy Ball in two locations in Platinum:

One copy is on Route 226, east of the Battle Zone’s Survival Area. The Hidden Move Rock Climb is required to reach it.
Unlimited copies can be purchased at the Battle Frontier. Each copy costs 64 BP, which are earned by fighting in the Battle Frontier’s various facilities.

Energy Ball is a damage-dealing Grass-type special move that also has a chance of lowering the target’s Special Defense.

TM53 Energy Ball Locations

Location #1: Route 226 (Step-by-Step)

TM53 Energy Ball’s primary location on the Town Map.

TM53 Energy Ball’s earliest location is on a terrace in the mountains of Route 226, in the Battle Zone.

You will need a Pokémon that can use Rock Climb to reach the TM’s exact spot.

Note: The Battle Zone is off-limits until you defeat the Pokémon League. And Route 226 won’t be accessible until after you have received the National Pokédex.

The simplest way to find TM53 is to start in the Survival Area and head eastward.

Heading east from the Survival Area’s Pokémon Center.

When you reach the eastern mountains, move southeast to get in front of them.

Moving to the south of the mountains.

Use Rock Climb on the first rocky wall you encounter (facing north).

Using Rock Climb to scale the mountain.

After Rock Climbing onto the terrace, climb down the rocky wall to the immediate east.

Climbing down the next rocky wall.

Move to the other side of the new terrace by going east, where there are two more rocky walls.

Use Rock Climb on the one rock climb spot taking you up to the north.

Ascending another rock wall.

On the new terrace above you’ll will find two trainers to battle.

Take care of them, then use Rock Climb on the rocky wall to their right (going down).

Climbing down the rocky wall past the trainers.

On the eastern edge of this next terrace is a Poké Ball item.

TM53 Energy Ball’s location.

Pick this up to acquire TM53 Energy Ball.

Obtaining TM53 Energy Ball.

This is the only free copy of TM53 in the game. Getting more copies will be very expensive, so it’s recommended to think carefully about which Pokémon you want to teach it to.

Location #2: The Battle Frontier

TM53 Energy Ball’s secondary location on the Town Map.

Unlimited copies of TM53 can be purchased at the Battle Frontier, which is the huge building to the northeast of the Pokémon Center in the Battle Zone’s Fight Area.

Heading northeast from the Fight Area Pokémon Center to enter the Battle Frontier.

After entering the building, pass through the Entrance Hall and head through the door to the north.

Crossing the Entrance Hall to reach the northern door.

In the middle of the Main Hall will be several kiosks making up a central marketplace. This is the Exchange Service Corner.

Speak to the clerk at the southeastern kiosk with the red and white striped canopy.

Approaching the southeastern Exchange Service Corner kiosk.

Scroll through her inventory until you find the TM53 Energy Ball listing.

TM53 Energy Ball’s listing at the Exchange Service Corner.

TM53 is one of the pricier TMs for sale at 64 Battle Points (BP). You can earn BP by fighting in the Battle Frontier’s many battle facilities.

Energy Ball Details and Uses

In-game description of TM53 Energy Ball.

Energy Ball is a damage-dealing Grass-type special move. It also has a 10% chance of lowering the target’s Special Defense stat by one stage.

Energy Ball Move Details
Type	Grass
Category	Special
Power	80
Accuracy	100%
PP	10 (max. 16)

Energy Ball is like a Grass-type version of Psychic: a strong, low-frills special move that’s great for STAB-powered sweeping.

The 10% chance of lowering the opponent’s Special Defense is too low to rely on, but it’s a nice bonus when it kicks in.

There is some debate around whether Energy Ball or Grass Knot is a better Grass-type move, since both have the same average base power (Grass Knot’s base power varies, but its average is around 80).

Grass Knot’s damage depends on the weight of the target Pokémon, so it would be a much more effective move against heavier, bulkier targets.

But you don’t have control over how heavy your targets will be. And while Grass Knot has a base power of 120 when used on the game’s heaviest targets, that number drops to a pitiful 20 against the lightest foes.

This is where Energy Ball really shines.

Energy Ball’s reliability is one of its assets—sometimes you just need a strong move with no drawbacks.

Miscellaneous Info about Energy Ball:

A copy of TM53 Energy Ball can be sold for 1500 PokéDollars.
If Energy Ball is used in a Pokémon Contest, it earns the user 2 Appeal Points, plus 2 bonus Appeal Points if the user is the first to perform in that turn.

BACK TO THE MAIN GAME Pokémon Platinum Full Strategy Guide

Guide Navigation

Pokémon Platinum
- How To Get TM53 Energy Ball in Pokémon Platinum

Chris Haygood

270 articles

Chris is an American freelance writer and lifelong gamer. RPGs have been his genre of choice ever since he got Pokémon Blue in 1867, but if he finds a good rhythm game, he will prioritize playing it over both eating and breathing.

View Writer's Posts →