How To Get TM79 Dark Pulse in Pokémon Platinum

Finding TM79 in a cave in Victory Road (Pokémon Platinum)

You can get TM79 Dark Pulse in a small cavern in Victory Road. It’s lying next to the entrance that’s closest to the Pokémon League.

But you will need Strength, Surf, Rock Climb, and Waterfall to reach the TM’s exact location.

As for the move itself:

Dark Pulse is a damage-dealing Dark-type special move that may also make the opponent flinch.

TM79 Dark Pulse Location (Step-by-Step)

TM79 Dark Pulse’s location on the Town Map / Pokémon Platinum
TM79 Dark Pulse’s location on the Town Map.

TM79 Dark Pulse is found in a small cave chamber on Victory Road. The quickest way to reach it is to start at the entrance next to the Pokémon League.

But make sure you have Pokémon that know the following Hidden Moves before setting out:

  • Surf
  • Waterfall
  • Rock Climb
  • Strength

You also might want to bring a few Max Repels to avoid being bombarded by Steelixes and exploding Gravelers.

When you’re ready, Fly to the Pokémon League.

Then use Surf to enter the pond to the south and ride the falls to the bottom.

Plunging down the waterfall south of the Pokémon League / Pokémon Platinum
Plunging down the waterfall south of the Pokémon League.

Step onto the land to the south, then enter Victory Road’s cave entrance.

Entering Victory Road to the south / Pokémon Platinum
Entering Victory Road to the south.

Inside Victory Road, turn and head south down the wide corridor.

Moving southward through the cave / Pokémon Platinum
Moving southward through the cave.

Cross the southern bridge, and use Rock Climb to descend the rocky wall.

Using Rock Climb to descend the hill / Pokémon Platinum
Using Rock Climb to descend the hill.

After that, head west. Ignore the hallway to the north.

Moving westward / Pokémon Platinum
Moving westward.

Use Rock Climb on the next rocky wall you run into (it’ll bring you up onto a rocky platform).

Using Rock Climb to scale the wall / Pokémon Platinum
Using Rock Climb to scale the wall.

From the top here, just cross the bridge to the west.

Taking the western bridge across the gap / Pokémon Platinum
Taking the western bridge across the gap.

On the other side of the gap, go up the staircase.

Crossing the bridge and heading upstairs / Pokémon Platinum
Crossing the bridge and heading upstairs.

The next room contains three boulders arranged in a column.

Here’s how to solve the boulder puzzle:

First use Strength to push the top boulder westward.

Using Strength and moving the top boulder / Pokémon Platinum
Using Strength and moving the top boulder.

Now push the bottom boulder over to the west as well.

Pushing the bottom boulder to the west / Pokémon Platinum
Pushing the bottom boulder to the west.

Finally, stand below the center boulder and push it up towards the northern wall.

Pushing the middle boulder northward / Pokémon Platinum
Pushing the middle boulder northward.

The Poké Ball item on the ground contains TM79 Dark Pulse.

Obtaining TM79 Dark Pulse / Pokémon Platinum
Obtaining TM79 Dark Pulse.

Note: This is the only copy of TM79 in the game, so put some consideration into which Pokémon you teach it to.

Dark Pulse Details and Uses

In-game description of TM79 Dark Pulse / Pokémon Platinum
In-game description of TM79 Dark Pulse.

Dark Pulse is a damage-dealing Dark-type special move that also has a 20% chance of making the target flinch.

Dark Pulse Move Details
Type Dark
Category Special
Power 80
Accuracy 100%
PP 15 (max. 24)

Like other Pulse moves, Dark Pulse is strong, straightforward, and isn’t hindered by negative effects.

Dark Pulse’s 80 base power isn’t as high as some of the others. But its 15 PP and one-in-five chance of making the target flinch makes this move especially versatile.

Dark Pulse can also be taught to a plethora of non-Dark-type Pokémon as well.

While those Pokémon wouldn’t enjoy the extra STAB damage, it could be a good way to expand coverage in your team and defend against one of the trickier Pokémon types.

Miscellaneous Info about Dark Pulse:

  • A copy of TM79 Dark Pulse can be sold for 1,500 PokéDollars.
  • If Dark Pulse is used in a Pokémon Contest, it earns the user 2 Appeal Points, plus 2 bonus Appeal Points if the user acts first in that turn.

Chris Haygood

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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.

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