Important TM & HM Locations in Pokémon Gold, Silver & Crystal
Important HMs and key TMs for story progression, Elite Four preparation, and the Red battle.
This page focuses on important HMs and high-impact TMs for story progression, Elite Four preparation, and the Red battle. It is a practical planning guide, not a complete Gen2 TM database.
| Use case | Move | Why it matters | Best users | When to get it | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Story progression |  Surf | One of the most important progression moves and a reliable Water attack for many story teams. | Water-types you plan to keep, such as starter or route Water options. | Midgame after the Ecruteak Dance Theater Kimono Girls sequence. | Surf is an HM, not a TM, but it is central enough to include in practical move planning. |
| Elite Four preparation |  Shadow Ball | Useful Ghost-type coverage for Psychic and Ghost pressure in late Johto planning. | Physical attackers that can make good use of the move in original Gen2. | Ecruteak Gym reward from Morty. | TMs are single-use in original Gold, Silver, and Crystal, so choose the user carefully. |
| Elite Four preparation |  DragonBreath | Late Johto Dragon coverage and a natural pre-Elite Four planning point after Clair. | Dragon-capable or broad-coverage team members. | Blackthorn Gym reward from Clair. | Do not assume later-generation type chart or move-pool changes. |
| Red battle preparation |  DynamicPunch | Fighting coverage can help with bulky Normal-type problems if you can manage its risk. | Fighting-types or strong physical attackers with a clear role. | Cianwood Gym reward from Chuck. | High impact but unreliable; plan backup answers rather than depending on one hit. |
| Red battle preparation |  Icy Wind | Ice coverage helps against several late-game threats and can support speed control. | Water-types and other Pokémon that need Ice coverage. | Mahogany Gym reward from Pryce. | Useful for planning, but not a complete answer to Red by itself. |
| Coverage moves |  Iron Tail | Steel coverage matters more in Gen2 than Gen1 because Steel is newly introduced. | Physical attackers that need extra coverage. | Olivine Gym reward from Jasmine. | Accuracy can be a drawback, so avoid making it your only plan. |
| Coverage moves |  Mud-Slap | Early Ground-type coverage and accuracy pressure from the first Johto Gym reward. | Early-game team members that benefit from safe utility. | Violet Gym reward from Falkner. | More useful as an early utility move than as late-game damage. |
| Utility moves |  Fly | Not strictly required for puzzles, but it dramatically improves route efficiency. | A dedicated Flying-type or utility party member. | Cianwood City after defeating Chuck. | Fly is an HM and a convenience tool; it is not the same kind of requirement as Surf. |
| Utility moves |  Flash | Optional for many players, but useful for cave navigation and lower-friction exploration. | A utility Pokémon that is not central to your battle plan. | Sprout Tower after clearing the tower. | Flash is helpful but less central than Surf, Strength, Whirlpool, and Waterfall. |
| HM | Move | Required? | Main use | When it matters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HM01 |  Cut | Yes | Ilex Forest after resolving the Farfetch'd puzzle. | Becomes practical after Hive Badge. | Required to leave Ilex Forest and continue toward Goldenrod City. |
| HM02 | Fly | Mostly optional | Cianwood City from Chuck's wife after defeating Chuck. | Becomes practical after Storm Badge. | Not a strict route-block HM, but it is the main fast-travel tool for the rest of the game. |
| HM03 | Surf | Yes | Ecruteak Dance Theater after defeating the Kimono Girls. | Becomes practical after Fog Badge. | Required for sea routes and major midgame progression. |
| HM04 |  Strength | Yes | Olivine City café from a sailor. | Becomes practical after Plain Badge. | Needed for boulder puzzles and late-game route progress. |
| HM05 | Flash | Mostly optional | Sprout Tower from the elder after clearing the tower. | Becomes practical after Zephyr Badge. | Useful for dark caves but less central than Cut, Surf, Strength, Whirlpool, and Waterfall. |
| HM06 |  Whirlpool | Yes | Team Rocket Hideout in Mahogany Town from Lance after clearing the hideout. | Becomes practical after Glacier Badge. | A Gen2-specific HM required for Whirl Islands and Dragon's Den progression context. |
| HM07 |  Waterfall | Yes | Ice Path while traveling toward Blackthorn City. | Becomes practical after Rising Badge. | Required for late-game and postgame water traversal. |
HM01 CutNormalIlex Forest after resolving the Farfetch'd puzzle.
Requirements
- Hive Badge
Notes
- Required to leave Ilex Forest and continue toward Goldenrod City.
HM02 FlyFlyingCianwood City from Chuck's wife after defeating Chuck.
Requirements
- Storm Badge
Notes
- Not a strict route-block HM, but it is the main fast-travel tool for the rest of the game.
HM03 SurfWaterEcruteak Dance Theater after defeating the Kimono Girls.
Requirements
- Fog Badge
Notes
- Required for sea routes and major midgame progression.
HM04 StrengthNormalOlivine City café from a sailor.
Requirements
- Plain Badge
Notes
- Needed for boulder puzzles and late-game route progress.
HM05 FlashNormalSprout Tower from the elder after clearing the tower.
Requirements
- Zephyr Badge
Notes
- Useful for dark caves but less central than Cut, Surf, Strength, Whirlpool, and Waterfall.
HM06 WhirlpoolWaterTeam Rocket Hideout in Mahogany Town from Lance after clearing the hideout.
Requirements
- Glacier Badge
Notes
- A Gen2-specific HM required for Whirl Islands and Dragon's Den progression context.
HM07 WaterfallWaterIce Path while traveling toward Blackthorn City.
Requirements
- Rising Badge
Notes
- Required for late-game and postgame water traversal.
TM31 Mud-SlapGroundViolet Gym reward from Falkner.
Early Gym reward and useful accuracy pressure.
TM24 DragonBreathDragonBlackthorn Gym reward from Clair.
A late Johto reward tied to Clair and Dragon's Den progression.
TM30 Shadow BallGhostEcruteak Gym reward from Morty.
Important Ghost-type coverage in Gen2 planning.
TM01 DynamicPunchFightingCianwood Gym reward from Chuck.
TM23 Iron TailSteelOlivine Gym reward from Jasmine.
Steel is new in Gen2, so Steel-type coverage has special value.
TM16 Icy WindIceMahogany Gym reward from Pryce.
TM49 Fury CutterBugAzalea Gym reward from Bugsy.
TM45 AttractNormalGoldenrod Gym reward from Whitney.
Can swing specific fights, but it depends on gender matchups.
More Gen II Guide Sections
Walkthrough
Follow Johto, Kanto, Mt. Silver, and Red.
Version Differences
Compare Gold, Silver, Crystal, and remake boundaries.
Exclusive Pokémon
Plan trades and version availability.
Crystal Differences
Review Suicune, Eusine, Battle Tower, and Crystal changes.
Gym Leaders
Johto and Kanto badge battles.
Legendary Pokémon
Ho-Oh, Lugia, beasts, and Celebi context.
Battle Tower
Crystal-only post-game challenge facility.
Elite Four
Will, Koga, Bruno, Karen, and Lance.
Red Battle
The Mt. Silver final superboss.
New Features
Understand Gen2 mechanics.
FAQ
Are TMs reusable in Gen2?
No. TMs are single-use in original Gold, Silver, and Crystal, so save important coverage moves for Pokémon you plan to keep.
Which HMs are required in Gold and Silver?
Cut, Surf, Strength, Whirlpool, and Waterfall are the most important route-progression HMs. Fly and Flash are useful, but Fly is mostly travel convenience and Flash is situational.
Where do you get Whirlpool?
Whirlpool is received from Lance after clearing the Team Rocket Hideout in Mahogany Town.
Where do you get Waterfall?
Waterfall is found in Ice Path before Blackthorn City.
Can HMs be forgotten in Gen2?
Yes, but you need the Move Deleter in Blackthorn City. Plan HM users carefully before then.
Which TMs should I save?
Save rare coverage and high-impact TMs for long-term team members. This page focuses on important TMs for story, Elite Four, and Red planning instead of pretending to be a full TM database.
What TMs are best before the Elite Four?
Shadow Ball, DragonBreath, Icy Wind, and other reliable coverage options are useful depending on your team. Because Gen2 TMs are single-use, assign them to long-term team members.
What TMs help against Red?
Useful Red preparation includes Electric, Ice, Fighting, Water, Ground, and Dark coverage. This page highlights practical move planning without using later-generation mechanics.
Is this a full TM database?
No. This guide focuses on important TMs and HMs for practical playthrough planning. A full TM database can be added separately if the site later supports every TM location.
This guide covers original Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal for Game Boy / Game Boy Color. It intentionally does not use HeartGold and SoulSilver remake data.