Field move

If you were looking for the special moves usable in Pokémon Ranger games, see Field Move (Ranger).

Artwork of Farfetch'd using Cut

A field move is a move which can be used out of battle in the core series. All Hidden Machine moves have a field move effect, and some moves accessible through leveling up, Technical Machines, or other means may also help the player through the game. In Generation VII and VIII no moves are able to be used outside of battle; instead, several field moves are functionally replaced by Ride Pokémon and Secret Techniques in Generation VII, and dropped in Generation VIII, with only the Flying Taxi functionally replacing Fly.

Field moves

HM moves

• Cut: The Pokémon is able to cut down small trees and, until Generation IV, tall grass on the field. It can be taught to a Pokémon by using HM01 in all generations. In Generation I, trees cut down would be regenerated if the game was saved and the power turned off, even if the player has still been in the area, allowing the player to stand on a tree; however, this isn't the case in future generations.
• Fly: The player can fly on the Pokémon to any previously visited city or town, or certain locations such as the Battle Tower in Hoenn. Fly can be taught to a Pokémon by using HM02 in all generations.
• Surf: The player can travel on water by traveling on the Pokémon's back. It can be taught to a Pokémon by using HM03 in all generations.
• Strength: The Pokémon is able to push boulders of a certain type around. It can be taught to a Pokémon by using HM04 in all generations.
• Flash: The Pokémon can light up a cavern covered by darkness such as Dark Cave. Flash can be taught to a Pokémon by using HM05 in the first three generations, and by using TM70 since Generation IV.
• Whirlpool: The Pokémon can dismiss small whirlpools on the water. It can be taught to a Pokémon by using HM06 in Generation II. Since Generation III it has been a regular level-up move. In Generation IV's HeartGold and SoulSilver it has regained HM status as HM05 and since Generation V, it has again lost its HM status.
• Waterfall: The Pokémon can climb up waterfalls. It can be taught to a Pokémon by using HM07 from Generation II to Generation IV, and HM05 since Generation V. It was also available in Generation I as a level-up move, but it didn't have the field move status.
• Rock Smash: The Pokémon can smash boulders of a certain type into pieces. It can be taught to a Pokémon by using TM08 in Generation II, by using HM06 in Generations III and IV, TM94 in Generation V and X and Y, and HM06 in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
• Dive: The player can dive underwater when surfing in deep waters. It can be taught to a Pokémon by using HM08 in Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. Since Generation IV it has been a regular level-up move. In Generation V, it has regained HM status as HM06; in X and Y, it again lost its HM status; in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, it again regained HM status as HM07.
• Defog: The Pokémon can clear out fog on the field. It can be taught to a Pokémon by using HM05 in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. Since Generation V, it has lost its HM status.
• Rock Climb: The Pokémon can climb up rocky walls. It can be taught to a Pokémon by using HM08 in Generation IV. Since Generation V, it has lost its HM status.

TM moves

• Dig: The Pokémon can dig the player out of a cavern to the place where the player entered it, similar to an Escape Rope. It can be taught to a Pokémon by using TM28 in all generations. Several Pokémon can also learn the move by leveling up.
• Teleport: The Pokémon can teleport the player to the front of the last visited Pokémon Center by using telekinesis. It can be taught to a Pokémon by using TM30 in Generation I, and it can be learned by many Psychic-type Pokémon.
• Soft-Boiled: The Pokémon cuts 20% of its HP to recover another Pokémon's HP. It can be taught to a Pokémon by using TM41 in Generation I, and it can be learned via level-up by Chansey and Blissey as well as certain Pokémon via a Move Tutor in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.
• Headbutt: The Pokémon can shake a small tree which may cause a wild Pokémon to fall down. It can be taught to a Pokémon by using TM02 in Generation II. Though available as a level up move in Generation I and future generations, it only had status as a field move in Generation II and has regained such status in HeartGold and SoulSilver where it is available via a Move Tutor in Ilex Forest. It once again lost its field move status since Generation V.
• Rock Smash: Can be taught to a Pokémon by using TM08 in Generation II, HM06 in Generations III and IV, TM94 in Generation V and X and Y, and HM06 in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Clears cracked rocks; in Generations II, III and VI as well as HeartGold and SoulSilver, Pokémon can occasionally be found in them, plus it can also give the player items.

Flash remains a field move since Generation IV, despite no longer being an HM.

• Sweet Scent: The Pokémon can activate a wild Pokémon battle in tall grass, caves, and water. It can be taught to a Pokémon by using TM12 in Generation II, and it can be learned by many Grass-type Pokémon.
• Secret Power: The Pokémon can clear an entrance into a big tree, a bush or an indent in a wall in order to create a Secret Base. It can be taught to a Pokémon by using TM43 in Generations III and IV, and TM94 in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. However, it is not a field move in Generation IV.
• Flash: Can be taught to a Pokémon by using HM05 in Generations I, II, and III, and is currently a TM move. It lights up dark caves. Prior to Generation III, the whole screen would be dark before using Flash. In Generations III, IV, and V, a small circle around the player is visible initially, which expands when Flash is used. In X and Y, the screen zooms out and the wild Pokémon encounter rate is decreased. In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the entire screen will be darkened somewhat, and will become normal brightness after it is used.

Other moves

• Milk Drink: Similar to Soft-Boiled, the Pokémon cuts some of its HP to recover another Pokémon's HP. It can be learned by Miltank, Skiddo and Gogoat by leveling up.
• Chatter: It can be used to record and temporarily alter the battle cry of a Chatot. It does not function correctly with other Pokémon. The recorded audio is reset to Chatot's default cry when it is deposited into a box.

See also

• List of Pokémon by field move
  • Generation I
  • Generation II
  • Generation III
  • Generation IV
  • Generation V
  • Generation VI
• Poké Ride
• Secret Technique
• Rotom Bike and Flying Taxi

This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.