GSC TM Location Guide

Introduction

Some of the best moves in the game normally have limited distribution and can only be taught to some of the best Pokémon through TMs. Game Freak realizes this and often throws in sidequests or puzzles to make our lives harder by making us find these valuable items. This guide will help you find every single TM so your Pokémon will have every move they need at their disposal.

Gym Leader TMs

Ten of the game's fifty TMs are given to you as rewards just for continuing through the storyline. These TMs are TM01, TM06, TM16, TM23, TM24, TM23, TM30, TM31, TM45, and TM49. All eight Johto Gym Leaders and 2 of the Kanto Gym Leaders (Erica and Janine) will give you a TM. If you do not already have these TMs, simply continue through the story and you'll have them eventually.

Purchasable TMs

A select few TMs can be purchased infinitely. These TMs are either bought with the coins won or bought from the Goldenrod or Celadon City Game Corner or with normal money. The TMs purchasable with money can be found on the fifth floor of the Goldenrod Department Store and the third floor of the Celadon Department Store. The TMs located at the Goldenrod Department Store are TM02, TM08, TM33, TM41, and TM48. TM11, TM17, TM18, and TM37 are available at the Celadon Department Store. TM02 and TM08 cannot be purchased until they have been found in their normal locations. Even though TM11, TM18, and TM37 can be found elsewhere in the game, they will always be for sale at Celadon Department Store.

The Game Corners in Celadon City and Goldenrod City have 3 TMs each available for purchase. TM14, TM25, and TM38 are available for 5500 coins each at the Goldenrod Game Corner. TM15, TM29, and TM32 can be purchased at the Celadon Game Corner for 7500, 3500, and 1500 coins, respectively.

The Move Tutor

In addition to all fifty TMs, in Pokémon Crystal there are also three move tutor attacks. A man outside of the Goldenrod City Game Corner will teach your Pokémon Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, or Flamethrower for 4000 coins per move on Wednesdays and Saturdays. These moves are crucial for many Pokémon, so it is suggested that you plan accordingly.

Individual TM Locations

Every other TM usually requires a bit of work to reach. Every single TM and its location is listed below.

01. Dynamic Punch: Fighting; Location: The TM is given to you as a reward for defeating Chuck at the Cianwood City Gym.
02. Headbutt: Normal; Location: This TM is given out by a man on a ledge near the center of Ilex Forest. To reach him, follow the forest's path until you come to a fork in the road, and turn right. Following the path will lead you directly to him, and after speaking with him, he will award you TM02. After obtaining the TM from this man, TM02 can also be purchased at the Goldenrod Department Store for $2000.
03. Curse: ???; Location: Fly to Celadon City at night and take the path that leads behind the city to the right of the Pokémon Center. Follow the path until you find a back entrance to the building in the center of the city. Enter and climb the stairs to the top floor and enter the small house on the top of the roof. Within the house there will be a man who will eagerly tell you a "ghost story". Listen to him ramble and he will give you TM03 as a gift.
04. Rollout: Rock; Location: From Goldenrod City, enter Route 35 and follow the route until you reach the entrance of the National Park. At this point, take a right through the grass and then continue downwards. Once you are out of the grass, follow the path that leads upwards to find TM04
05. Roar: Normal; Location: Take a Pokémon with Cut south of Violet City onto Route 32. Continue through the initial grassy section of the route until you notice a tree that can be cut. After the tree is disposed of, simply talk to the man standing by the ledge and he will give you TM05 for reaching him.
06. Toxic: Poison; Location: TM06 is given to you as a reward for defeating Janine at the Fuchsia City Gym.
07. Zap Cannon: Electric; Location: After restoring the Power Plant on Route 10 to full power, the owner of the plant will give you TM07.
08. Rock Smash: Fighting; Location: After clearing Sudowoodo from Route 36, speak to the man to the east of the intersection. He will be impressed by your feat and give you TM08. TM08 can also be purchased from the Goldenrod Department Store for $1000 after obtaining the initial TM.
09. Psych Up: Psychic; Location: TM09 is unique because it can only be obtained by interacting with Pokémon Red, Blue, or Yellow. To get the TM, you will need to trade an Abra or Kadabra from one of those games to Pokémon Gold, Silver, or Crystal. The Pokémon should be holding the TM after you receive it from the trade.
10. Hidden Power: Normal; Location: From Mahogany Town, travel to Route 43 and hug the left side of the route. This will eventually place you at an area behind the Lake of Rage. Navigate the maze of shrubs using Cut as needed to get to the house in the northern corner of the area. Inside it will be a man who will give you TM10.
11. Sunny Day: Fire; Location: After liberating the Radio Tower from Team Rocket, speak to the woman with green hair on the third floor. She will compliment your battling skills and give you TM11. TM11 can also be purchased from the Celadon Department Store.
12. Sweet Scent: Grass; Location: Head south of Goldenrod City through Route 34. Enter the house at the route's end and talk to the woman behind the counter. She will give you TM12.
13. Snore: Normal; Location: Enter the left house on MooMoo Farm on Route 39. Within the house will be two girls feeding a sick Miltank. Feed the Miltank several Berries and it will become well. Once this is accomplished, talk to the woman in the house to the right and she will give you TM13.; An alternative way to obtain TM13 is to travel through Dark Cave. Enter the cave from the Route 45 entrance and Surf downwards to the next area of land. Walk to the left and TM 13 will be there.
14. Blizzard: Ice; Location: TM14 can be purchased at the Goldenrod Game Corner for 5500 coins.
15. Hyper Beam: Normal; Location: TM15 can be purchased at the Celadon Game Corner for 7500 coins.
16. Icy Wind: Ice; Location: TM16 is given to you as a reward for defeating Pryce at the Mahogany Town Gym.
17. Protect: Normal; Location: TM17 can be purchased at the Celadon Department Store for $3000.
18. Rain Dance: Water; Location: Once you have access to both Surf and Strength, return to Slowpoke Well and continue through the cave back to where you defeated the final Rocket Grunt. Move the boulder aside with Strength and Surf to the previously inaccessible ladder. On the basement floor, Surf to the right and you will discover TM18. TM18 can also be purchased at the Celadon Department Store for $3000.
19. Giga Drain: Grass; Location: TM19 is given to you as a reward for defeating Erika at the Celadon City Gym.
20. Endure: Fighting; Location: Descend to the right side of the basement floor of the Burnt Tower. Simply push the boulder aside with Strength and TM20 is all yours.
21. Frustration: Normal; Location: On the fifth floor of the Goldenrod Department Store on Sundays, there will be a woman in red behind the counter. Speak to her and she will examine your Pokémon. If your Pokémon's happiness is very low, she will give you TM21.
22. Solar Beam: Grass; Location: TM22 lies in the southeastern corner of Route 27. Travel to the bridge area of the route and Surf to the bottom of the area until you find a whirlpool. Dispose of it and TM22 will be sitting on the small island.
23. Iron Tail: Steel; Location: TM23 is given to you as a reward for defeating Jasmine at the Olivine City Gym.
24. Dragon Breath: Dragon; Location: After you defeat Clair of Blackthorn City Gym, she will send you on a task to accomplish within the Dragon's Den dungeon. If you are playing Pokémon Gold or Pokémon Silver, she will ask you to retrieve the Dragon Fang located on an island at the right side of the Dragon's Den. Surf and Whirlpool are necessary to accomplish this. If you are playing Pokémon Crystal, she will ask you to talk to the elders within the dungeon and answer their questionnaire. Once either task is accomplished, she will award you with TM24 as well as the Rising Badge.
25. Thunder: Electric; Location: TM25 can be purchased at the Goldenrod Game Corner for 5500 coins.
26. Earthquake: Ground; Location: On the third floor of Victory Road in the westward section of the map will be a hole that descends to the 2nd floor. Fall down the hole and TM26 will be right next to your landing spot.
27. Return: Normal; Location: On the fifth floor of the Goldenrod Department Store on Sundays, there will be a woman in red behind the counter. Speak to her and she will examine your Pokémon. If your Pokémon's happiness is very high, she will give you TM27.
28. Dig: Ground; Location: Travel to the northeast corner of the National Park. To the side of the boy playing a Game Boy, you will notice a gap in the fence. TM28 can be found by following the left path.
29. Psychic: Psychic; Location: Go to Saffron City and enter the house in the city's southeastern corner. Inside will be Mr. Psychic, a man that will give you TM29 if you speak to him.
30. Shadow Ball: Ghost; Location: TM30 is given to you as a reward for defeating Morty at the Ecruteak City Gym.
31. Mud Slap: Ground; Location: TM31 is given to you as a reward for defeating Falkner at the Violet City Gym.
32. Double Team: Normal; Location: TM32 can be purchased at the Celadon Game Corner for 1500 coins.
33. Ice Punch: Ice; Location: TM33 can be purchased for $3000 at the Goldenrod Department Store.
34. Swagger: Normal; Location: You will find TM34 on the fifth floor of the Lighthouse at Olivine City. To reach the TM, simply climb up the ladders of the Lighthouse; falling down holes is not necessary to obtain the TM.
35. Sleep Talk: Normal; Location: This TM is found deep underneath Goldenrod City. To access it you must have exposed the fake President at the top of the Radio Tower. Travel to the Goldenrod Underground and take the path that juts to the right. Enter the double doors and descend the stairs. You should now be in a room with several pillars. Travel to the far left side of the room and activate every switch from left to right. Follow the newly opened path to the next area. TM35 will be in the center of this room.
36. Sludge Bomb: Poison; Location: After vanquishing Team Rocket from Mahogany Town, travel to Route 43 and enter the toll gate on the route's right side. Talk to the man behind the counter and he will explain that Team Rocket left behind an item after they left. The guard will then give you the item, which is TM36.
37. Sandstorm: Ground; Location: From New Bark town, Surf eastwards until you arrive at Route 27. Pass through Tohjo Falls and enter the house to the left of the exit. Inside will be an old woman that will see if your Pokémon are ready for the Pokémon League. What she'll really check is how happy the Pokémon in your lead slot is. If your Pokémon is at max happiness, the woman will reward you with TM37.
38. Fire Blast: Fire; Location: TM38 can be purchased at the Goldenrod Game Corner for 5500 coins.
39. Swift: Normal; Location: To find TM39, head through Union Cave until you see a ladder next to a trainer dressed in blue. Once you have descended the ladder, head left to discover the TM.
40. Defense Curl: Normal; Location: On Route 42, enter Mt. Mortar from the center entrance only accessible with Surf. Surf again once in the cave and climb the waterfall to the next area. Once inside, Surf through the three ponds to the left, drop from the second ledge to the right, travel to the far right, Surf up the next pond, take a left, then drop from a ledge, and climb up the stairs. TM40 will be lying in front of you.
41. Thunder Punch: Electric; Location: TM41 can be purchased for $3000 at the Goldenrod Department Store.
42. Dream Eater: Psychic; Location: Situated at the southwestern corner of Viridian City is a man only accessible through Cut or Surf. Use either move to gain access to him. Speaking to the man will net you TM42.
43. Detect: Fighting; Location: From Mahogany Town, head north to Route 43 and take the left path. Continue down this path until you have reached a fork in the road, and choose the left way. You will then encounter a complicated maze of shrubs and trees that can be Cut. Hug the right and eventually you will reach TM43.
44. Rest: Psychic; Location: On the second basement floor of the Ice Cave will be a room with ice you can slide on in the bottom section and solid land on the top section. Align yourself with the ladder, run forward, jump off the ledge, and slide to the right to reach TM44.
45. Attract: Normal; Location: TM45 is given to you as a reward for defeating Whitney at the Goldenrod City Gym.
46. Thief: Dark; Location: This TM is located in a small encased area on the second floor of the Rocket Hideout in Mahogany Town. Simply descend the series of stairs through the hideout to reach the TM.
47. Steel Wing: Steel; Location: TM47, like TM13, can be found in two separate locations during the game. You will be able to find one TM47 close to the exit to Lavender Town within Rock Tunnel.; A second one can be found on Route 28 inside a small house in the route's northwestern corner.
48. Fire Punch: Fire; Location: TM48 can be purchased for $3000 at the Goldenrod Department Store.
49. Fury Cutter: Bug; Location: TM49 is given to you as a reward for defeating Bugsy at the Azalea Town Gym.
50. Nightmare: Ghost; Location: Before trying to obtain this TM, it is advised that you either defeat of capture the Sudowoodo blocking the path on Route 36. Within the gate between Goldenrod City and Route 35 will be a clerk standing behind a counter. Speak to him and he will ask you to carry a Pokémon with mail to his friend on Route 31. Accept the offer, take the Spearow with mail to Route 31, and give it to the fat man sitting next to a Berry plant. He will take the Pokémon, read the mail, and give you TM50 as a reward.
If you wish, you can also keep the Spearow given to you by attaching the mail to another Pokémon. He will not take the new Pokémon holding the mail, only the mail itself.