How to Get HM Rock Smash in Pokémon Emerald

Last Updated: September 25, 2022

Rock Smash is a key ability in Pokémon Emerald, and is required to advance in several parts of the story. You'll find Rock Smash from a man in Mauville City, but you won't be able to use it outside of battle. In order to use Rock Smash, you'll need to defeat the Gym Leader at the Mauville City Gym and earn the Dynamo Badge.

Steps

1
Reach Mauville City. You'll come across Mauville City as your progress through the story, after you have received your second Badge. Use Route 110 after Slateport City to get to Mauville City.
2
Head to the right of the Poke Mart to find the Rock Smash Guy's house. It's the house directly to the right of the Poke Mart, across the path. After asking you to call him a new name, he'll give you HM06 Rock Smash.
- You won't be able to receive the Rock Smash HM unless you have the Stone and Knuckle Badges.
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3
Teach Rock Smash to one of your Pokémon. Make sure to choose a Pokémon who doesn't need the space for an attack move, as they'll be stuck with Rock Smash for the whole game. You can teach Rock Smash to just about any Pokémon.
- Despite its name, Rock Smash is a Fighting-type move, not a Rock-type move.
4
Defeat the Gym Leader in the Mauville City Gym. In order to use Rock Smash to break rocks around the world, you'll need to earn the Dynamo Badge at the Mauville City Gym. The Gym is an Electric-type Gym, so come prepared with a few Ground-type Pokémon.^{[1]
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- The Gym Leader, Wattson, will have a Lv. 20 Voltorb, Lv. 20 Electrike, Lv. 22 Magneton, and Lv. 24 Manectric.^{[2]
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5
Continue on to Verdanturf Town. Once you've defeated Wattson, you'll receive the Dynamo Badge. Besides giving your Pokémon a Speed boost, it will give you the ability to use Rock Smash anywhere you find cracked rocks. The first place you can test this out is in Verdanturf Town.
- You can get to Verdanturf by heading west on Route 117.
6
Head to the cave at the top of the town. The path in the cave is blocked by two cracked rocks. Now's your chance to try out Rock Smash!
7
Press "A" when facing the cracked rock. You'll be prompted to use Rock Smash as long as the Pokémon that knows it is currently in your party. The rock will break, and you'll be given HM04 Strength as a reward!
- You won't be able to use Strength outside of battle until you earn your next Badge.
8
Use Rock Smash to access the Fiery Path and continue the story. You'll need to use Rock Smash to break the rocks on Route 112, which opens the Fiery Path. This cave will let you bypass the desert and reach Fallarbor Town, where your adventures will continue.

Community Q&A

Question

I went into the house and the guy talked about rock smash, but didn't give it to me. I did defeat the gym leader and got the dynamo badge. What am I doing wrong?

Community Answer

Then you must already have it. Also, beating the gym leader doesn't affect what he does.
Question

How can I get the HM to fly?

Community Answer

Beat May or Brendan (your rival) for the fourth time on your way to the sixth gym in Fortree town.
Question

How can I get a Master Ball?

Community Answer

In Pokemon Emerald, the Master Ball is found inside team Aqua's hideout. (I believe it is in Archie's office.) There are four 'item' balls in the corner of the room: two are Electrodes, one is a Golden Nugget, and the final ball is the Master Ball. You can also get some by winning the Lottery in the Department Store, but the odds of that are very low.