Research Pokemon that lost their moves

Molk

Godlike Usmash
is a Top Tutor Alumnusis a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Team Rater Alumnusis a Senior Staff Member Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Discord Contributor Alumnusis a Top Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
Two other interesting examples are Low Kick Dodrio and Rapid Spin Golem. Both were only given out via a New York Pokemon Center event in generation 2, and neither move has been legal on those two since. Kind of a shame too, Dodrio and Golem would really appreciate having access to those moves right about now, at least in the lower tiers such as NU/PU :x.
 
Articuno and Moltres both learned Peck in Gen 1, but then Peck was replaced by Gust for Articuno and Wing Attack for Moltres in Gen 2 onwards.

The Charmander family had Rage in its level-up set up until Gen 3 (it could be learned in RSE but not FRLG probably because Charmander wanted space for Metal Claw).

Uproar can be move tutored to Chimchar and most baby pokemon including Togepi but not to their evolved forms. It's a small detail that I am glad Game Freak added in for the infants.
 

DragonWhale

It's not a misplay, it's RNG manipulation
is a Top Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Community Leader Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Dedicated Tournament Host Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
Iron Defense was available for Mandibuzz with BW2 tutors, but not in ORAS.
Extrasensory is Budew's egg move, but not Roselia's
Zen Headbutt is Munchlax's egg move, but not Snorlax's
Tailwind is Mantyke's egg move, but not Mantine's
Last Resort is Happiny's egg move, but not Chansey's
Charm and Healing Wish are Mime Jr.'s egg moves, but not Mr. Mime's
Azurill has 5 egg moves that Marill cannot learn

Yeah, I know, the last 5 were incense-mons. Sue me.
 
Iron Defense was available for Mandibuzz with BW2 tutors, but not in ORAS.
Extrasensory is Budew's egg move, but not Roselia's
Zen Headbutt is Munchlax's egg move, but not Snorlax's
Tailwind is Mantyke's egg move, but not Mantine's
Last Resort is Happiny's egg move, but not Chansey's
Charm and Healing Wish are Mime Jr.'s egg moves, but not Mr. Mime's
Azurill has 5 egg moves that Marill cannot learn

Yeah, I know, the last 5 were incense-mons. Sue me.
Those are intentional, it's to give you a reason to breed the babies. The babies also don't get several egg moves of their evos, like Azurill doesn't get Aqua Jet.
 

Agonist

how can I feel existential dread, it's my fear
is a Forum Moderator Alumnus
- Until Gen 4, neither Zubat or Golbat were able to learn Fly. I guess it sort of makes sense with Zubat, but Golbat is far larger than many of the Pokemon that could already learn Fly.
- Oddish got Leech Seed as a Japanese only event move when Gen 3 first came out, and hasn't been able to learn it since.
- Bagon got Iron Defense (which is can't learn by itself, but Shelgon can be tutored the move in later games), and Wish through the same event as Oddish.
- Wish Chansey is a pretty famous example, it was only available briefly through PCNY, and hasn't been able to get the move since, even though most other similar Pokemon can learn it either themselves, and or through breeding.
 
Shaymin used to be able to learn Grass Whistle by level up in Diamond and Pearl but the move vanished from its learnset in later games (it is replaced with Sweet Kiss).

And Dragonite and Articuno has Heal Bell if transferred from the XD Game. They haven't been able to learn that move since.

1) Minccino has Growl in Generation 5 but loses it in Generation 6.

2) The Geodude line and Snorlax have Harden in Generation 1. Snorlax loses it since Gen 2 while Geodude loses it in Gen 3.

3) Squirtle gains Confusion by breeding in Gen 2 but loses it since Gen 3.
Electabuzz and Magmar can learn Metronome by TM in Gen 1 but can't learn it by Move Tutors in Gen 3

4) Bulbasaur and Totodile both have Razor Wind as egg moves in Gen 2 but have never been able to get them since Gen 3.

5) In Gen 2, Vileplume can learn Sweet Scent by natural level-up movepool and TM. Starting from Gen 3, only its preevolutions (and Bellosom) learns this move.

6) Since Gen 1, Vaporeon learns Bite through level-up. However, it loses them since BW2 and can only learn it through Eevee.

7) Sceptile can learn Fury Cutter in RSE through level-up and Gen 4 through TM before losing the move completely in Gen 5 due to no move tutor for this move. ORAS adds the move back to its movepool though.

8) Suicune and the Tentacool lines have Water Gun in their level-up learnset in their debut generation but loses them in the next game.
 
Last edited:
Swift seems to disappear from a few Pokemon's natural movepools:

-In RB, Pikachu naturally had it at level 26 but disappeared when his movepool was overhauled in Yellow.

-Yanma learns it at level 37 but can't learn it anymore after Crystal replaced it with a much needed STAB with Wing Attack.

-Lugia and Ho-oh could learn it until DPPt. It was removed in HGSS.

-Magnemite had it until Generation 3 then was gone since DPPt.

-Interestingly enough, Magneton stopped learning it in GS. It was replaced by Tri Attack in Crystal but you can still learn it if you held off as a Magnemite in 3rd Gen.

Even more interesting is Swift was a TM in Gen 1 and 2 and a Move Tutor again in HGSS so all of these pokemon could be tutored the move. I don't blame them for replacing Swift with better moves in their natural movepool.


Another one is the Spinarak line learning Screech in Gen 2, but not learning it again in the any Generations after that.

Doduo learns Tri Attack from the very first games but loses access to the move in Generation 4. It could still learn it as a Dodrio though.
 
I remember (and can confirm) that the only way for Vileplume to learn Solar Beam without a TM was by learning it while still an Oddish or Gloom in Gen I, but this was quietly changed in Gen II, with only Bellossom able naturally learn Solar Beam, until Game Freak changed their mind yet again, and in Gen 4, only Vileplume could learn Solar Beam naturally, while everyone else had to learn it via TM.

It has remained this way ever since.

My favorite example (and one that I'll never forget) is Kabuto / Kabutops learning Hydro Pump in gen 1, then losing it altogether from gen 2 onwards. I don't think anyone but me misses a Hydro Pump Kabutops, though.
Yes, you are the only one who misses Kabutops being able to learn Hydro Pump, because his Attack stat is nearly twice as high as his Special Attack, and he prefers using physical moves such as Waterfall and Rock Slide.
 
1) Flareon used to be able to learn Rage throguh level-up in Gen 1 but loses it ever since.

2) Raticate has Focus Energy in its level-up movepool in Gen 1 but loses it in Gens 2 and 3 before gaining it back in Gen 4. Rattata still learns it in all games though.

3) Speaking of Focus Energy, Eevee has it in Yellow and Gold and Silver but loses it in all other games.
 
And Dragonite and Articuno has Heal Bell if transferred from the XD Game. They haven't been able to learn that move since.
There are a crazy amount of Pokemon that only learn certain moves in the spinoff games XD and Colosseum, that's why SRing in those games is a thing. They don't really count for the purpose of this thread because they're like event moves. They have to make those Pokemon special somehow - and it works. If only flawless Refresh Salamence were legally obtainable, and so on.
 
Yes, you are the only one who misses Kabutops being able to learn Hydro Pump, because his Attack stat is nearly twice as high as his Special Attack, and he prefers using physical moves such as Waterfall and Rock Slide.
While we're on the subject of Gen 1 fossils, Omanyte/Omastar used to have Horn Attack in Gen 1 but loses it completely in Gen 2. I can understand Omastar but the thought of Omastar using Horn Attack makes me chuckle somehow

Interestingly, Piloswine also had Horn Attack but loses it in Gen 4 for some reason.

Nidoking could also learn it at level 8 in Gen 1 or as a starting move in Gen 1 and 2 but forgets it completely in Gen 3. Funnil, there were no Move Relearners in the first 2 Gens so you couldn't access that move anyway from Nidoking's movepool. It's prevolutions still has access to the move to this day.

Similarly, Shiftry could also learn Pound as a starting move in Gen 3 but loses access to it starting from Gen 4. Nuzleaf can still learn it but as a starting move usually through Move relearners. It also loses Growth in the same way.

Seel used to be able to have Peck as an Egg move in Gen 2 but loses it in Gen 3 onwards.

Lapras also had Aurora Beam as an Egg move but again, it loses it from Gen 3.

Exeggcute used to learn Psychic naturally in Gen 4 and BW but loses it in BW2.

Chimecho could also learn Psychic naturally in Gen 3 but loses it in the next Gen.

The Charmander family had Rage in its level-up set up until Gen 3 (it could be learned in RSE but not FRLG probably because Charmander wanted space for Metal Claw).
Interestingly, Metal Claw disappears in the next Gen and you can only learn the move in FRLG. Even Emerald doesn't have it in Charmander's movepool.
 
Last edited:
Regigigas got Superpower at Level 25 in Diamond and Pearl. It was replaced by Revenge in Platinum/HGSS.
Vileplume had Acid as a starting move in Gen 1 but never again.
Arcanine had Ember as a starting move in Gen 1, lost it in Gen 2, regained it in Gen 3 and then lost it again from Gen 4 onwards.
Ninetales had Ember as a starting move in Gen 1 but never again.
Electabuzz had Thunder Shock at level 34 in Gen 1, lost it in Gen 2 and 3, and regained it in Gen 4 onwards.
Raichu had Thunder Wave as a starting move in Gen 1 but never again.
Mareep had Thunderbolt as an Egg Move in Gen 2 but never again.
Snubbull had Lick as an Egg Move in Gen 2 but never again.
Flareon had Flamethrower as a late level-up move in Gens 1-3 but never again.
Snorunt had Ice Beam at Level 34 in Gen 3 but never again.
Psyduck had Ice Beam as an Egg Move in Gen 2 but never again.
Chimecho had Psychic at Level 46 in Gen 3 but never again.
Exeggcute gained Psychic at level 47 in Gen 4, kept it in BW, and lost it from BW2 onwards.
Squirtle had Confusion as an Egg Move in Gen 2 but never again.
Starmie had Bubblebeam as a starting move in Gen 1 but never again.
Hoppip had Pay Day as an Egg Move in Gen 2 but never again. Likely because this was only possible through breeding with a Pikachu who learned it from a Gen 1 TM.
Mewtwo had Pay Day by TM in RBG, but was removed in Yellow.
Snorlax had Double Edge by Level 48 in Gen 1 but never again.
Arcanine had Take Down as a starting move in Gen 1 and 2 but never again.
Snubbull and Granbull had Take Down as a Level Up move since gen 2, but lost it in Gen 6 (likely due to type change).
Cyndaquil got Submission as an Egg Move in Crystal but never again. Likely because this was only possible through breeding with a Pokémon who learned it from a Gen 1 TM.
Flareon had Rage in RBG as a level up move and lost it in Yellow onwards. However, it could still learn it by TM in Yellow.
Charmander, Charmeleon and Charizard had Rage as a level up move in Gen 1, 2 and RSE, but lost it in FRLG and never had it since.
Exeggcute had Mega Drain as an Egg Move in Gen 2 but never again.
Darkrai had Night Shade as a starting move in Diamond and Pearl but lost it from Platinum onwards.
Stantler had Reflect as an Egg Move in Gen 2 but never again (but could learn it from TM)
Clefairy had been able to learn Light Screen by level up from gen 1-5 but lost the ability to do so in Gen 6 (but can still learn it through TM).
Drowzee, Abra, Ledyba and Stantler all got Light Screen through Egg Move in Gen 2 but never again.
Chikorita got Swords Dance as an Egg Move in Crystal but never again. It can still learn it through TM and FRLG move tutor.

Water Gun's a bit of a weird one:-
Tentacool and Tentacruel got it at level 22 in Gen 1, but lost it ever since.
Starmie had it as a base move in Gen 1, lost it in Gen 2, and regained it in ever Gen since then.
Suicune got it at Level 11 in Gold and Silver, but lost it in Crystal and every game afterwards.

Tackle's going to give me a headache here.
Nidoran M, Nidorino, Nidoking, Nidoran F, Nidorina and Nidoqueen all had it as a starting move in gen 1 but never again.
Ponyta had it as a starting move in Gen 2 and RSE, lost it in FRLG, and regained it in Gen 4 onwards.
Rapidash had it as a starting move in Gen 2 and RSE, but lost it in FRLG and never got it back.
Gyarados didn't have it in RBG, got it in Yellow as a starting move, and lost it ever since.
Sentret had it as a starting move in GSC and lost it ever since.

They took Reflect from a lot of 'mon. And I mean a LOT, what the fuck.
Alright, here we go...
Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard, Butterfree, Beedrill, Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Pikachu, Raichu, Nidoran F, Nidorina, Nidoqueen, Nidoran M, Nidorino, Nidoking, Vulpix, Ninetales, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Paras, Parasect, Venonat, Venomoth, Growlithe, Arcanine, Tentacool, Tentacruel, Ponyta, Rapidash, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Farfetch'd, Doduo, Dodrio, Shellder, Cloyster, Voltorb, Electrode, Chansey, Electabuzz, Gyarados, Lapras, Eevee, Vaporeon, Flareon, Jolteon, Porygon, Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, Kabutops, Aerodactyl, Snorlax, Zapdos, Moltres, Dratini, Dragonair, and Dragonite could all learn Reflect through Gen 1 TM, but have not been able to ever since.
In addition, Bellsprout, Weepinbell and Victreebel all had Reflect taken from them as well, but didn't get it back until Gen 5 -- even with Reflect being a TM in Gen 3 and 4.
Game Freak what the actual fuck.
 
Victreebel couldn't learn bug bite via tutor in HGSS, got it in B2W2, and lost it again in ORAS. Compare to Carnivine, who has always gotten it.
 
1) Flareon used to be able to learn Rage throguh level-up in Gen 1 but loses it ever since.
I have a large stock of scented candles and take relaxation therapy classes now.

Also, I learned Flare Blitz. You try not having STAB for 5 generations, you'd have rage too.

On topic, a whole slew of pokemon such as Arcanine and Magneton could learn Teleport in Generation one due to its TM status, but have not had access to it since.
 
I have a large stock of scented candles and take relaxation therapy classes now.

Also, I learned Flare Blitz. You try not having STAB for 5 generations, you'd have rage too.

On topic, a whole slew of pokemon such as Arcanine and Magneton could learn Teleport in Generation one due to its TM status, but have not had access to it since.
But you did have STAB. They were just off your weaker SpA stat or is called lol Fire Fang :P.

A lot of moves which were TMs in Gens 1 and 2 are just plain weird in distribution and vanished by the time they lost their TM status / no longer available through Move Tutor.
 
Tauros had Stomp as a starting move in Gen 1 but never again.
Regigigas had Stomp as a starting move in Diamond and Pearl but was removed from Platinum onwards.
Vileplume and Bellossom had Absorb as a starting move in Gen 2 and 3 but never again.
Ludicolo had Absorb as a starting move in Gen 3 but never again.
Pinsir and Kabuto had Slash as a level up move in Gen 1 but never again.
Groudon had Slash as a level up move in Gen 3 and DPPt, but was removed from HGSS onwards.
Totodile and Bulbasaur both had Razor Wind as an egg move in Gen 2 but never again. Likely because this required a Kabutops to learn the move from a Gen 1 TM.

Swift:-
Yanma had it as a Level Up move in GS but was removed from Crystal onwards.
Magneton had it as a Level Up move in Gen 1 and GS but was removed from Crystal onwards.
Pikachu had it as a Level Up move in RBG but was replaced by Thunderbolt from Yellow onwards.
All of these could still learn it through Gen 1/2 TM.
Ho-Oh had it by Level Up in Gen 2, 3, and DPPt, but was removed from HGSS onwards.
 
Last edited:
Omanyte had Spike Cannon by Level Up in Gen 1, but never again.
Donphan had Flail as a Level Up move in Gens 2 and 3, changed to a starting move in Gen 4, and lost the ability to learn it altogether in Gen 5.
Snorlax had Headbutt by Level Up in Gens 1-3 but lost it in Gen 4. Shame too; it was very useful in-game.
Golem had Rollout by Level Up in Gens 1-3 but lost it in Gen 4.
Ninetales had Roar as a Starting Move in Gen 1 but never again. Can still learn from TM.
Suicune had Roar by Level Up in Gold and Silver but lost it from Crystal onwards. Can still learn from TM.
Snorlax could learn Rock Smash by TM in Gen 2, lost the ability to learn it in Gen 3, then regained the ability to learn it from TM/HM in Gen 4 onwards.
Mankey, Primeape and Snorlax could all learn Psych Up by TM in Gen 2 and were still able to learn it my Move Tutor in Emerald, but have never been able to learn it since despite Psych Up regaining TM status in Gen 4.
Also notable are Hoppip, Skiploom and Jumpluff being able to learn Psych Up by TM in Gen 2, losing the ability to do so in Gen 4, and then regaining the ability to do so in Gen 5.
Charizard could learn Sandstorm by TM in Gen 2, but never again.
Vileplume could learn Sweet Scent as a starting move in Gen 2, but never again.
Paras could get Sweet Scent as an Egg Move in Gold and Silver, lost the ability to do so in Crystal, and regained it in Gen 3 onwards. It could still learn Sweet Scent as a TM in Crystal.
Mankey, Primeape, Drowzee, Hypno, Hoothoot, Noctowl, Spinarak, Ariados, Murkrow, Delibird, Vigoroth, Shuppet and Banette could all learn Snore via Move Tutor in Emerald, lost the ability to do so in Platinum, HGSS and BW2, and regained it in ORAS.
Gastly and Haunter could learn Thunder by TM in Gen 1 and 2 but never again.
Snorlax could learn Hyper Beam through Level Up in Gen 1-3 but never again. Can still learn it through TM.
Bulbasaur could learn Solar Beam through Level Up in Gens 1-3 but never again. Can still learn it through TM.
Oddish and Gloom could learn Solar Beam through Level Up in Gen 1 but never again. Can still learn it through TM.
Bellossom could learn Solar Beam through Level Up in Gen 2 and 3 but never again. Can still learn it through TM.
Lapras could learn Solar Beam through TM in Gen 1 but never again.
Cyndaquil, Quilava and Typhlosion could learn Iron Tail through TM in Gen 2 but never again.
Kadabra and Alakazam could learn Dig through TM in Gen 1 and 2 but never again.
Scizor could learn Double Team by Level Up in Gen 2 and RSE but lost the ability to do so in FRLG and never had it again. Can still learn through TM.
Meowth, Persian, Meditite and Medicham (???) could learn Swagger by Level Up in FRLG but never again. Can still learn through Move Tutor and TM.
Sealeo and Walrein had Defence Curl as a starting move in Gen 3 but never again.
Shaymin had Defence Curl as a starting move in Diamond and Pearl but lost it from Platinum onwards. ... oh no.
Kyogre had Rest by Level Up in Gen 3 and DPPt, but lost it from HGSS onwards. While it was replaced by Aqua Ring, it's still confusing due to Groudon and Rayquaza learning it at the same level and keeping it ever since Gen 3 to the present day (fuck trying to catch them).
Poochyena and Lombre could learn Thief by Level Up in Gen 3 but never again. Can still learn from TM.
Pidgey, Farfetch'd and Aerodactyl could all learn Steel Wing as an egg move from Skarmory in Gold and Silver, but lost the ability to in Crystal onwards until Gen 5. Could still learn through TM.
Similarily, Natu could learn Steel Wing as an egg move from Skarmory in Gen 2 (including crystal) but also lost the ability to do so in Gen 3 and 4 until Gen 5. Could still learn through TM.
Kabutops could learn Fury Cutter as a starting move in FRLG only and has never been able to since. Can still learn through tutor.
Sceptile could learn Fury Cutter by Level Up in Gen 3 and lost the ability to do so in Gen 4 onwards until ORAS. Could still learn through previous evolutions and Move Tutor.
Kabuto could learn Surf through HM in Gen 1, lost the ability to do so in Gen 2, and regained it from Gen 3 onwards.
Seel and Dewgong could learn Strength by HM in Gen 1 but never again.
Venonat gained Flash through HM in Yellow, lost it in Gen 2, and regained it in Gen 3.
Hoothoot and Noctowl could learn Flash through HM in Gen 2 and 3 but never again.

And that's me just covered every single TM/HM from Gen 2. Mostly because it had the most... ah... interesting set of TMs to date imo. And because most of the "Pokémon that lost their moves" cases originate from Gen 1 and 2; it's rare for it to happen in Gen 3 onwards. Might have missed out a few cases where TM became Move Tutor.
 
I have a large stock of scented candles and take relaxation therapy classes now.

Also, I learned Flare Blitz. You try not having STAB for 5 generations, you'd have rage too.

On topic, a whole slew of pokemon such as Arcanine and Magneton could learn Teleport in Generation one due to its TM status, but have not had access to it since.
I'm sure that having the occasional chocolate chip cookie helps too. ;) But yeah, agreed. For 5 damned generations, they just ignored and abused you. I'm sure that you're still waiting for a high base power physical STAB move that doesn't hurt you when you use it, though. I know I sure am.
 
Poliwrath had Body Slam as a starting move in Gen 1 but never again.
Persian had Pay Day by Level Up in Gens 1-3 but lost it in Gen 4 onwards.
Rayquaza had Dragon Claw in Gen 3 and DPPt by Level Up, lost it starting in HGSS. Can still learn through TM.
Heracross had Bulk Up through TM in Gen 3 and 4 but lost it in BW. It regained it in BW2 onwards.

Sky Attack, like Tackle, is a massive headache.
But even worse.
Pidgey and Pidgeotto had Sky Attack through Gen 1 TM and XD Move Tutor, lost it in HGSS and BW2, and regained it in ORAS.
Spearow had Sky Attack through Gen 1 TM and XD Move Tutor, lost it in HGSS and regained it in BW2.
Doduo had Sky Attack through Gen 1 TM and XD Move Tutor, but lost it starting in HGSS.
Hoothoot had Sky Attack through XD Move Tutor, lost it in HGSS and regained it in BW2.
Togetic had Sky Attack through XD Move Tutor, but lost it starting in HGSS.
Natu had Sky Attack through XD Move Tutor, lost it in HGSS and regained it in ORAS.
Murkrow had Sky Attack through XD Move Tutor, lost it in HGSS and regained it in BW2.
Taillow had Sky Attack through XD Move Tutor, lost it in HGSS and regained it in ORAS.
Wingull had Sky Attack through XD Move Tutor, lost it in HGSS and regained it in ORAS.
Swablu had Sky Attack through XD Move Tutor, lost it in HGSS and regained it in ORAS.
 
Last edited:

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 1, Guests: 0)

Top