HGSS Move Database

Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver Moves

Gen 2 remade with the Gen 4 physical/special split. Moves that were locked to the wrong category in Gold and Silver now work as you would expect. Move Tutors return with wide coverage.

HEARTGOLD & SOULSILVER MOVE LIST

Move Spotlight

Pain Split

—

#1 PickStatus

Pain Split

NormalStatus

Power—

Accuracy—

PP20

Used by

Rotom-Wash became a competitive staple because of one HGSS tutor move: Pain Split. It averaged both Pokemon's HP together, meaning low-HP Rotom could heal itself while cutting into the opponent's health. This single tutor move is the reason Rotom-W stayed on teams for years after.

Pain Split (Normal / Status)

Rotom-Wash became a competitive staple because of one HGSS tutor move: Pain Split. It averaged both Pokemon's HP together, meaning low-HP Rotom could heal itself while cutting into the opponent's health. This single tutor move is the reason Rotom-W stayed on teams for years after.

Superpower

120

#2 PickPhysical

Superpower

FightingPhysical

Power120

Accuracy100%

PP5

Used by

The HGSS Move Tutor gave Superpower to Scizor, Metagross, and a dozen other physical attackers. Suddenly, Steel-types that struggled against opposing Steel and Rock Pokemon had a reliable 120-power answer. This expanded coverage helped make late HeartGold & SoulSilver one of the most balanced competitive formats ever.

Superpower (Fighting / Physical)

The HGSS Move Tutor gave Superpower to Scizor, Metagross, and a dozen other physical attackers. Suddenly, Steel-types that struggled against opposing Steel and Rock Pokemon had a reliable 120-power answer. This expanded coverage helped make late HeartGold & SoulSilver one of the most balanced competitive formats ever.

Outrage

120

#3 PickPhysical

Outrage

DragonPhysical

Power120

Accuracy100%

PP10

Used by

120 base power physical Dragon with no accuracy risk. Outrage turned Dragonite, Salamence, and Garchomp into terrifying late-game threats through HGSS's Move Tutor. The confusion penalty after 2-3 turns was a fair trade because most targets couldn't survive even one hit.

Outrage (Dragon / Physical)

120 base power physical Dragon with no accuracy risk. Outrage turned Dragonite, Salamence, and Garchomp into terrifying late-game threats through HGSS's Move Tutor. The confusion penalty after 2-3 turns was a fair trade because most targets couldn't survive even one hit.

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Game Rules

How Moves Work in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Johto favorites, rebuilt stats

The split reaches Johto for the first time and rescues Pokémon the original games shortchanged. Feraligatr can finally bite with Water moves that use its Attack stat, and old special-type attackers stop scaling off the wrong number.

Free your slots with a Heart Scale

The Move Reminder trades a Heart Scale to reteach any level-up move a Pokémon has forgotten. That safety net makes experimenting cheap: overwrite freely, since nothing from the level-up list is ever truly gone.

Debuts

New in HeartGold & SoulSilver

112 moves introduced in Generation 4

Consider this a history lesson. Johto never had a Gen 4 game until these remakes, so every Gen 4 invention effectively arrives in the region at once, the densest single upgrade a classic roster ever received.

Questions

Pokémon Moves: Frequently Asked

What Move Tutors are available in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver?

HGSS features Move Tutors in Blackthorn City, the Battle Frontier, and other locations. They teach competitive staples like the elemental punches, Outrage, Superpower, and many more. The Battle Frontier tutors require Battle Points.

Does HeartGold and SoulSilver use the physical/special split?

Yes. HGSS uses the Gen 4 physical/special split where each move has its own category. This is a major change from the original Gold and Silver, making many Pokémon significantly more effective with their movesets.

Are TMs single-use in HeartGold and SoulSilver?

Yes. TMs remain single-use in HGSS, consistent with all games before Gen 5. The TM list matches the Gen 4 numbering from Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.

How does the move Headbutt work in HGSS?

Headbutt can be used on overworld trees to encounter wild Pokémon, a mechanic returning from the original Gold and Silver. Different trees in each area can contain different Pokémon, and some rare encounters like Heracross and Pineco are only available through Headbutt trees.

Are HMs handled differently in HeartGold and SoulSilver?

HMs function the same as Diamond and Pearl, requiring the Move Deleter in Blackthorn City to forget them. You still need Cut, Surf, Strength, Waterfall, Rock Smash, and Whirlpool at various points. Rock Climb is also needed for certain postgame areas.