Elite TMs work differently from regular TMs — they’re the only way to teach certain moves outside of a brief event window, and because they’re limited, spending one on the wrong Pokémon is a real cost. Here’s what they actually unlock and which Pokémon are worth using them on.
Elite Fast TM vs Elite Charged TM
Like regular TMs, there are two types: an Elite Fast TM rerolls a Pokémon’s fast move, and an Elite Charged TM rerolls its charged move. The difference is that regular TMs can only choose from a Pokémon’s currently available move pool, while Elite TMs can also unlock legacy moves — moves that Pokémon used to be able to learn during a past Community Day, event, or move update, but can no longer get through normal means.
How to Get Elite TMs
Elite TMs are earned through a small number of sources: GO Battle League rank-up rewards each season, in-person Raid Day and GO Fest ticket bundles, and occasionally as a reward from major Timed Research during large-scale events. There’s no reliable way to farm them quickly, which is exactly why it’s worth being deliberate about who gets one.
Best Uses for an Elite TM
Not every legacy move is worth an Elite TM — some return periodically through seasonal Raid Days, so spending a limited resource on those is usually a waste. The moves worth prioritizing are the ones that rarely or never come back:
- Psystrike on Mewtwo — its best Psychic-type Charged Move, and the backbone of Mewtwo’s raid and PvP relevance.
- Aeroblast on Lugia and Sacred Fire on Ho-Oh — signature legendary moves tied to specific past events.
- Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn, or Hydro Cannon on a starter Pokémon that missed its Community Day window — these starter-exclusive moves otherwise require catching during that specific event.
- Outrage on Dragonite or Salamence — a strong Dragon-type Charged Move from past Community Days.
- Behemoth Blade on Crowned Sword Zacian — its signature move and a major PvP and raid upgrade.
When to Hold Off
If you’re not sure yet, it’s usually fine to bank Elite TMs rather than spend them immediately — they don’t expire, and the best use for one often becomes obvious a few weeks later when a new legendary or a Community Day you missed comes up. A good rule of thumb: keep at least one Elite Fast TM and two Elite Charged TMs in reserve at all times, so you’re never stuck unable to react to a surprise move update or rotation.
For which Pokémon are actually worth investing in first, our Best Attackers by Type guide and Great League Meta Report both flag which legacy moves matter most in the current meta.
