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 changes a Pokémon’s Fast Attack, and an Elite Charged TM changes a Charged Attack. The difference is that regular TMs give a random move 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.
How Elite TMs Actually Work
A regular TM gives your Pokémon a random move from its current, non-legacy pool, and never one it already knows. An Elite TM removes the randomness: Niantic’s help page says Elite TMs let you choose the attack, including moves that were previously available only during certain events. Legacy and Community Day moves cannot be learned any other way, which is why they are worth rationing.
- If a Pokémon already has two Charged Attacks, you choose which one gets replaced. Unlocking a second Charged Attack is a separate Stardust and Candy cost, which Niantic does not list as a fixed amount.
- Per Bulbapedia, Elite Charged TMs cannot teach Return or Frustration, and cannot replace Secret Sword, Behemoth Bash, Behemoth Blade or Dynamax Cannon. Frustration on a Shadow Pokémon can only be removed during certain Team GO Rocket events.
A Decision Framework: Raids, PvP or Gyms
1. Where will this Pokémon be used?
A move that shines in Trainer Battles can be average in raids. Pokémon GO Hub’s tier list pitched Lugia’s Aeroblast and Ho-Oh’s Sacred Fire mainly as Master League plays, not raid upgrades. Pick one mode and judge the move there. The Raid Counters tool shows whether a Pokémon is a realistic raid pick, and the PvP Calculator covers battle use.
2. Does the move define the Pokémon, or just nudge it?
The best targets depend on one move. If an easily available move gets most of the result, use a regular TM.
3. Is this the right individual Pokémon?
For PvP, check the spread with the IV Calculator and read Pokémon GO IVs Explained, then compare against the Great League and Ultra League reports. For raids, a well-powered attacker beats a perfect-IV one you will never invest in.
Well-Known Elite TM Targets and What to Check
These are classic examples. Usefulness shifts with the meta, so confirm live rankings first.
| Pokémon | Elite move | Where it has been valuable | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Mewtwo | Psystrike | Dittobase lists Psycho Cut with Psystrike as its top raid moveset and recommends Psystrike in Master League. Pokémon GO Hub rated it S-tier in 2022. | Dittobase ranks it poorly in Great and Ultra League, so this is a raid and Master League decision. |
| Blastoise | Hydro Cannon | Dittobase’s best raid moveset is Water Gun with Hydro Cannon, and it appears in the recommended Great and Ultra League sets. Pokémon GO Hub (2021) called a Blastoise without it one not worth using. | Poor Master League ranking, so it is not a universal pick. |
| Charizard | Blast Burn | Dittobase’s best raid moveset is Fire Spin with Blast Burn. Pokémon GO Hub (2022) called it strong in PvE, especially for Mega Charizard Y. | Pokémon GO Hub (2021) also called Overheat a viable alternative. |
| Venusaur | Frenzy Plant | Dittobase’s best raid moveset includes it, and Bulbapedia lists it as an Elite Charged TM move. | Mixed. Pokémon GO Hub (2021) said it may not matter in many raids, and Dittobase’s PvP rankings are low. |
| Metagross | Meteor Mash | Pokémon GO Hub (2022) called it the best Steel raid attacker and a Master League staple. Dittobase confirms an Elite Charged TM can teach it. | That ranking is from 2022, so re-check against current Steel attackers. |
Cross-check any candidate with our best attackers by type roster before spending.
Ways to Collect Elite TMs
There is no reliable way to farm them, but these sources are confirmed:
- GO Battle League Timed Research. The official Memories in Motion and Forever Forward season posts both say that each research page after the first, requiring 100 battles and 50 wins, awards items such as Rare Candy XL, an Elite Fast TM and an Elite Charged TM. Rewards can change by season.
- End-of-season Battle League rewards. Several guides list high rank as a source, but thresholds have varied by season.
- Shop event boxes. Some Community Day and other paid event boxes have contained them. Read the contents before buying.
- Special Research and event rewards. Sportskeeda and Dittobase note that some include them.
Cost-Saving Tips
- Trade for a Pokémon that already knows the move. Pokémon GO Hub’s tier list suggested this for several recommended picks.
- Do not overwrite a legacy move casually. Regular TMs cannot teach it again, so getting it back means another Elite TM.
Checklist Before You Spend an Elite TM
- Is the move actually legacy, or can a regular TM give it to me?
- Will I use this Pokémon often enough to justify it?
- Have I judged it for one mode: raids, PvP or Gyms?
- Are its IVs and level right for that purpose?
- Do I know which existing move gets replaced?
Related Guides
Sources: Niantic Help Center; Memories in Motion; Forever Forward; Bulbapedia; Pokémon GO Hub tier list; Pokémon GO Hub Elite TMs; Inven Global; Dittobase; Sportskeeda.
