Pokemon Legends Z-A: break boulders

How to break boulders in Pokemon Legends Z-A

By Ambar Jimenez | 2025-10-17 08:08:03
As you explore the meticulously redesigned Lumiose City in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, you'll quickly discover that not all paths are open. Certain segments of the city, particularly within the dedicated Wild Zones, are deliberately blocked by imposing boulders. These large, rocky obstacles often conceal essential objectives, rare Pokémon, or valuable shortcuts, halting your exploration in its tracks.Unlike previous titles where a specific HM might have been required, Legends: Z-A integrates these field moves into your Pokémon's abilities. To shatter these stone barriers and continue your journey, you need one specific tool: TM 004 - Rock Smash.Here is a complete guide on how to acquire, teach, and use Rock Smash to open up every corner of Lumiose City.

Pokemon Legends Z-A: break boulders

Acquiring TM 004 - Rock Smash

The Rock Smash Technical Machine (TM) is not found in a remote corner of the map or purchased from a standard shop. It is earned through diligence in your core mission as a trainer—completing research.

1. Unlocking Research Requests

First, you must unlock the research system itself. You can do this early in the game by:

  • Completing the prologue mission of Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
  • Successfully catching 5 Pokémon and registering them in your Pokédex.

This will unlock Mable’s Research Requests, which act as your primary progression path for field abilities.

2. Earning the TM

TM 004 - Rock Smash is an early reward within this research structure. You need to focus on completing Mable’s initial objectives, which mainlyrevolve around catching different Pokémon and leveling up your Pokédexentries for them.

  • By raising your Research Rank to Level 2, the game will automatically reward you with TM 004 - Rock Smash.

This makes the move easily accessible, provided you actively engage with the game’s core loop of catching and registering Pokémon.

Using Rock Smash to Clear the Path

Once you have the TM, the next step is teaching it to a compatible Pokémonand utilizing its field capabilities to destroy the obstructingboulders.

1. Teaching Rock Smash

As with other TMs, you can teach TM 004 - Rock Smash to any Pokémon that is compatible with the move.

  • Bunnelby: The Normal/Ground-type Pokémon, Bunnelby, which you acquire very early on as part of the game's tutorial, is aperfect candidate for learning Rock Smash. Teaching it to a low-level,easily accessible Pokémon means you won't disrupt the moveset of yourprimary battle team.
  • The Process: Simply use the TM on a compatible Pokémon from your inventory to permanently add Rock Smash to its move list.

2. Breaking the Boulders

Using Rock Smash as a field ability is intuitive and leverages the game's action-focused control scheme:

  • Approach the Obstruction: Walk up to the boulder you wish to destroy.
  • Summon Your Pokémon: Ensure your Pokémon that knows Rock Smash (like Bunnelby) is either already out or summoned near the boulder.
  • Lock On: Use the ZL button on your Nintendo Switch controller to lock onto the boulder. This ensures your Pokémon is targeting the obstruction.
  • Execute the Move: Access your Pokémon's move menu (often using the X, Y, A, or B buttons, depending on your setup) and select the Rock Smash ability.

    • Your Pokémon will then perform the required action, shattering the boulderand clearing the path for you to proceed into the new area.

    Beyond Boulders: Clearing Other Obstructions

    While Rock Smash handles the rocky barriers, remember that Lumiose Cityfeatures other elemental obstructions that require different tactics.

    • Thorns and Ice Boulders: Obstacles like thorny bushes or blocks of ice are often found blockingdifferent segments of the city or within specific Wild Zones. These canbe easily destroyed by using a Fire-type Pokémon and having it use a suitable fire-based attack on the obstruction.

    By effectively utilizing TM 004 - Rock Smash for boulders and understanding the need for elemental solutions against other barriers, you can ensure that no part of the vast, complex map of Pokémon Legends: Z-A remains out of reach. Have you discovered any hidden secrets behind a boulder yet?

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