How to Remember and Forget Moves in Scarlet and Violet

(Last Updated On: May 3, 2023)

In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, remembering and forgetting a Pokemon’s moves is very simple, so here’s what players need to know.

In Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet, each Pokemon can learn four moves at once, just like in other mainline Pokemon games. Pokemon learn new moves as they level up and evolve. If a Pokemon’s moveset is full, the player will be required to delete an existing move or forego learning the new move.

Prior to Generation 8, Pokemon players who wished to relearn a move were required to trade Heart Scales to specific NPCs in each region. While Luvdisc is present in Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet, trainers will not be required to catch them in order to trade Heart Scales. It is now possible to remember and forget moves without the assistance of a Move Relearner.

How to Forget and Relearn Previous Skills

Scarlet and Violet allows players familiar with Pokemon Legends: Arceus to access their Pokemon’s summary and modify its moveset via menu screens. Once a Pokemon has acquired five moves, the option to “Change Moves” becomes available. To exchange moves, players must do the following:

1. To access the pause menu, press the X button.
2. Highlight and select a Pokemon by pressing the A button.
3. Select Review Summary.
4. Tap the direction pad to the right to access the Moves and Stats page.
5. Touch the A button to access a new menu.
   

When a Pokemon gets rid of a move, it doesn’t replace it with a move it has already learned. As its name suggests, forgetting a move causes the Pokémon to forget one of its four moves. Forget a Move can be useful if a player wants to get rid of an attack or status move that didn’t work (like Growl).

In addition, TMs can be used to teach moves directly from the Moves and Stats page, without the need to first search through the bag. As most players are aware, not all Pokemon are compatible with all TMs. If a Pokemon cannot learn a move from a TM, “Cannot Learn” will appear in red below their icon.

Refer to Your Pokemon

If a Pokemon levels up and learns a new move, players can choose whether or not to teach it to their Pokémon. By selecting “yes,” players will be taken to a new screen where they can choose the move to delete to make room for the new one.

A new feature added to Scarlet/Violet enables players to “ask” their Pokemon which moves they should forget. Players must press the X button to obtain their Pokemon’s opinion. Players aren’t always required to confirm their Pokemon’s choice, as there are times when a Pokemon will want to discard a useful move.

Balanced moves are essential in Pokémon battles. A moveset consisting solely of Dragon-type moves, for instance, would be completely ineffective against Fairy-type Pokémon. Therefore, it is essential to have at least two moves of different Types.