The Best HM Slaves for Each Version of Pokémon

HM Slaves are a common practice among the fans of Pokémon; after all, you need someone to use all of those Hidden Machines. But not every HM mule would work for each version, so let's take a look at the games and see what each of their best HM salves would be...

[giand]

Fun Fact, to complete black and white, only Cut is needed. All the others are optional.

[alexandergermanelo]

Pokemon: *faints*
Trainer: Use Surf!
Pokemon: Oh ok I’ll just recover I guess

[vaishaligoel]

HM slaves are also useful in battle. Send them out and revive your starter lol

[TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Bidoof is undoubtably the one that comes to mind when I hear the words “HM slave”

[BronzeJamo]

"Going full mystic umbreon" I appreciate that joke soo much.

[The_PokeSaurus]

HM slaves. The unsung heroes of Pokemon.

[pineapple]

I like how the Rom hack Pokemon Red Chapter dealt with hms, as long as you had a pokemon who could learn the HM then you can use it without teaching it.

[themacintoshnerd]

Red and Blue: 1:14
Gold and Silver: 3:27
Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald: 5:21
FireRed and LeafGreen: 7:28
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum: 8:05
Black and White: 10:38
Black and White 2: 12:24
X and Y: 13:24
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire: 14:12

[argentum]

I feel an honorable mention for ORAS is Latias and Latios since they can learn Cut, Fly, Surf, Waterfall, and Dive and you're just handed one in the middle of the game.

[vikavolt]

My best HM slave was




Nothing, I don't support slavery

[stijnburgers]

Tropius was the ultimate HM slave in gen 3. It can learn everything you need for victory road.

[roguegen]

Emperor cubone: go with your instinct and use patrat!

Me: Eww, no. I have standards.

[Carbon_Crow]

I loved using my little Spheal in Emerald. She was NOT an HM slave. She was my handy helper, always willing to lend a hand.

[Gigamex]

7:04 "Learn waterfall and die!!!"
You have just enough of a pause for me to only be able to hear this now. Consequently, this is my new insult to end an argument.

[thijsjoores]

I personally don't like to use HM slaves - don't fight me. My favourite moment of my playthrough of XY happened when I got the HM for Surf, which is when I realised I didn't have any water types on my already fully formed team. I really didn't feel like swapping any member out so I was feeling kinda bummed. Then I found out my Helioptile could learn Surf and I happily crossed bodies of water on my swimming reptile ever since.

[liamheneghan]

I'm so glad HM's have been removed in the recent games 😩 they were such a pain on multiple levels. I'm wondering how they'll tackle them in the D&P remakes? 👀

[socwyvern]

Me using a Kyogre as an HM slave in sapphire: “let’s pretend I didn’t see this video”

[tyranno]

New players: whats a hm slave

TCG players: whats a pokemon video game

OG players: *hm flashbacks*

[cosmefulanito]

I'm surprised Krabby wasn't mentioned. It learns cut, strength, rock smash and surf. You only need a flyer and a one time only flash user

[AtChiaPet]

Shiny Bidoof from Rusty must be the best HM Slave in existence