You've finally reached the Move Reminder in Dendemille Town. You're ready to teach your Charizard "Flare Blitz" or get "Quiver Dance" back on that Vivillon you accidentally leveled too fast. Then, the NPC hits you with the bad news: he wants a Pokémon X and Y Heart Scale for his services. It's the classic tax on Kalos trainers. One scale per move. If you're building a competitive team or just trying to fix a messy moveset before the Elite Four, you're going to need a pile of them.
Don't panic. You aren't stuck scouring every inch of the shoreline with the Itemfinder—though that works once.
Honestly, the "old school" way of finding these is a total drag. Most players remember finding a few hidden in the sand on Route 8 or near the rocks in Cyllage City. That’s fine for a one-time fix. But if you're serious? You need a renewable source. You need a strategy that doesn't involve hoping for a miracle. The good news is that Kalos is actually one of the most generous regions for Heart Scales if you know which Pokémon to bully and which items to bring to the fight.
The Luvdisc Method: Why Your Lead Pokémon Matters
Let's talk about Luvdisc. This flat, pink, heart-shaped fish is basically a living, breathing ATM for Heart Scales. They have a 50% chance of holding one in the wild. If you just go out there and start catching them, you’re doing it wrong. It’s too slow. You'll run out of Poké Balls and patience.
You need a "Thief" lead.
But not just any Pokémon with Thief. You want a Pokémon with the Ability Compound Eyes. Why? Because Compound Eyes increases the odds of wild Pokémon holding items. In Pokémon X and Y, this bumps the Luvdisc Heart Scale hold rate from 50% to a much more comfortable 60%.
Butterfree is the MVP here.
Catch a Caterpie early on, evolve it, and keep it in your first slot. Even if it's fainted, the Ability still works in the overworld. Then, put a Pokémon with the Ability Frisk in the second slot—something like Phantump or Banette. Frisk tells you immediately if the Luvdisc is holding the goods. Teach that second Pokémon the move Thief (TM46, found in Cassius’s house in Camphrier Town).
Where to Drop the Hook
Go to Route 8, Cyllage City, or even the Muraille Coast. Break out the Old Rod.
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Why the Old Rod? Because it only catches Luvdisc in these areas. You don't want to deal with Seadra or Alomomola. You want the weak, Level 15 fish that goes down in one hit. Cast, hook, Frisk. If it has the scale, use Thief. If it doesn't? Run.
One tiny detail people forget: Your Thief user cannot be holding an item. If your Banette is already holding a Spooky Plate, it won't steal the Heart Scale. It’s a rookie mistake that costs hours. Check your bags. Clear that item slot.
The Tipping Theory and Global Link Alternatives
There’s this long-standing rumor in the Pokémon community about "Tipping." You know, when you give the waiter in Lumiose City or the storyteller 500 Poké Dollars? Some players swear it increases the "Shiny" rate or the "rare item" rate.
Let's be real: Tipping doesn't affect your Heart Scale drops.
What does work is the Poké Miles system. Back in the day, the Pokémon Global Link was the king of this, allowing you to play mini-games to earn scales. Since the original Global Link for Gen 6 is long gone, you’re mostly relying on the in-game PC in the Pokémon Center. Talk to the man in the suit in any Pokémon Center (usually the one in Lumiose). You can trade Poké Miles—which you get just by walking or trading with people—directly for Heart Scales.
It’s 100 Miles per scale. If you do a lot of Wonder Trading, you’re probably sitting on a gold mine of Miles and don't even know it.
Why Tiddlywinks isn't the Answer
Some guides suggest Rock Smash. You head to the glittering caves or the rocks on the beach, smash a boulder, and hope.
Don't do this.
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The drop rate for a Pokémon X and Y Heart Scale from Rock Smash is abysmal. You're more likely to run into a Dwebble or find a Hard Stone. It’s a waste of time compared to the Luvdisc method. You want efficiency, not a headache.
Advanced Tactics: The Suction Cups Trick
If you find yourself failing to get a bite while fishing, you need a Pokémon with Suction Cups or Sticky Hold at the front of your party. Octillery or Malamar are perfect for this. This Ability makes it much easier to "chain" fish, ensuring that every time you cast your rod, you actually get a nibble.
Combine this with the Thief strategy.
- Fainted Butterfree (Compound Eyes) in Slot 1.
- Malamar (Suction Cups) with Thief in Slot 2.
- Fish in the same spot without moving.
You'll be swimming in scales within twenty minutes. I’ve personally pulled 30 scales in a single sitting using this exact setup while watching TV. It requires almost zero brainpower once you get the rhythm of the "A" button down.
Why Do You Even Need This Many Scales?
Kalos is unique because of the sheer variety of "Egg Moves" and "Level 1" moves. Think about a Pokémon like Gallade. If you evolve your Kirlia too early, you might miss out on moves it can only "remember" via the Move Reminder.
Then there are the competitive staples.
- Aegislash: Needs King's Shield (Level 1).
- Florges: Needs its entire utility kit from the Move Reminder.
- Dragonite: If you're bringing one over, you'll likely need to "re-learn" Extreme Speed.
The Move Reminder in Dendemille is your best friend, but he’s a greedy one.
Hidden Spots You Probably Missed
If you’re just one scale short and don't want to fish, check these specific coordinates with your Dowsing Machine:
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On Route 8, there's a specific rock near the swimmer. It’s not in the rock; it’s in the sand right next to it. Most people walk right past it. Also, check the Coumarine City port. There’s often a hidden scale tucked away near the pier that isn't visible to the naked eye.
In the Ambrette Town Aquarium, there’s a guy who will give you a pearl, but if you talk to the right NPCs around the coastal towns, some will occasionally trade or give away scales if you show them specific Pokémon. But honestly? Fishing is faster.
The Problem with Pick-up
Some trainers try to use the Pickup ability. A Level 51-60 Pokémon with Pickup has a small chance of grabbing a Heart Scale after a battle.
It’s too random.
You could go twenty battles and end up with five Hyper Potions and an Ultra Ball. If you're desperate for a Pokémon X and Y Heart Scale, relying on a Linoone to find it in the grass is like playing the lottery when you could just go to the bank.
Actionable Next Steps for Efficient Farming
To get your moveset fixed immediately, follow this exact sequence:
- Secure a Thief User: Catch a Banette in the Pokémon Village or a Phantump in Route 16. Ensure it has NO held item.
- Get the "Luck" Buff: Catch a Butterfree. If it doesn't have Compound Eyes, find one that does. Let it faint and put it in your first party slot.
- Locate the Old Rod: If you don't have it, talk to the fisherman in the Ambrette Town Aquarium.
- Fly to Route 8: Stand on the shore, use your Suction Cups lead, and start the Thief cycle.
- Check your Poké Miles: Before you spend an hour fishing, check the guy in the Lumiose City Pokémon Center. You might already have enough "currency" to buy 20 scales without ever seeing a Luvdisc.
Once you have your stack, fly to Dendemille Town. The Move Reminder's house is northeast of the Pokémon Center. Stock up, fix your team, and get back to the Battle Maison or the Elite Four.