You’re staring at your Arcanine, or maybe a Mamoswine, and realized you evolved it too early. Now it’s missing that one killer move—Extreme Speed or Ancient Power—and you need a Move Relearner. But there’s a catch. The guy in Blackthorn City doesn't work for free. He wants a Pokemon SS Heart Scale, and suddenly, you realize you don't have any.
It’s a classic Johto problem.
Honestly, Heart Scales in HeartGold and SoulSilver (HGSS) are kind of a pain if you don't know where to look. Most players just wander around smashing every rock they see in Cianwood City, hoping for a miracle. While that works, it's basically the slowest way to play the game. You've got better things to do, like taking down Red on Mt. Silver.
The Best Ways to Find a Pokemon SS Heart Scale
If you need just one scale right now to fix a moveset, don't start smashing rocks yet. There are a few "freebies" hidden across the map that most people skip.
My favorite is on Route 32. If you head down to the bridge where all the fishermen are hanging out, look near the Magnet Train pillar in the water. There’s a tiny, unassuming rock there. Use your Dowsing Machine—or just interact with it—and you’ll find a hidden Heart Scale. It’s the easiest one in the game, hands down.
🔗 Read more: Avowed: Giving Temerti the Letter is the Choice You’re Stressing Over Too Much
Another one is tucked away in Vermilion City. You’ll need Surf for this. If you cruise around the water near the gym, your Dowsing Machine will pick up another hidden scale.
But what if you need ten? Or twenty?
Stop Smashing Random Rocks
Everyone tells you to go to Cianwood City and use Rock Smash. They aren't wrong, but they're inefficient. If you're going to use this method, you need to optimize.
Did you know that having a Pokémon with the ability Serene Grace (like Togepi or Dunsparce) at the front of your party actually messes with the RNG for breakable rocks? It’s a niche mechanic, but it actually boosts your odds of finding rare items like Heart Scales.
Also, skip the Ruins of Alph for this. Seriously. A lot of old forum posts suggest it, but the loot tables there are cluttered with fossils and shards. You’ll end up with a bag full of Helix Fossils and zero Heart Scales. Stick to Tohjo Falls instead. The rock density is decent, and the encounter rate is lower, so you aren't constantly fighting wild Zubats while trying to work.
The Luvdisc Swarm Strategy
This is the "pro" move. Once you’ve beaten the Elite Four and got the National Dex, keep an eye on the radio. When Mary and Oak announce a Luvdisc swarm on Route 27, drop everything and go.
Luvdisc has a 50% chance of holding a Heart Scale.
To make this faster, put a fainted Pokémon with Compound Eyes (like Butterfree or Yanma) in your first slot. Then, put a Pokémon with Thief or Covet in the second slot. Compound Eyes boosts the chance of wild Pokémon holding items from 50% to 60%. You just surf, find a Luvdisc, use Thief, and run. You can easily farm 20 scales in an hour this way.
Why You Actually Need These Scales
The Move Relearner is located in a small house in Blackthorn City, right next to the Poke Mart. He’s the guy who lets your Pokémon "remember" any move it could have learned at an earlier level.
This is vital for:
- Stone Evolutions: Arcanine won't learn much after you use a Fire Stone. You need the Relearner to get the "Level 1" moves like Thunder Fang or Extreme Speed.
- Evolution Moves: Some Pokémon, like Mamoswine, only evolve if they know a specific move (Ancient Power). If you deleted it by accident, you're stuck until you pay the Heart Scale tax.
- Competitive Sets: If you're building a team for the Battle Frontier, you’ll be visiting this guy a lot.
The Pokeathlon Shortcut
If you’re tired of hunting in the wild, the Pokeathlon Dome is a surprisingly reliable source. You can buy Heart Scales for 1,000 points, but only on Wednesdays and Sundays.
👉 See also: Baldur’s Gate 3: What Most People Get Wrong About the Post-Patch 7 World
It’s not the fastest method if you hate the mini-games, but if you’re already grinding for Fire Stones or Rare Candies, it’s a nice alternative. Honestly, I find the snow throw and hurdle dash kind of fun, so I usually just grab my scales here while watching TV.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check Route 32 first: Grab that free hidden scale near the Magnet Train pillar.
- Check your Bag: See if you have any Shards (Red, Blue, Yellow, Green). You can trade these to the Juggler in Violet City or Fuchsia City, and sometimes you can find scales while hunting for those shards.
- Sync your Clock: If you’re desperate and don't want to wait for a swarm, set your DS clock to a Wednesday or Sunday to unlock the Heart Scale at the Pokeathlon.
- Build a Farming Team: Get a Butterfree with Compound Eyes and a fast Pokémon with Thief. Even without a swarm, fishing with a Super Rod on Route 27 can occasionally net you a Luvdisc.
Farming a Pokemon SS Heart Scale doesn't have to be a miserable grind. Just stop relying on luck and start using the mechanics the game gives you. Whether it's the Luvdisc trick or the Pokeathlon, you'll have a full moveset in no time.