Pokémon Emerald, a beloved entry in the Pokémon series, offers a sprawling adventure across the Hoenn region. One of the many valuable Hidden Machines (HMs) you can acquire is HM08, which teaches the move Dig. Dig is not only useful in battle, providing a two-turn Ground-type attack that avoids certain attacks on the first turn, but also serves as an overworld utility, allowing you to escape caves and dungeons instantly. This guide will provide a detailed walkthrough on how to obtain HM08 Dig in Pokémon Emerald, complete with step-by-step instructions and helpful tips along the way.
Why Dig is Important
Before diving into the acquisition process, let’s understand why Dig is such a valuable move in Pokémon Emerald:
- Battle Utility: Dig is a Ground-type move with a power of 80 and 100% accuracy. During the first turn, the user burrows underground, becoming immune to most attacks. On the second turn, the user emerges and strikes the opponent. This can be a useful stalling tactic and can protect your Pokémon from powerful attacks.
- Overworld Utility: In caves and dungeons, using Dig will instantly transport you back to the entrance. This is incredibly useful for escaping difficult areas, saving time, or quickly accessing Pokémon Centers to heal your team.
Prerequisites
Before you can get HM08 Dig, you need to have made some progress in the game. Specifically, you need to have:
- Reached Mauville City: This is where you will eventually obtain the HM.
- Defeated Wattson in Mauville Gym: Beating Wattson is required to proceed further in the game and unlock certain areas. A team with Ground or Grass types is highly recommended to deal with his Electric-type Pokémon.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting HM08 Dig
Once you’ve met the prerequisites, follow these steps to obtain HM08 Dig:
Step 1: Head to Route 116
After defeating Wattson, exit Mauville City to the west. You’ll find yourself on Route 116. This route is a relatively short path that leads to Rusturf Tunnel.
Step 2: Navigate Route 116
As you travel through Route 116, you will encounter various trainers and wild Pokémon. The route is straightforward, so simply follow the path, battling or avoiding trainers as you prefer.
The wild Pokémon you’ll encounter on Route 116 include:
- Nincada: A Bug/Ground-type Pokémon.
- Whismur: A Normal-type Pokémon.
- Skitty: A Normal-type Pokémon.
- Zigzagoon: A Normal-type Pokémon.
- Seedot (Emerald Exclusive): A Grass-type Pokémon.
Step 3: Enter Rusturf Tunnel
At the end of Route 116, you’ll find the entrance to Rusturf Tunnel. Enter the tunnel to continue your quest for Dig.
Step 4: Proceed Through Rusturf Tunnel
Rusturf Tunnel is a small cave with a single path. However, before reaching the end, you’ll encounter a Team Aqua Grunt who has stolen Mr. Briney’s Wingull, Peeko. This is a mandatory encounter to progress the storyline.
Step 5: Battle the Team Aqua Grunt
The Team Aqua Grunt will challenge you to a battle. He typically uses a Poochyena around level 15. Using a Fighting-type Pokémon or a strong offensive move will make quick work of it.
Step 6: Rescue Peeko
After defeating the Grunt, he will flee, and you’ll rescue Peeko. Mr. Briney will then appear and thank you for saving his Wingull.
Step 7: Exit Rusturf Tunnel
Once Peeko is safe and sound, exit Rusturf Tunnel. You’ll find yourself on the other side of Route 116.
Step 8: Return to Mauville City
Now, head back to Mauville City. This is where you’ll finally get your hands on HM08 Dig.
Step 9: Locate the House Next to the Pokémon Center
In Mauville City, find the house located directly to the right (east) of the Pokémon Center. This is where you’ll find a character who will give you the HM.
Step 10: Talk to the Hiker Inside the House
Enter the house and talk to the hiker inside. He will give you HM08 Dig as a reward for your efforts in dealing with Team Aqua in Rusturf Tunnel.
Tips and Tricks for Using Dig
- Strategic Battle Usage: Use Dig strategically in battles. Predict when your opponent will use a powerful attack and use Dig to avoid it. However, be aware that moves like Earthquake and Magnitude will hit you even while you’re underground.
- Cave Escape: Always have a Pokémon that can learn Dig in your party when exploring caves and dungeons. This provides a quick escape route if you’re low on health or need to return to a Pokémon Center.
- Move Compatibility: Many Pokémon can learn Dig, including Ground, Rock, and even some surprising types. Experiment to find which Pokémon on your team can best utilize this move. Some good options include Sandslash, Dugtrio, and Claydol.
- TM Compatibility: Although Dig is an HM, it behaves similarly to a TM in that it can only be taught to a limited number of Pokémon. Always check if a Pokémon can learn Dig before wasting the HM.
- Combine with Held Items: Combine Dig with held items like Soft Sand to boost the power of Ground-type moves, making it even more effective in battle.
Pokémon That Can Learn Dig
Here is a list of some of the Pokémon in Emerald that can learn Dig:
- Sandshrew
- Sandslash
- Nidoran♀
- Nidorina
- Nidoqueen
- Nidoran♂
- Nidorino
- Nidoking
- Vulpix
- Ninetales
- Diglett
- Dugtrio
- Meowth
- Persian
- Growlithe
- Arcanine
- Ponyta
- Rapidash
- Farfetch’d
- Cubone
- Marowak
- Hitmonlee
- Hitmonchan
- Lickitung
- Rhyhorn
- Rhydon
- Tauros
- Eevee
- Vaporeon
- Jolteon
- Flareon
- Porygon
- Omanyte
- Omastar
- Kabuto
- Kabutops
- Aerodactyl
- Snorlax
- Articuno
- Zapdos
- Moltres
- Dratini
- Dragonair
- Dragonite
- Mewtwo
- Mew
- Sentret
- Furret
- Ledyba
- Ledian
- Spinarak
- Ariados
- Togepi
- Togetic
- Natu
- Xatu
- Mareep
- Flaaffy
- Ampharos
- Hoppip
- Skiploom
- Jumpluff
- Sunkern
- Sunflora
- Yanma
- Wooper
- Quagsire
- Espeon
- Umbreon
- Murkrow
- Misdreavus
- Girafarig
- Pineco
- Forretress
- Gligar
- Steelix
- Snubbull
- Granbull
- Qwilfish
- Shuckle
- Heracross
- Sneasel
- Teddiursa
- Ursaring
- Slugma
- Magcargo
- Swinub
- Piloswine
- Corsola
- Remoraid
- Octillery
- Delibird
- Mantine
- Skarmory
- Houndour
- Houndoom
- Kingdra
- Phanpy
- Donphan
- Porygon2
- Stantler
- Smeargle
- Tyrogue
- Hitmontop
- Smoochum
- Elekid
- Magby
- Miltank
- Blissey
- Raikou
- Entei
- Suicune
- Larvitar
- Pupitar
- Tyranitar
- Lugia
- Ho-Oh
- Celebi
- Poochyena
- Mightyena
- Zigzagoon
- Linoone
- Wurmple
- Silcoon
- Beautifly
- Cascoon
- Dustox
- Lotad
- Lombre
- Ludicolo
- Seedot
- Nuzleaf
- Shiftry
- Taillow
- Swellow
- Wingull
- Pelipper
- Ralts
- Kirlia
- Gardevoir
- Surskit
- Masquerain
- Shroomish
- Breloom
- Slakoth
- Vigoroth
- Slaking
- Nincada
- Ninjask
- Shedinja
- Whismur
- Loudred
- Exploud
- Makuhita
- Hariyama
- Azurill
- Nosepass
- Skitty
- Delcatty
- Sableye
- Mawile
- Aron
- Lairon
- Aggron
- Meditite
- Medicham
- Electrike
- Manectric
- Plusle
- Minun
- Volbeat
- Illumise
- Roselia
- Gulpin
- Swalot
- Carvanha
- Sharpedo
- Wailmer
- Wailord
- Numel
- Camerupt
- Torkoal
- Spoink
- Grumpig
- Spinda
- Trapinch
- Vibrava
- Flygon
- Cacnea
- Cacturne
- Swablu
- Altaria
- Zangoose
- Seviper
- Lunatone
- Solrock
- Barboach
- Whiscash
- Corphish
- Crawdaunt
- Baltoy
- Claydol
- Lileep
- Cradily
- Anorith
- Armaldo
- Feebas
- Milotic
- Kecleon
- Shuppet
- Banette
- Duskull
- Dusclops
- Tropius
- Chimecho
- Absol
- Wynaut
- Snorunt
- Glalie
- Spheal
- Sealeo
- Walrein
- Clamperl
- Huntail
- Gorebyss
- Relicanth
- Luvdisc
- Bagon
- Shelgon
- Salamence
- Beldum
- Metang
- Metagross
- Regirock
- Regice
- Registeel
- Latias
- Latios
- Kyogre
- Groudon
- Rayquaza
- Jirachi
- Deoxys
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
- Can’t find the house in Mauville City: Make sure you’re looking for the house directly to the east of the Pokémon Center. It’s a small, unassuming building.
- The hiker isn’t giving me Dig: Ensure you have defeated Wattson and rescued Peeko from Rusturf Tunnel. The hiker will only give you the HM after you’ve completed these tasks.
- My Pokémon can’t learn Dig: Not all Pokémon can learn Dig. Check the list of compatible Pokémon or use an online resource to confirm whether your Pokémon is eligible.
Conclusion
Obtaining HM08 Dig in Pokémon Emerald is a straightforward process once you know the steps. This move is invaluable for both its battle utility and its ability to quickly escape caves. By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to add Dig to your arsenal and navigate the Hoenn region with ease. Happy digging!