Where to get surf in platinum

Pokémon Platinum —  an improved version of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl —  was first released for the Nintendo DS in 2008, but the game remains popular today.

Pokémon Platinum has many Hidden Machines (HMs) that are used to teach Pokémon moves that they may not learn through leveling up. One of the hardest to find is HM03 Surf, a move that is ideal for water-type Pokémon. 

In short, HM03 Surf is found in Celestic Town after the player defeats the Galactic boss, Cyrus. Cynthia’s grandmother will give it to the player inside the ruins.

About HM Surf

The Pokémon Database explains that Surf has a base damage of 95 in generations one to five. It will do double damage if your opponent is underwater using Dive at the time. 

A perk of Surf is the fact that it can hit both opponents during double battles. In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Pokémon holding Waterium Z transform their Surf to Hydro Boost. This upgraded move has a base damage of 175.

The Pokémon Database also says that when outside of the battlefield, Surf can also be used to cross water. Players can surf to find wild Pokémon and, in generation three onward, to fish.

What Else Is Found in Celestic Town?

Celestic Town is one of the smallest regions in the Sinnoh region. Yet, it is packed with items that help a player’s Pokémon grow powerful for battle or are just fun to have. Bulbapedia says an Analog Watch, Dragon Fang, and King’s Rock are found in Celestic Town. 

A Black Belt trainer gives the player an analog watch in the town’s southwest region. The Dragon Fang improves the power of dragon-type moves. It is found behind the Pokémon Center.

The King’s Rock allows Poliwhirl and Slowpoke to evolve. When held by a Pokémon, it can also be used to cause an opponent to flinch. The item is on a west ledge in the Celestic Ruins.

How to Delete HMs in Pokémon Platinum

Players who wish to remove Surf or any other moves from their Pokémon’s move list can go to the Move Deleter. In Pokémon Platinum, Psypoke says they can be found in a home just south of the Canalave City Pokémon Center.

Those who want to relearn forgotten or discarded moves can go to a house located on the waters of Pastoria City. The Move Rememberer will restore a Pokémon’s move if the player gives him a Heart Scale.

Hydro Pump vs. Surf

An ongoing debate is whether Hydro Pump or Surf is the ideal move for your Pokémon. There are benefits and drawbacks to each. Bulbapedia explains that Hydro Pump has a higher base damage than Surf. However, Surf has a 100-percent accuracy rate compared to Hydro Pump’s 80 percent. 

Surf is afforded 15 Power Points (PPs), compared to Hydro Pump’s 5. This means that Surf is less likely to run out in battle than Hydro Pump.

Other HMs in Pokémon Platinum

There is a handful of HMs in Pokémon Platinum that a player can choose to add to their Pokémon’s skill set.

For instance, HM05 Defog is a flying-type move that a player can only get by beating Gym Leader Fantina. The Pokémon Wiki says the move clears up fog on the battlefield. It also cancels out the effects of evasion-based moves.