Image Credit: Bethesda
Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.

How To Get Substitute (TM103) in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Learn how to get Substitute (TM103) in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.

Technical Machines, or TMs, are data discs that can bestow new moves upon your Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. TMs are a convenient way to hone your battle strategies, as you don’t need to grind out levels to learn certain moves. Today, we’ll show you how to get Substitute (TM103) in Scarlet & Violet.

Recommended Videos

Getting Substitute (TM103) in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

TM103 teaches the Normal-type move Substitute. The user sacrifices some of its own HP to create a decoy doll that can absorb attacks that would have normally hit the user.

You must unlock the crafting recipe for TM103 before you can craft it at the TM Machines, located at every Pokémon Center.

The first way to unlock TM103 is by conquering Team Star’s Fighting Crew Base, located in the northeastern point of Paldea, between North Province (Area One) and North Province (Area Three).

Related | How To Get Metronome (TM080) in Scarlet and Violet

Take down 30 Pokémon in the Fighting Crew Base, then challenge the leader herself, Eri of the Caph Squad. She’s rocking some extreme face paint, but her Fighting-type Pokémon are even more extreme, so make sure to bring a Flying or Psychic-type to counter.

After you defeat Eri, you’ll unlock the crafting recipe for Substitute (TM103). If you don’t want to deal with Team Star, you can also simply find a copy out in the open world.

Head to the city of Alfornada, located in the southwestern point of Paldea. There’s a large garage near the east section of the city, and the yellow Poke Ball containing TM103 is sitting behind it. Check the screenshot below for the exact location.

Once you’ve unlocked the crafting recipe or found the copy in the open world, you can craft as many copies as you like at any TM Machine. You’ll need the following materials:

  • 5,000 LP
  • Azurill Fur x 3
  • Mimikyu Scrap x 3
  • Falinks Sweat x 3

Almost every Pokémon can learn Substitute from TM103 in Scarlet & Violet, except for the following Pokémon:

  • Magikarp
  • Ditto
  • Kricketot
  • Combee
  • Tynamo
  • Scatterbug
  • Spewpa
  • Applin
  • Quaxly
  • Quaxwell

That concludes our guide on how to get Substitute (TM103) in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. If you have any other tips or questions, let us know in the comments below!

Author
Image of Jeremy Kanjanapangka
Jeremy Kanjanapangka
Jeremy is a Content Writer for Touch, Tap, Play, and has been writing in the games journalism industry for almost a decade now. With a degree in English and a passion for games, he loves to talk and write about all kinds of games. While you can find him covering the latest and greatest games, there is a special place in his heart for RPGs, action-adventure games, fighting games, and anything Nintendo related.