In Pokémon Pokopia, players need different Pokémon to unlock exploration abilities around the island. One of the early abilities players can get is Rock Smash, which allows the environment to be broken and reshaped. This move is taught by Hitmonchan, the Gen 1 Fighting-type Pokémon known for its boxing style.
However, Hitmonchan does not appear randomly. Players must first create a specific habitat called the Exercise Resting Spot. Once that habitat is restored, Hitmonchan will eventually appear and provide a short quest that unlocks Rock Smash for Ditto.
How to Build the Exercise Resting Spot Habitat
To make Hitmonchan appear in Pokopia, players must restore the Exercise Resting Spot habitat. This small environment is designed for training and resting, which fits Hitmonchan’s punching-focused behavior.
The setup is simple and can be completed early in the game. Players need to locate a punching bag near the area to the left of the Pokémon Center PC. Once the punching bag is picked up, it needs to be placed near the wooden bench located nearby.
After placing the punching bag next to the bench, the game will display a message confirming that the Exercise Resting Spot habitat has been restored. Unlike other habitats in Pokopia, this location only attracts one Pokémon. That means Hitmonchan is guaranteed to appear here once the habitat is active.
Later in the game, players can craft additional furniture such as benches using a Crafting Table, but the pre-placed bench already works for activating this habitat.
Pokémon Pokopia: How to Find Hitmonchan
How to Find Hitmonchan
Once the Exercise Resting Spot is active, players only need to wait a short time for Hitmonchan to arrive. The Pokémon will eventually appear near the punching bag and begin interacting with the training area.
Since Hitmonchan is the only Pokémon tied to this habitat, players do not need to complete additional requirements or attract other Pokémon first. Simply restoring the habitat is enough to trigger its appearance.
When Hitmonchan shows up, players can approach and talk to it to begin a small task that leads to unlocking Rock Smash.
How to Learn Rock Smash
After speaking with Hitmonchan, the Pokémon will ask the player to bring two stones. These stones are easy to find because they appear scattered on the ground around Pokopia.
Players only need to pick up two stones and give them to Hitmonchan. Once the request is completed, Hitmonchan will teach Rock Smash to Ditto.
Rock Smash is an important environmental ability in Pokopia. It allows players to break cracked rocks, destroy certain walls, and reshape parts of the environment, opening paths that were previously blocked.
What Rock Smash Unlocks in Pokopia
After learning Rock Smash, players can immediately start breaking obstacles around the island. One of the first useful spots is the rock wall at the back area where water is leaking through cracks.
Breaking those rocks allows the water to flow freely, which can change the environment and potentially unlock new habitats. In some cases, this may even help attract Water-type Pokémon to the area.
Because of this, learning Rock Smash from Hitmonchan is one of the early steps that expands exploration and habitat creation in Pokémon Pokopia.
Pokémon Pokopia: How to Find Hitmonchan
If players want to progress further in Pokopia and reshape the environment, unlocking Hitmonchan and Rock Smash should be one of the first objectives. Once obtained, it becomes much easier to open new areas and discover additional Pokémon habitats.