1.) This is Flat out rule number 1 to me, i would throw Heavy Slam in there because the other two moves are that far superior. Everyone should have at least 1 C/CC or C/DP (Karate Chop also works) Machamp in their storage. I have used 2 TMs since the game came out. 1 fast on an IT TTar and 1 Charged on a Hyper Beam Dnite and got Outrage. I will keep all TMs unless something is so obvious i have to use them. Good Article though, really good answer to most questions on here.
My thought process on what/when to TM
Hi guys. See a lot of questions on whether to use a TM and I thought I'd just share what I'm doing. I don't play much and neither do I spend real cash, so I try to be more conservative.
1) If you're not swimming in TMs at the moment, then use it on something where you definitely get a better moveset. Eg. HB on a dragonite or FB on Trex. You may want to hold off if the improvement is small. Eg. Changing ES to BS on an eggy just to fight vapes.
2) How easy is it for you to just evolve a new one? I've got 700+ eggy candy and 10 exeguttors with varying movesets and no way am I going to waste a TM on an eggy.
3) Is it currently raidable? If it is then do you want to try raiding it daily in hopes of getting the optimal moveset or better IVs. Eg. Machamp for the C/CC or C/DP.
At the same time also consider what level is the pokemon you want to TM. If its level is <20 then maybe just raid 1 and save on the dust. Similarly, if you already invested dust and pumped it up to level 30, then it might make more sense to TM a level 30 MAchamp than to try and raid an optimal level 20 one. (of course this depends on your dust situation).
Raids are quite well attended where I'm from, especially Trex raids. Typically, there are >10 at any given Trex raid and I've never found the need to create a C/CC or C/DP machamp army. I don't hit gyms much anymore so I guess an argument could be made for having more machamps if you gym alot.
I only raid once a day and try to hit Trex raids. Have 5 new Trexs already but will not power or TM any of these level 20s until either raid boss changes or legendaries come out tomorrow in which case I need my B/C Trexs. I've only got 400k dust so I wanna be sure of what to power up.
To date I've only charge TMed 2 pokemon: level 30 dragonite with DB/HB and level 30 TRex with B/FB.
As time passes, and if you raid enough, we should have more TMs than appropriate pokemon to use it on. But until then, I'm going to stick to this policy.