Those large boulders won’t destroy themselves. By Alex Perry on March 19, 2026.
*Pokémon Pokopia* is arguably the first real Nintendo Switch 2 sensation, but it doesn’t reveal everything about its various systems right away. Case in point: upgrading abilities. *Pokopia* gives you some important abilities during its tutorial, and then more throughout its story, but it doesn’t clearly inform you that you can upgrade these abilities to make them more useful.
Rock Smash is one such ability. Initially, it allows you to punch through most materials to clear them and collect what they contain, but you’ll also come across harder or larger rocks that can’t be smashed. So, how do you solve that problem? Keep reading to find out how to fix it.
How to upgrade Rock Smash in *Pokémon Pokopia*:
Upgrading your abilities in *Pokopia* involves a process that might seem complex if you’re starting from scratch. The main thing to know is it’s done through cooking, as different dishes upgrade different abilities. To upgrade Rock Smash, specifically, you need to cook a hamburger steak of any kind, because eating one upgrades this ability.
If you haven’t unlocked the ability to cook yet, simply progress through the main story until you unlock the Rocky Ridges area. Continue with the story, and eventually, you’ll meet a friendly Greedent that teaches you how to cook.
To make a hamburger steak, you’ll need a frying pan and beans, the primary ingredient. Set up the frying pan over a flame, add beans and another ingredient if desired, and cook. Eat your creation, and Rock Smash should upgrade itself.
With the upgraded ability, you can smash through those stubborn rocks and collect rare ores from them. Congratulations!