A well-chosen held item is often the difference between a good Pokemon and a great one. Here are the most important competitive items and when to use them.
Offensive Items
- Life Orb — +30% damage at cost of 10% HP per attack. The default offensive item.
- Choice Band — +50% Attack, locked into one move. Devastating on physical attackers.
- Choice Specs — Same but for Special Attack. Perfect on glass cannons.
- Choice Scarf — +50% Speed, locked. Used to outspeed or revenge kill.
- Expert Belt — +20% on super-effective moves. Niche but reliable.
Defensive Items
- Leftovers — heals 1/16 HP each turn. Essential on walls.
- Rocky Helmet — hurts attackers by 1/6 HP on contact.
- Assault Vest — +50% Sp.Def, but can\'t use status moves.
- Eviolite — +50% Defense/Sp.Def on unevolved Pokemon (Chansey loves this).
- Focus Sash — survives a one-hit KO at 1 HP.
Situational Items
- Light Ball — doubles Pikachu\'s Attack/Sp.Atk.
- Thick Club — doubles Cubone/Marowak\'s Attack.
- Eviolite — Chansey, Porygon2, Dusclops all benefit.
- Air Balloon — grants Ground immunity until hit.
- Weakness Policy — +2 Atk/Sp.Atk on super-effective hit.
Choosing the Right Item
Match the item to the role. Sweepers want Life Orb or Choice. Walls want Leftovers or Rocky Helmet. Revenge killers want Choice Scarf. Don\'t give Leftovers to a sweeper — you\'ll miss out on 30% damage you could have had from Life Orb.