Held items have been an integral part of the Pokemon series since their introduction in Generation 2. Some items only work for specific Pokemon, such as Mega Stones or Arceus plates. Other items affect broad categories of Pokemon, such as Pokemon of a certain type or even a certain evolutionary stage.
In the competitive meta, however, choosing the right held item can be very important in battle. Some Pokemon work best with movesets that cater to the item the player has chosen to give them. While experimentation with a Pokemon's selected item is encouraged, these items are never a bad choice for a competitive team.
Updated December 21, 2022, by Blaise Santi: The release of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet for Nintendo Switch signals a new era for the competitive Pokemon scene. The addition of over 100 new Pokemon, as well as new game mechanics like Terastallization, threaten to shake up the meta in unique ways.
Additionally, there are some new held items making their debut in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet that can drastically influence competitive battling, such as these new additions to the list. It’s also wise for players to keep track of where they can find these new items, as well as where they can pick up the held items that have been popular throughout Pokemon’s competitive history.
13 Booster Energy
Players who have defeated the main story of Scarlet & Violet have probably picked up at least one Booster Energy already. The item can be used exclusively by Paradox Pokemon. Activating the ability Protosynthesis is Scarlet exclusive, while activating the ability Quark Drive for Paradox Pokemon is exclusive to Pokemon Violet.
This item is incredibly useful for Paradox Pokemon on competitive teams that don't have room for set-ups with Electric Terrain or Sunny Day, which would normally activate Paradox Pokemon abilities without Booster Energy. For Paradox Pokemon who aren't banned to the Uber tier, this item will be common in competitive teams.
12 Punching Glove
One big change in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet is the classification of several moves as "punching moves." These include moves like Drain Punch, Thunder Punch, and Hammer Arm, among others. Additionally, the Punching Glove makes its debut in Scarlet & Violet, powering up the punching moves of Pokemon holding it.
With Pokemon like Palafin dominating the competitive meta and having access to numerous punching moves, the Punching Glove is a pretty solid item. For most other Pokemon, it's a pretty niche held item to have but it gives certain Pokemon the ability to pack a bigger punch. Players can acquire one after beating seven trainers in Area Three of the East Province.
11 Loaded Dice
In terms of niche yet useful items, Loaded Dice are another fascinating new addition in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. This item increases the likelihood that multi-hit moves will hit the maximum number of times. It essentially has the same effect as the ability Skill Link, which has in the past made Pokemon like Cloyster unstoppable in competitive battles.
Loaded Dice, which can be bought by players in Levincia, are especially useful for the new Normal-type Pokemon Maushold. This family of mice has the signature move Population Bomb, which deals only 20 damage and hits between four and ten times. With Loaded Dice, 200 damage can make a dent, even in Pokemon resistant to Normal-type moves.
10 Eviolite
The Eviolite item first appeared in Pokemon Black & White, offering a unique benefit to certain Pokemon. If given to an unevolved Pokemon, the Eviolite will boost a Pokemon's Defense and Special Defense stats by 50%. This is quite a large boost to stats, especially when given to Pokemon with already-high numbers in those areas.
Despite the Eviolite's great effect, unevolved Pokemon are rarely present in the competitive meta. Some good options nonetheless include Togetic, Dusclops, and Pikachu, and make for an interesting switch-up for opposing players. Luckily, Eviolite is easy to find in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, available for purchase in Mesagoza shops.
9 Air Balloon
This item has a very specific, short-term property. When equipped, a Pokemon will be resistant to Ground-type attacks. However, the effect will go away once the Pokemon that's been sent out has been hit by an attack. It's also available to buy in the town of Cascarrafa, which players will encounter along their journey down Victory Road in Scarlet & Violet.
The resistance to Ground-type attacks is incredibly beneficial to non-Flying-type Pokemon who are susceptible to Ground-type attacks. These types include Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel. A popular Pokemon for this item is the Fire/Steel-type Heatran, which allows for easier set-up against Pokemon like Landorus.
8 Power Herb
The Power Herb, which can also be bought in Cascarrafa, can only be used once per battle, but is incredibly beneficial to Pokemon looking to deal massive amounts of damage. The item will remove an attack's need to charge for an entire turn. This means some moves like Solar Beam and Sky Drop will not waste a player's turn, letting the opponent strategize.
Some Pokemon, like Xerneas, benefit greatly from the use of a Power Herb. Xerneas in particular has monstrous Attack and Special Attack stats, which it can abuse with its signature move Geomancy. By giving Xerneas a Power Herb, Geomancy can deal unbelievable amounts of damage without needing to charge for a turn.
7 Choice Band / Scarf / Specs
The Choice Band, Choice Scarf, and Choice Specs are some of the more expensive held items players can buy in Mesagoza, but they're incredibly worth it. The Choice Band boosts a Pokemon's Attack, the Choice Scarf boosts their Speed, and the Choice Specs boost their Special Attack. However, these stat boosts also come with a price.
When a Pokemon has either of these three items equipped, they can only use the first move they select in battle. That means that these items are mostly beneficial for powerful attack-focused Pokemon. A good way to use this item is with a Pokemon like Manectric who can use a powered-up Volt Switch and withdraw immediately.
6 Rocky Helmet
This item is perfect for Pokemon who are meant to take loads of damage, such as Walls or Stallers. When equipped, the Rocky Helmet will inflict damage upon any opposing Pokemon who makes contact with the user. Essentially, if the enemy Pokemon uses a physical attack, they will receive additional damage.
Pairing this item with Spikes or Stealth Rocks can result in a Pokemon switching in and receiving tons of damage before the end of their first turn. Additionally, pairing this item with a Ferrothorn or Togedemaru with Iron Barbs will double the damage made on contact. Resourceful trainers should visit Mesagoza, or explore Zapapico if they want one.
5 Heavy-Duty Boots
On the reverse side of Rocky Helmet, there's also the Heavy-Duty Boots, which can be bought in Levincia in Scarlet & Violet. This item will negate the effects of entry hazards on Pokemon that are switching-in. Entry hazards, including Stealth Rocks and Toxic Spikes, often deal great damage to switch-ins, and can also poison them and reduce Speed.
For some Pokemon, equipping the Heavy-Duty Boots may be non-negotiable to help them survive devastating Support Pokemon. A move like Stealth Rock can be a death sentence to Pokemon to typings like Fire, Ice, Flying, and Bug. A good strategy would be to give a Pokemon like Dhelmise Heavy-Duty Boots and Rapid Spin.
4 Focus Sash
Few items will come in handy quite like the Focus Sash. In Scarlet & Violet, this item can be acquired after defeating 4 trainers in Area Two of the West Province. This move prevents one-hit KOs, leaving Pokemon with full health only 1 HP. It can only be used once, so it's important to time out switching-in your Focus Sash user very carefully.
This item is very useful for frail Pokemon that can inflict tons of damage, like Dugtrio or Salazzle. It can also be paired very strategically with the move Pain Split, which adds the HPS of the user and the target Pokemon together and divides them by two. This can turn the tide against certain Walls that deal massive amounts of damage.
3 Assault Vest
The Assault Vest is a reliable item for attack-driven movesets. When equipped, the Assault Vest will raise a Pokemon's Special Defense while preventing them from using status moves. This is incredibly useful for strong sweepers who may not have the Special Defense they need to survive blows from certain Special Attackers.
Azumarill, Darmanitan, and Rhyperior are among Pokemon who see a substantial increase in their Special Defense stats with the Assault Velt. However, it's probably not one of the best Pokemon items for Pokemon who rely on status moves and support options. For interested players, it'd be wise to check shops in Mesagoza, or to explore items around Porto Marinada.
2 Life Orb
Any held item that increases a Pokemon's Attack and Special Attack stats is useful. However, the Life Orb comes with quite a price. When equipped, the Life Orb will power all of its user's moves by 30%, but with every attack will take 10% of their max HP. This may seem like too steep a price, but it's certainly useful in the heat of battle.
Some Pokemon, such as Absol or Urshifu, might not have either the Attack or Special Attack stats to really turn the tide of battle. The Life Orb will push these Pokemon over the edge, albeit at the cost of some HP. Players running low on money can also find this item if they go exploring in the western parts of Casseroya Lake.
1 Leftovers
Few items in the competitive Pokemon meta are as widely used as Leftovers. This item's ability is simple: at the end of every turn, it restores a little bit of HP. Though it may not seem like much at first, over time, certain Pokemon can really benefit from the miniscule increases in health as the battle progresses.
Leftovers is especially useful for Pokemon with the move Protect. Pulling off a successful block of an attack is a great way for players to earn a bonus health increase. Roost is also a useful option for Pokemon like Togekiss, as one turn can result in almost 56% of health being recovered at once. Scarlet & Violet players can also easily find the item in Medali.