"+2 Slash Bonus" - Favorite Held Items

[Chase]

"...but LOOK AT THOSE HANDS...of COURSE you're going to give it something to hold....how 'bout a Life Orb? how about a CHOICE BAND? HOW ABOUT A F*CKING CHAINSAW???"

-Dookieshed, from his YouTube video entitled "Mega Rayquaza Will F*ck You Up"

Hello, Ladies, Gents, and dignified others.

Today, we're going to take a look at often disregarded game-changers of the Pokemon universe. It's common knowledge that -most- pokemon are not up to their full potential unless holding an item that aids them in battle. Sometimes, these items are consumed. Sometimes these items will wreak havoc until knocked off, stolen, or the wielder faints.

So, which of these various weapons strikes your fancy? Here's 10 of mine. Tell me what yours are too rather than complaining at me, okay?

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Number 10: The Lucky Egg

The Lucky Egg boosts the holder's experience point gain in battle. This item makes the list because it's one of those items that if you have a lot of them, make experience grinding a lot more efficient than using the "new" experience share in my opinion. Boosted XP > Shared XP. You can obtain several of these nifty training items by chaining Pelipper in ORAS.

Number 9: the Liechi Berry

This berry boosts a Pokemon's Attack upon consumption - and is also a really good berry to use in conjunction with physical sweepers using 'Unburden.' - although also in conjunction with the move 'Substitute.' The cool thing about berries is the ability 'Harvest' - which allows for berries to return to the Pokemon and be consumed every other turn - allowing for the Liechi Berry here to boost a Pokemon to +6 under the right conditions. No need to waste a move slot for Belly Drum!

Number 8: the Smoke Ball

Ain't nobody got time for wild Pokemon sometimes. This is a good item to have on Pokemon who are going to have difficulty fleeing from most wild Pokemon encounters as it essentially gives ANY Pokemon you want the effects of the ability "Run Away" - meaning fleeing wild Pokemon is a cinch. I enjoy using THIS item instead of Repels personally, in case I missed a rare encounter when spraying up. These can be found on Wild Koffing using your DexNav in ORAS (and is also somewhat common in Reborn)

Number 7: the Quick Claw

The Quick Claw is often one of the earliest items you can pick up in a story run of any main series game - and early on, particularly if you like using slower Pokemon - it's effect of occasionally letting slower 'mons move first is much appreciated. I've found that this does a good job in training fossil Pokemon - which I do like to use from time to time.

Number 6: the Amulet Coin

Hey you....do you wanna be RICH? HELL YEAH you do. The amulet coin, when given to a battle participant, will cause the opposing NPCs you defeat in battle to pay out more cash. This is a particularly useful item for rematches and works insanely well in one of my favorite distractions in Pokemon - Kalos' Battle Chateau...or....um....whichever one isn't the one that rewards you battle points and is filled with nooby trainers where you get ranks after battling enough of them. That thing, is a very fun money making method and the only place to Audino train in Kalos.....anyway, the Amulet Coin is an item you will probably have used at some point during your journey.

Number 5: the Eviolite

The greatest thing to ever happen to Little Cup and the savior for Not-Fully-Evolved Pokemon in competitive play. Also that thing that somehow makes Chansey better than Blissey. That sin is forgivable. Maybe. This item boosts both Defense and Special Defense when the Pokemon is not fully evolved.

Number 4: the Choice Scarf

AKA Jericho's crutch item to beating me. (Just kidding Mike, you're better than I am, as is a whole lot of people.) The Choice Scarf boosts the speed of the wielder with the trade-off that the wielder be locked into using one move. That's a pretty fair trade off for things with Moxie, such as Krookodile (which is why the scarf is so high on MY list.) and more memorably regular Salamence.

Number 3: the Choice Specs

What's better than mo' speed. MO' DAMMMAGE......sorry....not sorry......I'll try to behave next time.

Number 2: the Life Orb

I've really fallen in love with the Life Orb. It is slightly less effective than the Choice Band and Choice Specs with regards to damage increase, but allows Pokemon to run utility moves and doesn't lock anybody into one move at a time. If you want to pick yourselves up several of these - don't worry about getting battle points, just start chaining Absol using your DexNav (in ORAS only.)

Number 1: the Petaya Berry

This is the Special Attack version of the Liechi Berry. It holds a whole lot of sentimental value - turning Exeggutor into one of the most fearsome sweepers I've ever used due to 'Harvest' - and it was FAN-TASTIC. That sentiment carries it over the Life Orb for the number one spot.

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The Honorable Mentions for this list are similar. The Black Sludge is an item that gradually heals poison type Pokemon and hurts other types. The Leftovers is an item that gradually heals any Pokemon.

[Shadow Tack]

#1 Berry juice

[Frostilicious]

I'd say wide lens. Having that 100% Zen headbutt and Hi Jump Kick accuracy on medicham was godly. Also scope lens for pokemon that use cross poison, night slash, slash, megahorn, stone edge etc.

Edited August 19, 2015 by timbla

[Commander]

Number 10 Black Sludge

I don't use it often, but sometimes I run this on Trick Alakazam on my playthroughs as messing with my oppenents is fun (and trick is one of my sig moves)

Number 9 Heat Rock

Ever since Gen VI made the change, weather rocks are valuable on weather teams and can do quite a bit. One trick I tend to do is keep Ninetales alive in the red if I can and switch him out at one point to keep the sun up. Very underrated item (and quite fun using it on those Hardcore teams...especially Victoria)

Number 8 Exp Share (the old one)

You don't know how much use this thing gets when I play through a grinding session. It makes getting those weak pokemon strong a breeze. I know the new one is better, but at least I don't have to box switch with the old one. (Or be overleveled).

Number 7 Focus Sash

If you know what you're doing, this can make a glass canon last a little bit longer. Usually its made for leads, but sometimes I run it on a member who doesn't necessarily need one. Sash + Blaze is an amazing combo

Number 6 Sitrus Berry

My general rule of thumb when gym leader/boss building: "When in doubt, Sitrus Berry." It's a very useful item when you don't know what else to use.

Number 5 Choice Band/Scarf/Specs

I put them all about the same because different ones have different uses. It's hard to manipulate the AI to use one effectively, but when they do, you better run.

Number 4 The Mega Stone

I have mixed feeling about this one. I like a lot of the "weaker" megas because it makes useless Pokemon useful (such as Bannette) and can really be made memorable. Mega Glalie on an Snowy Mountain is scary as hell. If that thing uses Explosion, everything but a Thick Fat Walrein is probably going to die.

Number 3 Power Herb

It's kind of sad how forgotten this one gets. It's actually helped when designing hardcore leaders such as Charlotte making the laughable Solarbeam typhlosion back into a major threat. I do play this item on Xerneas, but I wish I used it a bit more outside of that.

Number 2 The Life Orb

This item is godly no matter how you put it. A boost in power plus the freedom of moves can help out so much. I love this item so much and I probably use it a bit too much.

Number 1 Flame Orb

Considering Trick is my sig attack, you can imagine why I like this baby. It has many uses such as guts and completely stopping your oppenent from being a threat. Burn is my favorite status due to how useful it can be when well played so an item that creates burn is useful for me.

[ShadowStar]

I love me some Rocky Helmet. Tolonflame used Brave Bird? Take that Recoil, Rough Skin, Rocky Helmet, and possible Life Orb Damage. Defensive Garchomp is really good atm.

[Arkhi]

1) Silk Scarf

2) Silk Scarf

3) Silk Scarf

4) Silk Scarf

5) Silk Scarf

6) Silk Scarf

7) Silk Scarf

8) Silk Scarf

9) Silk Scarf

10) Berry Juice

Excellent for LC and smoothies.

[Jacobliterator]

As a defensive player, no item proves more consistently useful than the Leftovers.

[Darvan Korematsu]

Always the Toxic Orb and Flame Orb that never get enough love. Whether it's Gliscor into Poison Heal, Swellow into a free boosted Facade, or Trick/Switcheroo even when paired with Magic Guard, it's all fine, because these 2 itema are severely underrated in any format of play (except VGC of course)

[Vinny]

Tell me what yours are too rather than complaining at me, okay?

That's fun to do though~

1) Silk Scarf

2) Silk Scarf

3) Silk Scarf

4) Silk Scarf

5) Silk Scarf

6) Silk Scarf

7) Silk Scarf

8) Silk Scarf

9) Silk Scarf

10) Berry Juice

Excellent for LC and smoothies.

Sorry Choice Scarf, but you get f***ing denied!

I'll just list five of them for now:

Number 5 - Black Sludge

Please, use Trick on my Amoonguss. There you go, now lose that HP. I love Black Sludge for the simple fact that is a safer but limited Leftovers.

Still fear the Knock Offs though.

Number 4 - Choice Scarf

Look at your Garchomp. Now look at my Ditto. Ditto is now a Garchomp. Ditto has a Scarf. Your Garchomp doesn't. And now there's only one Garchomp standing. It's the fake one btw.

Risk and reward item? I'd say so. No one likes to be locked into a single move, but the potential the Choice Scarf has is amazing. Speed tie nope get this scarf.

Fear the Knock Offs anyway.

Number 3 - Power Herb

"RIP in peace." - A random person, after realizing his oponnent can't phase out his Geomancy Xerneas.

Like Commander said, kinda wished it had more use than just having a one-turn Super Xerneas, but it's pretty good where it's at right now. Let's hope for a physical version of Geomancy one day. Still, this item turns Xerneas into a fearsome pokémon in one turn, and nothing will stay in your way... provided that the threats are removed, of course.

Fear the Knock Off of faster opponents :T

Number 2 - Rocky Helmet

"I regret using Knock Off."

1/6 of your Pokémon's HP might not seem like much until you see the Rough Skin/Iron Barbs and Toxic and Sandstorm damage and the damage from the entry hazards and god damn everything. Just an item that racks up more damage than you'd expect. It's an item to make you remember why you shuldn't go for the physical contact move on that pokémon. Cuz these rocks hurt.

NUMBER 1 - THE AMULET COIN

Forget competitive and hand over that money.

I still wonder how that item works. Does your opponent gives you double of the amount promised after the battle? Does the money simply doubles after you grab it? The wonders of technology~

Anyway, that's my favorite IG item that has no use in competitive play. It's also the item that helped me buy everything in Kalos. And I do mean, EVERYTHING.

It's my favorite and I wished I had one in real life~

Honorable mention to Focus Sash and Life Orb cuz Weaviles love dem items.

[Myst]

Kings Rock.

Abusing the chance is something I love. And when luck is on my side, I almost wish I could see the rage of my opponent as I flinch sweep their entire team.

[mde2001]

Leftovers and choice specs.

[Shing]

Rocky helmet.

Use a skarmory with rocky helmet, also with that defense and ouch.

[Daniel Blackworth]

Amulet Coin

- makes you rich, rich, and rich. Gotta love that bling and all that cash.

Rocky Helmet

- put it on a Ferrothorn with Iron Barbs. You'll love it!!

Those two are my favorites.

[Tomas Elliot]

Choice Band hands down. I have always been a fan of physical offense, I remember being (in)famous, back in my PO beta days, for attempting CB sets on basically anything with more than base 90 Atk. Heck a team built around CB Swellow topped their LU ladder once, I remember switching it into a Toxic from the foe's Slowking, then pursuiting the mofo to death in what was probably the most hilarious win of my life...

[Caz]

Black Glasses. AKA the shady glasses (as described in the Pokedex). AKA the pedo glasses. AKA the glasses Hypno wears to hide his creep factor from kids. AKA the glasses that Espurr wears to hide its lack of luscious eyebrows.

Help.

[Azeria]

My favourite item has to be the Griseous Orb

or the Absolite

:]

Seriously though:My favourite item is the Life Orb;taking the users life power away in return for immense power boosts and unlike the choice items no move restrictions.

[Jaromir]

Leftovers for healin'n'chillin.

[Qoseph]

Bright powder.

It's very satisfying to break your opponent's 100% accuracy.

[zimvader42]

Wide lens: increased accuracy on High Jump Kick, Draco Meteor, Play Rough, Leech Seed and the likes is very welcome on my book.

Safety Goggles: same as overcoat, but for pokémon with no overcoat. Great when against teams that rely on weather.

Leftovers: safe recovery each turn, I like it.

Lum berry/Sitrus berry/other berries: there are a lot, and I don't know all their effects, but they're all pretty awesome.

Focus Sash: great for certain mon that are specially fragile or are supposed to have at least one turn in battle and then die.

Lucky Egg: incredibly useful in game, specially with traded pokémon.

Black sludge: my vileplume heals with it, your switcheroo inkay gets poisoned.

Toxic orb/flame orb: great for facade/guts mons, and for magic guarders like Sigilyph and Clefable (although clefa does great with Life Orb too).