Item

An item (Japanese: どうぐ tool) is an object in the Pokémon games which the player can pick up, keep in their Bag, and use in some manner. They have various uses, including healing, powering up, helping one to catch Pokémon, or to access a new area.

Obtaining items

An item chest from Pokémon Colosseum

Items are obtained in several different ways. They can be given to the player by characters within the game, be bought at a Poké Mart for money, or found by the player throughout the Pokémon world. The latter form of items are contained within item balls, spherical containers resembling a Poké Ball. To obtain the item, players move next to it and press A while facing it. In Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, many items are found in treasure chests modeled after Poké Balls; in addition, items are often found in bulk from these chests, rather than only singular. Another method introduced in Generation II is picking Berries off a Berry tree. Join Avenue was introduced in Pokémon Black and White 2, allowing players to buy certain items in bulk, as well as Berries and some rare items. Pokémon encountered in the wild will sometimes be holding items, which can be obtained by catching them using a Poké Ball or by using either Trick, Thief, Switcheroo, or Covet. Also, in certain areas in Generation VI, various scenery will appear in the background during some battles. Using specific moves, depending on the kind of scenery, will break the scenery and cause an item to be found at the end of the battle, with the message "<player> found a <item> in the aftermath."

Most items can be obtained at any time, but there are a small number of permanently missable items in some games that become unobtainable after the player has progressed beyond a certain point.

Item ball images

Gen	Spr	Description
I		A standard item ball from Generation I. The gray color will change depending on the game. It has the same design as a Poké Ball.
II		A standard item ball from Generation II. This is the same basic image as Generation I, but with standardized colors to make it look more like a Poké Ball.
III		A standard item ball from Generation III. The image has been further altered, making it clearly look like a Poké Ball.
IV		A standard item ball from Generation IV. The image is close to being exactly the same as Generation III, but with slightly different shading.
V		A standard item ball from Generation V. This image is slightly more compact, with a more vivid coloring than previous generations.

Hidden items

The tuft of grass (highlighted) that gives away some hidden items in FR/LG

Items can also be hidden from view rather than found in an item ball. These items typically aren't visible to the player without the use of an item finding tool. Many times, a seemingly empty path can lead to a hidden item. In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, some hidden items are revealed by a momentary flash when a player enters a room. In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, some hidden items can be found in visibly different tufts of grass. These are most commonly in Berry Forest, where Berries reoccur in these spots after a certain amount of time.

Recurring items

The contents of this section have been suggested to be split into Recurring items. Please discuss it on the talk page for this section.

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Missing at least Gen. VI items

Recurring items, aside from those bought in Poké Marts, are somewhat rare within the Pokémon series. Generation I had no recurring items whatsoever. Generation II introduced recurring items with Apricorn trees and Berry trees, on which new Apricorns and Berries would grow every day.

Generation III introduced more recurring items, with Shoal Salts and Shoal Shells, the first recurring items to be found on the ground rather than grown in a tree. Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald expanded upon the idea of a Berry tree introduced in Generation II by allowing players to grow their own Berries. However, in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, the Berry tree was removed and replaced by recurring Berries hidden on the ground in Berry Forest, where Berries may regenerate every 512 steps. Treasure Beach, south of One Island, also held recurring items, including Ultra Balls and valuable items.

In Generation IV, the main recurring items are the items found in Turnback Cave after defeating or catching Giratina in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum--a Reaper Cloth, Rare Bone, or Stardust. Furthermore, in Generation IV, Honey will regenerate at the rate of two per day in Floaroma Meadow after the player has gathered them on the initial trip through. These may be found in any of the spots originally found, randomly generated, and a Star Piece will generate each day in Iron Island B2F every day, where the player initially found it.

In Black and White, TinyMushrooms will regrow, though they will remain hidden. Primarily, these are found on Route 6 and Route 12, but can also be found in Icirrus City in the Winter. Additionally, a Pearl and Stardust may wash up on Route 13, by the Black Belt, or at Undella Bay, on the shore, once per day. Another Pearl may be found periodically on Route 18 near the Battle Girl. The Lemonade found on the road on Route 9 will also regenerate occasionally. Outside of Pinwheel Forest, there is a Challenge Rock that invites Fighting-type Pokémon to smash it. Doing so will produce a Star Piece once per day.

In Black 2 and White 2, the recurring items differ slightly, as do the locations. A TinyMushroom may occasionally regrow in the fenced-in "garden" outside the Season Research Lab, and a Big Mushroom may occasionally regrow in a patch of grass in the trees to the immediate south of the Mistralton Cave entrance. A TinyMushroom may occasionally regrow behind the Celestial Tower on Route 7, and on a small rise on Route 12 as well. A Heart Scale may wash up on one of the shorelines of Undella Bay, or on a patch of sand in Humilau City, once more near the Black Belt on Route 13, or next to the rock at the bottom of the staircase immediately east of Lacunosa Town. A Pearl may wash up on the beach between the two staircases in Undella Town (in front of the Sage). A Big Pearl may wash up on the small dune near the Treasure Hunter on Route 13, north of the Parasol Lady. Some items may also wash up on Route 9 over time. The Challenge Rock also returns; however, only a Stardust is produced.

Many items gained recurring status in Black 2 and White 2, as they are found in Hidden Grottoes, the contents of which regenerate.

In Generation VI, Honey will regenerate in at least four locations periodically: one next to the railroad tracks on Route 18, one in the top-right corner of the fenced-in patch of grass outside Shalour City on Route 12, and two in the Pokémon Village, one in the topmost pavilion and one across the river from it. Pretty Wings will regenerate in at least two places periodically: one in a bush immediately south of the Pokémon Center in Couriway Town and one beneath the tire in the Pokémon Village. Prism Scales will randomly regenerate in the middle square of grass in the waterfall above Couriway Town. An Oval Stone will periodically regenerate in the Unknown Dungeon along the left-middle stalagmite. A Tiny Mushroom will regrow occasionally in the farthest-right mushroom stalk in Laverre City. As in Generation III on Treasure Beach and Generation V along the beaches in Unova, items will randomly wash up on the beaches in Kalos, including along Routes 8 and 9 and in Shalour City. As in previous games, some of these items include many valuable items.

Generation VI also reintroduced the idea of recurring Berries. In these games, a rare Berry drops from its tree approximately once per week for the player to collect. There is one Berry tree found on nearly every Route. The list of Trees is as follows:

• Route 5: Oran Berry (bottom of the grind bar)
• Route 6: Aguav Berry (middle of the left-hand grass patch)
• Route 7: Persim Berry (end by the Ambrette Town cave entrance)
• Route 8: Mago Berry (beach below Ambrette Town)
• Route 10: Iapapa Berry (right-hand side of path below Menhir stones)
• Route 11: Sitrus Berry (below cave entrance)
• Route 12: Aspear Berry (behind Cut tree below fenced-in grass outside Shalour City)
• Route 14: Roseli Berry (farthest-right path through swamp below Laverre City)
• Route 15: Leppa Berry (over bike jump after Laverre City gate)
• Route 16: Lum Berry (clearing after winding through very tall grass)
• Route 18: Wacan Berry (behind Cut tree before bridge)
• Route 19: Yache Berry (on mesa across bridge)
• Route 20: Kasib Berry (left-hand path past Mossy Rock clearing)
• Route 21: Figy Berry (across pond behind Cut tree)
• Route 22: Tanga Berry (bottom of waterfall, end of farthest-right path)

Recurring gift items

Certain items may be given to the player once per day by non-player characters, often for fulfilling a certain task.

In Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, various non-player characters in Hoenn will give items, usually Berries, simply when spoken to.

• The younger sister in the flower shop on Route 104 will give one random berry per day.
• A girl on Route 111 will give one Razz Berry once per day.
• A boy on Route 114 will give one Bluk, Nanab, Pinap, Razz, or Wepear Berry per day.
• A woman on Route 120 will give one random berry per day.
• The Berry Master on Route 123 will give two random berries per day. The Berry Master's wife will also give a random berry if her question is answered.
• A girl in Sootopolis City will give two random berries per day.
• An elderly gentleman in Pacifidlog Town will give either TM21 (Frustration) or TM27 (Return), depending on the lead Pokémon's happiness. He will give one once per week.

In Platinum Version, there are more non-player characters that require something of the player in order to give an item.

• The manager of the Pokémon News Press will give the player three specialty Poké Balls and one Heart Scale for showing him the Pokémon he's requested for his exposé.
• There is a man on Route 221 who will give the player a Black Belt, Expert Belt, or Focus Sash, once per day, in the aforementioned order, for showing him a Pokémon of the requested level.
• An Ace Trainer immediately inside the Great Marsh gate will give the player one random Shard per day when spoken to.

There are a range of recurring gift items in all Generation V games.

• There is a woman in Driftveil City who will give the player a Heart Scale if she is shown a Pokémon knowing the requested move.
• There is a Fisherman in the "Hip Waders" club on the Village Bridge who will give the player Dive Balls once per day for showing him the requested Water-type Pokémon, with the condition that it must have been caught that day.
• A Parasol Lady outside of the Tubeline Bridge gate on Route 8 will give the player one rock depending on the time of day: a Damp Rock in the morning, Heat Rock during the day, Smooth Rock in the evening and Icy Rock at night.
• The player may take Aha's Pep Quiz once per day in Icirrus City. If correct, the player receives an Antidote. If incorrect, the player receives a Parlyz Heal.
• A businessman in Lacunosa Town will give the player one of a selection of Berries on either Sunday night^BW or Monday and Thursday nights^B2W2.
• Lastly, the player may receive a Soda Pop once every Wednesday by speaking to the waitress inside the door of the Café Warehouse in Nacrene City.

In Black 2 and White 2,

• Two scientists in the Castelia Sewers will give the player one healing item, randomly selected, per day if spoken to. The female, accessible in all seasons, will give the player either a Potion, Super Potion, or Revive and the male scientist, accessible only in Spring and Summer, will give the player an Antidote, Full Heal, or Full Restore.
• Once per day the player may volunteer to walk the Socialite's Mienfoo in Humilau City and will be rewarded with a Pearl for their troubles.
• Once per day an Ace Trainer on Route 4 will give the player five or one Swift Wing^W2 or a Muscle Wing^B2 for showing him^W2/her^B2 a Pokemon with the same or a higher Attack^W2 or Speed^B2 stat than the number specified.
• Once per day a Worker in Twist Mountain will give the player a random fossil from a previous gen game.
• Once per day a Pokémon Breeder on Route 5 will give the player 5 random EV-lowering berries.
• Once per day a businessman in Castelia City's Studio Castelia will give the player a choice of one Cheri, Chesto, Pecha, Rawst, or Aspear berry if the player shows him a Pokemon of the type he specifies.
• Once per day a Roughneck in Virbank City will give the player a Great Ball in exchange for a Poké Ball.
• Once per day a lady in Shopping Mall Nine on Route 9 will ask the player to buy her a Hyper Potion and provides the money to do so. If the player talks to her again with a Hyper Potion in their bag, she will reward the player with an Energy Root.

In X and Y,

• A woman traveling from Hotel to Hotel will give the player's lead Pokémon an Emotion Ribbon once per day.
• A Maid in the northwest house in Camphrier Town will give the player a Sweet Heart each day.
• In that same house in Camphrier Town, the man will give the player one of the five condition-curing Berries (Cheri, Chesto, Pecha, Rawst, or Aspear) when shown a Pokémon of the requested type.
• In Ambrette Town, a Punk Guy beside the Museum will make a trade with the player of a Poké Ball for a Dive Ball once per day.
• Also in Ambrette Town, a girl in the left-hand house will give the player a Health Wing when shown a Pokémon with the requested Speed value or higher.
• In Coumarine City, Tierno waits on the cliff above the Pokémon Center and will give the player a Heart Scale when shown a Pokémon with either Fiery Dance, Quiver Dance, Lunar Dance, Teeter Dance, Petal Dance, Swords Dance, Feather Dance or Dragon Dance.
• A stand on the seaside part of Coumarine City will have one of the following condition-curing Berries left on it each day: Cheri, Chesto, Pecha, Rawst, or Aspear.
• A girl beside the Café in Laverre City will give the player a Poké Doll once per day if shown a Pokémon 10' tall or taller.
• A young man beside the gate in Laverre City will give the player a Poké Doll once per day if shown a Pokémon 0.8" or smaller.
• A girl in the house southwest of the windmill in Dendemille Town will give the player a Leppa Berry once per day if shown the requested TM.
• A young girl in the Poké Ball Emporium in Lumiose City will give the player either several Heal Balls or one Luxury Ball once per day if her question is answered in the affirmative.
• The Loto-ID Center in Lumiose City will provide the player with one of the following Items once per day depending upon how many numerals of the player's Pokémon's ID numbers match: Moomoo Milk for one digit, PP Up for two digits, PP Max for three digits, Rare Candy for four digits, and finally a Master Ball for all five digits.

Fake items

In some indoor areas such as the Kanto Power Plant, item balls may in fact turn out to be Voltorb or Electrode, in which case interacting with them will instead initiate a battle with said Pokémon. In Generation V, within forested areas or on Route 10, item balls may be Foongus or Amoonguss.

Item types

Main article: List of items by type

Throughout the Pokémon world, the Bag is used to carry items. Since Generation II, Items have been separated into categories to help with overall organization. These categories are altered slightly with each game. Some of the common categories consist of:

• General items - Escape Ropes, Repels, Battle Enhancers, Mail, etc.
• Medicine - Potions, Status condition healing items, Stat-boosting items, etc. While originally part of the general Items Bag section, it has had its own since Generation IV.
• TMs & HMs - All move teaching devices, by which Pokémon can learn moves such as Surf, Dynamic Punch, and Psychic. HMs cannot be discarded; in Gen V and onward, TMs have this trait as well, as they are reusable.
• Poké Balls - Different type of balls are all used for capturing Pokémon.*
• Key items - Special items that players can only obtain once, that either aid the progression of the storyline or traveling. They rarely have anything to do with the player's Pokémon and are mostly specific to the game. These types of item include Tickets, Keys, and the popular Bicycle. Key items can never be discarded, however, certain items will disappear from the player's Bag during storyline events.
• Held items - Items that can be held by a Pokémon, then used by them in some way. There are many varieties of these.
• Berries - The items were introduced in Generation II, and expanded upon in Generation III with the creation of many different types of Berries, as well as adding a separate Bag slot for them.

The preceding basic classification holds mostly true for Generations II and III. However, in Generation IV, items have been arranged into further categories. New categories include Medicine, Battle Items, and Mail. Generation I did not have any form of categories in the Bag (as it held a very limited number of items), though the categories can still apply.

Item storage

Items that are obtained are stored in different places. Initially, when an item is obtained, it is placed in the player's Bag, and from Generation II onwards, into a specific pocket of that Bag. When a section of the Bag becomes full, players will not be able to pick up any other items of that type. To make space, players must store their items within their PC, accessed at a Pokémon Center as <Player>'s PC. In Generation IV, this problem is eliminated by having no limit on items in the Bag, and the player's PC is used for other purposes. The player also has the ability to toss items away: this will delete them from the Bag. Key items, HMs, and, starting in Generation V, TMs cannot be tossed.

Held items

Main article: Held item

Since Generation II, certain items have been able to be held by Pokémon to heal or to enhance their power. Healing items can be used in battle without taking up a turn, but must be natural for them to work. Artificial items such as Potions and Full Heals cannot be used by Pokémon during battle. Held items also have other uses, such as an aid to evolve during trading or battle. Mail was also introduced as a hold item, in which players could send customizable messages with their Pokémon upon trading.

In the TCG

Main article: Item card (TCG)

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, items from the games were originally Trainer cards. However, starting with the HeartGold & SoulSilver Collections at the start of the LEGEND era in Japanese, and Black & White in international releases, they are classified in their own category, Item cards.

This item article is part of Project ItemDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all items.