Dowsing Machine

Obtain sprite from the Generation V games

The Dowsing Machine (Japanese: ダウジングマシン Dowsing Machine), referred to as the Itemfinder prior to Generation IV and as the Dowsing MCHN in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and the Generation V games, is a key item used to detect hidden items in the vicinity of the user. The way in which it detects items and provides feedback greatly varies between games.

In the games

Generation I

A form of the Itemfinder has been present in all main series games since Generation I.

In Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, the Itemfinder is given out by one of Professor Oak's aides in the gate on Route 11 if the player has 30 or more Pokémon caught in their Pokédex. It is a key item.

Generation II

In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, the Itemfinder is similar to that of Generation I. As with other key items in Generation II (and following), the Itemfinder can be set to the Select button and easily accessed. It is given out by a man in Ecruteak City.

Generation III

In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, the Itemfinder is obtained on Route 110 after defeating Professor Birch's child, May or Brendan, in a battle.

In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, the Itemfinder can be found in the same place as in Generation I; it is given out by one of Professor Oak's aides in the gate on Route 11 if the player has 30 or more Pokémon caught in their Pokédex. Unlike in other games, there are some items which require the Itemfinder to be used to obtain them, rather than simply being easier to find using it. These items cannot be detected by the Itemfinder, except when standing on top of them, at which point the item will be automatically obtained. In total, there are six items that can be found using this method:

• The Soothe Bell in the Pokémon Tower after having rescued Mr. Fuji
• The Leftovers on Routes 12 and 16 after having fought against each route's respective Snorlax
• The Macho Brace in Viridian Gym after Giovanni disappears
• The PP Max on Cape Brink, located on a single patch of ground surrounded by the lake
• The Sacred Ash on Navel Rock after having fought against Ho-Oh

Generation IV

The Dowsing Machines in Generation IV are slightly different to those of previous generations; they make use of the Nintendo DS's touch screen.

In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, the Pokétch's Dowsing Machine app replaces the functions of the Itemfinder and is given at Route 207 by Dawn/Lucas upon arrival in the area.

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, it is known as the Dowsing MCHN and again uses the touch screen to locate items. As with the Itemfinder in Gold and Silver, the Dowsing MCHN is obtained in Ecruteak City.

Pokéwalker

Main article: Pokéwalker

On the Pokéwalker there is an option to use the Dowsing Machine, which allows the player to obtain items. It costs 3 watts to play. In this mini game, the player gets two guesses. After getting the first guess wrong, the game gives a message regarding whether the item is adjacent to the selected spot or not.

Generation V

In Black, White, Black 2, and White 2, it is once again known as the Dowsing MCHN. While it still appears on the touch screen when in use, it no longer takes any input from stylus touches and uses the screen for display purposes only. In Black and White, it is received from Bianca after defeating the Nacrene Gym; in Black 2 and White 2, it is received from Bianca in the gate connecting Castelia City with Route 4.

Generation VI

In Pokémon X and Y, the Dowsing Machine works entirely differently from previous titles. Once used, the player character will hold out two rods, which produces two streams of electric current in the air ahead as the character walks around. This current changes color depending on if the player is facing the direction of a hidden item and how close they are to it. The color cycles through blue, to green, to orange, with a musical chime playing when the color changes to let the player know they are getting close. When the player is directly in front of a hidden item, the electric currents cross each other and turn red and a different musical chime plays.

Flavor text

Games Description A machine for searching items on the ground. Checks for unseen items in the area. RSE A device that signals an invisible item by sound. FRLG A device used for finding items. If there is a hidden item nearby when it is used, it emits a signal. It checks for unseen items in the area and makes noise and lights when it finds something. It searches for hidden items in the area and emits different lights and sounds when it detects something.

In the anime

Treasure Detector

In A Ghost of a Chance, James buys an item called a "Treasure Detector", which is a pair of dowsing rods that are based on the in-game item Itemfinder. He attempted to find some treasures at the Burned Tower.

In From Ghost to Ghost, the Treasure Detector got Team Rocket trapped by a group of Gastly.

In Try for the Family Stone!, James used his Treasure Detector again to find a Dusk Stone.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Red uses an Itemfinder to locate the hidden HM containing the move Surf, coming across and being attacked by a wild Dragonite.

In the TCG

File:BS74ItemFinder.jpg

The Itemfinder card

The following is a list of cards named either Item Finder or Dowsing Machine.

Related cards Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format. Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card	Type	English Expansion	Rarity	#	Japanese Expansion	Rarity	#
Item Finder	T	Base Set		74/102	Expansion Pack
		Base Set 2		103/130
Dowsing Machine	I	Plasma Storm		128/135	Plasma Gale		069/070

Trivia

• In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, some hidden items can only be revealed by touching their exact location on the Dowsing Machine, instead of just nearby it. These include the Odd Keystone hidden in Twinleaf Town, the Suite Key at the Hotel Grand Lake, and hidden Max Revives.

In other languages

Language Title French Cherch'Objet German Detektor Italian Detector Korean 다우징머신 Dowsing Machine Spanish Buscaobjetos

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