Held item
A held item is an item that Pokémon may carry while they battle. This capability was first introduced in Generation II; however, when a Generation I Pokémon is traded to a Generation II game, it will be holding an item, such as a TM09 held by an Abra. Held items range from berries that can be used in battle to recover to items that can be used to enhance the power of certain moves. Most items may be held as well, such as Poké Balls and Revives, though the Pokémon will not use them.
Beginning with the mechanic's introduction in Generation II, Thief enabled players to steal held items from wild Pokémon if the wild Pokémon was holding an item and the Pokémon using the move was not. In Generation III, Covet was introduced, which has the same effect as Thief, as well as Knock Off, which disables the target's held item for the rest of the battle. Trick, also introduced in that generation, swaps the user and target Pokémon's held items. Then, in Generation IV, Switcheroo was introduced, which has the same effect as Trick, along with Embargo, which disables any item use on or by the target (including held items).
Held items were eventually introduced in the TCG as well, first as Pokémon Tools, then later on the cards themselves, to mimic wild Pokémon that hold an item when found.
The following is a list of items made solely to be held items, grouped by purpose and listed in alphabetical order.
Type-enhancing items
- Main article: Type-enhancing item
Type-enhancing items increase the power of a used move of the enhanced type by 20% (10% prior to Generation IV). Some are given out by the Week Siblings.
Plates
- Main article: Plate
Plates are ancient stone tablets engraved with text that increase the power of moves of a specific type. There is one for each type except Normal. Equipping a plate to a Pokémon with Multitype will cause it to change type to that of the plate held.
Jewels
- Main article: Jewel
Jewels increase the power of a specific type of move by 50% and are consumed after use. They are found in swirling dust.
Stat enhancing items
- Main article: Stat-enhancing item
These items, when held, will increase certain stats of Pokémon. Some can only be used by specific Pokémon.
In-battle effect items
- Main article: In-battle effect item
These items will take effect during battle to either aid or hinder the Pokémon holding them or an opponent.
Evolution items
- Main article: Evolution-inducing held item
These items, when held by a Pokémon, will cause it to undergo evolution when activated by another event, such as gaining a level or being traded.
Incense
- Main article: Incense
These items, when held by a Pokémon in the day-care, will cause it to produce an egg that will hatch into a baby Pokémon introduced after Generation II. They will also affect the holder in various ways during battle.
Experience-affecting items
- Main article: Experience-affecting item
These items, when held by a Pokémon, affect the amount of experience that a Pokémon gains in battle.
EV-enhancing items
- Main article: EV-enhancing item
These items, when held by a Pokémon, promote EV gain in several different ways.
- Main article: Mail
Mail allows players to send messages to each other by attaching it to a Pokémon that is to be traded.
Berries
- Main article: Berry
Berries have varying effects. Some weaken super effective moves, and others cure status conditions. Berries also affect the power and strength of the move Natural Gift. All can be used to make Pokéblocks or Poffin.
Scarves
- Main article: Scarf
Scarves up the Contest Condition of the Pokémon that is holding it without the Pokémon being fed Pokéblocks or Poffin.
Out-of-battle effect items
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Artwork
These are artwork of the items as seen in the Pokémon Dream World
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Soothe Bell | Cleanse Tag |
See also
Types of items | |
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General | Evolution stones • Fossils • Flutes • Shards • Held items Evolution items • Escape items • Exchangeable items • Valuable items Battle items • Scents • Nectars • Candy • Ingredients |
Medicine | Status condition healing items • Vitamins • Feathers Mints • Mochi • Drinks • Herbal medicine |
Berry and Apricorn | Poké Balls • Apricorns • Berries • Mulch |
Aesthetic | Decorations • Accessories • Backdrops • Props • Décor Clothing (XY • SMUSUM • LGPE • SwSh • BDSP • LA • SV) |
Other | Mail • Key Items • Event items Wonder Launcher items • Rotom Powers |
Held items |
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In-battle effect items Berries • Colored orbs • Drives • Power items Experience-affecting items • Gems • Incense • Mega Stones • Memories • Plates Stat-enhancing items • Type-enhancing items • Z-Crystals |
Out-of-battle effect items Power items • Incense • Mail • Scarves |
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This item article is part of Project ItemDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all items. |