Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire

Hold Items

Utilize Hold Items in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire to grant passive HP recovery, stat boosts, or alter move properties, optimizing your team for trainer battles.

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Hold Items

Hold Items are invaluable tools in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, equipped by your Pokémon to provide a myriad of benefits during battles. These can range from passive HP recovery and stat boosts to altering move properties or even ensuring your Pokémon acts first. Mastering the use of Hold Items is crucial for optimizing your team's performance, especially in challenging trainer battles and against the Elite Four.

While many Hold Items are found as hidden items scattered across the Hoenn region or received from helpful NPCs, some are unique rewards or require specific conditions to obtain. Experimentation is key, but understanding the most impactful items and where to find them will give you a significant edge.

Key Hold Items and Their Locations

Here's a breakdown of some of the most important Hold Items in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, along with detailed instructions on how to acquire them and which Pokémon benefit most.

Leftovers

  • Effect: Restores 1/16th of the holder's maximum HP at the end of each turn.
  • Location:
    • Route 123 (Hidden Item): This is the earliest and most reliable way to get Leftovers. Head to Route 123, which is accessible after obtaining the Surf HM. Surf across the water on the eastern side of the route. Once on the small patch of land, use the Itemfinder (or press A repeatedly) near the lone tree in the center of this patch.
    • Battle Frontier (Post-game): Can be purchased for 48 BP at the Battle Frontier's Battle Point Exchange Service.
  • Best Used By:
    • Bulky Pokémon: Any Pokémon with high HP and defensive stats (e.g., Skarmory, Snorlax, Walrein, Aggron) benefits immensely from the passive recovery, allowing them to tank hits and stay in battle longer.
    • Stallers: Pokémon that rely on status conditions or defensive strategies (e.g., Toxic, Protect users) will find Leftovers indispensable for their longevity.

Choice Band

  • Effect: Boosts the holder's Attack stat by 50%, but locks the Pokémon into using only the first move it selects until it is switched out.
  • Location:
    • Battle Frontier (Post-game): Can be purchased for 64 BP at the Battle Frontier's Battle Point Exchange Service.
  • Best Used By:
    • Physical Attackers: Pokémon with high Attack stats and a strong physical STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) move (e.g., Salamence with Dragon Claw/Fly, Metagross with Meteor Mash, Slaking with Return/Hyper Beam, Machamp with Cross Chop).
    • Hit-and-Run Strategies: Ideal for Pokémon that can come in, deal massive damage with one powerful move, and then switch out.

Scope Lens

  • Effect: Increases the holder's critical hit ratio by one stage.
  • Location:
    • Battle Frontier (Post-game): Can be purchased for 48 BP at the Battle Frontier's Battle Point Exchange Service.
  • Best Used By:
    • Pokémon with High Critical Hit Moves: Combine with moves like Slash, Cross Chop, or Air Cutter for a very high chance of critical hits.
    • Offensive Sweepers: Any Pokémon aiming to deal maximum damage can benefit from the increased critical hit chance, especially if they have moves that already have an elevated critical hit ratio.

Quick Claw

  • Effect: Gives the holder a 20% chance to move first in its priority bracket, regardless of Speed stats.
  • Location:
    • Slateport City (NPC Gift): Speak to the man in the Pokémon Fan Club building in Slateport City. He will give you the Quick Claw after you show him a Pokémon with high friendship.
    • Battle Frontier (Post-game): Can be purchased for 48 BP at the Battle Frontier's Battle Point Exchange Service.
  • Best Used By:
    • Slow, Powerful Pokémon: Pokémon with low Speed but high offensive stats (e.g., Aggron, Machamp, Walrein) can sometimes get a crucial first hit.
    • Support Pokémon: Can allow a support Pokémon to get off a status move or a heal before the opponent attacks.
    • Gamblers: While not entirely reliable due to its probabilistic nature, it can turn the tide in a pinch.

Type-Enhancing Items (e.g., Charcoal, Mystic Water, Magnet, Silk Scarf)

  • Effect: Boosts the power of moves of a specific type by 10%.
  • Locations:
    • Charcoal (Fire): Held by wild Torkoal (5% chance).
    • Mystic Water (Water): Held by wild Marill (5% chance). Can also be found as a hidden item on Route 105 (requires Surf).
    • Magnet (Electric): Held by wild Magnemite (5% chance).
    • Silk Scarf (Normal): Held by wild Zigzagoon (5% chance).
    • Miracle Seed (Grass): Held by wild Lotad/Seedot (5% chance).
    • Sharp Beak (Flying): Held by wild Doduo/Fearow (5% chance).
    • Soft Sand (Ground): Held by wild Sandshrew (5% chance).
    • Black Belt (Fighting): Held by wild Makuhita (5% chance).
    • TwistedSpoon (Psychic): Held by wild Abra (5% chance).
    • NeverMeltIce (Ice): Held by wild Snorunt (5% chance).
    • Poison Barb (Poison): Held by wild Roselia (5% chance).
    • Hard Stone (Rock): Held by wild Geodude (5% chance).
    • Spell Tag (Ghost): Held by wild Shuppet (5% chance).
    • Dragon Fang (Dragon): Held by wild Bagon (5% chance).
    • Metal Coat (Steel): Held by wild Magnemite (5% chance).
    • Black Glasses (Dark): Held by wild Poochyena (5% chance).
  • Best Used By:
    • STAB Attackers: Any Pokémon that relies heavily on moves of a single type for damage (e.g., Blaziken with Charcoal and Fire Punch, Swampert with Mystic Water and Surf, Manectric with Magnet and Thunderbolt).
    • Early Game Boost: These items are excellent for boosting your starter's primary attack type early in the game.

Focus Band

  • Effect: Gives the holder a 10% chance to survive a lethal attack with 1 HP.
  • Location:
    • Battle Frontier (Post-game): Can be purchased for 48 BP at the Battle Frontier's Battle Point Exchange Service.
  • Best Used By:
    • Fragile Sweepers: Can give a fast, powerful but frail Pokémon an extra turn to attack or set up.
    • Revenge Killers: Allows a Pokémon to potentially survive a hit and retaliate.

King's Rock

  • Effect: Gives the holder's damaging moves a 10% chance to cause the target to flinch, provided the target has not yet moved.
  • Location:
    • Battle Frontier (Post-game): Can be purchased for 48 BP at the Battle Frontier's Battle Point Exchange Service.
  • Best Used By:
    • Multi-Hit Attackers: Moves like Rock Blast or Bullet Seed have multiple chances to flinch.
    • Fast Pokémon: The flinch chance is only effective if the holder moves before the opponent.

Berries

Berries are a special category of Hold Items that are consumed upon use, offering various restorative or stat-boosting effects. They are incredibly versatile and can be grown in various soil patches across Hoenn.

  • Oran Berry: Restores 10 HP when HP falls below 50%. Excellent for early-game survival.
  • Sitrus Berry: Restores 30 HP when HP falls below 50%. A more potent version of the Oran Berry.
  • Pecha Berry: Cures Poison when inflicted.
  • Cheri Berry: Cures Paralysis when inflicted.
  • Chesto Berry: Cures Sleep when inflicted. Often paired with Rest to immediately wake up.
  • Rawst Berry: Cures Burn when inflicted.
  • Aspear Berry: Cures Freeze when inflicted.
  • Lum Berry: Cures any status condition when inflicted. Incredibly valuable.
  • Liechi Berry, Ganlon Berry, Salac Berry, Petaya Berry, Apicot Berry: These rare berries boost a specific stat (Attack, Defense, Speed, Special Attack, Special Defense respectively) when HP falls below 25%. Ideal for late-game sweeps.

Finding Berries: Many berries are found on berry trees scattered throughout Hoenn. You can plant and grow more using the Berry Pouch and Wailmer Pail. NPCs also occasionally give out berries.

Strategy Tips for Hold Items

  • Match Item to Role: A defensive Pokémon benefits more from Leftovers, while an offensive Pokémon thrives with a Choice Band or type-enhancing item.
  • Consider Speed Control: Quick Claw can help slow Pokémon, while Choice Scarf (post-game) can turn a fast Pokémon into a lightning-fast sweeper.
  • Berry Management: Don't underestimate the power of berries. Lum Berries can save a Pokémon from a crippling status, and Sitrus Berries provide crucial mid-battle healing.
  • Hidden Items: Always use the Itemfinder (or diligently check suspicious spots) on every route. Many valuable items, including some Hold Items, are hidden from plain sight.
  • Wild Pokémon: Some wild Pokémon hold specific items. Using a Pokémon with the ability Compound Eyes (e.g., Nincada) in the lead increases the chance of finding held items. Using Thief or Covet can steal these items without needing to catch the Pokémon.
  • Battle Frontier: The Battle Frontier (accessible after defeating the Elite Four) is the primary source for many competitive Hold Items. Start saving up those Battle Points (BP)!

By strategically equipping your Pokémon with the right Hold Items, you can significantly enhance their capabilities, cover their weaknesses, and turn the tide of even the most challenging battles in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.

Hold Items - Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire screenshot
Hold Items
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