The fourth generation greatly expanded the range of held items: Life Orb, Choice Scarf, Focus Sash, Choice Specs, sixteen Plates… Most have become competitive staples. Here are the most useful ones, what they do and where to find them in Sinnoh.
A Pokémon can hold only one item at a time. Give it from the Bag or from the party screen; some items are consumed (Berries, Herbs, Focus Sash), while the others stay for as long as the Pokémon holds them.
Items that make Pokémon evolve (Shiny Stone, Razor Claw, Protector…) are detailed with their locations in our guide All Evolutions.
⚔️Offensive items
| Item | Effect | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Life Orb | Moves are 30% more powerful, but the holder loses a little HP with each attack | Stark Mountain, outside (Rock Climb) |
| Choice Specs | Special Attack x1.5, but only one move can be used | Celestic Town, northwest shop, in the morning |
| Choice Band | Attack x1.5, but only one move can be used | Battle Points exchange (48) |
| Choice Scarf | Speed x1.5, but only one move can be used | Battle Points exchange (48) |
| Expert Belt | Boosts super effective moves | Route 221, the old sage (second visit) |
| Wise Glasses / Muscle Band | Slightly boosts special / physical moves | Celestic Town, at night / Battle Points (48) |
| Scope Lens | Raises the critical-hit ratio | Fight Area, Poké Mart |
| Plates | Moves of one type are 20% more powerful | All over Sinnoh, see below |
🛡️Defensive and support items
| Item | Effect | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Leftovers | Restores a little HP every turn | Victory Road, after getting the National Pokédex (Surf) |
| Focus Sash | Survives a move that would have knocked it out if its HP were full | Route 221, the old sage (third visit); Battle Points (48) |
| Light Clay | Reflect and Light Screen last eight turns instead of five | Mt. Coronet, basement (Surf) |
| Big Root | HP-draining moves restore more HP | Route 214 |
| Mental Herb | Cures infatuation, once | Route 216 (Rock Climb) |
| Shed Shell | Always allows switching Pokémon | Route 228 (Rock Smash) |
| Iron Ball, Lagging Tail | Slow down the holder: useful with Trick Room or when thrown with Trick | Stark Mountain, Sea Route 226 |
| Grip Claw | Trapping moves last longer | Wayward Cave, hidden cave |
📜The sixteen Plates
Each Plate boosts moves of one type. When Arceus holds one, it also changes its type. Here is where to find them:
| Plate | Type | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Earth Plate | Ground | Oreburgh Gate, basement (Rock Smash, Surf and Strength) |
| Draco Plate | Dragon | Eterna City, hidden behind the statue |
| Spooky Plate | Ghost | Amity Square, Hearthome City |
| Dread Plate | Dark | Old Chateau, 1st floor |
| Fist Plate | Fighting | Route 215 (Cut) |
| Meadow Plate | Grass | Route 210 north, above the waterfall (Surf, Waterfall) |
| Toxic Plate | Poison | Great Marsh, area 2 (hidden) |
| Mind Plate | Psychic | Solaceon Ruins, final chamber |
| Iron Plate | Steel | Iron Island, B2F (hidden) |
| Icicle Plate | Ice | Route 217, given by a Hiker |
| Splash Plate | Water | Sea Route 220 |
| Stone Plate | Rock | Mt. Coronet, 3rd floor (hidden) |
| Flame Plate | Fire | Stark Mountain, room 2 (hidden) |
| Zap Plate | Electric | Sunyshore City, near the Lighthouse (hidden) |
| Sky Plate | Flying | Pokémon League, near a statue (hidden) |
| Insect Plate | Bug | Underground (digging) |
Several Plates can also be dug up in the Underground. For items to buy with Coins or Battle Points, see Battle Tower and Battle Frontier.
