In competitive Pokémon battles, strategy is key, and your choice of Held Items can make or break your chances of winning. While the right Pokémon and moveset are essential, the Held Item you equip can give you that extra edge over your opponent. Whether you’re looking to boost your stats, recover health, or disrupt the flow of battle, the right item can be a game-changer. In this guide, we’ll break down some of the best Held Items you should consider when building your competitive team in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

1. Choice Band / Choice Specs

For players looking to maximize offensive power, the Choice Band and Choice Specs are fantastic options. The Choice Band boosts the Attack stat, while the Choice Specs boost Special Attack. These items lock your Pokémon into using only one move, but they make that move far more powerful. If you're confident in your strategy and have a strong setup, the sheer damage output from these items can be overwhelming for your opponent.

Pro Tip: Pair these items with Pokémon that have access to powerful STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves to make the most of this boost.

2. Leftovers

One of the most reliable Held Items in any competitive battle is Leftovers. This item restores a portion of your Pokémon’s HP every turn, making it particularly useful for bulky defensive Pokémon. If you're running a stall or tank strategy, Leftovers will help your Pokémon outlast opponents by providing consistent recovery throughout the battle.

Pro Tip: Pair Leftovers with Pokémon that have high defenses or access to status moves like Toxic or Will-O-Wisp to wear down the opponent while you steadily recover.

3. Focus Sash

For players looking to survive an otherwise fatal blow, Focus Sash is a must-have item. This item ensures that your Pokémon survives with at least 1 HP if it's hit by a move that would otherwise knock it out, as long as it's at full health. It’s perfect for fragile sweepers or those with a strong set of setup moves like Swords Dance or Calm Mind, giving them a chance to set up without being immediately knocked out.

Pro Tip: Consider pairing Focus Sash with a lead Pokémon or a setup sweeper that can safely use one turn to set up without worrying about being knocked out.

4. Assault Vest

If you need to shore up your Special Defense, Assault Vest is the item for you. This item boosts the Special Defense of the Pokémon holding it, which is especially useful when facing off against special attackers. However, the tradeoff is that your Pokémon cannot use status moves, so you’ll need to rely purely on offensive moves.

Pro Tip: Assault Vest works wonders on bulky Pokémon that already have decent Special Defense stats. Pair it with a strong offensive moveset to make sure you can handle both special and physical threats.

5. Life Orb

For aggressive players who want to maximize damage output at the cost of some HP, Life Orb is the way to go. It boosts the power of your Pokémon's moves by 1.3x but also causes recoil damage after every hit. This item is ideal for offensive sweepers who are looking to hit hard and fast. If you’re confident you can finish the battle before the recoil becomes a problem, Life Orb is an excellent choice.

Pro Tip: Life Orb works best on high-speed, offensive Pokémon that can take down threats quickly before taking too much recoil damage.

6. Eviolite

While not as commonly used in competitive battling as some other items, Eviolite can be a fantastic option for Pokémon that haven't yet evolved but still need a little extra boost. It raises the Defense and Special Defense of a Pokémon that is in its pre-evolved form, making it much bulkier. This item is especially useful for Pokémon like Chansey or Gible, which have good potential for defensive play but benefit from the extra boost in survivability.

Pro Tip: Keep in mind that not all Pokémon can use Eviolite, so be sure to check if your Pokémon is eligible. If it is, you can turn it into an unexpected tank that your opponent won’t see coming.

7. Black Sludge

If you're running a Poison-type Pokémon, Black Sludge is an excellent alternative to Leftovers. It works in the same way, slowly restoring HP every turn. The catch? If the Pokémon holding Black Sludge is a Poison-type, it will heal. If the Pokémon is not a Poison-type, it will take damage instead. This makes Black Sludge particularly useful for defensive Poison-types like Crobat or Toxapex, giving them extra recovery without the fear of losing too much HP.

Pro Tip: Be sure to equip Black Sludge only on Poison-type Pokémon to ensure that you’re getting the healing effect rather than taking damage.

8. Safety Goggles

In certain situations, where your opponent relies on weather-based strategies like setting up a Sunny Day or a Rain Dance, Safety Goggles can prevent your Pokémon from being affected by the hazards of the environment. This item protects against moves like Sleep Powder, Spore, and other status conditions that can be caused by weather or terrain.

Pro Tip: Use Safety Goggles if you expect your opponent to use weather-based teams or status-inducing moves like Spore. It can give your team the upper hand by preventing debilitating conditions.

9. Healing Items: Sitrus Berry / Custap Berry

Sitrus Berry is another staple in competitive battling. It restores a portion of the holder’s HP when it’s below 50%, helping to sustain your Pokémon during a tough battle. Custap Berry, on the other hand, allows a Pokémon to move first if it's about to faint, which can help secure a critical hit or KO before going down.

Pro Tip: Use Sitrus Berry on bulky Pokémon or Custap Berry on faster, fragile Pokémon that may need to land a final blow before going down.

10. White Herb

The White Herb can be a lifesaver when you’re dealing with Pokémon that need to set up. If your Pokémon has its stats lowered by an opponent’s move, such as with moves like Growl or Screech, the White Herb will restore those stats to normal. This item is excellent for setup sweepers that rely on boosting their stats and need to avoid any setbacks from debuffs.

Pro Tip: Pair White Herb with setup-focused Pokémon to keep their stats high and ensure they can continue boosting without being hindered by opponents' debuffing moves.

Choosing the right Held Item for your competitive Pokémon is essential for success. Items like Choice Band, Leftovers, Focus Sash, and Assault Vest can turn the tide of battle in your favor, allowing you to maximize your Pokémon's potential. Whether you’re focusing on offense or defense, there’s a Held Item that fits your strategy.

If you’re looking to strengthen your competitive team, it’s also worth considering how to buy Shiny Pokémon in Legends ZA or even explore ways to buy alpha shiny Pokémon in Legends ZA. These rare and powerful Pokémon can add a significant advantage to your roster.

Ultimately, combining the right Held Items with a strategic team and battle plan will give you the best chances for success in competitive battles. Happy battling!