Equipping Pokémon with Held Items can help you gain a competitive advantage and win battles. It’s a good thing equipping Held Items is easy to do!
Equip a Pokémon Held Item in Pokémon Unite by opening the options menu from the main lobby. Select the Held Items button, choose your Pokémon, then highlight a Held Item space. Pick a Held Item from your inventory to give to your Pokémon.
Repeat this process to equip up to three Held Items to a single Pokémon.
Continue reading for a step-by-step, detailed picture guide of how to equip Held Items.
I’ll also explain what Held Items are, and what Held Items are used for in Pokémon Unite (HINT: extra power!).
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How To Equip Held Items To Pokémon In Pokémon Unite
Pokémon Unite Held Items can be easily equipped by navigating to the options page from the main menu and then selecting the “Held Items” sub-menu. Select the “Give Item” choice, choose your Pokémon, and give it up to 3 Held Items to hold and take into battle.
This is the primary and fastest way of equipping Held Items in Pokémon Unite, but there are other ways that work just as well.
In total, there are three methods to equipping Pokémon with Held Items in Pokémon Unite: selecting the “Held Items” button in the options menu, selecting the “Pokémon” button in the options menu, or before a Unite Battle within the match lobby by using “Battle Prep”.
All methods are easy to do and only takes a few minutes to complete.
- How To Equip A Held Item In Pokémon Untie (Primary Method)
- How To Equip A Held Item In Pokémon Untie (Method 2)
- How To Equip A Held Item In Pokémon Untie In Match Lobby
I’ll be going over each method in this detailed picture guide.
- DIFFICULTY: Easy
- TIME: A few minutes
NOTE: You must be a certain Trainer level to equip Held Items to your Pokémon. Read this handy guide to learn how to increase your Trainer level the fast way.
NOTE: Nintendo Switch version was used to create this guide.
1) Navigate To Pokémon Unite’s Main Menu
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Navigate to Pokémon Unite’s main menu.
This is the menu that showcases your Trainer and favorite Pokémon. It’s the central hub of the game.
2) Open The Options Menu
Locate your profile icon in the top left corner of the screen.
Press the ZL button/tap your profile icon to open the options menu.
3) Select The “Held Items” Option From The List
Navigate to the Held Items button from the list of options.
Press A/tap the button to open the Held Items menu.
4) Select “Give Items” Option
Highlight Give Items tab.
Press A to navigate to Held Item selection.
5) Select A Pokémon To Give A Held Item
Change the Pokémon you want to give a Held Item to by pressing X.
Select a Pokémon you want to equip Held Items to.
Press A to return to the Held Item selection screen.
NOTE: Your favorite Pokémon will be shown by default.
5b) View Sample Held Item Sets (Optional)
Before selecting a Held Item space, press Y to see example Held Items sets.
This is an easy way to properly suit your Pokémon with the perfect Held Items.
Select a Held Items set and then press A to equip those Held Items.
NOTE: Only Held Items you own will be equipped to the Pokémon.
6) Highlight a Held Item Space
Highlight a Held Item space to begin the Held Item selection process.
Press A to be taken to a list of your Held Items.
NOTE: If the Held Item space has a item equipped, select Swap from the sub menu and press A.
7) Select A Held Item To Equip
Select the Held Item you want to give to your Pokémon.
Make sure to read each Held Item’s description on this page.
Press A to give your Pokémon the Held Item.
8) Repeat The Equip Process Up To Two More Times
Repeat steps 7 and 8, selecting the other two unlocked Held Item spaces, to equip additional Held Items to your Pokémon.
How To Equip Held Items In Pokémon Unite (Method 2)
Held Items can be equipped to Pokémon in Pokémon Unite by opening the options menu from the game’s main menu, selecting the “Pokémon” button, choosing a specific creature to give a Held Item, and by repeating the process.
This is an alternate process that involves most of the same steps as shown from the previous method of equipping Held Items.
1) Open The Options Page From The Main Menu
Navigate to Pokémon Unite’s main menu. Locate your profile icon in the top left corner of the screen.
Press the ZL button/tap your profile icon to open the options menu.
2) Select The “Pokémon ” Button From The List
Navigate to the Pokémon button from the list of options.
Press A/tap the button to open the Pokémon menu.
3) Select A Pokémon To Give A Held Item
Select a Pokémon to equip a Held Item to.
Press A/tap the Pokémon icon at the bottom of the screen to open a Pokémon customization side bar menu.
4) Follow Step 4 Through 8 From The Primary Held Item Method
Select the Held Item slot.
Press A/tap the Held Item slot to be taken to the Held Items page.
Follow steps 4 through 8 of the primary method shown above to finish equipping Held Items to your Pokémon.
How To Equip Held Items During Match Lobby In Pokémon Unite
You can also equip Held Items to Pokémon during the match lobby screen. Doing so requires less steps but also provides less time to do so.
Equipping Held Items to Pokémon in Pokémon Unite provides many benefits during battle, from boosted attack and defense to temporary shields and faster movements speed.
Properly giving your Pokémon Held Items help you stay competitive while not equipping a Held Item will put you at a competitive disadvantage.
Let’s walk through the steps needed to equip Held Items while within the match lobby.
- DIFFICULTY: Easy
- TIME: A few minutes
NOTE: You must be a certain Trainer level to equip Held Items to your Pokémon.
Read this handy guide to learn how to increase your Trainer level the fast way.
1) Enter The Match Lobby
Start a Unite Battle and enter the Lobby.
2) Highlight A Pokémon
Highlight the Pokémon you want to use.
NOTE: Do not select your Pokémon, just highlight it to prevent other players from selecting it.
Selecting the Pokémon by pressing A will speed up the remaining timer once everyone has selected their Pokémon.
You only have 60 seconds to prep for battle. Use it to select your Held Items.
3) Open The Battle Prep Menu
Open the Battle Prep menu by pressing ZL (the left back-most shoulder button).
4) Select Held Items Menu
Select the Held Items tabs.
Press A to enter the Held Item Edit menu.
5) Highlight A Held Item Space
Highlight a Held Item space to begin the Held Item selection process.
Press A to be taken to a list of your Held Items.
NOTE: If the Held Item space has a item equipped, select Swap from the sub menu and press A.
6) Select A Held Item To Equip
Select the Held Item you want to give to your Pokémon.
Make sure to read each Held Item’s description on this page.
Press A to give your Pokémon the Held Item.
7) Repeat The Equip Process Up To Two Times
Repeat steps 5 and 6, selecting the other two unlocked Held Item spaces, to equip additional Held Items to your Pokémon.
Press B to back out to Unite Battle Lobby once you’re done equipping Held Items.
Select your Pokémon and start the match.
8) Play A Match With Your Fully Equipped Pokémon
You have successfully equipped your Pokémon with Held Items, ensuring it’s ready for battle.
Now you’re ready for your next Unite Battle.
Just make sure you upgrade your Held Items before you do to reap most benefits out of your equipment.
How Do Held Items Work In Pokémon Unite? (Explained)
Held Items in Pokémon Unite are items given to Pokémon to hold in battle that augments their offensive and defensive stats. A Held Item provides passive benefits to the Pokémon holding it for the length of a Unite Battle–simply equip a Held Item before battle and you’re set.
Once a Held Item is equipped to a Pokémon in Pokémon Unite, its benefits will automatically happen without you needing to do anything else.
Held Items in Pokémon Unite are items given to Pokémon to hold in battle that augments their offensive and defensive stats
Keep in mind some Held Items need a specific situation to happen before its powers turn on such as you being out of combat or when a goal is scored.
Even then, the Held Item will activate without you needing to press a button.
Pokémon Unite Held Items provide passive benefits that will take your matches to the next level with minimal effort on your end. Never head into battle without a Held Item or three equipped.
What Benefits Do Held Items Provide In Pokémon’s Unite?
Some Pokémon Unite Held Items boost a Pokémon’s attack or defense while others boost health or movement speed.
There’s a Held Item for every situation as there are 4 classifications Held Items are categorized: Scoring, Attacking, Defensive, and Other.
Score Held Items helps make scoring points in opponent’s goal zones easier to accomplish or increases a Pokémon’s stats when it scores a goal.
For example, the Aeos Cookie increases a Pokémon’s max health points (HP) by 100 when a goal is scored.
Attack Held Items increase damage output of a Pokémon’s various attacks.
For example, the Muscle Band boosts a Pokémon’s basic attack damage and basic attack speed.
Pokémon Unite Held Items boost a Pokémon’s attack or defense, while others boost health or movement speed
Defense Held Items decrease damage dealt to you or provides health regeneration.
For example, the Leftovers restores a Pokémon’s health every second the Pokémon is not in combat.
Other Held Items provide extra experience earned and other miscellaneous effects.
For example, the Float Stone increases a Pokémon’s movement speed when the Pokémon is not in combat.
List Of Held Items In Pokémon Unite
As a whole, Pokémon Unite includes nearly 20 Held Items across all 4 categories (Score, Attack, Defense, Other). I suggest experimenting with each one to see how it affects your Pokémon in battle.
Trying each Held Item will give you experience as to which items are your favorites.
Pokémon Unite Held Items List
| HELD ITEM | TYPE |
|---|---|
| Aeos Cookie | Score |
| Assault Vest | Defense |
| Attack Weight | Score |
| Buddy Barrier | Other |
| Choice Specs | Attack |
| Energy Amplifier | Attack |
| Exp. Share | Other |
| Float Stone | Other |
| Focus Band | Defense |
| Leftovers | Defense |
| Muscle Band | Attack |
| Razor Claw | Attack |
| Rocky Helmet | Defense |
| Scope Lens | Attack |
| Score Shield | Score |
| Shell Bell | Attack |
| Sp. Atk. Specs | Score |
| Weakness Policy | Defense |
| Wise Glasses | Attack |
This is a complete list of all Held Items included in Pokémon Unite, updated for Pokémon Unite Season 2.
What Is The Best Held Item In Pokémon Unite?
In general, Pokémon Unite’s best Held Items are the Muscle Band, Focus Band, and Buddy Barrier with Shell Bell and Scope Lens being great contenders as well. These five Held Items are used by the majority of highly skilled players and show up often in example sets provided in the Held Item menu.
Let’s take a look at what each one of these Pokémon Unite Held Items do to help you better understand why they’re the best Held Items in Pokémon Unite.
Pokémon Unite’s best Held Items are the Muscle Band, Focus Band, and Buddy Barrier
Why You Should Use The Muscle Band
The Muscle Band Held Item increases a Pokémon’s base attack damage and speed, making it a great choice to equip to any Pokémon.
I use this with every Pokémon I intend to deal great amounts of damage, from Charizard to Zeraora.
Why You Should Use The Focus Band
The Focus Band increases the holders defense and restores health when a Pokémon’s health drops to a certain amount.
This is an awesome defensive option that works great with the Defender type to maximize their staying power; Snorlax, Crustle, and so on will benefit from wearing this band of focus.
Why You Should Use The Buddy Barrier
The Buddy Barrier provides the holder and one nearby ally Pokémon with the lowest health points a shield when the holder activates its Unite Move.
This is a fantastic Held Item for all Pokémon to hold in order to help a damaged teammate stay alive in the heat of battle.
Why You Should Use The Shell Bell And Scope Lens
Furthermore, the Shell Bell increases special attack and restores health whenever an attack lands while the Scope Lens increases critical hit rates and critical hit damage.
Two great choices for All-Rounders and Attack type monsters to hold.
The Best Method To Equipping A Held Item For The Most Value
Personally, I equip attack or scoring Held Items on All-Rounder, Attack, and Speedster Pokémon and defensive or health restorative Held Items on Defensive and Supporter type Pokémon.
The aim is to maximize and enhance each Pokémon’s core strengths by holding the appropriate items. This ensures a Pokémon is as strong as it can be during the course of a Unite Battle.
I suggest identifying what type of Pokémon you’re using (attack, defender, and so forth) and then equipping Held Items based on that.
Equip every Held Item to your chosen Pokémon of that class type to find what works the best for your situation.
Why Equip Held Items In Pokémon Unite?
Equipping Pokémon Unite Held Items provides Pokémon with a greater competitive advantage during Unite Battles. That is to say, Pokémon holding Held Items will be stronger than the same Pokémon not holding items which gives item holders a boosted chance at winning duels and Unite Battles.
For example, the Muscle Band increases a Pokémon’s attack damage and quickens the monster’s basic attack speed.
Pokémon holding Held Items will be stronger than the same Pokémon not holding items
A Pokémon equipped with a Muscle Band will most-likely win a battle against the same Pokémon not holding a Muscle Band or other Held Item (all things equal).
This gulf between Pokémon strengths only grows larger as the Held Items gets upgraded.
I highly suggest equipping and upgrading your held items before starting a new Untie Battle to increase your chances of winning the match.
How To Upgrade Held Items In Pokémon Unite
Check out this detailed picture guide I crafted that goes over the process of upgrading Pokémon Unite Held Items in a step-by-step manner.
How To Upgrade Held Items In Pokémon Unite (Picture Guide)
How Many Held Items Can Be Equipped To A Pokémon?
Up to three Held Items can be equipped to a Pokémon in Pokémon Unite at a time, and only one of each Held Item can be equipped. For example, a Pokémon can only hold one Float Stone. Also, a new Pokémon Unite account doesn’t allow Held Items to be equipped. Held Item slots must be unlocked first.
How To Unlock Held Item Slots
Upgrade your Trainer level by playing Unite Battles of all kinds in order to receive Battle Points.
Earn enough Battle Points to increase your level and unlock additional Held Item slots for your Pokémon.
Can One Held Item Be Equipped To Multiple Pokémon?
One Held Item can be equipped to multiple Pokémon.
You only have to buy a Held Item once, which allows you to equip that Held Item to as many of your Pokémon as you desire.
12 Pokémon Unite Mistakes You Need To Avoid
Take your Pokémon Unite battle techniques to the next level by avoiding these 12 common mistakes players make in Pokémon Unite.
This in-depth guide will help you be a better player, win more matches, and annoy your teammates less. All good things!
What are you waiting for? Read this guide now!
Read 12 Mistakes To Avoid In Pokémon Unite (And Avoid #7 At All Costs!)
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(Screenshots taken by me. Images sourced from product pages, websites, or social media and are credited appropriately. Logos, images, etc. belong to their respective owners. All information current at time of publication.)
SOURCE: Pokémon Unite website | Nintendo / Creatures Inc. / GAME FREAK inc / Tencent
