Best Held Items for Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald Playthroughs

In this video, I go over what I believe are the best held items for Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald nuzlockes. Enjoy!
SUPPORT (if you want): / @grumpygengar22
DISCORD: / discord
Intro: 0:00
Item #1: 0:41
Item #2: 6:18
Item #3: 8:57
Item #4: 11:09
Item #5: 12:51
Item #6: 14:30
Outro: 16:07
Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald Playlist
• Ruby, Sapphire and Eme...
Music (check out these awesome artists!):
Zame - • ROUTE 120: Remastered ...
Zame - • Rustboro City: Remaste...
Zame - • Mt. Pyre Exterior: Rem...
Zame - • Meteor Falls/Cave of O...
GlitchxCity - • Pokémon Ruby and Sapph...
PokeRemixStudio - • Pokemon R/S/E Remix: R...
Qumu - • Pokémon RSE - Verdantu...

[@grumpygengar22]

What are your favorite held items from Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald?

[@mrprotain5225]

For playthroughs probably the amulet coin for the money or when attempting nuzlockes or trying to attempt one probably black belt need dmg during some battles. U get them by battling one fighter and theifing his machokes held Item which is a black belt u need to rematch him 3 times tho

[@ghazalnoaika2468]

Dragon tooth, shell bell, choice scarf

[@maironsantoro4143]

Sometimes the type enhancement items, like charcoal, mystic water in some battles, if there is a difference I need for damage. I usually do nuzlockes along damage calculator and trainers' data, so I know when I must use.

[@JustARandomStickman]

I really love the charcoal paired with blaziken + sunny day because its just sooo much damage

[@ThePikachunianRebel]

Don't do Nuzlockes myself but Quick Claw + Shroomish + TM for Bullet Seed devastates Roxanne. Later I switched to Miracle Seed for Mega Drain.

[@unknown_entity905]

this channel is a complete hidden gem, keep it up man, you deserve way more subs

[@grumpygengar22]

Thank you ❤️

[@austinmartinez8541]

I agree! For once the YT algorithm did something good for us.

[@RasshuBenaio]

Fr fr, this dude is at least 100k tier content

[@Passion1111]

Straight hidden gem 💎! I got my note book and my emulator ready

[@ThePikachunianRebel]

Coming from a nerdy Pikachu with a katana (per an OC an IRL friend/lesser known KZbinr Streak Aireoso), this is SSS tier content. (If you don't get the ref, it's to the Triple S Team: Sonic, Shadow, and Silver.)

[@Sanninsuplex]

As an adult I see the value in an early game macho brace, but as a 10 year old, I was furious😂

[@grumpygengar22]

Haha that's true

[@nunyabiznes33]

"Why are you moving last?! 😡"

[@PaulRudd1941]

As an adult who inherited his grandparents Wii and its many memories back in 2018, I modified the wii for emulation and just started playing emerald a couple months ago. I definitely, legitimately obtained those ROMs. I can also say that I have a lot to learn from this game. It hits different playing as a 27 y/o loser, compared to being a 10 y/o loser. I'm making this comment for myself. 😊

[@youtubeneedstochange4414]

Remember when Exp. Share was just a normal, non-broken held item and not the single worst thing about all modern Pokemon games? Also, the EV Guide video sounds like a good idea!

[@pikminman13]

the modern exp share is great... in rom hacks that allow you to enforce level caps. so it always keeps you on par.

[@vedremo9240]

Modern exp share is the best thing if you keep your team on a lvl cap

[@grinbrothers]

As Gen 3 was one of my earlier Pokémon, an due to enjoying the berry growing aspect and contents, I'm pretty sure I mostly had berries equipped to my Gen 3 team. That was certainly the case in my original Sapphire run. So compared to the other gens, I'm less familiar with the held items available and certainly unfamiliar with their Nuzlocke viability. 0:56 - My memories weren't playing tricks on me; Sitrus Berry did originally restore only 30HP. Nice to see that child me's berry usage was actually a smart choice. I figured berries would get a mention because of using the Cheri Berry against Watson but I didn't expect all of them for the shout-out. 3:41 - Confuse Ray/Supersonic means that confusion is either the most or second most likely status effect to deal with (the other being poison) so Perism Berry were always appreciated. An most of the CPU's sure love Swagger as a move. 7:28 - Because it seemed important (and I wanted a way to counter Rock Pokémon) I proceeded to teach Steel Wing to my Tailow/Swellow. I rather like that the natural way of obtaining the EXP Share is to go around through Rusturf Tunnel once you can Rock Smash your way through but that the option to simply backtrack is available. I guess I liked talking to NPCs because I do recall obtaining both the EXP Share and Amulet Coin in Gen 3. 13:51 - That's the effect of Lax Incense? I had assumed as a kid that it was the Normal type equivalent of the Sea or Rose Incense and boosted Normal type attacks. Real neat to learn of it's location. I'm also surprised to learn from a quick search that it was designed for Wobuffett and Wynaut... not Snorlax. As for favourite held item in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire Emerald... Well I appreciate obtaining Silk Scarf so early and the wide presence of Normal moves on most Pokémon makes it super handy. So I think that would be my answer, though as mentioned, I primarily used berries as a kid.

[@alwayslate1299]

Great video man

[@austinmartinez8541]

I definitely would love to see a guide on berries in gen 3. That would be very super useful. I'm currently doing a shiny playthrough/dream team and I have been EV training my Pokemon because I want them to also be really strong and potentially to use in the Battle Tower to get the tower only items like choice band. Also I loved using both the Quick Claw and King's Rock.

[@Whurlpuul]

Props to you for getting all your own footage for this. It goes a long way :)

[@grumpygengar22]

Thanks!

[@michaelbrown7455]

Appreciate the content. Keep it up. Would love to hear some content on other gen 3 & 4 games.

[@grumpygengar22]

Gen 4 stuff coming soon!

[@MortisMedia]

Wow this channel is great, nice vid btw, I could have used this advice last year lol

[@michaelmalachite4404]

Aaaaaand I just learned where the experience share is, thank you bro

[@itisfreak]

This dude just outright makes good videos

[@bennettsteen6451]

thank you for the concise video

[@ThibsyCube]

There aren’t many items that come to mind when I think about held items in RSE. But for me it is between the exp. share or the king’s Rock. At this moment the King’s Rock has a slight edge Edit: after seeing the whole video, I just want to add that you can acquire a King’s Rock by the pick up ability. Zigzagoon has a high chance of being an encounter, which could lead to more items like for example the King’s Rock

[@grumpygengar22]

Great point!

[@austinmartinez8541]

Albeit it's a 1% chance, but still. I've managed to get 4 while EV training up my shiny Pokemon in my fun shiny playthrough of both Ruby and Sapphire. Very good item

[@ThibsyCube]

Yeah I happened to be lucky in every Nuzlocke of RSE so far because I have always gotten a Zigzagoon as an encounter and have had the King’s Rock latest before the 2nd gym😅

[@nunyabiznes33]

A good ole Ziggy. I remember feeding my Linoone all the rare candies he finds and he just pick more after and other stuff like EQ. Really nice to have in a party.

[@Slender_Man_186]

When it comes to Ruby and Saphine, the King’s Rock always has a 1% change to be picked up. In Emerald, it works off of a loot pool system, to get a King’s Rock you need to keep your Zigzagoon between level 20-30 for it to drop.

[@arramdanielyamson4634]

I think a berry guide would be very interesring content especially when talking about the rare berries.

[@Axhole11]

I absolutely want a berry guide. Watering rates, in game clock on emulation, ect. I think you can even change clock time to increase berry yield.

[@grumpygengar22]

I'll put it on the list!

[@nunyabiznes33]

That's what I did. Move the clock and then move it back.

[@ThePikachunianRebel]

@@nunyabiznes33 how do you do that? I thought the clock in your room was set permanently.

[@nunyabiznes33]

Smoke ball was also nice for me when I was playing Emerald and not cutting the grass. And it also have an animation so it's kinda cute. Not hold items but I really liked the flutes. They reduced my Chesto and Persim consumption. Also the only way to snap Pokes out of infatuation coz we don't have a berry for that (aside from an obscure eCard berry, I read).

[@user-ui8is8gu3u]

You can access a kings rock even earlier in the game with zigzagoon on certain routes. You have a random chance of it using its pick up ability to get it.

[@sobatmedhok1306]

1 thing you should know that exp share actually can double the exp you got if the holder do the battle (1.5 if you switching). It really helpful if you got pokemon you want at late or just want to farm to fill pokedex.....

[@SuperPuddingCup]

I would love that berry guide. 🥺

[@MAAELXD]

Bro I really didnt know that you can get Kings Rock in Mossdeep. The only time I get it was when I was in Route 120 and my Zigzagoon Picked Up it

[@goodmusicofthegoodkind]

4:42 Well, at least in terms of occurrence. In a vacuum, freeze is just a pointless delay in battle. I wish frostbite in legends arceus stuck around.

[@perrydimes6915]

i've gone out of my way to get the lax incense and kings rock before, but it was just for pokedex completion. I didn't realize they were so good as a held item

[@ThePikachunianRebel]

Metal Coat too. Boosts Steel moves.

[@themegagamer6086]

You can get a king's rock much earlier in emerald if you get lucky. You see zigzagoon gets pick up and if you level them up to at least 11 you get 10% at an item then 1 for the item to be a king's rock you can also get nuggets that way or if you don't cheat in rare candies it could be an okay way to get some rare candy while getting a chance at a king's rock

[@grumpygengar22]

Good tip!

[@bendesch98]

I want to point out that you can get steal a Sitrus Berry from Brawly, which is so much sooner than you'd otherwise get one. Having Sitrus Berries for the 3 next gyms is absurdly powerful

[@grumpygengar22]

That's such a good tip! I didn't even consider delaying Brawly to grab Thief first. That's actually a game changer! Thank you for this!

[@ThePikachunianRebel]

At least you can do this in Emerald. ΩR forces you to use Flash to get through Granite Cave.

[@gkaskavelis]

I got King's Rock from Zigzagoon pickup in my current nuzlocke Emerald run xD Favorite item is probably Macho Brace! Amazing to have for training! It has allowed me some serious EVs that helped a lot against the tough gyms so far (Norman)

[@ThePikachunianRebel]

I haven't EV Trained yet but Macho Brace/Super Training can turn average or above average mons like Swellow and Hariyama into OHKO machines (Swellow) or super fast tanks (Hariyama) in normal play.

[@evanclark6160]

Interesting picks, tho I can't say I disagree berries are the best of the bunch. Looking over what's available in RSE, you realize how many items were introduced or buffed over the years. In particular, the type-boosting items like Soft Sand and Mystic Water; when introduced in gen 2 they improved damage of a certain type's moves by 10%, but in gen 4 this was buffed to 20%. Also, are Leftovers not available until the postgame in RSE? I would've expected them here otherwise.

[@austinmartinez8541]

The leftovers are post game only unfortunately. They are in a trash can on the SS Tidal.

[@grumpygengar22]

Oh yeah, leftovers would have been totally here if you could get them before postgame.

[@gelatinousglob8521]

You can get them before postgame with pickup, tho it’s EXTREMELY rare

[@austinmartinez8541]

@@gelatinousglob8521 I think that's Emerald only, and not in Ruby and Sapphire unfortunately. And even so your zigzagoon/linoon need to be at an extremely high level.

[@evanclark6160]

@@gelatinousglob8521 idk the gen 3 pickup table offhand, but it's also usually at a high level. depending on how strict your interpretation of your level cap clause is, and your patience, it's functionally postgame anyway, or potentially before the first gym lol

[@blainy-o93]

Zigzagoon has a 1% chance of picking up a King's Rock every time Pickup activates, so theoretically you can get one on Route 101. In Ruby & Sapphire this is at any level, in Emerald it's when Zigzagoon/Linoone is between level 11 and 30.

[@maironsantoro4143]

You can get a sitrus berry earlier from Watson's Manetric if you use Thief TM you take in the museum.

[@grumpygengar22]

Yes! Totally forgot about that

[@Sanninsuplex]

Shell bell is a neat item...but it's locked behind a dead battery

[@grumpygengar22]

Yeah that's a tough one to get even without that problem. Lots of waiting.

[@ThePikachunianRebel]

How long does it take for the Shell Bell? I emulate it so the battery isn't a problem.

[@jakebinns806]

Xp share and I've been switching out magikarp forever since lvl 9 😂😂

[@noahhernsater2067]

I am not hundred procent sure but i think its possible that a Pokémon like zigzagoon can pick up a Kings rock though it is very rare

[@grumpygengar22]

Yep

[@D34671]

when i first played Emerald i ended up throwing away the Macho Brace as i thought it was useless and i needed bag space, i regret that decision every single day...

[@MAAELXD]

Make all the guides pls

[@wilfredwayne7139]

Can you trade held items. Like a Pokémon holding a master ball in fire red to Pokémon emerald so I could dupe it.

[@GamerDadAr]

kings rock + skill link + multi hit move = always flinch

[@Sanninsuplex]

So if ur battery is dead u will only be able to get the berries one time on a play through, right??

[@grumpygengar22]

Yep, unfortunately :/

[@ThePikachunianRebel]

🤚I have a quick question. I picked up the Macho Brace before unlocking HM Rock Smash for the field. Im wanting to get a Tailow with Steel Wing. Should i put the Macho Brace or EXP Share on the baby Tailow? And does holding the Macho Brace give lower EV gain in Speed than the other stats?

[@kevinjamesmartin4307]

Lolwhat do rock smash and steel wing have to do with this? Exp share it will level up faster especially if you swap it in and out (I recommend switch battle mode for all ev & level training) at half the evs, macho brace you HAVE to swap in & out it will gain the same exp as if you held exp share & DIDN'T swap in and out but gain twice the evs. Depends on your needs. Don't ask a question you can easily Google about speed lol

[@kevinjamesmartin4307]

Look on the freaking wiki

[@GR-ic7mt]

The shell bell it stacks like kings rock on multi-hit moves

[@grumpygengar22]

That's pretty good. I'll have to try that at some point

[@GR-ic7mt]

@@grumpygengar22 I don't think you can get it without a working battery tho

[@funkmonkeyfun]

So is the macho brace worth it for a regular player? Will it make me stronger than training quit it? Currently using it on a Taurus

[@kevinjamesmartin4307]

Yes it is you won't get enough evs to max out your party before the elite 4 so it will end up netting you additional stats

[@kevinjamesmartin4307]

Quite a few nuzlockers skip right past the house and no matter what I can't get them to just slap it on somebody. So many people misunderstand this game they play a whole nuzlocke choosing all supereffective matchups against cupcakes instead of who should get special attack evs or what then crap & die against the e4

[@kevinjamesmartin4307]

"Why did I just fail my 5th attempt at the elite 4?" (spent the whole run putting all defense evs on their Feraligatr)

[@nunyabiznes33]

I want to play Emerald but I also want to have all the modern Pokemon after I beat the E4. 😭

[@psychologicallybeautiful5895]

Your rival hints for you to visit home after battling you at route 119 after they give you HM02 Fly…B button smashers prolly missed that 😂

[@SatiZakito]

Get a ZigZag with pick up ability 1% chance to get an early KINGS ROCK.

[@CrazyDave12]

My favorite item is the Magic Muffler

[@grumpygengar22]

Damn.. that's a throwback haha

[@tanheen7732]

Yeah spinda genocide just for the 1 sp att ev...

[@christinamcneill6653]

Man just got a kings rock doing zigzagzoon running for nuggets right at the start of the game had to watch this video to find out what it was all about

[@iBenjamin1000]

while I haven't played a nuzlocke I have watched hundreds of them on yt and I think even in most hardcore nuzlockes you don't need to worry about evs, or natures for that matter. these hidden mechanics are only small boosts to your stats. harder games or battles can be met just as easily with preparation, which will also be more helpful to a new player learning how to nuzlocke. compared to trying to hunt hundreds of a single species. I think evs start becoming necessary if you're doing a nuzlocke with super specific rules and very limited encounters. like d/p with only fire types, where you only get infernape and rapidash. or emerald with rock types, where you get aggron, nosepass, golem, onix and a fossil. I guess magcargo too. less than 6 encounters or a type that has few strategies and lots of weaknesses is when evs start to look necessary.

[@grumpygengar22]

Yeah I would agree with that

[@SilverPlays2503]

I don't agree (kinda). In MOST monotype hardcore nuzlockes there are several battles that would require you to take so many risks if it wasn't for EV training, but i agree that in a regular hardcore nuzlocke with good enough preparation, EV training is unnecesary

[@RyanSmith-eo4qf]

Sometimes EVs are perfect for negating a negative nature. For example, a Bold Swellow. 252 Attack EVs, and it's good to go

[@InsertFunnyThingHere]

Long live macho brace! Long live macho brace!

[@tylerwaffles21]

I wish I could grow berries but my internal battery ran dry :(

[@grumpygengar22]

Bummer, it is possible to fix at least but still a pain in the ass.

[@robertlupa8273]

7:49 Me: 🙄

[@gasury8927]

best item to hold: NONE, but use 6 zigzagoon to get 99 rare candies in no time + you have 1% chance to get king's rock, making this video point of view complety obsolete

[@Slender_Man_186]

This only works in Ruby and Saphire, in Emerald there’s a level based loot table, and it’s the sole reason why I’ll never attempt a Prof. Oak challenge in Emerald, you have to get ziggy to like level 40 before he even starts having a chance to pick up candies, and you have to get 5 to level 40, and apparently the optimal level for candies is 90+.

[@jeffreybenefield2530]

Thank you for telling me this! I forgot about pickup but I didn't know it could pickup candies!

[@putridterrain]

@@Slender_Man_186there’s no way. I’m in my first ever emerald run I only have linoone Hm slave at level 31 and he’s got me at least 5 candies up to this point and multiple vitamins. Maybe I’m lucky, or it’s because I’m on ROM dsi but I don’t think it’s the case. I’m pre elite 4 with 8 badges as of this comment.

[@nicdelano9410]

I didn’t realize kings rock was such a low chance, I got it from pickup right after beating Roxanne, I feel super lucky now!

[@MichaelSmith-xj1dx]

I got kings rock by catching linoone before wynonna and picked it up after a grind with a party of 6 lvl 27 pickup pokemon