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Comprehensive guide to held items and when to use them for maximum strategic advantage

In Polished Crystal, wild Pokémon can sometimes be found holding a common item (item 1, 50%) or a rare item (item 2, 5%). If a Pokémon has the same item in both held-item slots, the probability will be 55%. always item 2 is used for the guaranteed held item.
Having a Pokémon leading your party with the Ability Compound Eyes or Super Luck (or, only in the Regular version, holding an Amulet Coin) will increase the odds of finding a held item on a wild Pokémon to 60% and 20% for item 1 and item 2, respectively.Combining Amulet Coin and one of these abilities will not stack this boost.
Note that as of version 3.2.1 Thief and Pickpocket will automatically place an item in the bag if the user is already holding an item. Trainers’ items will be returned to them if stolen during a battle.
Super Luck Murkrow is extremely handy, learning Thief at Lv. 25. It can be found on Route 38 and Route 39 at night (5%) or by Headbutt Trees a rare tree on most Routes.
In the Regular version, the Amulet Coin method pairs well with Repels and useful Abilities:
item 2
item 2
item 2
item 2
item 2, only at Night
item 2, only at Night, only regular form
item 2, only in Morn/Day
Wild Pokémon can hold items. Common items have a 50% chance to be held, rare items have a 5% chance, and some Pokémon always hold specific items. If the same item appears in both slots, it has a 55% chance (50% + 5%). Use a Pokémon with the Frisk ability to detect held items, or use the move Thief or Covet to steal them.