ITEM DEX
Choice Band
DE: Wahlband · Cost: 4000 ₽
Choice Band is a held item for physical attackers. It raises Attack sharply but locks the Pokémon into a single move. The item debuted in Ruby/Sapphire and is a classic in battles against other players.
What does the item do?
Increases Attack by 50%, but restricts the holder to only one move. An item to be held by a Pokémon. This curious headband boosts Attack but only allows the use of one move.
Effect numbers are modern rules. FRLG may differ. See Q&A.
Attack ×1.5, locked into one move until you switch out. The boost applies to the Attack stat, so it affects every physical move. The chosen move stays locked until the Pokémon switches; after switching you pick again. A status move as your only option is usually a wasted slot. The band is played on fast physical sweepers and on U-turn users who switch after attacking anyway. It is the wrong choice on Pokémon that need flexible coverage.
Our Kanto dataset (FireRed/LeafGreen) has no recorded location for Choice Band. No Choice Band lies in the field in FireRed/LeafGreen. The item comes from the Hoenn games (Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald) and can reach Kanto through trading. That is why our Kanto dataset lists no location.
Maximum damage for a clearly defined job. Against Life Orb, the band wins on raw power (+50% instead of +30%) and costs no HP. The Orb lets you change moves in return. The lock is annoying in a story run because you want flexibility against changing opponents. In player-versus-player matches, Choice Band is standard on physical attackers.