Pickpocket

Summary

Pickpocket is a contact-triggered ability that allows the holder to steal the opponent's held item when hit by a contact move. This theft mechanic provides strategic item disruption and potential item gain, making it particularly valuable against item-dependent strategies.

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (IMPORTANT: exactly 280-300 chars counted WITH spaces)In-game description: "Steals the foe's held item on contact."

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (IMPORTANT: exactly 280-300 chars counted WITH spaces)

Pickpocket activates when the holder is hit by a contact move, automatically stealing the attacker's held item if possible. The stolen item immediately benefits the thief. Fails if the holder already has an item, the target has Sticky Hold/Supersweet Syrup, or the item cannot be removed. Works even through substitute.

Character count: 290

Detailed Mechanics

Activation Conditions

• Triggers when the Pokémon with Pickpocket is hit by a contact move
• The Pokémon must take damage from the attack
• The move must not have "no effect" (type immunity, etc.)
• Activates during the MOVEEND phase after damage calculation

Success Requirements

1. Holder must have no item - Cannot steal if already holding something
2. Target must have a stealable item - Some items cannot be stolen
3. Target cannot have protective abilities:
   • Sticky Hold prevents item theft
   • Supersweet Syrup prevents item theft
4. Item must be removable - Mega Stones, Z-Crystals, etc. cannot be stolen

Special Interactions

• Works through Substitute - Unlike many abilities, Pickpocket bypasses substitutes
• Priority System - If multiple Pokémon could trigger Pickpocket, one is randomly selected
• Immediate Effect - Stolen items take effect immediately (e.g., Choice items, Leftovers)
• Ability Popup - Shows ability activation animation when successful
• Sheer Force - Does not activate if attacker has Sheer Force and uses a boosted move

Battle Flow

1. Opponent uses contact move
2. Damage is dealt to Pickpocket holder
3. Game checks if Pickpocket can activate
4. If successful, item is transferred
5. Ability popup appears
6. Stolen item effects activate immediately

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

• Item Disruption - Removes crucial items like Choice items, Leftovers, or Life Orb
• Resource Gain - Can acquire beneficial items mid-battle
• No Turn Cost - Activates passively without using a move
• Substitute Bypass - Works even through protective substitutes

Weaknesses

• Requires Empty Slot - Must not be holding an item to function
• Contact Dependency - Useless against special attackers or status moves
• One-Time Use - Once an item is stolen, ability becomes inactive
• Predictable - Opponents can play around it by avoiding contact moves

Strategy Tips

• Lead Position - Effective on leads to disrupt opponent's initial strategy
• Knock Off Synergy - Pair with Knock Off users to create item-stealing opportunities
• Defensive Builds - Works well on bulky Pokémon that can take multiple hits
• Anti-Choice - Particularly effective against Choice item users who get locked into contact moves

Known Pokémon with Pickpocket

Several Pokémon lines have access to Pickpocket, often as a secondary ability option:

• Dark-type trickster Pokémon (fitting the thief theme)
• Pokémon with deceptive or mischievous characteristics
• Often paired with other disruption-based abilities

History and Trivia

• Introduced in Generation V (Black/White)
• One of several "theft" abilities alongside Magician
• Thematically represents opportunistic theft during close combat
• Animation shows a quick "snatch" effect when activating

See Also

• Magician - Similar effect but triggers when using attacks
• Sticky Hold - Direct counter to Pickpocket
• Knock Off - Move that removes items
• Thief/Covet - Moves that steal items