Choice Scarf — This Game's Only Choice Item
Pokémon Champions has no Choice Specs or Choice Band — Choice Scarf is the only lock-in item implemented. Here's how the Speed boost and move-lock actually work, and how to play around it. (updated: 2026-07-25)
This game only has Choice Scarf
The mainline games have three Choice items: Choice Specs (Special Attack), Choice Band (Attack), and Choice Scarf (Speed). In Pokémon Champions, only Choice Scarf is implemented. A raw power boost might sound more appealing, but under this ruleset, "buy Speed at the cost of losing move flexibility" is the only version of the trade-off actually on the table.
What it actually does
Holding it multiplies Speed by 1.5×, but locks the holder into whichever move they use first — no other move can be selected until they switch out and back in. Check the speed tier list ahead of time to see exactly which Speed thresholds a 1.5× boost lets you clear.
What it reveals to the opponent
The moment a Choice Scarf user commits to a move, the opponent knows for certain that the same move is coming again next turn. As covered in reading held items, if a Pokémon that shouldn't be fast suddenly outspeeds and attacks first, Choice Scarf is the first thing to suspect. Once the move is known, switching in something that resists it comfortably swings the initiative right back.
Tips for using it well
- Don't waste the reveal on a scouting move. Once any move is seen, it's read for the rest of the game — save it for a moment that actually needs the extra Speed, not an early probe.
- Prefer a Pokémon with a broad-ish movepool over a mono-type attacker. If every option is roughly the same type anyway, there's nothing extra for the opponent to learn from seeing one of them.
- Compare it against the alternatives. If 1.5× Speed still doesn't clear the threshold you need, priority moves or a revenge-kill switch-in might be the more reliable plan.
Tips for playing against it
Once you've seen the locked move even once, you only need to plan around that single move from then on.
- Switch in something that resists the revealed move by half or more.
- Protect completely whiffs the locked move, while also doubling as a free read on the opponent's next switch.
- If you're already faster, it may be simpler to just finish the fight before the locked move ever gets to land.
Choice Scarf is fundamentally a trade: Speed now, in exchange for options later. Understanding just that one point makes both using it and playing against it far less confusing.