I don't completely understand Pickpocket's effect?

Question

"...steals an item off a Pokemon making contact."
I looked it up on Bulbapedia, but didn't really understand Pickpocket's description. Does that mean the Pokemon only steals the foe's item when the foe hits it, or it can steal the item if either Pokemon makes contact with the other?

Answer 1

Pickpocket will steal an item from an attacker that made direct contact. So the Pokemon has to attack you for its item to be stolen.

Comments

Aww. ;-; Weavile  won't survive the hit.

Answer 2

It means that if the opposing Pokemon uses a contact move on the Pokemon with Pickpocket, the Pokemon with Pickpocket will steal their held item if any.

So if I had a Sneasel with Pickpocket and the opposing Pokemon used Return (a contact move) on Sneasel, then Sneasel would steal their held item.

Smogon usually explains moves better than Bulbapedia does.

Comments

lol you guys, I already gave BA and everything. XD

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Must have taken 3.2 days to type then.