Does Knock Off do increased damage even if it cannot knock off the item?

Question

Knock Off’s damage is increased if the target has an item. If a Pokémon has Sticky Hold and their item can’t be removed, does Knock Off still do increased damage even though it can’t remove the item? Would this mean every Knock Off against a Sticky Hold Pokémon or Pokémon who’s item can’t be removed is boosted?

Comments

most likely no

Answer 1

From Generation 6 onwards, Knock Off still does more damage as long as the Item can be Knocked Off normally, even if that is prevented by Sticky Hold.

If Knock Off is used on a Pokémon that is holding an item that can be knocked off, its base power will be boosted by 50%. Knock Off cannot remove the held item of a target that has Sticky Hold or if it hits the target's substitute, but the bonus damage will apply anyway. If used on a Pokémon weak to Dark-type moves holding a Colbur Berry, the Colbur Berry will still be eaten, but Knock Off will get the damage boost regardless. If used on a Pokémon that cannot lose its held item — such as a Pokémon holding its corresponding Mega Stone — this move will not receive the boost. Additionally, the boost will also not be applied if the user of Knock Off targets a Pokémon holding an item that would not be able to be removed from it.

It will not do more damage if the Item cannot be Knocked Off at all, regardless of if the Pokémon has Sticky hold or not. :P

Source

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