Berry Finding S (BFS) is a Gold Sub Skill in Pokémon Sleep that increases the number of Berries collected per help by one.

It’s one of the most powerful Sub Skills in the game, but its value depends heavily on whether a Pokémon specializes in Berries, Ingredients, or Skills.

In this guide, I’ll explain how Berry Finding S works, which Pokémon benefit from it most, and when I would prioritize it based on my own experience raising Pokémon.

What Does Berry Finding S Do?

Berry Finding S increases the number of Berries collected per Berry help by one.

For Berry specialists, this means collecting three Berries instead of two, increasing the Strength gained from each Berry help by 50%.

Berry Finding S also applies to Sneaky Snacking after a Pokémon’s inventory becomes full.

Conclusion: Berry Finding S Is Almost Essential for Berry Specialists

Here’s how I generally evaluate Berry Finding S for each specialty.

For Berry specialists, BFS provides such a large increase in Berry production that I generally consider it a requirement when hunting for a long-term team member.

However, Ingredient specialists are primarily responsible for collecting ingredients, while Skill specialists need to activate their Main Skills. Having BFS doesn’t automatically make those Pokémon better at their intended roles.

Why I Prioritize Berry Finding S on Berry Specialists

The biggest advantage of BFS is how much additional Strength it provides from a single Sub Skill slot.

To illustrate this, I compared several Lv. 50 Raichu builds using a Pokémon Sleep calculator.

Berry Finding S Alone Can Rival a Helping Speed-Focused Build

The following comparison uses Raichu at Old Gold Power Plant.

The most interesting result is that Raichu with only BFS produces almost the same daily total Strength as one with Helping Speed M, Helping Speed S, and a Helping Speed-increasing Nature.

The BFS build uses just one Sub Skill slot, while the Helping Speed build requires two Sub Skills and a favorable Nature. Despite that difference, their estimated daily Strength differs by only 141.

This is why I generally prefer securing BFS rather than relying entirely on Helping Speed bonuses.

Of course, Helping Speed is still extremely valuable. The third build, which combines BFS with Helping Speed M and a Helping Speed Up Nature, reaches 52,422 Strength per day.

Ideally, I want Berry Finding S first, followed by Helping Speed improvements.

Does Berry Finding S Automatically Make a Berry Specialist Worth Raising?

Although I prioritize BFS, I don’t automatically raise every Berry specialist that has it.

If I’m raising my first reliable Berry specialist, BFS alone may be enough to justify the investment. However, when I already have strong Pokémon covering the same role, I become more selective and look for additional advantages such as Helping Bonus or Helping Speed.

I also consider Nature, Sub Skill unlock levels, and how difficult the Pokémon is to hunt.

For a more detailed explanation of my selection standards, see my dedicated Berry specialist guide.

Berry Specialist Selection Guide: Best Natures, Sub Skills, and When to Stop Hunting (Japanese Edition)

I Prefer Berry Finding S by Lv. 50

For my first Berry specialist of a particular role, I generally prefer a Pokémon that unlocks Berry Finding S at Lv. 10, 25, or 50.

If BFS is locked behind Lv. 70 or 80, the Pokémon must spend a considerable amount of time without its most important Sub Skill.

However, I may make exceptions for Pokémon that are difficult to hunt, such as Sneasel or Onix, especially if they have excellent early Helping Speed or Helping Bonus.

The appropriate unlock level depends on how difficult the Pokémon is to obtain, how much training it needs, and whether I already have another Pokémon fulfilling the same role.

Berry Finding S + Helping Bonus Is One of My Favorite Combinations

A Pokémon with both BFS and Helping Bonus is close to my ideal Berry specialist build.

Berry specialists often stay on the team for long periods. With Helping Bonus, they can collect additional Berries while reducing helping time for the entire team.

That’s why I place such a high value on this combination. I generally prioritize BFS first, then look for Helping Bonus or Helping Speed improvements.

Berry Finding S Is Usually Unnecessary for Ingredient Specialists

For Ingredient specialists, I generally don’t actively look for Berry Finding S.

BFS increases their Berry collection from one to two whenever they find Berries. This can provide additional Strength, especially when Snorlax prefers that Berry type.

However, the primary purpose of an Ingredient specialist is to collect the ingredients needed for cooking.

That’s why I usually prioritize ingredient spreads, Ingredient Finder, Helping Speed, Helping Bonus, and Inventory Up instead.

Berry Finding S Can Fill Inventory Faster

One of the main reasons I don’t prioritize BFS on Ingredient specialists is that it can cause their inventories to fill more quickly.

With BFS, each Berry help adds two Berries to their inventory instead of one.

Once the inventory becomes full, the Pokémon switches to Sneaky Snacking and stops collecting additional ingredients until its inventory is cleared.

This is less of an issue for Berry specialists, which can continue producing Strength through Sneaky Snacking.

For Ingredient specialists, however, reaching the inventory limit prevents them from performing their main role.

Even if BFS increases Strength, I generally don’t want that advantage to interfere with ingredient production.

I Won’t Reject an Ingredient Specialist Just Because It Has BFS

Although I don’t actively seek BFS for Ingredient specialists, I wouldn’t reject an otherwise excellent Pokémon simply because it has this Sub Skill.

If it has the ingredient spread I want and sufficient ingredient production, I may accept BFS as a less-than-ideal Sub Skill.

For example, my Clodsire has an AAA ingredient spread but also has BFS.

Ideally, I would have preferred another useful Sub Skill. However, considering the difficulty of finding the right ingredient spread again, I decided that this Clodsire was worth raising.

By checking the game regularly and collecting ingredients before its inventory fills, I can reduce the disadvantages of BFS.

My Crustle is another example. It has BFS alongside an Inventory Up Sub Skill.

The additional inventory space allows it to continue collecting ingredients for longer before reaching its inventory limit.

However, this doesn’t mean I recommend actively hunting for BFS + Inventory Up on Ingredient specialists. Inventory Up simply helps reduce the downside when an otherwise desirable Pokémon happens to have BFS.

Some Ingredient Specialists, Like Dragonite, Can Make Good Use of BFS

Some Ingredient specialists can make good use of BFS while also contributing through ingredient production.

My Dragonite is one example. It has Berry Finding S, Helping Bonus, and Helping Speed M, but no Ingredient Finder bonuses.

Thanks to Dragonite’s naturally fast helping speed, it can still collect a reasonable amount of ingredients. When Dragon-type Berries are preferred, it can also contribute considerable Berry Strength.

However, I wouldn’t recommend raising a similar Dragonite to everyone.

I raised this particular Dragonite when Amber Canyon was introduced. At the time, I needed its ingredients for new high-level recipes, and my team lacked strong Berry specialists suited to the area.

The decision made sense for my situation because Dragonite could contribute both ingredients and Berry Strength.

However, ingredient requirements can change as new recipes are introduced. If you already have a strong Dragon-type Berry specialist such as Salamence, the additional Berry Strength from Dragonite may be less important.

This type of build can be useful if you specifically want a Pokémon that contributes in multiple ways, or if you enjoy keeping a favorite Pokémon on your team for long periods.

For most Ingredient specialists, though, I still recommend prioritizing ingredient production rather than actively hunting for BFS.

Berry Finding S Is Usually Low Priority for Skill Specialists

I generally don’t prioritize BFS on Skill specialists either.

Their primary job is to activate Main Skills consistently, so I prefer Sub Skills such as Skill Trigger, Helping Speed, and Helping Bonus.

Inventory capacity is another consideration.

Because BFS increases the number of Berries collected, it can cause inventory to fill more quickly.

Once a Pokémon enters Sneaky Snacking, it no longer receives new Main Skill trigger rolls while its inventory remains full.

For a Pokémon whose main purpose is to activate its skill, this can be an important disadvantage.

Having BFS doesn’t automatically make a Skill specialist bad, but I generally prefer Sub Skills that directly support Main Skill activation.

Some Skill Specialists Have Excellent Synergy with BFS

There are exceptions among Skill specialists where Berry Finding S can be particularly valuable.

Two notable examples are Pokémon with Berry Burst and Extra Helpful Main Skills.

Berry Burst Users Can Benefit Greatly from BFS

Pokémon with Berry Burst, such as Sceptile, are often used in areas where Snorlax prefers their Berry type.

That makes the Berries they collect through regular helping especially valuable.

With BFS, they can generate additional Berry Strength alongside their Main Skill’s contribution.

Skill Trigger and Helping Speed are still excellent choices, but I consider BFS worth actively hunting for when I plan to use a Berry Burst Pokémon in its preferred area for long periods.

However, I wouldn’t apply the same strict standards to Pokémon such as Cresselia or Latios, where hunting opportunities may be limited.

The difficulty of obtaining another suitable individual should influence how demanding your selection criteria are.

Extra Helpful Users Can Also Benefit from BFS

Pokémon with Extra Helpful, such as Gallade, can also make good use of BFS.

Extra Helpful advances a target Pokémon’s help multiple times. If the target has BFS, the extra Berries from that Sub Skill are reflected in the Berries collected through those helps.

The same principle applies when an Extra Helpful user with BFS benefits from the effect itself.

My own Gallade has BFS, allowing it to contribute Berry Strength while supporting other Pokémon through its Main Skill.

However, the usefulness of Extra Helpful also depends on your team composition.

Rather than assuming BFS is always good or bad on Skill specialists, I evaluate how well it works with the Pokémon’s Main Skill and the area where I plan to use it.

Berry Finding S vs. Helping Bonus: Which Is Better?

Both Berry Finding S and Helping Bonus are powerful Gold Sub Skills, but which one I prioritize depends on the Pokémon’s specialty.

For Berry specialists, I prioritize BFS because the additional Berry Strength is especially valuable.

For Ingredient specialists and most Skill specialists, Helping Bonus usually fits their primary role better.

Helping Bonus is a versatile Sub Skill that improves the entire team’s helping performance, while BFS provides a particularly large benefit in specific roles and situations.

For more details about Helping Bonus, including why I value it so highly, see my separate guide.

Is Helping Bonus Worth It? Why I Recommend This Sub Skill

Final Thoughts: Berry Finding S Is Powerful, but Not Universal

Berry Finding S is one of the most valuable Sub Skills for Berry specialists, but it isn’t necessarily a priority for Ingredient specialists or most Skill specialists.

For those Pokémon, I generally prefer Sub Skills that directly improve their intended roles, such as Ingredient Finder or Skill Trigger.

Ultimately, the question isn’t simply whether a Pokémon has BFS, but whether BFS helps it perform the role you actually need.

Berry Finding S (BFS) is a Gold Sub Skill in Pokémon Sleep that increases the number of Berries collected per help by one.

It’s one of the most powerful Sub Skills in the game, but its value depends heavily on whether a Pokémon specializes in Berries, Ingredients, or Skills.

In this guide, I’ll explain how Berry Finding S works, which Pokémon benefit from it most, and when I would prioritize it based on my own experience raising Pokémon.

What Does Berry Finding S Do?

Berry Finding S increases the number of Berries collected per Berry help by one.

For Berry specialists, this means collecting three Berries instead of two, increasing the Strength gained from each Berry help by 50%.

Berry Finding S also applies to Sneaky Snacking after a Pokémon’s inventory becomes full.

Conclusion: Berry Finding S Is Almost Essential for Berry Specialists

Here’s how I generally evaluate Berry Finding S for each specialty.

For Berry specialists, BFS provides such a large increase in Berry production that I generally consider it a requirement when hunting for a long-term team member.

However, Ingredient specialists are primarily responsible for collecting ingredients, while Skill specialists need to activate their Main Skills. Having BFS doesn’t automatically make those Pokémon better at their intended roles.

Why I Prioritize Berry Finding S on Berry Specialists

The biggest advantage of BFS is how much additional Strength it provides from a single Sub Skill slot.

To illustrate this, I compared several Lv. 50 Raichu builds using a Pokémon Sleep calculator.

Berry Finding S Alone Can Rival a Helping Speed-Focused Build

The following comparison uses Raichu at Old Gold Power Plant.

The most interesting result is that Raichu with only BFS produces almost the same daily total Strength as one with Helping Speed M, Helping Speed S, and a Helping Speed-increasing Nature.

The BFS build uses just one Sub Skill slot, while the Helping Speed build requires two Sub Skills and a favorable Nature. Despite that difference, their estimated daily Strength differs by only 141.

This is why I generally prefer securing BFS rather than relying entirely on Helping Speed bonuses.

Of course, Helping Speed is still extremely valuable. The third build, which combines BFS with Helping Speed M and a Helping Speed Up Nature, reaches 52,422 Strength per day.

Ideally, I want Berry Finding S first, followed by Helping Speed improvements.

Does Berry Finding S Automatically Make a Berry Specialist Worth Raising?

Although I prioritize BFS, I don’t automatically raise every Berry specialist that has it.

If I’m raising my first reliable Berry specialist, BFS alone may be enough to justify the investment. However, when I already have strong Pokémon covering the same role, I become more selective and look for additional advantages such as Helping Bonus or Helping Speed.

I also consider Nature, Sub Skill unlock levels, and how difficult the Pokémon is to hunt.

For a more detailed explanation of my selection standards, see my dedicated Berry specialist guide.

Berry Specialist Selection Guide: Best Natures, Sub Skills, and When to Stop Hunting (Japanese Edition)

I Prefer Berry Finding S by Lv. 50

For my first Berry specialist of a particular role, I generally prefer a Pokémon that unlocks Berry Finding S at Lv. 10, 25, or 50.

If BFS is locked behind Lv. 70 or 80, the Pokémon must spend a considerable amount of time without its most important Sub Skill.

However, I may make exceptions for Pokémon that are difficult to hunt, such as Sneasel or Onix, especially if they have excellent early Helping Speed or Helping Bonus.

The appropriate unlock level depends on how difficult the Pokémon is to obtain, how much training it needs, and whether I already have another Pokémon fulfilling the same role.

Berry Finding S + Helping Bonus Is One of My Favorite Combinations

A Pokémon with both BFS and Helping Bonus is close to my ideal Berry specialist build.

Berry specialists often stay on the team for long periods. With Helping Bonus, they can collect additional Berries while reducing helping time for the entire team.

That’s why I place such a high value on this combination. I generally prioritize BFS first, then look for Helping Bonus or Helping Speed improvements.

Berry Finding S Is Usually Unnecessary for Ingredient Specialists

For Ingredient specialists, I generally don’t actively look for Berry Finding S.

BFS increases their Berry collection from one to two whenever they find Berries. This can provide additional Strength, especially when Snorlax prefers that Berry type.

However, the primary purpose of an Ingredient specialist is to collect the ingredients needed for cooking.

That’s why I usually prioritize ingredient spreads, Ingredient Finder, Helping Speed, Helping Bonus, and Inventory Up instead.

Berry Finding S Can Fill Inventory Faster

One of the main reasons I don’t prioritize BFS on Ingredient specialists is that it can cause their inventories to fill more quickly.

With BFS, each Berry help adds two Berries to their inventory instead of one.

Once the inventory becomes full, the Pokémon switches to Sneaky Snacking and stops collecting additional ingredients until its inventory is cleared.

This is less of an issue for Berry specialists, which can continue producing Strength through Sneaky Snacking.

For Ingredient specialists, however, reaching the inventory limit prevents them from performing their main role.

Even if BFS increases Strength, I generally don’t want that advantage to interfere with ingredient production.

I Won’t Reject an Ingredient Specialist Just Because It Has BFS

Although I don’t actively seek BFS for Ingredient specialists, I wouldn’t reject an otherwise excellent Pokémon simply because it has this Sub Skill.

If it has the ingredient spread I want and sufficient ingredient production, I may accept BFS as a less-than-ideal Sub Skill.

For example, my Clodsire has an AAA ingredient spread but also has BFS.

Ideally, I would have preferred another useful Sub Skill. However, considering the difficulty of finding the right ingredient spread again, I decided that this Clodsire was worth raising.

By checking the game regularly and collecting ingredients before its inventory fills, I can reduce the disadvantages of BFS.

My Crustle is another example. It has BFS alongside an Inventory Up Sub Skill.

The additional inventory space allows it to continue collecting ingredients for longer before reaching its inventory limit.

However, this doesn’t mean I recommend actively hunting for BFS + Inventory Up on Ingredient specialists. Inventory Up simply helps reduce the downside when an otherwise desirable Pokémon happens to have BFS.

Some Ingredient Specialists, Like Dragonite, Can Make Good Use of BFS

Some Ingredient specialists can make good use of BFS while also contributing through ingredient production.

My Dragonite is one example. It has Berry Finding S, Helping Bonus, and Helping Speed M, but no Ingredient Finder bonuses.

Thanks to Dragonite’s naturally fast helping speed, it can still collect a reasonable amount of ingredients. When Dragon-type Berries are preferred, it can also contribute considerable Berry Strength.

However, I wouldn’t recommend raising a similar Dragonite to everyone.

I raised this particular Dragonite when Amber Canyon was introduced. At the time, I needed its ingredients for new high-level recipes, and my team lacked strong Berry specialists suited to the area.

The decision made sense for my situation because Dragonite could contribute both ingredients and Berry Strength.

However, ingredient requirements can change as new recipes are introduced. If you already have a strong Dragon-type Berry specialist such as Salamence, the additional Berry Strength from Dragonite may be less important.

This type of build can be useful if you specifically want a Pokémon that contributes in multiple ways, or if you enjoy keeping a favorite Pokémon on your team for long periods.

For most Ingredient specialists, though, I still recommend prioritizing ingredient production rather than actively hunting for BFS.

Berry Finding S Is Usually Low Priority for Skill Specialists

I generally don’t prioritize BFS on Skill specialists either.

Their primary job is to activate Main Skills consistently, so I prefer Sub Skills such as Skill Trigger, Helping Speed, and Helping Bonus.

Inventory capacity is another consideration.

Because BFS increases the number of Berries collected, it can cause inventory to fill more quickly.

Once a Pokémon enters Sneaky Snacking, it no longer receives new Main Skill trigger rolls while its inventory remains full.

For a Pokémon whose main purpose is to activate its skill, this can be an important disadvantage.

Having BFS doesn’t automatically make a Skill specialist bad, but I generally prefer Sub Skills that directly support Main Skill activation.

Some Skill Specialists Have Excellent Synergy with BFS

There are exceptions among Skill specialists where Berry Finding S can be particularly valuable.

Two notable examples are Pokémon with Berry Burst and Extra Helpful Main Skills.

Berry Burst Users Can Benefit Greatly from BFS

Pokémon with Berry Burst, such as Sceptile, are often used in areas where Snorlax prefers their Berry type.

That makes the Berries they collect through regular helping especially valuable.

With BFS, they can generate additional Berry Strength alongside their Main Skill’s contribution.

Skill Trigger and Helping Speed are still excellent choices, but I consider BFS worth actively hunting for when I plan to use a Berry Burst Pokémon in its preferred area for long periods.

However, I wouldn’t apply the same strict standards to Pokémon such as Cresselia or Latios, where hunting opportunities may be limited.

The difficulty of obtaining another suitable individual should influence how demanding your selection criteria are.

Extra Helpful Users Can Also Benefit from BFS

Pokémon with Extra Helpful, such as Gallade, can also make good use of BFS.

Extra Helpful advances a target Pokémon’s help multiple times. If the target has BFS, the extra Berries from that Sub Skill are reflected in the Berries collected through those helps.

The same principle applies when an Extra Helpful user with BFS benefits from the effect itself.

My own Gallade has BFS, allowing it to contribute Berry Strength while supporting other Pokémon through its Main Skill.

However, the usefulness of Extra Helpful also depends on your team composition.

Rather than assuming BFS is always good or bad on Skill specialists, I evaluate how well it works with the Pokémon’s Main Skill and the area where I plan to use it.

Berry Finding S vs. Helping Bonus: Which Is Better?

Both Berry Finding S and Helping Bonus are powerful Gold Sub Skills, but which one I prioritize depends on the Pokémon’s specialty.

For Berry specialists, I prioritize BFS because the additional Berry Strength is especially valuable.

For Ingredient specialists and most Skill specialists, Helping Bonus usually fits their primary role better.

Helping Bonus is a versatile Sub Skill that improves the entire team’s helping performance, while BFS provides a particularly large benefit in specific roles and situations.

For more details about Helping Bonus, including why I value it so highly, see my separate guide.

Is Helping Bonus Worth It? Why I Recommend This Sub Skill

Final Thoughts: Berry Finding S Is Powerful, but Not Universal

Berry Finding S is one of the most valuable Sub Skills for Berry specialists, but it isn’t necessarily a priority for Ingredient specialists or most Skill specialists.

For those Pokémon, I generally prefer Sub Skills that directly improve their intended roles, such as Ingredient Finder or Skill Trigger.

Ultimately, the question isn’t simply whether a Pokémon has BFS, but whether BFS helps it perform the role you actually need.