diff --git a/worlds/zillion/__init__.py b/worlds/zillion/__init__.py
index 6fa5f86d..58f513ba 100644
--- a/worlds/zillion/__init__.py
+++ b/worlds/zillion/__init__.py
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ import logging
 
 from typing_extensions import override
 
-from BaseClasses import ItemClassification, LocationProgressType, \
-    MultiWorld, Item, CollectionState, Entrance, Tutorial
+from BaseClasses import LocationProgressType, MultiWorld, Item, CollectionState, Entrance, Tutorial
 
 from .gen_data import GenData
 from .logic import ZillionLogicCache
@@ -19,7 +18,7 @@ from .options import ZillionOptions, validate, z_option_groups
 from .id_maps import ZillionSlotInfo, get_slot_info, item_name_to_id as _item_name_to_id, \
     loc_name_to_id as _loc_name_to_id, make_id_to_others, \
     zz_reg_name_to_reg_name, base_id
-from .item import ZillionItem
+from .item import ZillionItem, get_classification
 from .patch import ZillionPatch
 
 from zilliandomizer.system import System
@@ -422,12 +421,8 @@ class ZillionWorld(World):
             self.logger.warning("warning: called `create_item` without calling `generate_early` first")
         assert self.id_to_zz_item, "failed to get item maps"
 
-        classification = ItemClassification.filler
         zz_item = self.id_to_zz_item[item_id]
-        if zz_item.required:
-            classification = ItemClassification.progression
-            if not zz_item.is_progression:
-                classification = ItemClassification.progression_skip_balancing
+        classification = get_classification(name, zz_item, self._item_counts)
 
         z_item = ZillionItem(name, classification, item_id, self.player, zz_item)
         return z_item
diff --git a/worlds/zillion/item.py b/worlds/zillion/item.py
index fdf0fa8b..5fa481ac 100644
--- a/worlds/zillion/item.py
+++ b/worlds/zillion/item.py
@@ -1,6 +1,34 @@
+from typing import Counter
 from BaseClasses import Item, ItemClassification as IC
 from zilliandomizer.logic_components.items import Item as ZzItem
 
+_useful_thresholds = {
+    "Apple": 9999,
+    "Champ": 9999,
+    "JJ": 9999,
+    "Win": 9999,
+    "Empty": 0,
+    "ID Card": 10,
+    "Red ID Card": 2,
+    "Floppy Disk": 7,
+    "Bread": 0,
+    "Opa-Opa": 20,
+    "Zillion": 8,
+    "Scope": 8,
+}
+""" make the item useful if the number in the item pool is below this number """
+
+
+def get_classification(name: str, zz_item: ZzItem, item_counts: Counter[str]) -> IC:
+    classification = IC.filler
+    if zz_item.required:
+        classification = IC.progression
+        if not zz_item.is_progression:
+            classification = IC.progression_skip_balancing
+    if item_counts[name] < _useful_thresholds.get(name, 0):
+        classification |= IC.useful
+    return classification
+
 
 class ZillionItem(Item):
     game = "Zillion"