yet another question. the rule book states that before each round of combat "investigators refresh." I understand this is for any skills or spells that were exhausted, but does this also mean you have to roll a die to keep your blessing? and against Ithaqua, at the beginning of combat, when everything has to be rolled for, do blessings, skills, and allies count too? thanks again for all the previous help everyone. I love playing this game, when I teach others, wanna make sure I'm doing it right.

It's a normal Upkeep phase, so investigators roll for Blessings and Curses (unless they just received said bless or curse: they don't roll the first Upkeep). This is particularly important if you're battling Yig and using the Epic Battle deck (I will say no more!).

1) a full upkeep phase is performed every round in the final fight. so yes, you have to roll for bless/curse as well. (faq / dunwich rules, page 11)

2) bless/curse/etc as help against ithaqua's start attack: i would say yes, because its a normal check.

I have battled Ithaqua a few times now and have never rolled for blessings/curses or allies when the AO awakens. I have assumed that these are not 'items'.

...although I have rolled for blessings/curses during each upkeep phase of the final battle...

seems, that i slightly missunderstood the second question. i thought the question was kinda: "can i use that described stuff (bless, etc) to modify the die rolls for each item on the start of the battle."

Right. I didn't cover the other part.

Blessings, Skills, and Allies are not items, so Ithaqua can't blow them away at the start of the battle. Only Common/Unique items and Spells are items. I guess the Patrol Wagon is also an item but that won't affect battle. The Deputy Revolver is an item but is immune from Ithaqua's SoB effect.