If you’re a fan of Pokémon, you’ve probably come across a variety of abilities that can change the tide of a battle. Some abilities are well-known, like “Levitate” or “Intimidate,” but there’s one that can really make a difference—”No Guard.” At first glance, the name alone might leave you scratching your head, wondering what exactly it does. Well, I’m here to break it down for you! I’ve had my share of battles where this ability came in clutch, and today, I want to explain just how No Guard works and why it might just become your favorite hidden talent.

What is No Guard in Pokémon?

No Guard is an ability in Pokémon that affects both you and your opponent. The key feature of No Guard is that every move used by a Pokémon with this ability will always hit, and all moves used against it will also hit. In simpler terms, if you or your opponent has No Guard, there’s no such thing as a “miss” in the battle. This can be both an advantage and a challenge, depending on how you use it.

I remember the first time I encountered a Pokémon with No Guard. It was in a competitive battle, and my opponent’s Machamp had the ability. At first, I thought, “Okay, no big deal, I’ll just use some evasive moves,” but to my surprise, all my Pokémon’s dodging moves failed! Machamp’s punches were landing left and right, and before I knew it, I was knocked out in a few turns. This ability turned out to be a game-changer that day, and I’ve never underestimated it since.

How Does No Guard Affect the Battle?

When No Guard is in play, there are no misses. For example, normally, moves like Thunder or Fire Blast have low accuracy and can miss, but if the Pokémon with No Guard is using those moves, they’re guaranteed to hit. While this is great for the attacker, it also means that any move, even moves with low accuracy, will hit the Pokémon with No Guard.

Take my encounter with a wild Gengar that had No Guard. I used my Charizard’s Fire Blast, and even though Fire Blast usually has a low chance of hitting, it landed perfectly. But then, Gengar turned around and hit me with its own Shadow Ball. I couldn’t avoid it, and neither could Gengar! That experience taught me how important it is to understand the pros and cons of No Guard in battles.

Who Can Have No Guard?

In terms of Pokémon, No Guard is an ability typically found in fighters and brawlers. One of the most famous Pokémon with this ability is Machamp, the big, tough Fighting-type that packs a punch. Other Pokémon with No Guard include Gengar, Golett, and Conkeldurr. These Pokémon are usually physical attackers, meaning their main strength lies in dealing heavy damage with their moves.

The Pros and Cons of No Guard

Pros:

1. Never Miss: Moves like Thunder, Fire Blast, and Stone Edge will always hit their target.
2. Can Use Powerful Moves: With No Guard, you can confidently use powerful moves that you would otherwise avoid due to their low accuracy.
3. Pressure on Opponents: Your opponent can’t rely on evasive tactics, and they’ll need to adapt their strategies to deal with your guaranteed hits.

Cons:

1. Opponent’s Moves Always Hit: If your opponent also has No Guard, all their moves will hit you too.
2. Vulnerable to Status Moves: With no chance to dodge, moves like Toxic or Will-O-Wisp will land, potentially crippling your Pokémon.

For instance, when I faced a Gengar with No Guard, I tried to use a move like Will-O-Wisp to burn it and lower its attack. However, the move hit despite Gengar’s high speed and my hope for it to dodge. That’s when I realized that the No Guard ability isn’t just a tool for offense but also a challenge in defense.

How to Use No Guard to Your Advantage?

If you have a Pokémon with No Guard, the key is to embrace powerful moves that are typically risky due to their low accuracy. Moves like Focus Blast, Stone Edge, and Dynamic Punch become incredibly effective when paired with No Guard. These moves usually have a risk of missing, but with No Guard, you never have to worry about that.

On the flip side, you also need to be careful with your defenses. A Pokémon with No Guard is vulnerable to status effects, and any physical or special moves from the opponent will connect without fail. Therefore, consider pairing your No Guard Pokémon with Pokémon that can offer support, like those with healing moves or defensive abilities.

Conclusion:

In the world of Pokémon, No Guard is a unique ability that can turn a battle on its head. While it guarantees that every move will land, it also means that you’re vulnerable to your opponent’s attacks as well. To make the most of this ability, you need to be strategic, using powerful moves and preparing for the risks that come with it. My experience battling with and against Pokémon with No Guard has taught me that the ability is all about confidence in your offensive power—just be ready to face the consequences of your moves always hitting the mark!

FAQ:

1. Can No Guard be passed through breeding?

Yes, Pokémon with No Guard can pass the ability down through breeding, but not all Pokémon can inherit it. Make sure the parent with No Guard is the one breeding with your other Pokémon for the best chance.

2. Is No Guard good for all Pokémon?

Not necessarily. No Guard is best used with Pokémon that already have high offensive stats and moves that benefit from always landing. It’s less useful on Pokémon that rely on evasive moves or those that have lower defenses.

3. Does No Guard work with moves that always hit?

Yes! Even moves that are designed to always hit, such as Aerial Ace or Swift, will still land when a Pokémon has No Guard. However, these moves usually don’t benefit as much from No Guard as moves with low accuracy would.