Can No Guard Hit Fly? Unraveling the Mystery of Ability Interactions
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Yes, No Guard can absolutely hit Fly. The No Guard ability, which ensures that all moves used by the Pokémon with the ability and targeting it will always hit, bypasses the evasion granted by the move Fly. This interaction is a fundamental aspect of understanding ability dynamics in the complex world of combat mechanics. Let’s delve deeper into why and how this works, and explore other similar interactions.
Understanding No Guard and Fly
What is No Guard?
No Guard is an ability that eliminates the accuracy check for both the Pokémon possessing the ability and its opponent. This means that moves used by a Pokémon with No Guard will always hit, and moves used against a Pokémon with No Guard will also always hit, assuming they are not prevented by protection moves like Protect or Detect, or immunities such as being immune to a move’s type. It effectively removes the randomness of accuracy calculations.
What is Fly?
Fly is a two-turn move. On the first turn, the user flies into the air, becoming immune to most attacks. On the second turn, the user comes down and attacks. The flying Pokémon is in a semi-invulnerable state on the first turn, meaning only specific moves like Gust, Twister, Sky Uppercut, Thunder, and Hurricane can hit them reliably.
The Interaction: No Guard vs. Fly
The key here is that No Guard bypasses accuracy checks altogether. Fly relies on its temporary invulnerability (or rather, greatly increased evasion) to avoid damage. Since No Guard removes the need to check for accuracy, the attacking move will always connect, regardless of the evasion bonus provided by Fly. Therefore, if a Pokémon with No Guard uses a move against a Pokémon using Fly (on the turn it’s in the air), the move will land.
Why This Interaction Matters
Understanding ability interactions like this is crucial for several reasons:
- Strategic Depth: Knowing how abilities interact allows players to develop more nuanced strategies.
- Competitive Battling: In competitive battles, these interactions can be the difference between victory and defeat.
- Team Building: When constructing a team, understanding how abilities synergize (or counteract each other) is essential.
- Predictability: While there’s an element of chance in any game, understanding these rules allows for more predictable outcomes based on ability interactions.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into No Guard and Related Mechanics
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to further clarify the mechanics of No Guard and similar interactions:
Q1: Does No Guard affect moves like Protect and Detect?
A: No, No Guard does not bypass Protect or Detect. These moves create a barrier that blocks all attacks (except certain specific moves), regardless of accuracy or ability.
Q2: What happens if both Pokémon have No Guard?
A: If both Pokémon have No Guard, all moves used by and against them will always hit (again, barring protection moves or immunities).
Q3: Does No Guard affect moves with 100% accuracy?
A: Yes, even though moves with 100% accuracy always hit under normal circumstances, No Guard still applies. It ensures they hit even against targets using moves like Double Team to raise their evasion.
Q4: Can No Guard bypass abilities like Levitate?
A: No, No Guard only affects accuracy. Levitate grants immunity to Ground-type moves. No Guard will not allow a Ground-type move to hit a Pokémon with Levitate.
Q5: How does No Guard interact with moves that have a chance to miss, like Dynamic Punch?
A: No Guard eliminates the chance to miss. A move like Dynamic Punch, which has a base accuracy of 50%, will always hit if used by or against a Pokémon with No Guard.
Q6: Does No Guard work on multi-hit moves like Fury Swipes?
A: Yes, No Guard applies to each individual hit of a multi-hit move. If a Pokémon with No Guard uses Fury Swipes, each strike is guaranteed to hit.
Q7: If a Pokémon uses Minimize and then Fly, does No Guard still allow a hit?
A: Yes, No Guard will allow a hit even if the target has used Minimize to drastically increase their evasion. No Guard always negates the evasion boost.
Q8: Are there any abilities that can negate No Guard?
A: No, there are no abilities that directly negate No Guard. However, abilities like Magic Bounce can reflect certain status moves back at the user, effectively preventing them from being affected by the move, although this isn’t a direct counter to No Guard’s accuracy-boosting effect.
Q9: Does No Guard affect moves that OHKO (One-Hit Knock Out)?
A: Yes, No Guard affects OHKO moves like Fissure or Sheer Cold. However, the accuracy check is only one factor in whether these moves succeed. They are also affected by type immunities, the user’s level compared to the target, and abilities like Sturdy.
Q10: How does No Guard interact with moves that change the user’s evasion, like Double Team?
A: If a Pokémon uses Double Team to raise its evasion, No Guard will still negate that evasion boost for any attack targeting that Pokémon.
Q11: If a Pokémon is under the effects of both No Guard and Gravity, what happens?
A: Gravity negates the effects of moves like Fly and abilities like Levitate by grounding the Pokémon. No Guard would still function as normal, ensuring that moves hit, but the Pokémon would already be grounded and vulnerable to Ground-type attacks due to Gravity.
Q12: Can a Pokémon with No Guard still be affected by confusion?
A: Yes, confusion is a separate mechanic from accuracy. No Guard only guarantees that attacks will hit the target. If a Pokémon with No Guard is confused, it still has a chance to hurt itself in its confusion.
Q13: Does No Guard affect moves that target multiple Pokémon, like Earthquake?
A: Yes, No Guard applies to all targets when a move targets multiple Pokémon. If a Pokémon with No Guard uses Earthquake in a Double Battle, it will always hit both opponents, unless they are protected by Protect, Detect, or an immunity.
Q14: How does the move Teleport interact with No Guard?
A: Teleport‘s primary function is to switch out the user in trainer battles. It doesn’t deal damage and can only hit outside of trainer battles when used by a wild Pokémon attempting to flee. No Guard has no relevance to this move.
Q15: Where can I learn more about the intricate rules and strategies in competitive battling?
A: The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) is a fantastic resource for understanding complex game mechanics, including those found in competitive battling scenarios. They offer insights into various games and how learning these systems enhances cognitive skills. Check them out at: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Ability Interactions
Understanding the nuances of ability interactions, like the relationship between No Guard and Fly, is paramount to mastering the strategic depth. It allows for more effective team building, tactical decision-making, and ultimately, greater success. By continuing to explore these intricate mechanics, one can unlock the full potential and elevate their understanding.