No Guard vs. Guts: Which Ability Reigns Supreme?
In the complex world of Pokémon battling, choosing the right ability can make or break your team. When it comes to offensive powerhouses like Machamp, the decision often boils down to No Guard or Guts. So, which ability is superior? The answer isn’t always straightforward, as both offer unique benefits and drawbacks. However, for most competitive scenarios, No Guard edges out Guts as the more consistently valuable option.
No Guard’s guaranteed accuracy is incredibly powerful, removing the risk of missing crucial moves. This consistency, particularly with moves like Dynamic Punch (guaranteed confusion) and Stone Edge, allows for reliable status infliction and damage output. While Guts provides a significant Attack boost when afflicted with a status condition, it requires that you actively seek out (or at least accept) a status ailment. The reliance on status conditions makes Guts inherently more situational. You’re relying on your opponent to inflict a status condition or wasting a turn inflicting one on yourself with a Flame Orb. The turn wasted using a status condition item could have been spent landing the crucial blow to take out the opponent.
The edge that No Guard has in the consistency of the moves to hit is often the key factor in deciding whether No Guard is a better option than Guts.
Ultimately, the “better” ability depends on the Pokémon, the team composition, and the meta in which you’re battling. However, the reliable accuracy boost provided by No Guard generally makes it the more versatile and strategically sound choice for offensive powerhouses.
Understanding the Strengths of No Guard
No Guard’s primary advantage is its unwavering accuracy. Every move used by or against a Pokémon with No Guard will hit, unless the target is protected by Protect, Detect, or is immune to the move type. This is a game-changer for several reasons:
- Reliable Status Infliction: Moves like Dynamic Punch, with its 100% chance of causing confusion, become incredibly potent. You can consistently disrupt your opponent’s strategy and force switches.
- Consistent Damage Output: High-power, low-accuracy moves like Stone Edge become far more viable. The removal of the accuracy check turns them into reliable sources of damage.
- Bypassing Semi-Invulnerable Turns: No Guard allows you to hit opponents during the semi-invulnerable turns of moves like Fly, Dig, and Dive. This can catch opponents off guard and prevent them from stalling.
Dissecting the Power of Guts
Guts is an ability that boosts the Attack stat by 50% when the Pokémon is afflicted with a status condition (paralysis, poison, burn, freeze, or sleep). Here’s why Guts can be appealing:
- Massive Attack Boost: The 50% Attack increase is substantial, turning already powerful Pokémon into offensive monsters.
- Status Condition Immunity (Sort Of): While not preventing status conditions, Guts allows you to leverage them for your benefit. This can be particularly effective against strategies that rely on crippling status.
- Synergy with Items: The common strategy is to self-inflict a burn with a Flame Orb, activating Guts on the first turn. This provides immediate power without relying on the opponent.
Comparing the Two Abilities
| Feature | No Guard | Guts |
|---|---|---|
| —————- | ———————————————- | ———————————————— |
| Primary Benefit | Guaranteed accuracy | 50% Attack boost when statused |
| Activation | Always active | Requires a status condition |
| Consistency | Highly consistent, always reliable | Dependent on status infliction |
| Strategic Use | Disruption, reliable damage, bypassing stalls | Offensive powerhouse, punishing status strategies |
| Drawbacks | Opponent’s moves also never miss | Requires status infliction, limits movepool choices |
Team Composition and Meta Considerations
The ideal ability choice also depends on your team composition and the current meta. If your team struggles with accuracy, No Guard can provide much-needed reliability. If your team can effectively capitalize on a massive Attack boost, Guts might be the better option.
In a meta dominated by status-inflicting moves, Guts can be a valuable asset. However, in a meta focused on raw power and speed, No Guard’s consistency might be more advantageous. The most relevant choice will shift as the meta does.
Specific Pokémon Considerations
While the general consensus leans towards No Guard for offensive powerhouses, certain Pokémon might benefit more from Guts. Pokémon with naturally high Attack stats and access to strong priority moves can take full advantage of the Guts boost.
FAQs: No Guard vs. Guts
1. Does No Guard affect all Pokémon on the field?
No, No Guard only affects the accuracy of moves used by and against the Pokémon with the ability. Your partner Pokémon will not get the bonus of their moves always hitting when in a double battle.
2. Does No Guard ignore type immunities?
No, No Guard does not bypass type immunities. A Fighting-type move used by a No Guard Pokémon will still have no effect on a Ghost-type Pokémon.
3. Can No Guard hit Pokémon using Fly or Dig?
Yes, No Guard allows moves to hit Pokémon during the semi-invulnerable turn of moves like Fly, Dig, and Dive. This makes it a valuable counter to stalling strategies.
4. Does No Guard ignore accuracy and evasion modifiers?
Yes, No Guard effectively ignores all accuracy and evasion modifiers. The accuracy check is simply removed from the equation.
5. Is No Guard Machamp viable?
Yes, No Guard Machamp is a highly viable and popular choice due to its ability to reliably inflict confusion with Dynamic Punch.
6. Is Guts Machamp viable?
Guts Machamp can be viable, but it faces more competition and requires careful planning to activate the ability consistently.
7. What items are commonly used with Guts?
The most common item used with Guts is the Flame Orb, which inflicts a burn on the holder at the end of the first turn. Toxic Orb, which poisons the holder at the end of the first turn is also an option.
8. Does Protect block moves used by No Guard Pokémon?
Yes, Protect and Detect will block moves used by No Guard Pokémon, just like any other move.
9. Does Magic Bounce reflect moves used by No Guard Pokémon?
Yes, Magic Bounce will reflect status moves used by a No Guard Pokémon, as it doesn’t affect the accuracy of the move.
10. Is No Guard useful in double battles?
Yes, No Guard can be very useful in double battles, especially for reliably inflicting status conditions or landing powerful attacks on key targets.
11. What are the best moves to use with No Guard?
The best moves to use with No Guard are those with high power but low accuracy, or those with valuable secondary effects that are dependent on hitting, such as confusion or paralysis.
12. What are the best moves to use with Guts?
The best moves to use with Guts are powerful STAB moves that can capitalize on the increased Attack stat. Priority moves can also be useful for picking off weakened opponents.
13. Does Mold Breaker bypass No Guard?
No, Mold Breaker does not bypass No Guard. Mold Breaker ignores abilities that would prevent the effect of the move, but No Guard affects the accuracy check, not the effect.
14. What is the difference between No Guard and Hustle?
No Guard makes all moves hit. Hustle increases Attack by 50% but decreases Physical Attack accuracy by 20%. Hustle has potential for failure whereas No Guard does not.
15. Is No Guard a good ability in Pokémon GO?
No Guard is not currently an ability in Pokémon GO.
Conclusion
Choosing between No Guard and Guts depends on a variety of factors, including the Pokémon, the team composition, and the meta. While both abilities offer significant benefits, No Guard’s consistent accuracy makes it the more versatile and strategically sound choice for many offensive powerhouses. The ability to reliably inflict status conditions and land powerful attacks without the risk of missing is invaluable in competitive battling.
For those interested in exploring the intersection of games and learning, resources such as the Games Learning Society offer valuable insights. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.