What Moves Turn Into Max Guard? The Ultimate Defense Guide
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In the world of Pokemon, defense is just as crucial as offense. When diving into the intricacies of Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing in Pokemon Sword and Shield, understanding Max Guard is paramount. So, what exactly transforms into this impenetrable shield? Any Status move used by a Dynamaxed or Gigantamaxed Pokemon turns into Max Guard. This applies universally, regardless of the status move’s original type.
Understanding Max Guard
Max Guard is a Normal-type move that offers complete protection from almost all attacks for a single turn. It’s the Dynamax and Gigantamax equivalent of Protect, but with some crucial differences. While standard protection moves like Protect and Detect become less effective if used consecutively, Max Guard suffers from the same diminishing returns. However, unlike Protect, Max Guard is the ONLY protection move that completely blocks other Max Moves, although damaging Max Moves will deal 25% of their total damage.
The Universality of Status Move Conversion
The beauty (and sometimes the frustration) of this mechanic lies in its simplicity. It doesn’t matter if the original move was a Dark-type Taunt, a Poison-type Toxic, or a Fairy-type Charm. If it’s classified as a Status move, it becomes Max Guard when used by a Dynamaxed or Gigantamaxed Pokemon. This impacts strategy significantly, especially when predicting your opponent’s moves.
Strategic Implications
Knowing that all Status moves convert to Max Guard forces players to carefully consider their move selection. If your opponent is Dynamaxed and you predict a Status move, you can prepare for a Max Guard. This opens opportunities to use moves that benefit from the opponent’s defense, such as setting up entry hazards or using stat-boosting moves without immediate threat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Max Guard
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Max Guard to help you master this essential defensive move:
1. What exactly is a Status move?
A Status move is any move that doesn’t directly inflict damage. Instead, these moves alter the battlefield conditions, inflict status conditions (like poison or paralysis), boost the user’s stats, or debuff the opponent’s stats. Examples include Protect, Thunder Wave, Swords Dance, and Toxic.
2. Does Max Guard protect against everything?
Almost. Max Guard provides complete immunity to almost all direct attacks. However, certain moves and abilities can bypass Max Guard. Moves like Feint and abilities like Mold Breaker ignore protection moves, making them effective counters.
3. Can Max Guard be used multiple times in a row?
Yes, but its success rate decreases with each consecutive use. This is similar to how Protect and Detect function. Repeatedly using Max Guard makes it increasingly likely that subsequent attempts will fail, leaving you vulnerable.
4. What happens if I try to use a Z-Move against Max Guard?
Z-Moves, which were a mechanic introduced in earlier generations, are completely blocked by Max Guard. The Z-Move will fail to inflict any damage on the protected Pokemon.
5. Does Max Guard protect against secondary effects?
Generally, yes. Max Guard protects against the initial attack and its associated secondary effects, such as paralysis from Body Slam or burn from Scald.
6. How does Max Guard interact with entry hazards like Stealth Rock?
Max Guard protects against direct attacks, so using it won’t prevent entry hazards from being set up on your side of the field. If you switch into a Pokemon with Max Guard active, they’ll still take damage from entry hazards as usual upon entry.
7. Can Max Guard be used to scout my opponent’s move?
Yes, absolutely. Max Guard is an excellent scouting tool. If you’re unsure of what your opponent is going to do, using Max Guard can give you a free turn to gather information without taking damage.
8. What are some strategies for dealing with Max Guard?
Several strategies can counter Max Guard. Using moves that bypass protection, setting up entry hazards, or using stat-boosting moves while the opponent is behind Max Guard are all effective tactics. Prediction is key!
9. Does Max Guard protect against weather effects like Hail or Sandstorm?
No, Max Guard does not protect against damage from weather conditions or status conditions like poison or burn that are already in effect. These continue to inflict damage as normal.
10. What’s the difference between Protect and Max Guard?
Protect is a standard move that protects against most attacks, but its success rate decreases with each consecutive use. Max Guard is the Dynamax and Gigantamax equivalent, turning Status moves into a defensive tool that offers complete protection from almost all attacks. In addition, damaging Max Moves deal 25% of their total damage against targets that use protection moves (such as Protect and Spiky Shield), whereas only Max Guard fully protects against Max Moves.
11. Does the type of the original Status move matter when using Max Guard?
No, the original type of the Status move is irrelevant. All Status moves convert to Max Guard, which is a Normal-type move.
12. Can Max Guard be used by non-Dynamaxed Pokemon?
No, Max Guard is exclusively available to Dynamaxed and Gigantamaxed Pokemon. Standard Pokemon must rely on moves like Protect, Detect, and Spiky Shield for protection.
13. How does Max Guard interact with abilities like Prankster?
Prankster increases the priority of Status moves. However, when Dynamaxed, Status moves turn into Max Guard regardless of the priority boost. Therefore, Prankster will not make Max Guard activate before other moves that have already been selected.
14. What happens if my Pokemon is taunted and then Dynamaxes?
If your Pokemon is taunted and then Dynamaxes, the taunt effect is negated, allowing it to use Status moves, which will then become Max Guard.
15. Are there any moves that are guaranteed to break through Max Guard?
While very few moves completely bypass Max Guard, moves with abilities like Mold Breaker or Teravolt will ignore the effects of Max Guard, allowing the attack to land as if Max Guard wasn’t in effect.
Mastering the Dynamax and Gigantamax Metagame
Understanding Max Guard is essential for mastering the Dynamax and Gigantamax mechanics. By knowing which moves convert and how to strategically counter Max Guard, you can gain a significant advantage in battles. Remember, the key is to anticipate your opponent’s moves and adapt accordingly.
The world of Pokemon is constantly evolving, and staying informed about these mechanics is crucial for competitive play. For more insights into gaming, education, and the intersection of the two, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. It’s a valuable resource for understanding how games can enhance learning and development.