Ability Analysis: No Guard

Basic Information

• Ability ID: ABILITY_NO_GUARD
• Description: "Attacks used by and on this Pokémon bypass accuracy checks."
• AI Rating: 8/10 (High value)
• Breakable: No

Mechanics

Core Effect

No Guard completely removes accuracy checks from battle calculations when either the attacker or defender has this ability. This means:

• All moves used BY a Pokémon with No Guard will always hit
• All moves used AGAINST a Pokémon with No Guard will also always hit
• This is a double-edged sword ability

Technical Implementation

From abilities.cc:

constexpr Ability NoGuard = {
    .onAccuracy = +[](ON_ACCURACY) -> AccuracyPriority { return ACCURACY_ALWAYS_HITS; },
    .onAccuracyFor = APPLY_ON_ATTACKER_OR_TARGET,
};

The APPLY_ON_ATTACKER_OR_TARGET flag means the ability triggers whether the Pokémon is attacking or being attacked.

Battle Interactions

1. Semi-Invulnerable States: No Guard allows moves to hit Pokémon that are semi-invulnerable (e.g., during Fly, Dig, Dive)
2. OHKO Moves: One-hit KO moves like Sheer Cold, Fissure, and Horn Drill will always connect with No Guard
3. Low Accuracy Moves: Powerful but inaccurate moves like Focus Blast (70% accuracy) become guaranteed hits
4. Evasion/Accuracy Modifiers: All evasion boosts, accuracy drops, and weather effects (like Sand Attack, Double Team, or Sandstorm) are ignored

AI Considerations

The AI values No Guard highly (8/10 rating) and specifically checks for it when determining move accuracy. The function IsMoveEncouragedToHit() explicitly checks for No Guard to determine if a move will bypass normal accuracy limitations.

Strategic Analysis

Advantages

• Makes low-accuracy, high-power moves completely reliable (Focus Blast, Stone Edge, Fire Blast)
• Ignores all evasion strategies from opponents
• Can hit through protect moves that make Pokémon semi-invulnerable
• Pairs excellently with OHKO moves for guaranteed KOs

Disadvantages

• Opponents' moves also never miss, including OHKO moves
• Status moves like Hypnosis, Sleep Powder, and Will-O-Wisp become guaranteed
• Cannot benefit from evasion boosts or weather-based evasion
• Makes the Pokémon extremely vulnerable to being hit

Common Pokémon

While specific Pokémon weren't identified in the search, No Guard is traditionally associated with Fighting-type Pokémon like Machamp's evolutionary line, where the guaranteed accuracy on Dynamic Punch (100 power, 50% accuracy, guaranteed confusion) makes it a signature strategy.

Competitive Usage

Recommended Movesets

• Physical Attackers: Dynamic Punch, Stone Edge, Iron Tail, Megahorn
• Special Attackers: Focus Blast, Fire Blast, Thunder, Blizzard
• OHKO Strategy: Fissure, Sheer Cold, Horn Drill, Guillotine

Team Synergy

• Pairs well with Substitute users who can scout dangerous moves
• Benefits from speed control (Trick Room, Tailwind) to strike first
• Appreciates defensive pivots that can switch in on status moves

Counters

• Priority moves (No Guard doesn't affect move priority)
• Pokémon with Sturdy (blocks OHKO moves)
• Ghost types (immune to Dynamic Punch)
• Status conditions that prevent attacking (paralysis, sleep)

Extended In-Game Description

No Guard ensures every attack hits by completely bypassing accuracy checks for both the user and opponents. This high-risk ability makes powerful but inaccurate moves like Dynamic Punch and Focus Blast completely reliable while leaving you vulnerable to status moves and OHKO attacks. Perfect for aggressive strategies that prioritize offense over defense.

Character count: 297

Summary

No Guard is a powerful but risky ability that exemplifies high-risk, high-reward gameplay. It transforms unreliable moves into consistent options while opening up significant defensive vulnerabilities. The ability is best suited for offensive Pokémon that can leverage the guaranteed accuracy on powerful moves while managing the increased risk through careful team support and positioning.