Protect (move)

Move data

Machine/Record

Effects

Protect prevents any attacks targeted at the user from striking, for the duration of the turn. It has priority +4 so will activate before most other moves. The move functions identically to Detect.

The accuracy of Protect decreases by ¹⁄₃ each time it is used consecutively after itself or Detect, Endure, Wide Guard, Quick Guard, Spiky Shield, King's Shield, or Baneful Bunker.

Damage-dealing Z-Moves bypass Protect but deal ¹⁄₄ of the damage.

Changes

In Generations 2-5, the accuracy of Protect decreases by ¹⁄₂ each time it is used consecutively after itself or any protecting move listed above. In Generation 4 only, it has a minimum accuracy of ¹⁄₈ (i.e. from the fourth consecutive use onwards).

In Diamond and Pearl only, Thunder during rain and Blizzard during hail have a 30% chance to bypass Protect.

In Generations 3-4 Protect has priority +3, while in Generation 2 it has priority +2.

In Generation 2, Protect will fail if the user is behind a Substitute.

Z-Move effects

When a Pokémon is holding Normalium Z and uses its Z-Power, Protect turns into Z-Protect and eliminates any stat drops applied to the user, in addition to its usual effect as above.

Move target

Targets the user.

Other languages

Game descriptions