Explosion is a move that is a Normal-type move with the highest power. Unfortunately, it takes out all your health. So is there a Pokémon with an ability or item that can prevent it from taking all of its health? According to this website, Sturdy does not keep it from draining all of its health.
According to Bulbapedia:
Explosion no longer halves the target's Defense. The user faints before dealing damage, unlike in previous generations.
If all targets of Explosion have already fainted this turn such that there is no target when Explosion is being executed, the user of Explosion will now faint regardless.
Sturdy does not prevent the user of Explosion from fainting.
There is a way to stop it after Gen 3 also according to Bulbapedia:
Explosion cannot be used when a Pokémon with the Ability Damp is on the field. The user's sprite no longer disappears upon using the move.
The focus sash introduced in Gen 4 also doesn't prevent explosion KO'ing the user also according to Bulbapedia:
The Focus Sash does not prevent the user of Explosion from fainting.
To summarise, it can not be stopped prior to Gen 3.
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