Protect (move)

Protect
まもる Protect
Protect IX.png
[[File:|300px|center]]
Type  Normal
Category  Status
PP  10 (max. 16)
Power  —
Accuracy  —%
Priority  +4
  • Does not make contact
  • Not affected by Protect
  • Not affected by Magic Coat
  • Not affected by Snatch
  • Not affected by Mirror Move
  • Not affected by King's Rock
Target
Foe Foe Foe
Self Ally Ally
Affects the user
Availability
Introduced  Generation II
Condition  Cute
Appeal  1
Jam  0  
Can avoid being startled by others.
Condition  Cute
Appeal  0  
Raises the score if the Voltage is low.
Condition  Cute
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Jamming  0  
Prevents the user from being startled one time this turn.

Protect (Japanese: まもる Protect) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation II.

It is:

Effect

Main article: Protection

Protect protects the user from all effects of moves that target it during the turn it is used, including damage. This does not include damage at the end of a turn such as from weather or a status condition.

Protect is an increased priority move that will go before most attacks in a turn. If the user goes last in the turn, the move will fail. The chance that Protect will succeed also drops each time the user successfully and consecutively uses Endure, any protection move that only affects the user, Quick Guard, or Wide Guard.

Gen II Gen III Gen IV Gen V Gen VI Gen VII Gen VIII Gen IX
Success rate Times ½ after each use
Times ½ after each use (lowest: 1/8) bug
Times 1/3 after each use
Priority +3
+4

Some moves will do damage through Protect. Most damaging Z-Moves and Max Moves will only do 25% of their original damage, except G-Max One Blow and G-Max Rapid Flow which do full damage. Moves that break protection, like Feint, will do their full damage and remove the effects of Protect. The Ability Unseen Fist allows contact moves to bypass Protect.

Status moves that are unaffected by Protect are listed here. Generally, moves that target the user, moves that target the user and all allies, moves that target all Pokémon (except Shadow Shed and Shadow Half), and entry hazard moves cannot be blocked by Protect.

Generation II

In this generation only, Protect will fail if the user is behind a substitute.

Generation III

In this generation only, the success rate is meant to have a lower bound of 1/8, but a bug causes it to become erratic afterwards instead.

Protect can be used as the second move of a Pokémon Contest combination, with the user gaining 1 bonus appeal point if Harden was used in the previous turn.

Generation IV

In Diamond and Pearl only, due to a bug, if an attack is given perfect accuracy through the effect of a move (Lock-On/Mind Reader), the weather (Thunder in rain or Blizzard in hail), or an Ability (No Guard), it ignores protection with inverted accuracy. OHKO moves are unaffected and will not hit through protection. This bug was fixed in Platinum.

Generation V onwards

If powered up by a Normalium Z into Z-Protect, all of the user's lowered stats are reset.

Description

Games Description
Stad2 Completely foils an opponent's attack. If used consecutively, its success rate decreases.
GSC Foils attack that turn. It may fail.
RSEColo.XD Evades attack, but may fail if used in succession.*
Negates all damage, but may fail if used in succession.*
FRLG Enables the user to evade all attacks. It may fail if used in succession.
DPPtHGSSPBR
BWB2W2
It enables the user to evade all attacks. Its chance of failing rises if it is used in succession.
XYORAS
SMUSUMPE
Enables the user to evade all attacks. Its chance of failing rises if it is used in succession.
SwShBDSPLA
SV
This move enables the user to protect itself from all attacks. Its chance of failing rises if it is used in succession.


Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Level
0007     Monster Water 1 28 28 22 22 22 22 32 18 18 18
0008     Monster Water 1 31 31 24 24 24 25 40 20 20 20
0009     Monster Water 1 31 31 24 24 24 25 44 20 20 20
0027     Field Field 24
0028     Field Field 28
0090     Water 3 Water 3 25 25RSE
29FRLG
16 16 16 16 31 28 28 28
0091    
 
Water 3 Water 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0098     Water 3 Water 3 34 41RSE
38FRLG
29 29 29 29 27 16 16
0099     Water 3 Water 3 38 49RSE
42FRLG
32 32 32 32 27 16 16
0122    
 
Human-Like Human-Like 20 20
0122  
Mr. Mime
Galarian Form
 
 
Human-Like Human-Like 1
0138    
 
Water 1 Water 3 37 37 34 34 34 34 33 41 41
0139    
 
Water 1 Water 3 37 37 34 34 34 34 33 43 43
0140    
 
Water 1 Water 3 41 41
0141    
 
Water 1 Water 3 43 43
0204     Bug Bug 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0205    
 
Bug Bug 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0258     Monster Water 1 37 37 37 37XY
28ORAS
28 12 12 12
0259    
 
Monster Water 1 42 42 42 42XY
32ORAS
32 12 12 12
0260    
 
Monster Water 1 46 46 46 46XY
32ORAS
32 12 12 12
0267    
 
Bug Bug 37
0269    
 
Bug Bug 17 17 17 17XY
37ORAS
37 37
0279    
 
Water 1 Flying 25 25 25 25 1, Evo. 1 1 1
0304    
 
Monster Monster 34 32 32BW
29B2W2
29XY
16ORAS
16 20 20
0305    
 
Monster Monster 37 34 34BW
29B2W2
29XY
16ORAS
16 20 20
0306    
 
Monster Monster 37 34 34BW
29B2W2
29XY
16ORAS
16 20 20
0313     Bug Human-Like 29 29 29 29 29 29 26
0324     Field Field 27 36 36 1, 36XY
30ORAS
30 24 24 24
0341     Water 1 Water 3 23RSE
22FRLG
23 23 23XY
17ORAS
17 24 24 24
0342    
 
Water 1 Water 3 23RSE
22FRLG
23 23 23XY
17ORAS
17 24 24 24
0347    
 
Water 3 Water 3 31 25 25 25XY
49ORAS
49 41 41
0348    
 
Water 3 Water 3 31 25 25 25XY
53ORAS
53 43 43
0361     Fairy Mineral 25 22 22 22XY
32ORAS
32 20 20 20
0362     Fairy Mineral 25 22 22 22XY
32ORAS
32 20 20 20
0372     Dragon Dragon 30 30 30 30 1, Evo. 1, Evo. 1, Evo. Evo.
0373    
 
Dragon Dragon 30 30 30 30 1 1 1 1
0381    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 25 25 25 25XY
4ORAS
4
0410    
 
Monster Monster 1 1 1 1 1 1
0411    
 
Monster Monster 1 1 1 1 1 1
0412  
Burmy
All forms
  Bug Bug 1 1 1 1 1
0413  
Wormadam
All forms
 
 
Bug Bug 10 10 10 1, 10 1, 10
0414    
 
Bug Bug 10 10 10 1, 10 1, 10
0439    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 20 20
0475    
 
Human-Like Amorphous 50 53 53XY
49ORAS
49 28 28 28
0478    
 
Fairy Mineral 1 1 1
0481     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 16 16 16 16 14 14 14
0486     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 24 24 24
0541    
 
Bug Bug 20 20 1, Evo. Evo.
0543    
 
Bug Bug 15 15 15 8
0544    
 
Bug Bug 15 15 15 1
0545    
 
Bug Bug 15 15 15 1
0559    
 
Field Dragon 20
0560    
 
Field Dragon 20
0562     Mineral Amorphous 1 1 1 1
0562  
Yamask
Galarian Form
 
 
Mineral Amorphous 1
0563     Mineral Amorphous 1 1 1 1
0564    
 
Water 1 Water 3 11 11 11 3
0565    
 
Water 1 Water 3 11 11 11 1
0577     Amorphous Amorphous 1 1
0578     Amorphous Amorphous 1 1
0579     Amorphous Amorphous 1 1
0594     Water 1 Water 2 21 21 21 21
0616     Bug Bug 28 28 28 1
0665     Bug Bug 9 1, Evo. Evo.
0704     Dragon Dragon 9 9 15 15
0705     Dragon Dragon 9 9 15 15
0705  
Sliggoo
Hisuian Form
 
 
Dragon Dragon 15
0706     Dragon Dragon 9 1, 9 15 15
0706  
Goodra
Hisuian Form
 
 
Dragon Dragon 15
0712     Monster Mineral 15 15
0713     Monster Mineral 15 15
0713  
Avalugg
Hisuian Form
 
 
Monster Mineral 15
0739     Water 3 Water 3 17
0740    
 
Water 3 Water 3 1
0776    
 
Monster Dragon 9 8
0780    
 
Monster Dragon 9 10
0782     Dragon Dragon 13 4 4
0783    
 
Dragon Dragon 1, 13 1 1
0784    
 
Dragon Dragon 1, 13 1 1
0805    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1USUM 10
0809     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 63 56
0833     Monster Water 1 14 14
0834    
 
Monster Water 1 1 1
0841    
 
Grass Dragon 16 16
0842    
 
Grass Dragon 16 16
0854  
Sinistea
All forms
  Mineral Amorphous 18
0855  
Polteageist
All forms
  Mineral Amorphous 18 18
0866    
 
Human-Like Human-Like 1
0867    
 
Mineral Amorphous 1
0870     Fairy Mineral 1 1
0882    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 7
0883    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 7
0950     Water 3 Water 3 21
1011    
 
Grass Dragon 16
1019    
 
Grass Dragon 16
1024     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 30
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


By TM

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Compatibility
TM17
Every Pokémon can learn this move by TM except the ones listed below and only if marked with ✘.
0010     Bug Bug
0011     Bug Bug
0013    
 
Bug Bug
0014    
 
Bug Bug
0129     Water 2 Dragon
0132     Ditto Ditto
0201     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0202     Amorphous Amorphous
0235     Field Field
0265     Bug Bug
0266     Bug Bug
0268     Bug Bug
0360     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0374    
 
Mineral Mineral
0401     Bug Bug
0412  
Burmy
All forms
  Bug Bug
0415    
 
Bug Bug
0486     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0602     Amorphous Amorphous
0664     Bug Bug
0789     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0790     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0824     Bug Bug
0840    
 
Grass Dragon
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

The user gains the Protect status condition, causing it to be protected from most attacks. The user can still be damaged by items or explosions. The status lasts for 3-6 turns prior to Gates to Infinity, and only 1 turn from Gates to Infinity onwards.

The chance of the move failing rises if the user's most recently used move was Protect or a move that evades enemies' attacks (such as Detect or Endure).

Game Base
Power
Max
Power
Base
PP
Max
PP
Base
Accuracy
Max
Accuracy
Range Target Cuts
corners
MDRB - - 10 - 75% - User User -
MDTDS - - 10 - 75% - User User -
BSL - - 10 - 75% - User User -
MDGtI - - 10 50 —% - User User -
SMD - - 10 30 —% - User User -
With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games:

Pokémon Masters EX

Name Category Cost in move-gauge slots MP
(uses)
Base power Max power Accuracy Target Effect tag(s) Description Playable sync pair(s)
Protect Status 2 1 —% Self Applies the Damage Guard Next effect to the user. Hilda (Summer 2022) & Grapploct  
Sygna Suit Steven & Deoxys (Attack Forme)
Anabel & Snorlax
Marnie (Champion) & Galarian Moltres
Lorelei & Cloyster
Adaman & Vaporeon
Liza (Summer 2023) & Celesteela
Red (Champion) & Articuno
Olivia & Carbink
Elaine & Eevee
Buddy move
Sea Deity Protect Status 1 —% All allies Heals Activation Condition: When weather, terrain, or zone effects are activated.

Deactivation Condition: When all weather, terrain, and zone effects are cleared.

Applies the Damage Guard Next effect to all allied sync pairs. Restores the HP of all allied sync pairs by approximately 20% of their maximum HP. HP is restored by 30% instead when the zone is a Fairy Zone. Returns lowered stats of all allied sync pairs to normal when the weather is rainy.

Sygna Suit Mina & Tapu Fini

Notes:

Description

Games Description
MDRB The user gains the Protect status, preventing damage from enemy attacks and moves.
MDTD Gives the user a Protect status. A Pokémon with the Protect status doesn't take damage from enemy attacks and moves, and is also protected from the effects of moves.
MDS Gives the user a Protect status. A Pokémon with the Protect status doesn't take damage from enemy attacks and moves and is also protected from the effects of moves.
BSL じぶんを まもりじょうたいにかえる まもりじょうたいになると てきのこうげきや わざのこうかを うけない
MDGtI You'll get the Protect status, which enables you to evade enemies' attacks and move effects. Its chance of failing rises if you use it multiple times in a row.
SMD You'll protect yourself and evade enemies' attacks and move effects. But its chance of failure rises if you use it after you use a move that evades enemies' attacks.


In the anime

Main series


Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer


Pokémon Generations


Pokémon Evolutions


In the manga

Ash & Pikachu


Pokémon Adventures


Be the Best! Pokémon B+W


Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl


Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys


Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All

Pocket Monsters Platinum: Aim to Be Battle King!!


Pokémon Pocket Monsters


In other generations

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

Trivia

  • In Generation II, after the "[Pokémon]'s PROTECTING itself!" message appears, there is another message saying that the opponent's move missed. This is caused by Protect's effect internally leading moves with an accuracy check to miss, and was changed in Generation III to omit the second message.
  • Protect is the most common move among the movesets of Video Game World Championships team's winners.
  • Despite having distinct effects in the games, Reflect, Light Screen, Barrier, Protect, and Safeguard are often depicted in the anime seemingly sharing the same effect that Protect has in the games (protecting the user from most the effect of moves).
  • Although Protect is not present as an move in Pokémon GO, it appears to have inspired the Protect Shield used in Trainer Battles. The Protect Shield even has a hexagon tiling pattern, similar to Protect's animation in Generation VII, during which Trainer Battles were introduced.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 守住 Sáujyuh
Mandarin 守住 Shǒuzhù
  Czech Ochranný útok
  Danish Beskyt
  Dutch Bescherm
  Finnish Suojaus
French   Canada Protéger*
  Europe Abri
  German Schutzschild
  Greek Προστασία Prostasía
  Hebrew הגנה Hagana
  Hindi बचाओ Bachao
रक्षा कवच Raksha Kavach
  Indonesian Lindungi
Bertahan
Berlindung
  Italian Protezione
  Korean 방어 Bang-eo
  Polish Ochrona
Portuguese   Brazil Proteção
  Portugal Proteção
Proteger
  Romanian Protecția
  Russian Щит Schit
  Serbian Zaštita
  Spanish Protección
  Swedish Försvara
  Vietnamese Bảo Vệ

References


External links


Variations of the move Protect
  ProtectDetectKing's ShieldSpiky ShieldBaneful BunkerObstructSilk TrapBurning Bulwark


Generation II TMs
01020304050607080910111213141516171819202122232425
26272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950
Generation II HMs
01020304050607
Generation III TMs
01020304050607080910111213141516171819202122232425
26272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950
Generation III HMs
0102030405060708RSE
Generation IV TMs
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920212223
2425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
4748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869
7071727374757677787980818283848586878889909192
Generation IV HMs
01020304 • 05 (DPPtHGSS) • 060708
Generation V TMs
01020304050607080910111213141516171819
20212223242526272829303132333435363738
39404142434445464748495051525354555657
58596061626364656667686970717273747576
77787980818283848586878889909192939495
Generation V HMs
010203040506
Generation VI TMs
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920212223242526
2728293031323334353637383940414243444546474849505152
5354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778
798081828384858687888990919293 • 94 (XYORAS) • 9596979899100
Generation VI HMs
010203040506ORAS07ORAS
Generation VII TMs
SMUSUM
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920
2122232425262728293031323334353637383940
4142434445464748495051525354555657585960
6162636465666768697071727374757677787980
81828384858687888990919293949596979899100
PE
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920
2122232425262728293031323334353637383940
4142434445464748495051525354555657585960
Generation VIII TMs
SwSh
0001020304050607080910111213141516171819
2021222324252627282930313233343536373839
4041424344454647484950515253545556575859
6061626364656667686970717273747576777879
8081828384858687888990919293949596979899
BDSP
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920
2122232425262728293031323334353637383940
4142434445464748495051525354555657585960
6162636465666768697071727374757677787980
81828384858687888990919293949596979899100
Generation VIII TRs (SwSh)
0001020304050607080910111213141516171819
2021222324252627282930313233343536373839
4041424344454647484950515253545556575859
6061626364656667686970717273747576777879
8081828384858687888990919293949596979899
Generation IX TMs
SV
001002003004005006007008009010011012013014015016017018019
020021022023024025026027028029030031032033034035036037038
039040041042043044045046047048049050051052053054055056057
058059060061062063064065066067068069070071072073074075076
077078079080081082083084085086087088089090091092093094095
096097098099100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114
115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133
134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152
153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171
Added in SV 2.0.1
172173174175176177178179180181182183184185186
187188189190191192193194195196197198199200201
Added in SV 3.0.0
202203204205206207208209210211212213214215216
217218219220221222223224225226227228229


  This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.