Guard Dog

Gen IX
Effect

Boosts the Pokémon’s Attack stat if intimidated. Moves and items that would force the Pokémon to switch out also fail to work.

GenerationGen IX
Pokemon2
Hidden Ability Holders1
Game Descriptions
Gen IXBoosts the Pokémon’s Attack stat if intimidated. Moves and items that would force the Pokémon to switch out also fail to work.

Guard Dog in Battle

Guard Dog provides two distinct effects. First, when the Pokemon's Attack would be lowered by Intimidate, it instead receives a +1 Attack boost. Second, the Pokemon is immune to all forced switching effects — moves like Roar, Whirlwind, Dragon Tail, and Circle Throw, as well as the item Red Card, cannot force this Pokemon to switch out.

The Intimidate interaction is not a general immunity to Attack drops — only Intimidate specifically triggers the Attack boost. Other sources of Attack reduction function normally against the Pokemon. The switching immunity, however, is comprehensive and prevents all move-based and item-based forced switching.

Guard Dog is found on Mabosstiff and Okidogi. The combination of anti-Intimidate offense and switching immunity makes it valuable in competitive doubles, where Intimidate is one of the most common abilities and forced switching can disrupt positioning. The ability ensures the Pokemon stays in battle and potentially gets stronger when opponents try to weaken it.

Pokemon With Guard Dog (2)

#NameTypeOther AbilitiesHidden?HPAtkDefSpASpDSpeTotal
#943MabosstiffMabosstiffRegular8012090607085505
#1014OkidogiOkidogiHA88128115588680555

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