Magic Guard

Gen IV

Effect

Protects against damage not directly caused by a move.

GenerationGen IV

Pokemon10

Hidden Ability Holders3

Game Descriptions

Gen IVThe Pokémon only takes damage from attacks.

Gen VThe Pokémon only takes damage from attacks.

Gen VIThe Pokémon only takes damage from attacks.

Gen VIIThe Pokémon only takes damage from attacks.

Gen VIIIThe Pokémon only takes damage from attacks.

Gen IXThe Pokémon only takes damage from attacks.

Magic Guard in Battle

Introduced in Generation IV, Magic Guard prevents all damage that is not directly dealt by a move. The Pokemon takes no damage from weather (sandstorm, hail), entry hazards (Stealth Rock, Spikes), status conditions (burn damage, poison damage), recoil, or any other indirect source of HP loss.

Critically, burn's Attack reduction still applies -- only the residual damage is negated. Life Orb's recoil is also blocked, allowing Magic Guard Pokemon to enjoy the 1.3x power boost with zero HP cost, making it one of the strongest item-ability combinations in competitive play. Prior to Generation V, paralysis could not prevent the Pokemon from moving (though the Speed reduction still applied), and poison would still damage the Pokemon in the overworld.

Found on 10 Pokemon including Clefable, Alakazam, Reuniclus, and Sigilyph, Magic Guard users almost universally carry Life Orb to exploit the free power multiplier, creating some of the most efficient offensive threats in their respective tiers.

Pokemon With Magic Guard (10)

# ▲	Name	Type	Other Abilities	Hidden?	HP	Atk	Def	SpA	SpD	Spe	Total
#035	Clefairy	fairy	Cute CharmFriend Guard (HA)	Regular	70	45	48	60	65	35	323
#036	Clefable	fairy	Cute CharmUnaware (HA)	Regular	95	70	73	95	90	60	483
#063	Abra	psychic	SynchronizeInner Focus	HA	25	20	15	105	55	90	310
#064	Kadabra	psychic	SynchronizeInner Focus	HA	40	35	30	120	70	105	400
#065	Alakazam	psychic	SynchronizeInner Focus	HA	55	50	45	135	95	120	500
#173	Cleffa	fairy	Cute CharmFriend Guard (HA)	Regular	50	25	28	45	55	15	218
#561	Sigilyph	psychic flying	Wonder SkinTinted Lens (HA)	Regular	72	58	80	103	80	97	490
#577	Solosis	psychic	OvercoatRegenerator (HA)	Regular	45	30	40	105	50	20	290
#578	Duosion	psychic	OvercoatRegenerator (HA)	Regular	65	40	50	125	60	30	370
#579	Reuniclus	psychic	OvercoatRegenerator (HA)	Regular	110	65	75	125	85	30	490

Effect Changes

Version	Change Description
Black White	Paralysis cannot prevent the Pokémon from moving, though the Speed cut is unaffected. Poison still damages the Pokémon outside of battle.

Related Abilities (Gen IV)

Ability	Pokemon	Description
Tangled Feet	9	Doubles evasion when confused.
Motor Drive	4	Absorbs Electric moves, raising Speed one stage.
Rivalry	18	Increases damage inflicted to 1.25× against Pokémon of the same gender, but decreases damage to 0.75× against the opposite gender.
Steadfast	16	Raises Speed one stage upon flinching.
Snow Cloak	15	Increases evasion to 1.25× during hail. Protects against hail damage.
Gluttony	39	Makes the Pokémon eat any held Berry triggered by low HP below 1/2 its max HP.
Anger Point	12	Raises Attack to the maximum of six stages upon receiving a critical hit.
Unburden	17	Doubles Speed upon using or losing a held item.

Magic Guard

Magic Guard in Battle

Pokemon With Magic Guard (10)

Effect Changes

Related Abilities (Gen IV)

FAQ