Guard Spec.

Guard Spec. エフェクトガード Effect Guard

Pokémon Global Link artwork

Introduced in Generation I Pocket Generation I Items Generation II Items Generation III Items Generation IV Battle Items Generation V Items Generation VI Items Generation VII Items Generation VIII Battle Items Generation IX Battle Items Fling Power 30

The Guard Spec. (Japanese: エフェクトガード Effect Guard) is a type of battle item introduced in Generation I. It temporarily prevents stat reduction.

In the core series games

Price

Games Cost Sell price RGBY/RBY GSC RSEFRLG DPPtHGSS BWB2W2 XYORAS PE BDSP $700 $350 SMUSUM SwSh $1,500 $750 SV $1,500 $375

At Join Avenue's Market, Guard Spec. can be bought in dozens at $6300 each, which equates to $525 per Guard Spec..

Effect

Guard Spec. replicates the effect of the move Mist, which itself has changed through the generations.

Generation I

When used on a Pokémon from the Bag during battle, it creates Mist on that Pokémon's side of the field as long as it is in battle.

The mist protects the Pokémon from opponent's status moves that lower the target's stats (such as Growl and String Shot). It has no effect on damaging moves that have additional effects to lower stats (such as Aurora Beam or Psychic).

Generation II

When used on a Pokémon from the Bag during battle, it creates Mist on that Pokémon's side of the field as long as it is in battle (although it can be passed by Baton Pass).

The mist makes the Pokémon immune to the stat-lowering effects of other Pokémon's moves (both damaging and status moves). It does not prevent the user from decreasing its own stats with its own moves (such as a non-Ghost-type Pokémon using Curse).

Generation III onward

When used on a Pokémon from the Bag during battle, it creates Mist on that Pokémon's side of the field for 5 turns (even if the original Pokémon leaves the field). It also increases the Pokémon's friendship a little.

The mist makes the Pokémon immune to the stat-lowering effects of other Pokémon's moves and Abilities. It does not prevent the user from decreasing its own stats with its own moves (such as a non-Ghost-type Pokémon using Curse).

Wonder Launcher

The Guard Spec. appears as a Wonder Launcher item. It costs 3 points to use.

Description

Games Description Stad Temporarily increases Speed for one battle. GS Prevents stat reduction. (1 BTL) C Prevents stats reduction. (1 BTL) RSEColoXD Prevents stat reduction when used in battle. FRLG An item that prevents stat reduction among party Pokémon for five turns after use. DPPtHGSS BWB2W2 An item that prevents stat reduction among the Trainer's party Pokémon for five turns after use. XYORAS SMUSUMPE SwShBDSPLA An item that prevents stat reduction among the Trainer's party Pokémon for five turns after it is used in battle. SV An item that prevents Pokémon on your side from having their stats lowered in battle for five turns.

Acquisition

Games Finite methods Repeatable methods RBY/RGBY Victory Road Celadon Department Store GSC Team Rocket's HideoutC Goldenrod Department Store, Celadon Department Store RSE Route 103 Mauville and Fallarbor Poké Marts, Lilycove Department Store FRLG Victory Road Celadon Department Store Colo Phenac Poké Mart XD Realgam Tower (Battle CD 18 completion prize) Pyrite Poké Mart DPPt Routes 205Pt and 215DP Veilstone Department Store HGSS Team Rocket HQ Goldenrod Department Store, Celadon Department Store PW Suburban Area, Town Outskirts BW Nacrene City, Shopping Mall Nine B2W2 Castelia City Battle Company Nacrene City, Shopping Mall Nine Join Avenue (Market) XY Routes 13 and 21 Santalune City Poké Mart ORAS Routes 103 and 112 Slateport City Poké Mart, Lilycove Department Store (Level 3) SMUSUM Route 13, Poni Gauntlet, Team Rocket's CastleUSUM Route 2, Route 5USUM, Route 8, and Hau'oli Poké Marts Festival Plaza (Battle Store)MUM PE Route 6, Team Rocket Hideout, Silph Co. All Poké Marts (after obtaining 1 Badge), Celadon Department Store Hidden recurring item (Team Rocket Hideout) SwSh Hammerlocke Poké Mart (south) BDSP Route 215 Veilstone Department Store SV Artazon, Cortondo, Area Zero, Casseroya Lake, Dalizapa Passage, Tagtree Thicket, East Province (Area Three), North Province (Area One), North Province (Area Two), North Province (Area Three), South Province (Area Five) Chansey Supply (after earning 3 Gym Badges) SVTM Kitakami Road, Mossfell Confluence SVID Canyon Biome, Savanna Biome Vending machines (Terarium)

Gallery

Artwork

Artwork from Scarlet and Violet

In the TCG

Guard Spec. appears as a Trainer card in Sheet 2 of the Vending Machine cards released exclusively in Japan.

In the spin-off games

Guard Spec. in Pokémon Masters EX

Pokémon Masters EX

In Pokémon Masters EX, Guard Spec. can only be used by certain sync pairs who have it as an item move.

Name	Category	MP (uses)	Target	Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair(s)
Guard Spec.	Status	2	Allied side	—	Applies the Stat Reduction Defense effect to the allied field of play.	Brycen-Man & Zoroark

Trivia

• In Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, there is a Trainer Tips sign in Celadon City that states Guard Specs. decrease damage taken by Special attacks. This is incorrect, as Guard Specs. protect a Pokémon from having its stats lowered.
  • Interestingly, the item's description in the leaked beta version of Gold and Silver states that it increases Special Defense, which would make the sign retroactively correct. The item's actual effect in the beta, however, is still the same as in the officially released versions of the games.
• In Pokémon Stadium, the Guard Spec.'s description incorrectly states that the item raises the Pokémon's Speed.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 能力防守 Nàhnglihk Fòhngsáu * 效果防護 Haauhgwó Fòhngwuh * Mandarin 能力防守 Nénglì Fángshǒu French Garde-Stats* Défense Spéciale* Défense Spéc* German Megablock Italian Superguardia Korean 이펙트가드 Effect Guard Spanish Protección X* Protec. Especial*

Battle items

X Attack

X Defense

X Sp. Atk

X Sp. Def

X Speed

X Accuracy

Guard Spec.

Dire Hit

Exclusive to Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Aux Power

Aux Guard

Aux Powerguard

Aux Evasion

This item article is part of Project ItemDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all items.