Move-of-the-Week Discussion #44: Safeguard

winstein · May 17, 2013

In Pokémon, there are lots of different moves used by different Pokémon. Every week, we shall focus the discussion on a different move, and there will be some base questions that would help you start this off. This week, Safeguard is chosen.

(Click picture to go to the Bulbapedia page)

In-game Description (BW) said:
Type: Normal (Status)
Base Power: --
Accuracy: --%
PP: 25

The user creates a protective field that prevents status problems for five turns.

Safeguard was introduced back in Generation 2, as a method to support any member of the team who are vulnerable to status, since there weren't any way to recover status in Generation 1, unless using Rest (which puts the user to Sleep anyway). This is a nice way to counteract status (even certain volatile ones like confusion) if you predict one coming, even from moves that has a secondary effect of casting one. Remember that any status that is self-inflicted or inflicted before this move went into effect will hit, including a well-timed Yawn. However, Toxic Spikes' effect is prevented. Just like Light Screen and Reflect, there are a wide assortment of users, although not every user gets all three moves at once (or this move and one of them). Even though Safeguard is one of the "screen" moves, it is not boosted in duration by Light Clay as of this Generation.

Here are the usual possible questions about this move:

How does certain Pokémon (who knows it) use this move?
What kind of purpose would this move have for them (in the Pokémon World)?
How could this move be used to aid a profession in the Pokémon World?
Could this move realistically be used by any Pokémon who doesn't learn it normally? If yes, please explain your choices.
How would this move be used in battling, realistically or video game-wise?

Other questions (You could ask other critical questions beyond the listed):

How does Safeguard protect against certain volatile statuses? Some of these status include Attract, Confusion, Leech Seed, Ghost Curse, Encore and Nightmare (Note that Taunt isn't one of them).
Unlike Light Screen and Reflect, Safeguard is a Normal-type move. How is Safeguard not a Psychic-type move?

Here are the current users of this move (put in Spoiler tag due to the large list):

(Level-up)

Butterfree
Vulpix & Ninetales
Seel & Dewgong
Mime Jr. & Mr. Mime
Lapras
Moltres
Dratini, Dragonair & Dragonite
Mewtwo
Chikorita, Bayleef & Meganium
Ledyba & Ledian
Togepi & Togetic
Wynaut & Wobbuffet
Shuckle
Lugia & Ho-oh
Celebi
Swablu & Altaria
Milotic
Chimecho
Luvdisc
Latias & Latios
Bronzor & Bronzong
Finneon & Lumineon
Cresselia
Alomomola

(Technical Machine)
Bulbasaur, Ivysaur & Venusaur
Sandshrew & Sandslash
Cleffa, Clefairy & Clefable
Igglybuff, Jigglypuff & Wigglytuff
Growlithe & Arcanine
Abra, Kadabra & Alakazam
Tentacool & Tentacruel
Slowpoke, Slowbro & Slowking
Drowzee & Hypno
Happiny, Chansey & Blissey
Kangaskhan
Scyther & Scizor
Mew
Mareep, Flaaffy & Ampharos
Bellossom
Sunkern & Sunflora
Wooper & Quagsire
Corsola
Treecko, Grovyle & Sceptile
Beautifly
Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir & Gallade
Shroomish & Breloom
Skitty & Delcatty
Spinda
Lunatone & Solrock
Snorunt, Glalie & Froslass
Gorebyss
Relicanth
Regirock, Regice & Registeel
Kyogre & Groudon
Jirachi
Deoxys
Turtwig, Grotle & Torterra
Wormadam & Mothim
Cherubi & Cherrim
Chingling
Snover & Abomasnow
Togekiss
Uxie, Mesprit & Azelf
Dialga, Palkia & Giratina
Regigigas
Phione & Manaphy
Shaymin
Arceus
Victini
Munna & Musharna
Woobat & Swoobat
Audino
Sewaddle, Swadloon & Leavanny
Cottonee & Whimsicott
Petilil & Lilligant
Maractus
Sigilyph
Yamask & Cofagrigus
Minccino & Cinccino
Gothita, Gothorita & Gothitelle
Solosis, Duosion & Reuniclus
Deerling & Sawsbuck
Frillish & Jellicent
Elgyem & Beheeyem
Litwick, Lampent & Chandelure
Golett & Golurk
Larvesta & Volcarona
Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion & Keldeo
Reshiram, Zekrom & Kyurem
Meloetta

Thanks for reading, and happy discussing!

~ The Pokémon World Forum Staff

Previous Move-of-the-Weeks:

Next Week's Move Hint: A move that shifts the user's position with another.

Enzap · May 17, 2013

I think it's interesting how this move in the anime seems to negate all damage, or in later examples blocks moves that potentially cause status effects. I guess a recurring theme in the Pokemon that learn this move, especially naturally, are that they are all either defensive based Pokemon or control mysterious powers of some kind. Many are Psychic types, and then there are Pokemon such as Dragonair who we know gives off a particular aura that can change the immediate climate. The Pokemon that learn it via TM seem a bit more scattered, so I'm not really sure how they decide who receives it this way. I would assume that Safeguard is a projection of "peaceful" energy that would nullify harmful effects and conditions.

TheCableGuy · May 22, 2013

I think that the reason it works differently in the Anime from the games is because
in the games, all moves are made to be "Standardized" for simplicity of Game mechanics.

But I believe that all moves are more like more like Skills and Techniques in employing the Pokemon's natural abilities
rather then immutable "Laws" that says "this Move does this and does this amount of damage/has this effect."

I can see Safeguard as the user projecting a "Protective Aura" that is an expression of that Pokemon's own innate Protective Will.
Some Pokemon have a stronger Protective desire then others and Some Pokemon are more adapt to Protecting against one Element over another.

Move-of-the-Week Discussion #44: Safeguard

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winstein

Mari-yo Puyo

Enzap

No thoughts, head empty

TheCableGuy

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