Spiky Shield (move)

Spiky Shield ニードルガード Needle Guard

Battles Type  Grass 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

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Self: Affects the user

Availability Introduced  Generation VI Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.

Contests Condition  [[{{{category}}} (condition)|{{{category}}}]] Appeal  0   Jam  0

Super Contests Condition  [[{{{category}}} (condition)|{{{category}}}]] Appeal  0

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Tough Appeal  1 ♥ Jamming  0   Prevents the user from being startled until the turn ends.

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Spiky Shield (Japanese: ニードルガード Needle Guard) is a non-damaging Grass-type move introduced in Generation VI.

Effect

Spiky Shield protects the user from all effects of moves that target the user during the turn it is used, including damage. (This does not include damage afflicted by weather conditions it is susceptible to, or damage from a status ailment that it obtained on a previous turn.) Additionally, if Spiky Shield blocks an attack that would make contact with the user, the attacker suffers damage equal to 1/8 of its maximum HP. However, if an attack is blocked by Spiky Shield, the effects of the user's Rocky Helmet, Rough Skin, and Iron Barbs will not activate. If Sucker Punch is used on a Pokémon that has used Spiky Shield, the move fails and the Pokémon does not take damage.

Using Spiky Shield, Protect, Detect, Endure, King's Shield, Baneful Bunker, Obstruct, Wide Guard, Quick Guard, or Max Guard consecutively divides the chance of success of Protect, Detect, Endure, Spiky Shield, King's Shield, Baneful Bunker, Obstruct and Max Guard by 3 for each consecutive use, with a minimum (1/3)⁶ (1/729 or ~0.1%) chance.

It is an increased priority move that will always go before attacks during the turn.

Feint, Phantom Force, Shadow Force, Hyperspace Hole, and Hyperspace Fury lift Spiky Shield's protection for the rest of the turn. If a damaging Z-Move or Max Move targets a Pokémon that used Spiky Shield, the move will bypass Spiky Shield but only do 25% of the original damage (the effects of Spiky Shield are not lifted).

In addition to damaging Z-Moves and Max Moves, Spiky Shield is unable to defend against any of the following moves:

Move Type Cat. Acupressure  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Aromatic Mist  Fairy  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Bestow  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Block  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Confide  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Conversion 2  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Curse  Ghost  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Doom Desire  Steel  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Feint  Normal  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Future Sight  Psychic  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Hyperspace Fury  Dark  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Hyperspace Hole  Psychic  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Hold Hands  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Mean Look  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Perish Song  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Phantom Force  Ghost  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Play Nice  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Psych Up  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Roar  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Role Play  Psychic  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Shadow Force  Ghost  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Sketch  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Spider Web  Bug  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Tearful Look  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Transform  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Whirlwind  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}}

Moves that target the user, moves that target the user and all allies, moves that target all Pokémon, and entry hazard moves cannot be blocked by Spiky Shield.

If powered up by a Grassium Z into Z-Spiky Shield, the user's Defense stat rises by one stage.

Description

Games Description XYORAS SMUSUM In addition to protecting the user from attacks, this move also damages any attacker who makes direct contact. SwShBDSPLA In addition to protecting the user from attacks, this move also damages any attacker that makes direct contact.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0332		Cacturne		Grass	Human-Like	32ORAS	1, Evo.	1, Evo.BDSP	Evo.
0556		Maractus		Grass		Grass	1ORAS	1	1
0652		Chesnaught		Field		Field	36, 75	1, Evo.		Evo.
0777		Togedemaru		Field	Fairy		49	60
0000	Glimmora	Glimmora		Mineral		Mineral				1
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 breeding

#	Pokémon		Types	Parent Egg Groups		Egg Move
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0511		Pansage		Field		Field		✔USUM
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 obtains the Spiky Shield status and is shielded from enemies' attacks and move effects for one turn. Any contact moves from the enemy will deal damage back to the enemy equal to 10% of their max HP. Using Protect, Detect, Endure, Spiky Shield, King's Shield, Wide Guard, or Quick Guard consecutively reduces the chance of success of the move.

Description

Games Description SMD You'll get the Spiky Shield, which protects you from enemies' attacks and move effects. You counterattack when you're attacked by a contact move. This move's chance of failure rises if you use it after you use a move that evades enemies' attacks. MDRTDX You'll get the Spiky Shield status, which protects you from enemies' moves. You counterattack when you're attacked by a contact move. This move's chance of failure rises if you use it after you've already used a move that blocks enemies' attacks.

In the anime

Millis's Chesnaught Alain's Chesnaught Togedemaru
The user protects itself with a multitude of spikes acting like a shield. In addition to protecting the user from attacks, this move also damages any attacker that makes direct contact.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Chesnaught slams its fists together, and forms a round shield from its forearms. The shield then produces a green force field covered with spikes that protects Chesnaught and those standing behind it.
Millis Steel's Chesnaught	Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction		Debut
Alain's Chesnaught	Curtain Up! Fight the Fights!		None
	Togedemaru curls up and reveals its spikes. If the opponent makes contact with the spikes, they start glowing green and extend, hurting the opponent.
Sophocles's Togedemaru	Battle Royal 151!		None

In the manga

Movie adaptations

Chesnaught
The user produces a protective force field.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Chesnaught forms a round shield from its forearms, protecting Chesnaught from attacks.
Millis Steel's Chesnaught	Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction		Debut

Pokémon Adventures

Chesnaught
The user produces a protective shield.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Chesnaught forms a round shield from its forearms, protecting it from attacks.
X's Marisso	PS590		Debut

In other generations

Core series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Spin-off series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 尖刺防守 Jīmchi Fòhngsáu Mandarin 尖刺防守 Jiāncì Fángshǒu French Pico-Défense German Schutzstacheln Italian Agodifesa Korean 니들가드 Nideulgadeu Polish Kolczasta Tarcza Portuguese Brazil Escudo Espinhoso Portugal Escudo de Picos Spanish Barrera Espinosa

References

Variations of the move Protect
Protect • Detect • King's Shield • Spiky Shield • Baneful Bunker • Obstruct • Silk Trap • Burning Bulwark

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.