Defense Curl

Type

Normal

Category

status

Power

—

Accuracy

—

PP

40

Priority

0

Target

self

Contact

No

Spread

No

Protect blocks

Yes

Wide Guard blocks

No

A utility move whose value depends on the team's gameplan and the tempo it creates.

• Metagross Mega
• Gardevoir Mega
• Steelix Mega
• Ampharos Mega
• Glalie Mega
• Swampert Mega
• Blastoise Mega
• Charizard Mega Y
• Emboar Mega
• Charizard Mega X
• Snorlax
• Hydrapple
• Venusaur Mega
• Scolipede Mega
• Lopunny Mega
• Golurk Mega
• Blastoise Gmax
• Charizard Gmax
• Camerupt Mega
• Aggron Mega
• Venusaur Gmax
• Swampert
• Blastoise
• Typhlosion
• Charizard
• Raichu Mega Y
• Aggron
• Raichu Mega X
• Scolipede
• Gardevoir
• Musharna
• Raichu Alola
• Clefable Mega
• Politoed
• Steelix
• Chimecho Mega
• Venusaur
• Ampharos
• Typhlosion Hisui
• Snorlax Gmax
• Clefable
• Emboar
• Glalie
• Metagross
• Raichu
• Lopunny
• Forretress
• Chimecho
• Golurk
• Qwilfish
• Camerupt
• Qwilfish Hisui
• Pikachu Starter
• Azumarill
• Castform Snowy
• Castform Rainy
• Castform Sunny
• Castform
• Pikachu
• Pikachu Alola Cap
• Pikachu Belle
• Pikachu Cosplay
• Pikachu Gmax
• Pikachu Hoenn Cap
• Pikachu Kalos Cap
• Pikachu Libre
• Pikachu Original Cap
• Pikachu Partner Cap
• Pikachu Phd
• Pikachu Pop Star
• Pikachu Rock Star
• Pikachu Sinnoh Cap
• Pikachu Unova Cap
• Pikachu World Cap

Defense Curl is a Normal-type status move. It targets the user and has 40 PP. Defense Curl is a Normal-type status move. It targets the user and has 40 PP.

A utility move whose value depends on the team's gameplan and the tempo it creates.

Consider Defense Curl when your team needs the utility it provides rather than direct damage. Status moves define speed control, redirection, protection and disruption in VGC. Its value depends on whether your team can exploit the turns it creates. Check your team composition for Pokémon that benefit from the positioning or tempo it generates.

In team building, Defense Curl competes with other support and disruption options for a limited number of moveslots. Ask whether your team has enough offense to justify a utility move, and whether you have the speed or bulk to use it safely. Many successful teams run one or two status moves that enable the rest of the roster, so treat it as part of your overall gameplan rather than an afterthought.

Common mistakes with Defense Curl include: Using it without a clear plan for the turns it creates. Forgetting that Protect and Detect can block it, wasting a key turn. Not considering how redirectors like Follow Me and Rage Powder change targeting.

Protect and Detect block this move. These interactions are situational, so test them in the team builder and matchup analyzer before committing to the moveslot.

Use the tools below to test Defense Curl in a full team context and compare it with alternative options.

• Protect / Detect: blocks this move.
• Wide Guard: does not block this move.
• Follow Me / Rage Powder: spread moves are not redirected.
• Quick Guard: no effect (non-priority).