Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: How to craft TM 007 Protect

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet heavily emphasize TM crafting, giving players an early-game mechanic to plan out their Pokémon attacks. Players can now manufacture new moves once they have the necessary ingredients, eliminating the need to wait for Pokémon levels or rely exclusively on locating numerous TMs scattered about the countryside. Here's how to make Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's TM 007, Protect.

Materials for crafting TM 007 in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Players will require three Lechonk hairs and three Scatterbug powders to make TM 007, Protect. These are obtained by eliminating wild Lechonks and Scatterbugs along the Poco Path at the beginning of the game. Once three of each have been acquired, players should proceed to the nearest Pokémon Center and stop by the TM machine, also known as a Technical Machine machine in-game by NPCs. To make TM Protect, you also need 400 LP, or League Points, which can be earned in a number of ways.

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If trainers employ TM Protect wisely in combat, it is a powerful move in and of itself. A Pokémon can use Protect to shield itself from all attacks during the turn it is employed, but it won't shield it from status effects acquired earlier in the round or from the effects of the weather. Protect's chance of being used successfully decreases with each successful use, so spamming the move and hoping the opponent runs out of moves before launching a high-damage strike isn't a viable tactic.

Most, if not all, Pokémon can learn to Protect since it is a Normal-type move. However, determining when to take defensive action can be difficult. When battling a Pokémon that frequently charges an attack for an additional move, it is best to use this strategy because it gives the trainer a full round to prepare to lessen the damage.