Shield Dust - Ability ID 19

In-Game Description

"Immune to added move effects, hazards, and powder moves."

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (280-300 chars max)

Shield Dust provides triple protection: blocks all secondary effects from damaging moves (burn, paralysis, stat drops), grants complete immunity to entry hazards (Stealth Rock, Spikes), and nullifies all powder-based moves. Elite Redux significantly expanded this ability's defensive coverage.

Character count: 293

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Shield Dust has been massively buffed in Elite Redux, providing three distinct types of protection:

constexpr Ability ShieldDust = {
    .breakable = TRUE,
    .powderImmune = TRUE,
};

1. Secondary Effect Immunity

Implemented in battle_script_commands.c (line 2241), Shield Dust prevents ALL secondary effects from damaging moves:

Blocked Effects Include:

• Status conditions: Burn, paralysis, poison, freeze, sleep
• Stat drops: Attack, Defense, Speed, etc. reductions
• Flinching: From moves like Iron Head, Rock Slide
• Confusion: From moves like Water Pulse, Dynamic Punch

Key Details:

• Only blocks SECONDARY effects (30% burn chance on Scald)
• Does NOT block PRIMARY effects (Will-O-Wisp still burns)
• Uses IsPreventableSecondaryEffect() function
• Works alongside Covert Cloak item

2. Entry Hazard Immunity

Implemented in battle_util.c (IsBattlerAffectedByHazards() at line 8306):

Complete Immunity To:

• Stealth Rock
• Spikes (all layers)
• Toxic Spikes
• Sticky Web

Mechanics:

• Functions like built-in Heavy-Duty Boots
• Prevents all hazard damage on switch-in
• Does NOT clear hazards, just ignores them

3. Powder Move Immunity

Via the powderImmune = TRUE flag:

Blocks All Powder Moves:

• Sleep Powder
• Stun Spore
• Poison Powder
• Spore
• Rage Powder
• Cotton Spore
• Magic Powder
• Any move with powder properties

Implementation:

• Checked by IsPowderImmune() in battle_util.c (line 3006)
• Powder moves fail completely against Shield Dust users

Ability Properties

• breakable = TRUE: Can be suppressed by Mold Breaker
• All three immunities are suppressed when ability is broken

Strategic Implications

Defensive Profile:

• Safe switches into hazard-heavy fields
• Immune to status powder strategies
• Protection from RNG secondary effects
• Reliable defensive consistency

Team Value:

• Less reliance on Defog/Rapid Spin
• Counters hazard stacking strategies
• Shuts down powder sleep leads
• Reduces battle RNG

Key Code Locations

• Ability Definition: src/abilities.cc (line 522)
• Secondary Effects: src/battle_script_commands.c (line 2241)
• Hazard Immunity: src/battle_util.c (line 8306)
• Powder Immunity: src/battle_util.c (line 3006)

Pokémon with Shield Dust

Typically found on Bug-type Pokémon and those with protective scales or dusty coatings. The expanded immunities make it valuable on many defensive and support Pokémon.

Competitive Usage Notes

Advantages:

• Eliminates three major battle hazards in one ability slot
• Perfect for leads and pivots
• Counters RNG-heavy strategies
• Enables safer setup

Limitations:

• No offensive benefits
• Vulnerable to Mold Breaker
• Primary effects still work
• Doesn't prevent direct damage

Counters

• Mold Breaker bypasses all immunities
• Direct status moves (Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp)
• Primary effect moves work normally
• Raw offensive pressure

Synergies

• Pivot Pokémon benefit from hazard immunity
• Setup sweepers appreciate RNG protection
• Defensive cores value consistent switches
• Teams weak to hazards gain flexibility

Comparison to Similar Effects

• Heavy-Duty Boots: Only blocks hazards
• Covert Cloak: Only blocks secondary effects
• Safety Goggles: Only blocks powder/weather
• Shield Dust: Combines all three protections

Version History

Elite Redux transformed Shield Dust:

• Original: Only blocked secondary effects
• Elite Redux: Added hazard immunity + powder immunity

This makes Shield Dust one of the most comprehensive defensive abilities in the game, providing unparalleled protection against common battle mechanics.