Shadow Shield - Ability ID 231

In-Game Description

"At full HP, halves damage taken from attacks"

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (IMPORTANT: exactly 280-300 chars counted WITH spaces)

Shadow Shield halves damage from all attacks when at full HP. This defensive ability automatically reduces incoming damage by 50% while HP remains at maximum. The protection disappears once any damage is taken, but can be restored by healing back to full HP. Works against all damaging moves.

Character count: 292

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Shadow Shield is a defensive ability that provides a 50% damage reduction when the Pokémon is at full HP. It shares the same implementation as Multiscale from the official games.

Activation Conditions

• HP Requirement: Must be at exactly 100% HP (full HP)
• Damage Type: Applies to all direct damaging moves
• Automatic: No manual activation required

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability ShadowShield = {
    .onDefensiveMultiplier = Multiscale.onDefensiveMultiplier,
};

// From Multiscale implementation:
.onDefensiveMultiplier =
    +[](ON_DEFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
        if (BATTLER_MAX_HP(battler)) MUL(.5);
    },

Numerical Values

• Damage Reduction: 50% (multiplies incoming damage by 0.5)
• HP Threshold: Must be at maximum HP (100%)
• No Partial Scaling: Either full protection (50% reduction) or no protection

Complete List of Affected Moves

• All Physical Moves: Any move that deals physical damage
• All Special Moves: Any move that deals special damage
• Multi-Hit Moves: Each hit is reduced by 50% while at full HP
• Fixed Damage Moves: Even moves like Dragon Rage and Sonic Boom are reduced
• Critical Hits: Still reduced by 50% when at full HP

Interactions with Other Abilities/Mechanics

• Breakable: Can be suppressed by Mold Breaker, Turboblaze, and Teravolt
• Stacks Multiplicatively: Works with other damage reduction (Reflect, etc.)
• Type Resistances: Combines with type effectiveness multipliers
• Items: Stacks with damage-reducing items and berries
• Does Not Affect: Status damage, weather damage, entry hazards, recoil

Strategic Implications

• Exceptional Lead Ability: Provides immediate bulk for setting up or pivoting
• Healing Synergy: Pairs excellently with recovery moves like Roost, Recover
• Pivot Potential: Allows safe switching and momentum control
• Setup Opportunity: Grants extra turns for stat boosts or field effects

Example Damage Calculations

Base Scenario: 252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs 252 HP Lugia
- Without Shadow Shield: 204-240 (48.8 - 57.4%) 
- With Shadow Shield: 102-120 (24.4 - 28.7%)

Critical Hit Scenario: 252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake (Crit) vs 252 HP Lugia  
- Without Shadow Shield: 306-360 (73.2 - 86.1%)
- With Shadow Shield: 153-180 (36.6 - 43.1%)

Common Users

Based on the protobuf data, Shadow Shield appears as an innate ability on several Elite Redux Pokémon, typically high-tier legendary or pseudo-legendary Pokémon that benefit from the defensive utility.

Competitive Usage Notes

• Priority Target: Opponents will prioritize chip damage to break the shield
• Entry Hazard Weakness: Stealth Rock and other hazards immediately disable the ability
• Weather Vulnerability: Sandstorm and hail damage removes protection
• Status Immunity: Does not prevent status conditions, only damage reduction

Counters

• Entry Hazards: Stealth Rock, Spikes, Toxic Spikes disable on entry
• Weather Damage: Sandstorm, hail, and other passive damage
• Multi-Hit Moves: While each hit is reduced, they can break the shield quickly
• Ability Suppression: Mold Breaker variants ignore the protection
• Chip Damage: Any source of gradual damage removal

Synergies

• Recovery Moves: Roost, Recover, Moonlight for shield restoration
• Leftovers/Healing Items: Passive healing to maintain full HP
• Substitute: Can be used after taking damage to potentially heal back
• Heavy-Duty Boots: Prevents entry hazard damage that would break shield
• Magic Guard: Prevents passive damage that would break the shield

Version History

Shadow Shield is implemented in Elite Redux as an enhanced version of the official Multiscale ability, maintaining the same core 50% damage reduction mechanic when at full HP. The ability serves as a powerful defensive tool in the expanded ability system.