Ice Scales - Ability ID 246

In-Game Description

"Halves damage taken by Special moves. Does NOT double SpDef."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Ice Scales provides exceptional special defensive utility by halving all incoming special attack damage. Unlike abilities that boost stats, this damage reduction occurs after stat calculations, making it incredibly reliable. Can be suppressed by Mold Breaker-type abilities.

Character count: 292

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Ice Scales is a defensive ability that reduces damage from special moves by 50%. It functions as a damage multiplier applied during damage calculation, specifically using the onDefensiveMultiplier hook with a 0.5x multiplier when the incoming move is classified as special (checked via IS_MOVE_SPECIAL(move)).

Key Mechanics:

• Damage Reduction: Applies a 0.5x multiplier to all special move damage
• Timing: Applied during damage calculation, after stat calculations
• Move Classification: Only affects moves flagged as special attacks
• Suppression: Can be bypassed by abilities like Mold Breaker (marked as breakable = TRUE)
• Stacking: Does not stack with other damage reduction effects

Comparison to Similar Abilities:

• Fur Coat: Physical counterpart that halves physical move damage
• Prism Scales: Similar concept but reduces special damage by 30% instead of 50%
• Solid Rock/Filter: Reduce super effective damage rather than all special damage

Counterplay:

• Mold Breaker, Teravolt, Turboblaze can ignore the damage reduction
• Physical attacks are unaffected
• Status moves and indirect damage (like Stealth Rock) bypass the protection
• Critical hits still deal increased damage, but the base damage is still halved

Notable Users in Elite Redux:

Based on trainer data analysis, Ice Scales is commonly found on:

• Glaceon (defensive wall sets)
• Various Ice-type Pokemon as a defensive utility ability
• Often paired with other defensive abilities in the 4-ability system

This ability is particularly valuable in the Elite Redux metagame due to the prevalence of special attackers and the 4-ability system allowing for defensive synergies.