Prism Scales - Ability ID 272

In-Game Description

"Takes 30% less damage from Special attacks."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Prism Scales reduces damage from all Special attacks by 30%. This defensive ability provides excellent protection against special sweepers and powerful special moves. Works against all forms of special damage including status moves that deal damage. The ability is breakable by Mold Breaker effects.

Character count: 284

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

• Damage Reduction: Multiplies incoming special attack damage by 0.7 (30% reduction)
• Activation: Triggers automatically when the Pokémon is targeted by any special attack
• Move Classification: Uses the IS_MOVE_SPECIAL(move) check to determine if a move is special

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability PrismScales = {
    .onDefensiveMultiplier =
        +[](ON_DEFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
            if (IS_MOVE_SPECIAL(move)) MUL(.7);
        },
    .breakable = TRUE,
};

Activation Conditions

• Target must have Prism Scales ability
• Incoming move must be classified as special
• Ability must not be suppressed or broken

Numerical Values

• Damage Multiplier: 0.7 (30% damage reduction)
• Effective HP Increase: ~43% more bulk against special attacks
• Breakable: Yes, can be bypassed by Mold Breaker, Teravolt, Turboblaze

Complete List of Affected Moves

All moves with the Special category are affected, including:

• Standard special attacks (Flamethrower, Surf, Thunderbolt, etc.)
• Multi-hit special moves (each hit reduced by 30%)
• Variable power special moves (Weather Ball, Hidden Power, etc.)
• Status moves that deal damage (Seismic Toss, Night Shade are NOT affected as they're physical)

Interactions with Other Abilities/Mechanics

• Mold Breaker Effects: Completely bypassed by Mold Breaker, Teravolt, Turboblaze
• Type Resistances: Stacks multiplicatively with type resistances and weaknesses
• Critical Hits: Critical hits still receive the 30% reduction
• Multi-hit Moves: Each individual hit is reduced by 30%
• Weather/Terrain: Does not interact with weather or terrain effects
• Items: Stacks with defensive items like Assault Vest

Strategic Implications

• Defensive Core: Excellent for special tanks and defensive pivots
• Special Walls: Transforms moderate special defense into excellent special bulk
• Synergy with HP: Most effective on Pokémon with high HP stats
• Team Role: Ideal for checking special attackers and special-based weather teams

Example Damage Calculations

Base Damage: 100
With Prism Scales: 100 × 0.7 = 70 damage
Effective Bulk Increase: 100/70 = ~43% more special bulk

If combined with a 2x type resistance:

Base Damage: 100
Type Resistance: 100 × 0.5 = 50
With Prism Scales: 50 × 0.7 = 35 damage
Total Reduction: 65% damage reduction

Common Users

Based on the codebase analysis, Prism Scales appears as both a regular ability and innate ability on various Pokémon, including:

• Several Dragon-type Pokémon (often Water/Dragon combinations)
• Defensive wall Pokémon with high special defense
• Legendary and pseudo-legendary Pokémon as an innate ability

Competitive Usage Notes

• Meta Positioning: Strong in special attack-heavy metagames
• Team Building: Pairs well with physical walls to create balanced defensive cores
• Prediction: Most effective when switched into predicted special attacks
• Longevity: Increases staying power significantly against special attackers

Counters

• Mold Breaker: Completely negates the ability
• Physical Attacks: No protection against physical moves
• Mixed Attackers: Can be overwhelmed by opponents using both attack stats
• Ability-changing Moves: Gastro Acid, Worry Seed, etc. can remove the ability

Synergies

• Assault Vest: Stacks with AV's special defense boost
• Recovery Moves: More effective healing due to reduced damage taken
• Leftovers/Rocky Helmet: Passive damage becomes more significant relative to damage taken
• Marvel Scale: If status inflicted, provides additional defense boost

Version History

• Added as ability ID 272 in Elite Redux
• Functions as both regular and innate ability
• Breakable by standard ability-breaking effects