Primal Armor (Ability #318)

Basic Information

• Name: Primal Armor
• ID: 318 (ABILITY_PRIMAL_ARMOR)
• Short Description: Takes 50% less damage from Super-effective moves.
• Character count: 297

Extended In-Game Description

Primal Armor reduces damage from super-effective moves by 50%. Activates when moves have 2x or higher type effectiveness, cutting damage to manageable levels. Works against all super-effective attacks regardless of type. Stacks with other damage reduction effects like berries for incredible bulk.

Technical Implementation

Code Structure

constexpr Ability PrimalArmor = {
    .onDefensiveMultiplier =
        +[](ON_DEFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
            if (typeEffectivenessModifier >= UQ_4_12(2.0)) MUL(.5);
        },
    .breakable = TRUE,
};

Trigger Condition

• Activation: When typeEffectivenessModifier >= UQ_4_12(2.0)
• Fixed-Point Math: UQ_4_12(2.0) represents 2.0x type effectiveness using the game's fixed-point arithmetic system
• Threshold: Only activates against moves that deal 2x or greater type effectiveness damage

Damage Calculation

• Multiplier: MUL(.5) = 50% damage reduction
• Effect: Super-effective moves deal half damage (2x becomes 1x, 4x becomes 2x)
• Timing: Applied during the defensive multiplier calculation phase

Properties

• Breakable: TRUE - Can be suppressed by Mold Breaker and similar abilities
• Stackable: Yes - Can stack with other damage reduction effects
• Priority: Applied during the defensive multiplier calculation phase

Game Mechanics

Activation Scenarios

1. 2x Super-Effective: Damage reduced from 2x to 1x (normal effectiveness)
2. 4x Super-Effective: Damage reduced from 4x to 2x (still super-effective but manageable)
3. Higher Multipliers: Any move with effectiveness ≥ 2.0x gets the reduction

Interaction with Other Effects

• Berries: Stacks with type-resist berries (e.g., Wacan Berry for Electric moves)
• Items: Stacks with damage-reducing items
• Weather: Works independently of weather effects
• Critical Hits: Reduction applies to critical hit damage as well
• Other Abilities: Can stack with partner abilities like Friend Guard

Similar Abilities Comparison

Ability	Reduction	Threshold	Breakable
Primal Armor	50%	≥2.0x	Yes
Filter	35%	≥2.0x	Yes
Solid Rock	35%	≥2.0x	Yes
Prism Armor	35%	≥2.0x	No

Strategic Usage

Pokémon with Primal Armor

Based on trainer data analysis, Primal Armor appears as an innate ability on:

• Mega Aggron (as innate ability)
• Bastiodon (as innate ability)
• Mega Steelix (as main or innate ability)
• Regigigas (as selectable ability)
• Primal Kyogre (as innate ability)
• Dialga (as innate ability)
• Zygarde (as innate ability)
• Palkia (as innate ability, uncommon)

Defensive Synergy

• Steel Types: Particularly effective on Steel-types that resist many moves already
• Bulky Pokémon: Maximizes survivability of naturally tanky Pokémon
• Multi-Type Weakness: Essential for Pokémon with multiple weaknesses (like Rock/Steel types)

Counter-Strategies

• Mold Breaker: Completely bypasses Primal Armor
• Neutral Moves: Use moves that don't trigger the ability
• Status Moves: Primal Armor doesn't affect status moves or indirect damage
• Multi-Hit Moves: Each hit gets reduced, but multiple hits can still accumulate damage

Usage Context

Primal Armor is typically found on legendary/pseudo-legendary Pokémon and defensive walls as an innate ability in Elite Redux's 4-ability system. It's especially common on Steel-type walls and Primal/Mega evolved forms, providing them with exceptional bulk against their few remaining weaknesses.

Development Notes

• Part of Elite Redux's enhanced defensive ability suite
• Provides stronger damage reduction than Filter/Solid Rock (50% vs 35%)
• Balanced by being breakable unlike Prism Armor
• Commonly paired with other defensive abilities in the innate ability system