Prismatic Fur - Ability ID 440

In-Game Description

"Color Change + Protean + Fur Coat + Ice Scales."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Prismatic Fur combines four abilities: changes type to resist attacks (Color Change), changes type to match moves (Protean), halves physical damage (Fur Coat), and halves special damage (Ice Scales). Creates ultimate defensive versatility with type adaptation.

Character count: 292

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Prismatic Fur is an extremely powerful hybrid ability that combines the effects of four separate abilities into one comprehensive defensive package. It provides both defensive multipliers and type-changing mechanics.

Component Abilities Analysis

1. Color Change Component

• Trigger: When the Pokémon is targeted by an attack
• Effect: Changes the Pokémon's type to the one that resists the incoming move most effectively
• Timing: Before the attack hits
• Limitation: Once per turn activation

2. Protean Component

• Trigger: When the Pokémon uses an attack
• Effect: Changes the Pokémon's type to match the move being used
• Timing: Before the attack is executed
• Limitation: Once per turn activation
• Benefit: Provides STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) on all moves

3. Fur Coat Component

• Effect: Halves all physical damage taken (0.5x multiplier)
• Coverage: Affects all contact and non-contact physical moves
• Interaction: Stacks multiplicatively with type resistances

4. Ice Scales Component

• Effect: Halves all special damage taken (0.5x multiplier)
• Coverage: Affects all special moves
• Interaction: Stacks multiplicatively with type resistances

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability PrismaticFur = {
    // Ice Scales + Fur Coat effect - halves ALL damage
    .onDefensiveMultiplier = +[](ON_DEFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) { MUL(.5); },
    
    // Combined Protean + Color Change logic
    .onBeforeAttack = +[](ABILITY_ON_BEFORE_ATTACK) -> int {
        // Protean activates when attacking
        if (battler == attacker && Protean.onBeforeAttack(DELEGATE_ON_BEFORE_ATTACK)) 
            return TRUE;
        // Color Change activates when being attacked
        return ColorChange.onBeforeAttack(DELEGATE_ON_BEFORE_ATTACK);
    },
    .onBeforeAttackFor = APPLY_ON_ATTACKER_OR_TARGET,
};

Activation Priority

1. Defensive multiplier: Always applies first (0.5x damage)
2. Type changes: Processed before damage calculation
3. Protean: Takes priority when the Pokémon is attacking
4. Color Change: Activates when being targeted

Mathematical Damage Reduction

With the 0.5x multiplier from both physical and special defense:

• Neutral effectiveness: 0.5x damage (50% reduction)
• Not very effective (0.5x): 0.25x damage (75% reduction)
• Super effective (2x): 1.0x damage (normal damage)
• 4x super effective: 2.0x damage (still only double)

Strategic Implications

Offensive Benefits

• STAB on all moves: Protean component provides 1.5x damage on every attack
• Unpredictable typing: Opponents can't predict your type from team preview
• Coverage optimization: Can adapt type for optimal damage output

Defensive Benefits

• Universal damage reduction: Resists both physical and special attacks
• Type adaptation: Can become resistant to predicted threats
• Status move immunity: Can change to types immune to certain status moves
• Entry hazard resistance: Can adapt to resist Stealth Rock and spikes

Unique Interactions

• Multi-hit moves: Each hit triggers separate type evaluation
• Priority moves: Type changes occur before damage calculation
• Weather immunity: Can adapt to become immune to weather damage
• Status immunity: Can change to types immune to certain status conditions

Counterplay and Limitations

Direct Counters

• Mold Breaker: Ignores the ability entirely
• Neutralizing Gas: Suppresses all ability effects
• Ability suppression moves: Role Play, Skill Swap, etc.

Strategic Counters

• Mixed attackers: Force adaptation between physical/special
• Multi-type moves: Harder to optimally resist
• Status moves: Some cannot be resisted by type changes
• Entry hazards: Set up before type adaptation

Timing Limitations

• Once per turn: Both type changes have turn limitations
• Prediction dependent: Color Change requires knowing incoming moves
• Switch vulnerability: Type resets on switching out

Competitive Viability

Tier Assessment

• Extremely high: One of the most powerful defensive abilities
• Format defining: Likely to be banned in many competitive formats
• Versatility: Works on any Pokémon regardless of base stats

Team Synergy

• Pivot Pokémon: Excellent for switching into threats
• Defensive core: Provides unparalleled mixed bulk
• Stall teams: Nearly unbreakable defensive presence
• Balance teams: Provides both offensive and defensive utility

Common Applications

• Physical walls: Enhanced by Ice Scales coverage
• Special walls: Enhanced by Fur Coat coverage
• Mixed walls: Covers both attack types perfectly
• Utility Pokémon: Can adapt to any role needed

Notable Interactions

Type Change Mechanics

• Dual typing: Retains dual typing when applicable
• Form changes: Interacts with form-changing abilities
• Illusion: Can reveal Zoroark through type changes
• Forecast: Conflicts with weather-based type changes

Damage Calculation

• Berry reduction: Stacks with damage-reducing berries
• Reflect/Light Screen: Multiplicative stacking with screens
• Burn: Physical damage reduction stacks with burn
• Sand/Hail: Can adapt to become immune to weather damage

Status Interactions

• Poison immunity: Can change to Steel/Poison types
• Burn immunity: Can change to Fire type
• Paralysis immunity: Can change to Electric type (Limber separate)
• Sleep immunity: Limited type-based sleep immunity

Ability Comparison

vs Individual Components

• Protean alone: Provides offense but no defense
• Color Change alone: Provides adaptation but no guaranteed reduction
• Fur Coat alone: Only covers physical attacks
• Ice Scales alone: Only covers special attacks

vs Other Defensive Abilities

• Wonder Guard: More restrictive but can achieve immunity
• Magic Guard: Different protection profile (indirect damage)
• Multiscale: Conditional but potentially stronger
• Filter/Solid Rock: Less damage reduction but no restrictions

Usage Recommendations

Pokémon Selection

• High HP: Maximizes effective bulk from damage reduction
• Balanced stats: Benefits from both physical and special reduction
• Good movepool: Takes advantage of Protean STAB on all moves
• Utility moves: Can adapt typing for optimal support

Move Selection

• Coverage moves: Each gains STAB through Protean
• Status moves: Can adapt typing for immunity/resistance
• Recovery moves: Essential for maintaining defensive presence
• Setup moves: Can adapt to resist common revenge killers

Item Pairing

• Leftovers: Provides consistent recovery
• Assault Vest: Stacks with Ice Scales for special bulk
• Rocky Helmet: Punishes contact moves on physical attacks
• Heavy-Duty Boots: Prevents entry hazard damage

Version History

• Elite Redux exclusive: Not present in official Pokémon games
• Hybrid ability: Represents pinnacle of ability combination design
• Balance consideration: May require restriction in competitive play
• Implementation: Uses advanced ability delegation system

Development Notes

The ability showcases Elite Redux's innovative approach to ability design, combining multiple existing abilities into a cohesive new ability. The implementation uses the game's delegation system to call the original abilities' functions while adding the unified defensive multiplier.

This ability represents one of the most comprehensive defensive tools available in the game, providing both immediate damage reduction and adaptive type coverage. Its inclusion demonstrates Elite Redux's commitment to creating unique and powerful ability combinations that expand strategic possibilities.