Spike Armor - Ability ID 537

In-Game Description

"30% chance to bleed on contact or offense."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Spike Armor has a 30% chance to inflict bleeding on contact moves, both when attacking and being attacked. Bleeding causes 1/16 max HP damage per turn. Rock and Ghost types are immune to bleeding, as are Pokemon already afflicted with status conditions.

Character count: 290

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

• Trigger Rate: 30% chance to inflict bleeding
• Activation Conditions:
  • Must be a contact move (checked via IsMoveMakingContact)
  • Triggers both when using contact moves (onAttacker) and when hit by contact moves (onDefender)
  • Target must be able to bleed (CanBleed check)
• Effect: Inflicts bleeding status condition on the target

Bleeding Status Condition

• Damage: 1/16 of max HP per turn (minimum 1 HP if calculation results in 0)
• Duration: Until cured, switched out, or battle ends
• Type: Primary status condition (mutually exclusive with burn, poison, paralysis, etc.)

Technical Implementation

ON_EITHER(SpikeArmor) {
    CHECK(ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(opponent))
    CHECK(CanBleed(opponent))
    CHECK(IsMoveMakingContact(move, gBattlerAttacker))
    CHECK(Random() % 100 < 30)

    AbilityStatusEffectSafe(MOVE_EFFECT_BLEED, battler, opponent);
    return TRUE;
}

#define BLEED_DAMAGE(hp) (hp / 16)

Bleeding Immunity

Pokemon immune to bleeding:

• Type Immunity: Rock-type and Ghost-type Pokemon
• Status Immunity: Pokemon already affected by any primary status condition
• Ability Immunity: Pokemon with abilities that prevent status conditions
• Special Cases: Mycelium Might can override some immunities

Contact Moves That Trigger Spike Armor

Any move with the contact flag, including but not limited to:

• Physical moves like Tackle, Body Slam, Earthquake (if contact-based)
• Multi-hit moves like Fury Attack, Pin Missile
• Priority moves like Quick Attack, Mach Punch
• Does NOT trigger on non-contact moves like Psychic, Flamethrower, Surf

Strategic Implications

Offensive Usage:

• Punishes physical attackers that rely on contact moves
• Creates chip damage over time to wear down opponents
• Pairs well with defensive strategies and stall tactics

Defensive Usage:

• Deters contact-based physical attackers
• Provides passive damage without requiring setup
• Especially effective against fast physical sweepers

Common Users

Based on proto analysis, Spike Armor is found on several Pokemon including:

• Various defensive and bulky Pokemon
• Some offensive Pokemon as either main or innate ability
• Multiple evolution lines with different ability combinations

Competitive Usage Notes

• Meta Role: Anti-physical deterrent ability
• Team Synergy: Works well with defensive cores and status-spreading teams
• Timing: Most effective early-game when opponents haven't taken other status damage
• Prediction: Forces opponents to consider non-contact alternatives

Counters and Limitations

Direct Counters:

• Rock and Ghost types (complete immunity)
• Pokemon with status immunity abilities
• Non-contact move users (special attackers, projectile moves)
• Clerics with status healing moves

Situational Limitations:

• Only 30% activation rate makes it unreliable
• Blocked by existing status conditions
• Magic Guard prevents bleeding damage
• Substitute blocks the ability from triggering

Synergies

Ability Synergies:

• Magic Guard (on teammates) - protects from bleeding damage
• Guts (on opponents) - can backfire by boosting Attack
• Status immunity abilities provide protection

Move Synergies:

• Status moves to apply conditions before bleeding can trigger
• Entry hazards to complement chip damage strategy
• Healing moves to outlast bleeding effects

Item Synergies:

• Leftovers/recovery items to offset bleeding damage
• Status-healing berries as safety nets
• Rocky Helmet for additional contact punishment

Version History

• Introduced in Elite Redux as part of the expanded ability system
• Part of the bleeding status condition mechanic unique to Elite Redux
• Ability ID 537 in the ability enum system