Chrome Coat - Ability ID 539

In-Game Description

"Reduces special damage taken by 40%, but decreases Speed by 10%."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Chrome Coat provides substantial special defensive bulk by reducing all incoming special attack damage by 40%. This reflective metallic coating comes at the cost of mobility, decreasing the Pokémon's Speed stat by 10%. Perfect for defensive tanks that need to wall special attackers consistently.

Character count: 296

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Chrome Coat is a defensive ability that provides significant protection against special attacks while imposing a speed penalty.

Core Mechanics

• Special Damage Reduction: Reduces all incoming special attack damage by 40% (multiplies damage by 0.6)
• Speed Penalty: Reduces the Pokémon's Speed stat by 10% (multiplies by 0.9)
• Breakable: Can be suppressed by Mold Breaker, Teravolt, Turboblaze, and similar abilities

Activation Conditions

• Special damage reduction applies to ALL special moves that target the Pokémon
• Speed reduction is a permanent stat modification while the Pokémon has this ability
• Both effects are active simultaneously

Technical Implementation

.onDefensiveMultiplier = +[](ON_DEFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
    if (IS_MOVE_SPECIAL(move)) MUL(.6);
},
.onStat = +[](ON_STAT) {
    if (statId == STAT_SPEED) *stat *= .9;
},
.breakable = TRUE,

Affected Moves

All special moves are affected by the damage reduction, including:

• All special attacking moves (Fire Blast, Thunderbolt, Surf, etc.)
• Fixed damage special moves
• Multi-hit special moves (each hit is reduced)
• Does NOT affect physical moves, status moves, or entry hazard damage

Interactions with Other Abilities/Mechanics

• Stacks multiplicatively with other damage reduction effects (Multiscale, Filter, Solid Rock)
• Speed reduction stacks with other speed modifiers (paralysis, Choice Scarf, etc.)
• Can be suppressed by Mold Breaker variants, making the Pokémon lose both benefits and drawbacks
• Works with Assault Vest for maximum special bulk
• Speed reduction affects turn order calculations

Strategic Implications

Advantages:

• Exceptional special wall capabilities
• Allows frail Pokémon to survive powerful special attacks
• Great for pivoting and absorbing hits

Disadvantages:

• Speed reduction makes the Pokémon slower and more vulnerable to being outsped
• No protection against physical attacks
• The speed penalty can prevent effective revenge killing

Example Damage Calculations

Against a 252 SpA Modest Charizard Solar Beam (120 BP) on a 252 HP/252 SpD Bold Blastoise:

• Without Chrome Coat: ~45-53% damage
• With Chrome Coat: ~27-32% damage (60% of original)

Common Users

Chrome Coat is typically found on:

• Defensive Steel-types that can afford the speed loss
• Bulky support Pokémon that prioritize survivability
• Pokémon designed for Trick Room teams where speed reduction is beneficial

Competitive Usage Notes

• Best suited for: Defensive/support roles, Trick Room teams
• Team synergy: Pairs well with speed control and hazard setters
• Meta considerations: More valuable in special attack-heavy metas

Counters

• Physical attackers: Can exploit the lack of physical damage reduction
• Mold Breaker users: Completely bypass the ability
• Status moves: No protection against burns, paralysis, or other status conditions
• Entry hazards: Stealth Rock and Spikes damage is unaffected

Synergies

• Assault Vest: Stacks with Chrome Coat for incredible special bulk
• Leftovers/Black Sludge: Helps with longevity to make use of the bulk
• Trick Room: Speed reduction becomes an advantage
• Filter/Solid Rock: Can stack for even more damage reduction

Version History

• Added in Elite Redux as part of the extended ability roster
• Shares speed reduction mechanics with Lead Coat (ID 296)
• Designed as the special equivalent to Lead Coat's physical damage reduction