Marvel Scale - Ability ID 63

In-Game Description

"Ups Def and Sp. Def by 1.5x when statused."

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (280-300 chars max)

Marvel Scale increases Defense and Special Defense by 50% when afflicted with any status condition. Activates with sleep, poison, burn, paralysis, freeze, frostbite, bleed, and special conditions like Comatose. Excellent for defensive strategies and combines well with status orbs for consistent bulk.

Character count: 295

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

MARVEL SCALE is a defensive ability that converts status conditions into massive defensive boosts.

Core Mechanics:

• Defense Boost: 1.5x Defense and Special Defense when statused
• Status Requirement: Any primary status condition activates the boost
• Implementation: Direct stat multiplication during calculation phase
• Breakable: Can be suppressed by Mold Breaker abilities

Technical Implementation:

constexpr Ability MarvelScale = {
    .onStat =
        +[](ON_STAT) {
            if ((statId == STAT_DEF || statId == STAT_SPDEF) && HasAnyStatusOrAbility(battler)) *stat *= 1.5;
        },
    .breakable = TRUE,
};

Activation Conditions:

The HasAnyStatusOrAbility(battler) function checks for:

• Primary Status: Sleep, Poison, Burn, Paralysis, Freeze
• Elite Redux Status: Frostbite, Bleed
• Special Cases: Comatose ability, Blood Stain effect

Status Synergies:

• Burn: Good - no defensive penalty, decent damage over time
• Poison: Excellent - consistent damage, no stat penalties
• Paralysis: Good - Speed reduction but massive defensive boost
• Sleep: Temporary - only while asleep
• Freeze/Frostbite: Situational - depends on thaw mechanics
• Bleed: Elite Redux - permanent bleeding for consistent activation

Strategic Applications:

• Toxic Orb Sets: Self-inflict poison for guaranteed 1.5x defenses
• Flame Orb Sets: Alternative with burn damage
• Status Absorber: Turn opponent's status moves into advantages
• Defensive Core: Essential component of stall teams

Elite Redux Enhancements:

• Frostbite Status: New freeze replacement that activates Marvel Scale
• Bleed Status: Prevents healing but triggers the defensive boost
• Blood Stain Ability: Creates permanent "bleeding" condition for non-Ghost/Rock types
• Comatose Compatibility: Works with ability-induced "sleep" states

Common Users:

• Dragonite: Has both Multiscale and Marvel Scale as innate abilities
• Milotic: Combines with Prism Scales for type-based defensive stacking
• Dratini/Dragonair: Natural progression with Multiscale synergy

Damage Calculations:

• Defensive Stats: Effectively 1.5x Defense and Special Defense
• Example: 100 Base Defense becomes 150 effective Defense
• Stacking: Multiplies with other defensive boosts like screens
• Coverage: Both physical and special defensive improvement

Competitive Usage:

• Defensive Wall: Primary role with status orb
• Stall Teams: Essential for long-term defensive strategies
• Pivot Pokemon: Enhanced bulk for safe switching
• Anti-Status: Turns status moves into setup opportunities

Item Synergies:

• Toxic Orb: Most reliable - escalating damage but consistent boost
• Flame Orb: Predictable burn activation
• Leftovers: Recovery to offset status damage
• Multiscale Combo: Dragonite gets both for incredible bulk

Interactions:

• Multiscale: Stacks multiplicatively for extreme bulk at high HP
• Guts: Same status triggers both abilities (offense + defense)
• Wonder Guard: Marvel Scale boost still applies to allowed damage
• Magic Guard: Protects from status damage while keeping boost

Counters:

• Status Removal: Aromatherapy, Heal Bell remove beneficial status
• Mold Breaker: Bypasses Marvel Scale completely
• Critical Hits: Ignore defensive boosts
• Status Prevention: Safeguard prevents beneficial status application

AI Behavior:

The AI recognizes Marvel Scale and may:

• Avoid inflicting status on Marvel Scale users
• Prioritize status removal when possible
• Use critical hit moves to bypass defensive boosts
• Target with coverage moves rather than status

Version History:

• Elite Redux maintains core 1.5x defensive boost
• Enhanced with new status conditions (Frostbite, Bleed)
• Expanded compatibility with ability-induced statuses
• Integrated with 4-ability system for powerful defensive combinations