Blight Scale - Ability ID 779

In-Game Description

"Multiscale + Poison Point"

Extended In-Game Description

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

When at full HP, takes half damage from attacks. Contact moves have a 30% chance to poison the attacker. Combines defensive durability with punishing counterattack potential, making this Pokemon dangerous to engage in direct combat at maximum health.

Character count: 293

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Blight Scale is a powerful defensive combination ability that merges two distinct protective mechanisms:

Multiscale Component:

• When the Pokemon is at maximum HP (current HP = max HP), all incoming damage is reduced by 50%
• This damage reduction applies to all attacks that would deal damage
• The effect is lost as soon as the Pokemon takes any damage (no longer at 100% HP)
• This component is breakable by abilities like Mold Breaker

Poison Point Component:

• When an opponent makes contact with this Pokemon using a contact move, there's a 30% chance the attacker becomes poisoned
• Only triggers if the opponent can be poisoned (not already statused, not immune to poison)
• Only activates on moves that make physical contact
• Works regardless of the Pokemon's current HP status

Strategic Applications:

• Excellent on bulky Pokemon that can leverage the initial damage reduction
• Forces opponents to use non-contact moves or risk poison status
• Creates a "lose-lose" situation where opponents either avoid contact (limiting move options) or risk status
• Particularly effective on Pokemon with recovery moves to potentially regain full HP and reactivate Multiscale
• The poison chance provides ongoing pressure even after Multiscale is broken

Counters and Limitations:

• Mold Breaker ignores the Multiscale component
• Non-contact moves bypass the Poison Point component entirely
• Once damaged, loses the crucial damage reduction until healed to full
• Pokemon immune to poison (Steel/Poison types, or abilities like Immunity) ignore the contact punishment
• Multi-hit moves can break Multiscale on the first hit, then deal full damage on subsequent hits

This ability is particularly dangerous in formats where switching and prediction are key, as it punishes both physical attackers and forces careful move selection from opponents.