Snow Cloak - Ability ID 81

In-Game Description

"Evasion is boosted by 1.25x under hail."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Snow Cloak reduces opponent accuracy by 20% during hail weather, providing a defensive boost through evasion. The Pokémon is also immune to hail damage. This ability is breakable by moves like Mold Breaker but still grants hail immunity even when suppressed.

Character count: 284

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

SNOW CLOAK is a weather-dependent defensive ability that reduces incoming move accuracy during hail weather conditions.

Core Mechanics:

• Accuracy Reduction: Incoming moves have their accuracy divided by 1.25 (20% reduction)
• Weather Dependency: Only functions during hail weather (WEATHER_HAIL_ANY)
• Target Application: Applied to the Snow Cloak user when they are targeted by moves
• Hail Immunity: User takes no damage from hail weather

Activation Conditions:

• Must be in hail weather (natural or summoned)
• Applies to all moves targeting the Snow Cloak user
• Functions against physical, special, and status moves with accuracy checks

Numerical Values:

• Accuracy Modifier: ÷1.25 (equivalent to 80% accuracy on incoming moves)
• Example: 100% accuracy move becomes 80% accuracy, 90% accuracy becomes 72%
• Hail Immunity: 100% protection from hail damage each turn

Technical Implementation:

constexpr Ability SnowCloak = {
    .onAccuracy = +[](ON_ACCURACY) -> AccuracyPriority {
        CHECK(IsBattlerWeatherAffected(target, WEATHER_HAIL_ANY));
        *accuracy /= 1.25;
        return ACCURACY_MULTIPLICATIVE;
    },
    .onAccuracyFor = APPLY_ON_TARGET,
    .breakable = TRUE,
    .hailImmune = TRUE,
};

Affected Moves:

• All moves with accuracy checks (physical, special, status)
• Does not affect: Sure Hit moves (Swift, Shock Wave, etc.)
• Does not affect: Moves that bypass accuracy (No Guard interaction)

Interactions with Other Abilities/Mechanics:

1. Mold Breaker Effects: Suppresses accuracy reduction but retains hail immunity
2. No Guard: Completely bypasses Snow Cloak's accuracy reduction
3. Wide Lens/Zoom Lens: Items that boost accuracy work against Snow Cloak
4. Compound Eyes: Accuracy-boosting abilities partially counter the reduction
5. Sand Veil: Functions identically but for sandstorm weather

Strategic Implications:

• Defensive Utility: Provides consistent damage avoidance in hail teams
• Weather Synergy: Pairs with Snow Warning for immediate activation
• Stall Potential: Enables defensive strategies through move-missing
• Setup Opportunities: Missed moves allow safe setup time

Example Damage Calculations:

• 100% accuracy move: 80% chance to hit
• 90% accuracy move: 72% chance to hit
• 85% accuracy move: 68% chance to hit
• Thunder (70% in non-rain): 56% chance to hit

Common Users:

• Alolan Sandshrew: Ice/Steel defensive wall
• Swinub: Early-game defensive option
• Snover: Weather setter with defensive utility
• Vanilluxe: Bulky special attacker
• Cubchoo: Pre-evolution utility
• Frosmoth: Special attacker with defensive backup

Competitive Usage Notes:

• Hail Teams: Essential component of defensive hail strategies
• Stall Teams: Provides consistent damage avoidance
• Mixed Success: Less reliable than direct defensive stats
• Weather Wars: Vulnerable to weather changing

Counters:

• Weather Removal: Sun, rain, sandstorm users remove hail
• Mold Breaker: Completely nullifies accuracy reduction
• No Guard: Bypasses accuracy reduction entirely
• Sure Hit Moves: Swift, Shock Wave, etc. ignore accuracy reduction
• High Accuracy Items: Wide Lens, Zoom Lens improve hit rates

Synergies:

• Snow Warning: Automatic hail weather setup
• Ice Body: Additional hail-based recovery
• Aurora Veil: Enhanced defensive capabilities in hail
• Blizzard: Perfect accuracy in hail weather
• Substitute: Protected setup behind accuracy reduction

Version History:

• Gen 4: Introduced alongside Diamond/Pearl
• Gen 5: Maintained functionality
• Gen 6+: Hail duration limited to 5 turns
• Elite Redux: Enhanced with extended weather duration (8 turns base)