Molten Coat (Ability #856)

Short Description: "Mineralize + Rock moves have 50% burn chance."

Extended Description: This powerful combination ability grants all the effects of Mineralize while adding a dangerous burning effect. Normal-type moves are converted to Rock-type and receive STAB. Additionally, whenever this Pokemon uses any Rock-type move that successfully hits an opponent, there's a 50% chance to inflict a burn on the target. This makes every Rock attack potentially devastating, as opponents must worry about both the immediate damage and the lingering burn effect that reduces their Attack stat and deals chip damage each turn.

Mechanical Analysis

Core Components

Mineralize Component (ATE_ABILITY):

• Converts all Normal-type moves to Rock-type moves
• Grants STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) for Rock-type moves
• Functions identically to abilities like Pixilate, Refrigerate, Aerilate

Burn Chance Component:

• Triggers on any Rock-type move that hits an opponent
• 50% chance (Random() % 2) to inflict burn status
• Only affects targets that can be burned (not Fire-types or already burned Pokemon)
• Uses AbilityStatusEffectSafe to apply the burn effect

Implementation Details

constexpr Ability MoltenCoat = {
    .onAttacker = +[](ON_ATTACKER) -> int {
        CHECK(ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(target))
        CHECK(moveType == TYPE_ROCK)
        CHECK(CanBeBurned(target))
        CHECK(Random() % 2)

        AbilityStatusEffectSafe(MOVE_EFFECT_BURN, battler, target);
        return TRUE;
    },
    ATE_ABILITY(TYPE_ROCK),
};

Battle Interactions

Move Conversion:

• Normal-type moves become Rock-type and gain STAB
• Examples: Tackle → Rock-type Tackle, Body Slam → Rock-type Body Slam
• Converted moves maintain their original power and effects

Burn Application:

• Triggers after damage calculation if the move hits
• Respects burn immunity (Fire-types, already burned targets)
• Can be prevented by abilities like Water Veil or Magma Armor

Strategic Implications:

• Transforms utility Normal moves into offensive Rock moves
• Makes contact moves particularly dangerous due to burn chance
• Provides both immediate damage boost and long-term pressure
• Particularly effective against physical attackers due to Attack reduction from burn

Counterplay

Type Resistances:

• Steel-types resist Rock moves (½× damage)
• Fire-types resist Rock moves and are immune to burn
• Flying-types are weak to Rock moves (2× damage)

Status Immunity:

• Fire-types cannot be burned
• Pokemon with Water Veil, Magma Armor prevent burns
• Safeguard protects team from status conditions

Strategic Counters:

• Special attackers are less affected by burn's Attack reduction
• Pokemon with Natural Cure can remove burn on switching
• Rapid Spin or Aromatherapy can cure burns

This ability is particularly effective on Pokemon with diverse movesets, as it converts utility Normal moves into powerful Rock attacks while adding the threat of burn status, making every successful hit potentially game-changing.