Summary
Battle Armor is a Pokémon ability introduced in Generation III.
Effect:
- Prevents moves from landing critical hits against the Pokémon with this ability
- Provides a consistent level of damage reduction by negating the additional damage from critical hits
- Shares its effect with the Shell Armor ability
In Battle:
- Offers reliable defensive utility by ensuring damage intake is predictable
- Particularly beneficial for Pokémon with high defenses, allowing them to better withstand attacks over time
- Reduces the risk of sudden knockouts from unexpected critical hits
- Synergizes well with Pokémon that utilize recovery moves, as it prevents unexpected damage spikes
Pokémon with this Ability:
- Kabutops (standard ability)
- Marowak (standard ability)
- Drapion (standard ability)
- Armaldo (standard ability)
- Various other Pokémon, often with a defensive or balanced stat distribution
Competitive Use:
- Valued in competitive play for providing consistent defensive reliability
- Useful in stall teams and for Pokémon that rely on setting up defenses or hazards
- Allows players to strategize effectively without fearing unexpected critical hits disrupting their plans
- Often considered when building teams that require dependable damage mitigation
Interesting Facts:
- Named for the concept of armor that is impenetrable, reflecting the prevention of critical hits
- One of the more straightforward abilities in terms of its effect, yet highly impactful in battles
- Often overlooked but can be a game-changer in matches involving high-risk critical hit scenarios
- Its introduction alongside other defensive abilities in Generation III highlighted a shift towards more strategic gameplay elements
By ensuring that damage calculations remain stable, Battle Armor allows trainers to plan their strategies without the threat of critical hits altering the course of a battle unexpectedly.