Ruling What Exactly counts as special conditions & placing damage counters

[daviduk2000]

is placing damage counters an effect of an attack.
i.e
will bibarel's "Poke body - prevent all effects of an attack except damage" prevent the placing of damage counters?

and what exactly counts as special conditions?
what does steelix primes poke body counter?
just status effects or including things like
"cant attack next turn"
"smoke screen"

 

[PMJ]

Special Conditions are Asleep, Burned, Confused, Paralyzed, and Poisoned.

An effect of an attack is anything that is not direct damage caused by an attack, so inflicting Special Conditions counts as an effect of an attack.

Bibarel's body will block the placing of damage counters.

Prime Steelix's body only blocks Special Conditions. It will not block any other effects, like not being able to attack next turn, having damage counters put on it, or Smokescreen.

 

[DNA]

Special Conditions = Asleep/Confused/Paralyzed/Poisoned/Burned

Any part of an attack that does not do damage is considered an effect of an attack. Placing damage counters, and inflicting Special Conditions (among other things), are considered effects of an attack.