A ceramic capacitor is disclosed. The capacitor comprises a plurality of base metal inner electrode layers, a plurality of ceramic dielectric layers between the inner electrode layers, and external electrodes in electrical conductivity with the inner electrode layers. At least one secondary component having an intentionally added chemistry is dispersed in the inner electrode layers and/or the dielectric layers. The chemistry evolves an oxidizing species in a controlled manner, such that it offsets localized highly reducing atmospheres that are present when the capacitor is fired in a reducing atmosphere, thereby promoting enhanced electrode connectivity in thin layer base metal multilayer capacitors.