Klutz - Ability ID 103

In-Game Description

"Own held item has no effect. Mega Stones are unaffected."

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (IMPORTANT: exactly 280-300 chars counted WITH spaces)

Klutz disables all held item effects including berries, stat boosts, damage multipliers, and special abilities. Items can still be knocked off or stolen but give no benefits. Item-based moves like Fling fail. Mega Stones bypass this restriction allowing mega evolution despite the ability.

Character count: 289

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

Klutz is an ability that completely negates the effects of held items for the Pokémon that has it. Here's how it works in detail:

Item Effect Negation

• All item effects are disabled: This includes berries (Sitrus, Lum, etc.), Choice items, Life Orb, Leftovers, Focus Sash, and all other held items
• Items remain equipped: The Pokémon still holds the item and it appears in battle, but provides no benefits
• Negative effects also blocked: Items like Sticky Barb, Black Sludge (on non-Poison types), or Flame Orb deal no damage

Item Interactions

• Knock Off: Can still remove the item and gets the damage bonus for knocking off an item
• Trick/Switcheroo: Can still swap items with opponents
• Thief/Covet: Can still steal the Pokémon's item
• Bestow: Can give the item to another Pokémon
• Fling: Cannot use this move as it requires the item's effect to work
• Natural Gift: Also fails as it requires berry effects
• Poltergeist: The move can still target a Klutz Pokémon holding an item

Special Exceptions

• Mega Stones: The only items that work with Klutz, allowing mega evolution
• Z-Crystals: Would theoretically be blocked if they existed in Elite Redux
• Items consumed: Berries and other consumable items can still be "consumed" but provide no effect when triggered

Technical Implementation

The ability is implemented through the IsItemNegated() function in battle_util.c, which returns TRUE for any Pokémon with Klutz. This check is used throughout the battle system whenever item effects would normally apply.

Strategic Implications

• Useful for Pokémon that want to avoid negative item effects (Trick Room teams with Room Service)
• Can be used with Trick/Switcheroo strategies to give opponents useless items
• Protects against opponents trying to give you harmful items
• Synergizes with Fling-immune strategies as the Pokémon cannot use its own item offensively