Sheer Force - Ability ID 125

In-Game Description

"Exchanges added effects on its moves for 1.3x more power."

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (280-300 chars max)

Sheer Force removes additional effects from moves (burn, freeze, stat changes, etc.) in exchange for 1.3x power boost. Prevents Life Orb recoil but keeps the damage boost, stacking to 1.69x total. Elemental punches, Flamethrower, Ice Beam, and most moves with secondary effects get boosted.

Character count: 290

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

SHEER FORCE is a power-boosting ability that trades secondary move effects for increased damage output.

Activation Mechanics:

• Trigger: Affects moves that have the FLAG_SHEER_FORCE_BOOST flag
• Power Boost: 1.3x damage multiplier applied via onOffensiveMultiplier hook
• Effect Removal: Completely removes all secondary effects from boosted moves
• No Announcement: Ability works silently without battle message

Technical Implementation:

constexpr Ability SheerForce = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier =
        +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
            if (gBattleMoves[move].flags & FLAG_SHEER_FORCE_BOOST) MUL(1.3);
        },
};

Effect Removal Mechanics:

• TestSheerForceFlag(): Function checks if battler has Sheer Force AND move has boost flag
• Prevention: Blocks secondary effects in battle script commands when TestSheerForceFlag returns TRUE
• Scope: Removes ALL additional effects - status conditions, stat changes, healing, etc.

Affected Move Examples:

1. Elemental Punches: Fire Punch (no burn), Ice Punch (no frostbite), Thunder Punch (no paralysis)
2. Special Attacks: Flamethrower (no burn), Ice Beam (no freeze), Thunderbolt (no paralysis)
3. Stat-Changing Moves: Rock Slide (no flinch), Psychic (no SpDef drop), Crunch (no Def drop)
4. Multi-Effect Moves: Ancient Power (no stat boosts), Silver Wind (no stat boosts)

Moves NOT Affected:

• Moves with no_sheer_force: true flag (rare exceptions)
• Moves with only primary effects (no secondary effects to remove)
• Status moves without damage components

Item Interactions:

1. Life Orb:

   • Power: Still receives 1.3x Life Orb damage boost
   • Recoil: NO recoil damage taken (TestSheerForceFlag prevents it)
   • Code: REQUIRE_NOT(TestSheerForceFlag(gBattlerAttacker, gCurrentMove)) in Life Orb recoil
   • Result: Effective 1.69x damage boost (1.3 × 1.3) with no drawbacks

2. Other Items: Works normally with type-boosting items, Choice items, etc.

Competitive Applications:

• Nidoking/Nidoqueen: Classic Sheer Force users with wide movepool
• Movesets: Prioritize moves with secondary effects over those without
• Life Orb Synergy: Incredible damage output with no Life Orb recoil
• Coverage Moves: Earth Power, Sludge Wave, Ice Beam all get boosted

Strategic Considerations:

• Move Selection: Choose moves with secondary effects over similar moves without
• Item Choice: Life Orb is often optimal for maximum damage output
• Trade-offs: Lose utility effects like burns/freezes for raw power
• Wall Breaking: Excellent for breaking through defensive Pokémon

Notable Pokemon:

• Nidoking, Nidoqueen (classic users)
• Exploud (special attacker with wide movepool)
• Various Pokemon in Elite Redux's expanded ability system

Version History:

• Gen 5: Introduced with 1.3x multiplier
• Elite Redux: Maintains standard 1.3x boost, expanded to more Pokemon through multi-ability system