Contrary - Ability ID 126

In-Game Description

"Stat raises turn into stat drops for this Pokémon and vice versa."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Contrary reverses all stat changes affecting this Pokémon. Stat increases become decreases and vice versa. Works with self-inflicted changes (moves like Overheat, Leaf Storm), opponent moves (Intimidate, Growl), and abilities (Simple). The reversed stats still respect the +6/-6 stage limits.

Character count: 292

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

CONTRARY is a stat-manipulation ability that reverses the direction of all stat changes affecting the Pokémon.

Core Mechanics:

• Trigger: All stat changes, regardless of source
• Effect: Multiplies the stat change value by -1 (statValue *= -1)
• Scope: Affects Attack, Defense, Speed, Special Attack, Special Defense, Accuracy, and Evasion
• Limits: Reversed stats still respect the standard -6 to +6 stage limits

Technical Implementation:

// In ChangeStatBuffs function (battle_script_commands.c:9616-9621)
if (BATTLER_HAS_ABILITY(battler, ABILITY_CONTRARY)) {
    statValue *= -1;
    if (updateMoveEffect) {
        gBattleScripting.moveEffect = ReverseStatChangeMoveEffect(gBattleScripting.moveEffect);
    }
}

The ability also reverses move effects through ReverseStatChangeMoveEffect(), which converts effects like:

• MOVE_EFFECT_ATK_PLUS_1 → MOVE_EFFECT_ATK_MINUS_1
• MOVE_EFFECT_DEF_MINUS_2 → MOVE_EFFECT_DEF_PLUS_2
• And all other stat change effects

Interaction Order:

1. Contrary check: Stat value is reversed first
2. Simple interaction: If the Pokémon also has Simple, the reversed value is then doubled
3. Other modifiers: Subdue and similar effects apply after Contrary

// Order of operations in ChangeStatBuffs:
if (BATTLER_HAS_ABILITY(battler, ABILITY_CONTRARY)) {
    statValue *= -1;  // Step 1: Reverse
}
if (BattlerHasAbility(battler, ABILITY_SIMPLE, FALSE)) {
    statValue *= 2;   // Step 2: Double if Simple
}

Affected Sources:

1. Self-inflicted moves: Overheat (-2 SpA → +2 SpA), Close Combat (-1 Def/SpD → +1 Def/SpD), V-Create (-1 Def/SpD → +1 Def/SpD)
2. Opponent moves: Growl (-1 Atk → +1 Atk), Leer (-1 Def → +1 Def)
3. Abilities: Intimidate (-1 Atk → +1 Atk), Download effects
4. Items: Stat-boosting berries, White Herb (prevents stat drops, so Contrary makes them prevent stat rises)
5. Battle effects: Sticky Web (-1 Spe → +1 Spe), stat-changing Z-moves

Battle Message Changes:

The ability also changes battle text through BufferStatChange():

• "Attack fell!" becomes "Attack rose!" and vice versa
• Messages are swapped in real-time to match the actual effect

Strategic Applications:

1. Power moves with drawbacks: Leaf Storm, Draco Meteor, Overheat become setup moves
2. Intimidate immunity: Turns Attack drops into Attack boosts
3. Sticky Web weakness: Entry hazards that lower Speed become Speed boosts
4. Stat-drop moves: King's Shield, Icy Wind become beneficial to the user

Example Damage Calculations:

Serperior with Contrary using Leaf Storm:

• Leaf Storm: 130 BP, normally -2 SpA
• With Contrary: 130 BP, +2 SpA instead
• Next Leaf Storm: 130 BP × 1.5 (SpA boost) = 195 effective BP
• After 3 uses: +6 SpA, Leaf Storm hits with ~260 effective BP

Common Users:

Notable Pokémon with Contrary in Elite Redux:

• Serperior line (Snivy evolution): Grass starter with access to Leaf Storm
• Inkay/Malamar: Dark/Psychic types with Topsy-Turvy synergy
• Shuckle: Defensive user that benefits from stat drop immunity
• Various legendaries: Including Houndoom-Redux and Enamorus forms

Competitive Interactions:

• Simple + Contrary: Stat changes are reversed then doubled (e.g., -1 becomes +2)
• Unaware opponents: Cannot ignore Contrary-boosted stats
• Haze/Clear Smog: Still resets stats normally, ignoring Contrary
• Topsy-Turvy: Reverses stats again, effectively canceling Contrary for that turn

Counters:

1. Haze users: Reset all stat changes
2. Spectral Thief: Steals stat boosts (treats Contrary boosts as normal boosts)
3. Clear Smog: Resets target's stats while dealing damage
4. Status moves: Paralysis, sleep, etc. bypass stat manipulation entirely
5. Fixed damage: Seismic Toss, Night Shade ignore stat changes

Synergies:

1. Self-debuffing moves: V-Create, Close Combat, Superpower, Hammer Arm
2. High-power special moves: Overheat, Draco Meteor, Leaf Storm, Psycho Boost
3. Entry hazard setup: Benefits from opponent's Sticky Web
4. Baton Pass: Can pass reversed stat boosts to teammates

Breakable Nature:

Contrary has .breakable = TRUE, meaning it can be suppressed by:

• Mold Breaker and variants
• Neutralizing Gas
• Other ability-suppressing effects

Version History:

• Generation 5: Introduced with Snivy line and Inkay line
• Elite Redux: Expanded to more Pokémon as a balancing option for powerful moves with drawbacks