Moxie - Ability ID 153

In-Game Description

"Dealing a KO raises Attack by one stage."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Moxie boosts the user's Attack stat by one stage when it knocks out an opponent Pokémon. This ability triggers immediately after dealing the final blow and works with any move that causes a knockout. The Attack boost stacks with other stat modifiers and persists until switching out.

Character count: 286

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Moxie is an ability that provides an immediate Attack stat boost upon knocking out an opposing Pokémon, making it a powerful ability for sweeping teams and maintaining offensive momentum.

Core Mechanics

• Activation Trigger: Triggers when the Pokémon with Moxie deals the final blow that causes an opponent to faint
• Stat Boost: Raises Attack by one stage (equivalent to 50% increase) immediately after the knockout
• Stack Limit: Can stack up to +6 stages maximum, following standard stat boost rules
• Duration: The Attack boost persists until the Pokémon switches out, faints, or has its stats reset

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability Moxie = {
    .onBattlerFaints = +[](ON_BATTLER_FAINTS) -> int { 
        return MoxieClone(battler, STAT_ATK); 
    },
    .onBattlerFaintsFor = APPLY_ON_ATTACKER,
};

static int MoxieClone(int battler, int stat) {
    CHECK(HasAttackerFaintedTarget())
    CHECK(ChangeStatBuffs(battler, 1, stat, MOVE_EFFECT_AFFECTS_USER | STAT_BUFF_DONT_SET_BUFFERS, NULL))
    BattleScriptCall(BattleScript_RaiseStatOnFaintingTarget);
    return TRUE;
}

Activation Conditions

• Direct Damage: Works with any move that deals direct damage and causes a knockout
• Indirect Damage: Does NOT trigger from poison, burn, weather damage, or other indirect sources that cause fainting
• Multi-hit Moves: Triggers only once per knockout, regardless of how many hits the move has
• Substitute: Can trigger when breaking a Substitute if it causes the Pokémon to faint
• Critical Hits: Works normally with critical hits

Interactions with Other Abilities/Mechanics

• Mold Breaker Effects: Cannot be suppressed by Mold Breaker, Turboblaze, or Teravolt
• Ability Suppression: Can be temporarily disabled by Gastro Acid or similar effects
• Stat Reset: Attack boosts are lost when the Pokémon switches out or uses moves like Haze
• Contrary: If the user has Contrary, Moxie would lower Attack instead of raising it
• Simple: If the user has Simple, each Moxie activation would provide +2 Attack stages instead of +1

Strategic Applications

Sweeping Potential:

• Ideal for late-game sweeps when multiple weakened opponents can be knocked out in succession
• Each knockout makes subsequent knockouts easier to achieve
• Best used with high-speed attackers that can outspeed and knockout multiple targets

Team Building Synergy:

• Pairs well with entry hazards that weaken opponents
• Benefits from teammates that can weaken but not knockout key targets
• Excellent with Choice items for consistent power and speed

Move Selection:

• Favors reliable, high-power moves that can secure knockouts
• Multi-target moves like Earthquake can potentially trigger multiple times in doubles
• Priority moves help secure knockouts on faster, weakened opponents

Example Damage Calculations

With a base 100 Attack Pokémon at level 50:

• No Moxie boosts: 152 Attack stat
• +1 Moxie boost: 228 Attack stat (50% increase)
• +2 Moxie boosts: 304 Attack stat (100% increase)
• +3 Moxie boosts: 380 Attack stat (150% increase)

Common Users in Elite Redux

Notable Pokémon with Moxie include:

• Mankey/Primeape: Early-game sweepers with good Attack stats
• Mightyena/Poochyena: Dark-type attackers with decent speed
• Heracross: Powerful physical attacker with excellent movepool
• Gyarados: High Attack and Speed make it an excellent Moxie user
• Salamence: Pseudo-legendary with incredible sweeping potential
• Krookodile: Ground/Dark typing with solid offensive stats

Competitive Usage Notes

Advantages:

• Snowball effect can single-handedly win games
• Provides consistent offensive pressure
• Rewards aggressive play and prediction
• Excellent for cleaning up weakened teams

Counters and Weaknesses:

• Defensive Walls: Pokémon with extremely high Defense can stop Moxie sweeps
• Priority Moves: Faster priority attacks can revenge kill before additional knockouts
• Status Conditions: Paralysis can prevent follow-up attacks, burn reduces Attack effectiveness
• Switching: Opponent switching forces the Moxie user to potentially waste turns

Synergistic Strategies:

• Life Orb: Increased damage helps secure crucial knockouts
• Choice Scarf: Ensures speed advantage for consistent knockouts
• Focus Sash: Allows a frail attacker to survive and potentially get multiple Moxie boosts

Related Abilities

• Beast Boost: Similar mechanic but boosts the highest stat instead of Attack
• Chilling Neigh: Ice-type variant that also boosts Attack on knockout (shares same code)
• Grim Neigh: Boosts Special Attack instead of Attack on knockout
• Adrenaline Rush: Elite Redux custom ability that boosts Speed on knockout

Version History

Moxie was introduced in Generation V and has remained mechanically consistent across all games, including Elite Redux. The implementation uses the shared MoxieClone helper function, which is also used by similar abilities like Beast Boost and the Neigh abilities.

This ability represents one of the most straightforward yet powerful momentum-based abilities in the game, rewarding successful knockouts with immediate offensive improvements that can lead to devastating sweeps when used effectively.