Magician

Summary

Magician is a non-contact move-triggered ability that allows the holder to steal the opponent's held item when using non-contact moves. This theft mechanic provides strategic item disruption and acquisition, making it particularly valuable for special attackers and status move users.

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (IMPORTANT: exactly 280-300 chars counted WITH spaces)In-game description: "Steals the foe's held item after using a non-contact move."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Magician activates when the holder uses a non-contact move that damages the target, automatically stealing the target's held item if possible. The stolen item immediately benefits the thief. Fails if the holder already has an item, the target has Sticky Hold, or the item cannot be stolen.

Character count: 289

Detailed Mechanics

Activation Conditions

• Triggers when the Pokémon with Magician uses a non-contact move
• The target must take damage from the attack
• The move must not have "no effect" (type immunity, etc.)
• Activates during the MOVEEND phase after damage calculation

Success Requirements

1. Holder must have no item - Cannot steal if already holding something
2. Target must have a stealable item - Some items cannot be stolen
3. Target cannot have protective abilities:
   • Sticky Hold prevents item theft
   • Supersweet Syrup prevents item theft
4. Item must be removable - Mega Stones, Z-Crystals, etc. cannot be stolen

Special Interactions

• Works through Substitute - Unlike many abilities, Magician bypasses substitutes
• Priority System - If multiple Pokémon could trigger item theft, one is randomly selected
• Immediate Effect - Stolen items take effect immediately (e.g., Choice items, Leftovers)
• Ability Popup - Shows ability activation animation when successful
• Sheer Force - Does not activate if holder has Sheer Force and uses a boosted move

Key Difference from Pickpocket

• Pickpocket triggers when hit by contact moves (defensive theft)
• Magician triggers when using non-contact moves (offensive theft)
• Same underlying mechanics, but opposite activation conditions

Battle Flow

1. Pokémon with Magician uses non-contact move
2. Damage is dealt to target
3. Game checks if Magician can activate
4. If successful, item is transferred
5. Ability popup appears
6. Stolen item effects activate immediately

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

• Item Disruption - Removes crucial items like Choice items, Leftovers, or Life Orb
• Resource Gain - Can acquire beneficial items mid-battle
• Offensive Control - Player chooses when to trigger via move selection
• Special Attacker Synergy - Perfect for non-contact special moves
• Substitute Bypass - Works even through protective substitutes

Weaknesses

• Requires Empty Slot - Must not be holding an item to function
• Non-Contact Dependency - Useless if relying on contact moves
• One-Time Use - Once an item is stolen, ability becomes inactive
• Predictable - Opponents can prepare for item theft attempts

Strategy Tips

• Special Attacker Focus - Ideal for Pokémon with strong special movesets
• Status Move Synergy - Works with damaging status moves if they don't make contact
• Choice Item Counter - Excellent against Choice-locked opponents
• Utility Theft - Can steal utility items like Leftovers, Rocky Helmet, etc.

Known Pokémon with Magician

Three Pokémon currently have access to Magician in Elite Redux:

Klefki

• Type: Steel/Fairy
• Role: Support/Utility
• Stats: 57/80/91/80/87/75
• Other Abilities: Magic Guard, Friend Guard
• Strategy: Perfect defensive utility Pokémon with item disruption capability

Hoopa Unbound

• Type: Psychic/Dark
• Role: Offensive Powerhouse
• Stats: 80/170/60/160/130/80
• Other Abilities: Intimidate, Long Reach
• Strategy: Devastating mixed attacker that can steal items while dealing massive damage

Meowscarada

• Type: Grass/Dark
• Role: Fast Physical/Special Hybrid
• Stats: 81/110/70/81/70/123
• Other Abilities: Magic Bounce, Magic Guard
• Category: Literally the "Magician Pokémon"
• Strategy: High-speed attacker with excellent type coverage and utility

History and Trivia

• Introduced in Generation VI (X/Y)
• Originally associated with the Fennekin evolution line
• Represents the classic "magician's trick" of making items disappear
• Thematically opposite to Pickpocket - active vs passive theft
• Meowscarada is categorized as the "Magician Pokémon" species

See Also

• Pickpocket - Complementary ability that triggers on contact moves
• Sticky Hold - Direct counter to Magician
• Knock Off - Move that removes items
• Thief/Covet - Moves that steal items
• Magic Guard - Often paired with Magician on the same Pokémon