Tough Claws - Ability ID 181

In-Game Description

"Boosts the power of contact moves by 1.3x."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Tough Claws enhances the user's close-range attacks. It boosts the power of all moves that make direct contact with the target by 30%. This includes many powerful physical attacks, allowing the user to inflict significantly more damage in battle. A formidable ability for any Pokémon specializing in melee combat.

Character count: 295

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Tough Claws provides a 1.3x (30%) damage multiplier to any move that makes contact with the target, as determined by the IsMoveMakingContact() function. The ability is implemented through the onOffensiveMultiplier callback, which applies the multiplier during damage calculation.

Key Mechanics:

• Contact Detection: Uses the same contact detection system as abilities like Static and Gooey
• Multiplier Application: Applied during offensive damage calculation, stacking multiplicatively with other damage boosts
• Move Types Affected: While most contact moves are physical attacks, the ability works with any move flagged as making contact
• Implementation: Shares the same code implementation as Big Pecks' offensive multiplier

Common Contact Moves:

• Most physical attacking moves (Tackle, Body Slam, Earthquake doesn't count)
• Multi-hit moves that make contact (each hit gets the boost)
• Priority moves that make contact (Quick Attack, Mach Punch)
• Status moves that make contact are not boosted (they don't deal damage)

Notable Interactions:

• Stacks with other damage multipliers (STAB, type effectiveness, items)
• Works with Parental Bond (each hit gets the boost)
• Does not boost moves that don't make contact (Hyper Beam, Flamethrower, etc.)
• The boost is applied before accuracy checks and other battle calculations

This ability is particularly valuable for physical attackers with access to strong contact moves, making it a staple ability for melee-focused Pokémon builds.