Stench - Ability ID 1

In-Game Description

"10% chance to make the target flinch. Halves wild Pokemon encounters."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Moves that can flinch now have an extra 10% chance to make the target unable to move this turn. Works on both contact and non-contact moves affected by King's Rock. Outside of battle, wild Pokémon appear half as often when this Pokémon leads the party. Stacks with existing flinch chances.

Character count: 289

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Stench in Elite Redux has been enhanced from its original implementation with two distinct effects:

1. Battle Effect - Flinch Chance (10%)

   • Grants a 10% chance to cause flinching on ANY move that is affected by King's Rock
   • Works on both contact and non-contact moves (unlike main series where it's contact-only)
   • Stacks with existing flinch chances (e.g., a move with 30% flinch becomes 40%)
   • Does not affect moves that cannot naturally cause flinching

2. Overworld Effect - Encounter Rate Reduction

   • Normal areas: Wild encounter rate is halved (50% reduction)
   • Battle Pyramid: Wild encounter rate reduced by 25% (multiplied by 3/4)
   • Only works when the Pokémon with Stench is in the first party slot
   • The Pokémon must not be an egg

Technical Implementation

Battle Implementation (src/abilities.cc):

constexpr Ability Stench = {
    .onAttacker = +[](ON_ATTACKER) -> int {
        CHECK(ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(target))
        CHECK(CanMoveHaveExtraFlinchChance(move))
        CHECK(Random() % 100 < 10)
        
        return AbilityStatusEffectDirect(MOVE_EFFECT_FLINCH);
    },
};

Overworld Implementation (src/wild_encounter.c):

if (ability == ABILITY_STENCH && gMapHeader.mapLayoutId == LAYOUT_BATTLE_FRONTIER_BATTLE_PYRAMID_FLOOR)
    encounterRate = encounterRate * 3 / 4;
else if (ability == ABILITY_STENCH)
    encounterRate /= 2;

Affected Moves

All moves with the FLAG_KINGS_ROCK_AFFECTED flag can trigger Stench's flinch effect. This includes most damaging moves except:

• Moves that already have a 100% secondary effect
• Multi-hit moves
• Certain signature moves

Interactions with Other Abilities/Mechanics

• King's Rock/Razor Fang: Effects stack multiplicatively (19% total flinch chance)
• Serene Grace: Would affect the base move's flinch chance but not Stench's addition
• Inner Focus/Shield Dust: Prevents the flinch from occurring
• Steadfast: Opponent gains Speed boost if they have this ability

Strategic Implications

• Excellent on fast Pokémon that can capitalize on flinching slower opponents
• Pairs well with high-power moves that normally can't flinch
• Provides utility for exploration by reducing grinding time
• More valuable in Elite Redux due to working on all attack types

Example Damage Calculations

Since Stench doesn't affect damage, the key calculation is flinch probability:

• Base move with no flinch: 10% flinch chance
• Iron Head (30% flinch): 40% total flinch chance
• With King's Rock on non-flinch move: 19% total flinch chance

Common Users

• Skuntank (signature user in original games)
• Grimer/Muk lines
• Trubbish/Garbodor lines
• Various Poison-type Pokémon

Competitive Usage Notes

• Mid-tier ability that provides decent utility
• Best on offensive Pokémon with good Speed stats
• Can create "paraflinch" strategies with Thunder Wave
• The encounter reduction is valuable for nuzlockes and speedruns

Counters

• Inner Focus: Complete immunity to flinching
• Steadfast: Turns flinches into Speed boosts
• Faster Pokémon: Can't flinch if they move first
• Shield Dust: Prevents secondary effects

Synergies

• Paralysis Support: Ensures you move first to utilize flinch chance
• Sticky Web/Tailwind: Speed control to enable flinching
• King's Rock: Stacks for higher flinch chance
• U-turn/Volt Switch: Hit and potentially flinch before switching

Version History

• Generation III-IV: Only had overworld effect
• Generation V+: Added 10% flinch chance to contact moves
• Elite Redux: Enhanced to work on all King's Rock-affected moves