Schooling - Ability ID 208

In-Game Description

"If Lv. 20 or more: changes into School form until 1/4 HP or less."

Extended In-Game Description

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

When at level 20 or above, transforms into School Form with improved stats and abilities. Reverts to Solo Form when HP drops to 25% or less. This form change triggers automatically upon entry and at end of each turn. Cannot transform if already transformed by other effects.

Character count: 295

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Schooling is a unique form-changing ability that allows certain Pokémon to transform between two distinct forms based on level requirements and HP thresholds.

Core Mechanics

• Level Requirement: Must be level 20 or above to activate
• HP Threshold: Form changes when HP drops to 25% (1/4) or less of maximum HP
• Transformation Direction:
  • Solo Form → School Form when HP > 25% and level ≥ 20
  • School Form → Solo Form when HP ≤ 25%

Activation Conditions

// From abilities.cc - Schooling ability definition
constexpr Ability Schooling = {
    .onEntry = +[](ON_ENTRY) -> int {
        CHECK(gBattleMons[battler].level >= 20)
        return TryTransformAttacker(ability, battler, ABILITY_BS_PUSH_CURSOR_AND_CALLBACK);
    },
    .onEndTurn = +[](ON_END_TURN) -> int {
        CHECK(gBattleMons[battler].level >= 20)
        return TryTransformAttacker(ability, battler, ABILITY_BS_PUSH_CURSOR_AND_CALLBACK);
    },
    .unsuppressable = TRUE,
    .randomizerBanned = TRUE,
};

Technical Implementation

The ability uses the HP-based transformation system:

// From battle_util.c - HP transformation data
{ABILITY_SCHOOLING, SPECIES_WISHIWASHI_SCHOOL, SPECIES_WISHIWASHI, 4},
{ABILITY_SCHOOLING, SPECIES_UNOWN_REVELATION, SPECIES_UNOWN, 4},

The 4 indicates HP is divided by 4 (25% threshold).

Transformation Logic

// High HP Form → Low HP Form (School → Solo)
if (species == gHpTransformations[i].highHpSpecies && 
    gBattleMons[battler].hp <= gBattleMons[battler].maxHP / gHpTransformations[i].hpFraction) {
    // Transform to Solo form
}

// Low HP Form → High HP Form (Solo → School)  
if (species == gHpTransformations[i].lowHpSpecies && 
    gBattleMons[battler].hp > gBattleMons[battler].maxHP / gHpTransformations[i].hpFraction) {
    // Transform to School form
}

Numerical Values/Percentages

• HP Threshold: Exactly 25% (1/4) of maximum HP
• Level Requirement: Minimum level 20
• Priority: Checks occur on entry and at end of each turn

Complete List of Affected Pokémon

In Elite Redux, Schooling affects:

1. Wishiwashi (Solo Form ↔ School Form)
2. Unown (Regular ↔ Revelation Form)

Stat Changes

The form change typically provides significant stat improvements:

• Wishiwashi School Form: Dramatically increased HP, Attack, Defense, and Special Defense
• Unown Revelation Form: Enhanced combat capabilities compared to base Unown

Interactions with Other Abilities/Mechanics

• Unsuppressable: Cannot be suppressed by abilities like Gastro Acid
• Transform Block: Cannot activate if Pokémon is already transformed by moves like Transform
• Status Check: Blocked by STATUS2_TRANSFORMED flag
• Alive Check: Pokémon must be alive (HP > 0) to transform

Strategic Implications

• Offensive Potential: School Form provides significantly better offensive and defensive stats
• HP Management: Players must carefully manage HP to maintain preferred form
• Level Timing: Evolution timing becomes crucial - transforming at level 20+ provides immediate power spike
• Predictability: Opponents can predict form changes based on visible HP

Example Battle Scenarios

1. Entry Transform: Level 20+ Wishiwashi enters at full HP → automatically becomes School Form
2. Damage Threshold: School Form takes damage reducing HP to 24% → reverts to Solo Form
3. Healing Recovery: Solo Form heals above 25% HP → transforms back to School Form at turn end
4. Low Level Block: Level 19 Wishiwashi cannot transform regardless of HP

Common Users

• Wishiwashi: Primary user, transforms from weak Solo to powerful School form
• Unown: In Elite Redux, gains Revelation form with enhanced battle capabilities

Competitive Usage Notes

• Tank Role: School Form often serves as a bulky pivot or tank
• Setup Sweeper: High stats in School Form enable setup opportunities
• HP Threshold Play: Strategic damage calculation around 25% threshold
• Level Requirement: Must reach level 20 before ability becomes relevant

Counters

• Consistent Damage: Keeping HP below 25% prevents School Form
• Status Effects: Sleep, paralysis can limit effectiveness regardless of form
• Ability Suppression: While unsuppressable, form changes can be prediction-based
• Priority Moves: Can revenge kill before form change occurs

Synergies

• Leftovers/Recovery: Help maintain HP above threshold
• Substitute: Protect while in powerful School Form
• Entry Hazards: Damage on switch-in can affect form immediately
• Healing Support: Teammate healing enables form maintenance

Version History

• Introduced in Generation VII
• Elite Redux implementation adds Unown Revelation form
• Maintains original 25% HP threshold and level 20 requirement
• Added unsuppressable flag for competitive balance