Disguise - Ability ID 209

In-Game Description

"Protects once against an attack. Restores protection in fog."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Disguise blocks the first damaging move that hits the Pokémon, breaking the disguise and changing its form. Only non-status moves are blocked, and certain moves bypass this protection. In fog weather, the disguise is restored, returning to the original form.

Character count: 283

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Disguise is a unique defensive ability exclusive to Mimikyu that provides a one-time damage nullification similar to a free Focus Sash, but with additional form-changing mechanics and weather interactions.

Core Mechanics

• Damage Nullification: Completely blocks the first damaging move that would hit the Pokémon
• Form Change: When disguise is broken, triggers a form change (e.g., Mimikyu → Mimikyu Busted)
• One-Time Use: Only blocks one attack per battle entry
• Weather Restoration: Disguise is restored in fog weather conditions

Activation Conditions

// From DoesDisguiseBlockMove function
ON_ABILITY(battlerDef, TRUE, gAbilities[ability].onDisguise, 
    FILTER(gAbilities[ability].onDisguise(battlerDef, TRUE));
    FILTER_NOT(gBattleMons[battlerDef].status2 & STATUS2_TRANSFORMED);
    FILTER_NOT(IS_MOVE_STATUS(move));
    FILTER_NOT(gHitMarker & HITMARKER_IGNORE_DISGUISE && move != MOVE_SUCKER_PUNCH);
    return TRUE;)

Form Changes Supported

// From onDisguise callback
switch (gBattleMons[battler].species) {
    case SPECIES_MIMIKYU:
        return SPECIES_MIMIKYU_BUSTED;
    case SPECIES_MIMIKYU_RAYQUAZA:
        return SPECIES_MIMIKYU_RAYQUAZA_BUSTED;
    default:
        return SPECIES_NONE;
}

Moves That DON'T Trigger Disguise

• Status moves: Moves that don't deal damage (Thunder Wave, Toxic, etc.)
• Moves with HITMARKER_IGNORE_DISGUISE: Certain moves specifically bypass disguise
• Exception: Sucker Punch can trigger disguise even with the ignore flag

Weather Interaction - Fog Restoration

// DisguiseReformHandler restores original form in fog
static int DisguiseReformHandler(AbilityEnum ability, int battler, AbilityCallType callType) {
    SpeciesEnum newSpecies;
    switch (gBattleMons[battler].species) {
        case SPECIES_MIMIKYU_BUSTED:
            newSpecies = SPECIES_MIMIKYU;
            break;
        case SPECIES_MIMIKYU_RAYQUAZA_BUSTED:
            newSpecies = SPECIES_MIMIKYU_RAYQUAZA;
            break;
        default:
            return FALSE;
    }
    CHECK(IsBattlerWeatherAffected(battler, WEATHER_FOG_ANY))
    CHECK_NOT(gBattleMons[battler].status2 & STATUS2_TRANSFORMED)
    // Restores original form and resets disguise protection
}

Technical Implementation

• Ability Properties: breakable = TRUE, unsuppressable = TRUE, randomizerBanned = TRUE
• Entry Effect: Automatically restores disguise form if in fog weather upon entry
• Form Change Mechanics: Updates species data and battle state when disguise breaks
• Battle Script Integration: Uses BattleScript_TargetFormChange for visual form changes

Interactions with Other Mechanics

• Substitute: Disguise works independently of Substitute
• Transform: Cannot activate if the Pokémon is transformed
• Magic Guard: Does not interact with Magic Guard (different protection types)
• Multi-hit Moves: Only blocks the first hit of multi-hit moves
• Critical Hits: Critical hits are still blocked by disguise

Strategic Implications

• Guaranteed Setup: Provides one free turn for setup moves or positioning
• Weather Dependency: Most effective in fog-heavy team compositions
• Form Change Stats: Busted forms typically have different stat distributions
• Mind Games: Opponents must account for the guaranteed protection

Common Users

• Mimikyu: Primary user, changes to Mimikyu-Busted form
• Mimikyu-Rayquaza: Elite Redux variant with unique form change

Competitive Usage Notes

• Entry Hazards: Stealth Rock and other hazards trigger after disguise breaks
• Status Move Immunity: Vulnerable to status moves like Will-O-Wisp or Thunder Wave
• One-Time Protection: Once broken, requires fog weather or switching out/in to restore
• Priority Moves: Still blocks priority moves like Extreme Speed or Bullet Punch

Counters

• Status Moves: Thunder Wave, Toxic, Will-O-Wisp bypass disguise entirely
• Passive Damage: Poison, burn, and weather damage bypass disguise
• Multi-turn Moves: Only first hit blocked, subsequent hits deal full damage
• Mold Breaker: May bypass disguise protection (implementation dependent)

Synergies

• Fog Weather: Essential for disguise restoration and repeated protection
• Setup Moves: Swords Dance, Nasty Plot, or defensive setup moves
• Shadow Sneak: Priority move that works well after disguise breaks
• Substitute: Can be used after disguise breaks for additional protection

Version History

Elite Redux implementation includes the unique fog weather restoration mechanic, differentiating it from standard Pokémon games where disguise is permanently broken until switching out.