Neutralizing Gas - Ability ID 256

In-Game Description

"All abilities are nullified."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Fills the area with gas that completely suppresses all abilities except unsuppressable ones. Effect lasts while user is on field. When gas clears, all suppressed abilities reactivate their entry effects. Cannot be suppressed itself. Stops weather/terrain abilities and most field effects.

Character count: 288

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

NEUTRALIZING GAS is an extremely powerful field-wide ability suppression effect that nullifies nearly all other abilities while active.

Activation Mechanics:

• Trigger: Immediately upon entering battle
• Timing: Activates before entry hazards
• Field Effect: Sets gFieldTimers.neutralizingGas = TRUE
• Message: "Neutralizing Gas filled the area!"

Suppression Rules:

1. Suppresses ALL abilities EXCEPT:

   • Unsuppressable abilities (.unsuppressable = TRUE)
   • Persistent abilities (.persistent = TRUE)
   • Abilities on Pokemon with Ability Shield

2. Suppression Method:

   • Temporarily sets affected abilities to ABILITY_NONE
   • Check occurs through IsSuppressed() function
   • Affects all ability slots in Elite Redux's 4-ability system

3. Cannot Be Countered By:

   • Mold Breaker (Neutralizing Gas is unsuppressable)
   • Gastro Acid
   • Worry Seed
   • Simple Beam
   • Any other suppression effect

Deactivation Mechanics:

Gas ends when:

• User switches out
• User faints
• No Pokemon on field has Neutralizing Gas

When deactivated:

• gFieldTimers.neutralizingGas = FALSE
• All abilities restored to original state
• Message: "The effects of Neutralizing Gas wore off!"
• ALL Pokemon trigger switch-in abilities again

Technical Implementation:

constexpr Ability NeutralizingGas = {
    .unsuppressable = TRUE,
};

Suppression Check (battle_util.c):

int IsSuppressed(int battler, AbilityEnum ability, int checkMoldBreaker) {
    if ((checkMoldBreaker && battler != gBattlerAttacker && 
         gHitMarker & HITMARKER_MOLD_BREAKER && gAbilities[ability].breakable) ||
        ((gFieldTimers.neutralizingGas || gStatuses3[battler] & STATUS3_GASTRO_ACID) && 
         !IsUnsuppressableAbility(ability))) {
        return !DoesBattlerHaveAbilityShield(battler);
    }
    return FALSE;
}

Competitive Impact:

1. Shuts Down Major Strategies:

   • Weather teams (no Drizzle/Drought/Sand Stream/Snow Warning)
   • Terrain setters (no Surge abilities)
   • Speed control (no Swift Swim/Chlorophyll/Sand Rush)
   • Setup abilities (no Speed Boost/Beast Boost/Moxie)

2. AI Rating: 5/5 (highest possible)

   • One of the most valued abilities by AI
   • High priority for AI team building
   • AI will protect Neutralizing Gas users

3. Team Building:

   • Best on bulky Pokemon that stay in
   • Anti-synergy with ability-reliant teammates
   • Excellent vs ability-dependent teams
   • Pairs with Pokemon using stats over abilities

Notable Interactions:

• Ability Shield: Only counter - protects holder's abilities
• Entry Abilities: All reactivate when gas clears
• Form Changes: Affects ability-based forms
• 4-Ability System: Suppresses ALL ability slots

Strategic Considerations:

1. Field Control:

   • Instant shutdown of field effects
   • Prevents weather/terrain wars
   • Negates speed tiers from abilities

2. Double-Edged:

   • Also suppresses user's teammates
   • Requires careful team composition
   • Can backfire if not planned properly

3. Switching Wars:

   • Opponent may switch to preserve abilities
   • User wants to stay in to maintain effect
   • Pivoting moves become valuable

Pokemon with Neutralizing Gas:

• Originally from Galarian Weezing
• Check species data for Elite Redux distribution

Version History:

• Introduced in Gen 8 (Sword/Shield)
• Elite Redux: Affects all 4 ability slots
• Unsuppressable implementation unique to Elite Redux