Effect Spore - Ability ID 27

In-Game Description

"30% chance to inflict SLP, PARA or PSN if hit by a contact move."

Extended In-Game Description

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

When hit by a contact move, 30% chance to inflict sleep, paralysis, or poison (equal odds). Each status checks type immunities. Grass-types, Overcoat, and Safety Goggles block all effects. Defensive deterrent that punishes physical attackers with random debilitating status conditions.

Character count: 285

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Effect Spore is a defensive ability that has a 30% chance to inflict one of three status conditions when the user is hit by a contact move. When triggered, it randomly selects between Sleep, Paralysis, or Poison with equal probability (33.33% each).

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability EffectSpore = {
    .onDefender = +[](ON_DEFENDER) -> int {
        CHECK(ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(attacker))
        CHECK(IsMoveMakingContact(move, attacker))
        CHECK_NOT(IsPowderImmune(attacker, FALSE))
        CHECK(Random() % 100 < 30)

        switch (Random() % 3) {
            case 0: // Poison
            case 1: // Paralysis  
            case 2: // Sleep
        }
    },
    .breakable = TRUE,
    .powderImmune = TRUE,
};

Activation Requirements

1. Contact move: Only physical moves that make contact
2. On-hit effects apply: Standard battle conditions
3. 30% trigger chance: Checked before status selection
4. No powder immunity: Target must not be immune to powder effects

Status Distribution

When Effect Spore triggers:

• 33.33% chance for Poison
• 33.33% chance for Paralysis
• 33.33% chance for Sleep

Immunities and Protections

Complete immunity from:

• Grass-type Pokémon (powder immunity)
• Overcoat ability
• Safety Goggles item

Status-specific immunities:

• Electric-types can't be paralyzed
• Poison/Steel-types can't be poisoned
• Pokémon with Insomnia/Vital Spirit can't be put to sleep
• Already statused Pokémon can't receive a second status

Ability Properties

• Breakable: Can be suppressed by Mold Breaker
• Powder-based: Treated as a powder effect for immunity purposes
• AI Rating: 4/10 (moderate defensive value)

Pokémon with Effect Spore

Common users:

• Paras/Parasect (mushroom theme)
• Shroomish/Breloom
• Foongus/Amoonguss
• Morelull/Shiinotic
• Other mushroom/spore themed Pokémon

Also available to:

• Cutiefly/Ribombee (innate ability)
• Gossifleur/Eldegoss (cotton spores)
• Various Pokémon through Elite Redux's expanded ability system

Strategic Implications

• Physical deterrent: Discourages contact moves
• RNG protection: Unreliable but potentially game-changing
• Multi-hit vulnerability: Each hit has separate 30% chance
• Status roulette: Opponent can't predict which status they'll receive

Synergies

• Defensive builds: Works well on bulky Pokémon that take multiple hits
• Substitute: Effect Spore still triggers when Substitute is hit
• Rocky Helmet: Stacks chip damage with status chance
• Regenerator: Can switch out and heal while opponent deals with status

Counters

• Special attackers (no contact)
• Grass-type attackers (immune)
• Overcoat ability users
• Safety Goggles holders
• Long Reach ability
• Non-contact physical moves
• Protective Pads item

Competitive Usage Notes

Effect Spore provides decent defensive utility but suffers from unreliability. The 30% activation rate and random status selection make it difficult to build strategies around. However, it can swing matches when it activates at crucial moments, particularly landing sleep. Best used on Pokémon that naturally want to absorb physical hits and can capitalize on any of the three status conditions.

AI Behavior

The AI considers Effect Spore when deciding whether to use contact moves, applying a small penalty (10% adjusted chance) to account for potential status. It weighs all three possible statuses equally when making decisions.

Version History

Effect Spore has remained mechanically consistent throughout generations. The main changes have been clarifications on its powder-based nature and interactions with new items/abilities that provide powder immunity.