Lightning Rod - Ability ID 31

In-Game Description

"Redirects Electric moves. Absorbs them, ups highest Atk."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Draws all Electric-type moves to this Pokémon. Absorbs Electric attacks harmlessly and boosts highest attacking stat by 1 stage. In doubles, fully protects partner from Electric moves. Ground-types with this ability gain Electric immunity plus the stat boost. Perfect Electric counter.

Character count: 285

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Lightning Rod combines move redirection with absorption and stat boosting. It fundamentally changes Electric-type targeting in battle.

Technical Implementation

From /src/abilities.cc:

constexpr Ability LightningRod = {
    .onAbsorb = +[](ON_ABSORB) -> int {
        CHECK(moveType == TYPE_ELECTRIC);
        *statId = GetHighestAttackingStatId(battler, TRUE);
        return ABSORB_RESULT_STAT;
    },
    .redirectType = TYPE_ELECTRIC,
    .breakable = TRUE,
};

Key Mechanics

1. Move Redirection:

   • All Electric-type moves target the Lightning Rod user
   • Works in both singles and doubles
   • Overrides original target selection
   • Even draws Electric moves aimed at partner

2. Absorption Effect:

   • Electric moves deal 0 damage to Lightning Rod user
   • Triggers stat boost instead of damage
   • Works regardless of user's type

3. Stat Boost Mechanism:

   • Uses GetHighestAttackingStatId(battler, TRUE)
   • Compares Attack vs Special Attack (including modifiers)
   • Boosts the higher stat by +1 stage
   • Maximum boost is +6 stages

Ability Properties

• Breakable: Can be suppressed by Mold Breaker
• Type-specific: Only affects Electric-type moves
• Absorption-based: Completely negates damage

Move Interactions

Redirected and absorbed:

• Thunder, Thunderbolt, Thunder Shock
• Wild Charge, Volt Tackle
• Thunder Wave (absorbed, no paralysis)
• All Electric-type attacks

NOT affected:

• Non-Electric moves with paralysis chance
• Electric Terrain (field effect)
• Galvanize-boosted Normal moves (become Electric)

Pokémon with Lightning Rod

Changeable ability:

• Rhyhorn/Rhydon/Rhyperior line
• Goldeen/Seaking
• Blitzle/Zebstrika
• Cubone/Marowak (Alolan)
• Various Electric-immune Pokémon

Innate ability:

• Goldeen/Seaking (also changeable)
• Morpekyll
• Several Elite Redux additions

Strategic Applications

Singles:

• Complete Electric immunity
• Setup opportunity from Electric attacks
• Deters Electric move usage
• Stat boosting without setup moves

Doubles/VGC:

• Protects partner from Electric moves
• Enables Electric-weak partners
• Discharge becomes safe to use
• Creates targeting dilemmas

Stat Boost Details

• Boosts Attack if Attack ≥ Special Attack
• Boosts Special Attack if Special Attack > Attack
• Considers stat stages in calculation
• +1 boost per absorbed Electric move
• Can reach +6 maximum

Synergies

• Ground-types: Already immune, gain free boosts
• Water/Flying types: Cover Electric weakness
• Mixed attackers: Benefit from either stat boost
• Discharge teams: Safe Electric spread moves
• Rain teams: Counter to Thunder spam

Advantages

• Immunity plus stat boost
• Partner protection in doubles
• Discourages Electric moves entirely
• No damage from redirected moves
• Works on status moves (Thunder Wave)

Counters

• Mold Breaker abilities
• Non-Electric coverage moves
• Gastro Acid/Worry Seed
• Physical vs special targeting
• Setup punishment (Haze, Clear Smog)

Competitive Usage Notes

Lightning Rod excels on Pokémon that:

1. Appreciate Electric immunity
2. Can utilize mixed offenses
3. Serve as doubles support
4. Already resist/immune to Electric

The ability transforms Electric attacks from threats into setup opportunities. In doubles, it enables powerful Electric-weak Pokémon like Gyarados or Pelipper to function safely. The dynamic stat boost choice rewards balanced offensive stats.

Comparison to Similar Abilities

• Storm Drain: Water-type equivalent
• Sap Sipper: Grass-type equivalent
• Flash Fire: Fire immunity + Fire boost
• Motor Drive: Electric immunity + Speed boost

Notable Interactions

• Rhyperior: Ground/Rock with Lightning Rod creates double Electric immunity
• Seaking: Water-type gains Electric immunity, covering weakness
• Partner Gyarados: Enables safe Gyarados usage in doubles

Version History

• Gen 3-4: Only redirected moves, no stat boost
• Gen 5+: Added immunity and Special Attack boost
• Elite Redux: Boosts highest attacking stat instead of just Special Attack