Ability #327: Hypnotist

Basic Information

• ID: 327 (ABILITY_HYPNOTIST)
• Name: Hypnotist
• Original Description: "Hypnosis accuracy is 90% when used by this Pokémon."

Extended In-Game Description

Transforms Hypnosis from an unreliable 60% accuracy sleep move into a consistent 90% accuracy threat. This ability multiplies Hypnosis accuracy by 1.5x, making sleep-inducing strategies significantly more viable. The boost only applies to Hypnosis specifically, not other sleep moves.

Character count: 285 characters (including spaces)

Mechanical Analysis

Core Effect

• Trigger: When the Pokémon uses Hypnosis
• Calculation: Hypnosis base accuracy (60%) × 1.5 = 90% accuracy
• Implementation: Uses .onAccuracy callback with ACCURACY_MULTIPLICATIVE priority
• Scope: Only affects Hypnosis move, no other sleep-inducing moves

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability Hypnotist = {
    .onAccuracy = +[](ON_ACCURACY) -> AccuracyPriority {
        CHECK(move == MOVE_HYPNOSIS);
        *accuracy *= 1.5;
        return ACCURACY_MULTIPLICATIVE;
    },
};

Accuracy Calculations

• Base Hypnosis: 60% accuracy
• With Hypnotist: 60% × 1.5 = 90% accuracy
• With Wide Lens: 90% × 1.1 = 99% accuracy (effective maximum)
• Against Brightpowder: 90% × 0.9 = 81% accuracy

Strategic Applications

Utility Focus

• Sleep Support: Reliable sleep induction for team support
• Setup Opportunities: Creates safe setup turns for teammates
• Disruption: Consistent sleep pressure against offensive threats
• Combo Potential: Works with Dream Eater, Nightmare, or wake-up moves

Competitive Considerations

• Niche Role: Specialized utility rather than general power boost
• Move Slot Pressure: Requires dedicating a move slot to Hypnosis
• Counterplay: Sleep Clause, Sleep Talk, Lum Berry, Natural Cure
• Meta Dependency: Value fluctuates based on sleep move usage trends

Distribution Analysis

Notable Carriers

The ability appears on various Pokémon with different roles:

• Psychic-types: Natural thematic fit (Ralts line, Drowzee line)
• Water-types: Some Poliwag line members as innate ability
• Support Pokémon: Utility-focused species with sleep move access

Common Contexts

• Innate Ability: Often appears as a fixed innate rather than selectable
• Support Builds: Preferred on bulky support Pokémon
• Double Battles: Enhanced value due to multiple sleep targets

Related Abilities

• Dreamcatcher: Works synergistically with sleep strategies
• Sweet Dreams: Another sleep-related ability in Elite Redux
• Bad Dreams: Punishes sleeping opponents
• Insomnia: Defensive counterpart preventing sleep

Optimization Notes

• Best Users: Bulky Pokémon that can survive after inducing sleep
• Item Synergy: Wide Lens for near-perfect accuracy, Focus Sash for survival
• Move Combinations: Hypnosis + Dream Eater, Hypnosis + setup moves
• Team Support: Most effective when supporting sweepers or setup Pokémon

Historical Context

Hypnotist addresses the traditional unreliability of sleep moves in competitive play. By providing consistent accuracy to Hypnosis, it creates a niche for sleep-based utility strategies without making them overpowered, as the ability only affects one specific move rather than all sleep-inducing attacks.