Serene Grace - Ability ID 32

In-Game Description

"Doubles chance of secondary effects on its own moves."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Doubles the chance of all secondary effects from this Pokémon's moves. Turns unreliable effects into consistent threats: 20% flinch becomes 40%, 10% freeze becomes 20%. Stacks with Rainbow weather for 4x effect rates. Makes status, stat changes, and flinches far more likely to occur.

Character count: 284

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Serene Grace doubles the probability of any secondary effect on moves used by the ability holder. This simple multiplication creates dramatic changes in move reliability.

Technical Implementation

From /src/abilities.cc:

constexpr Ability SereneGrace = {
    .onModifyEffectChance = +[](ON_MODIFY_EFFECT_CHANCE) { *effectChance *= 2; },
};

The implementation:

• Uses onModifyEffectChance callback
• Multiplies effect chance by 2
• Caps at 100% after all modifiers
• Applies only to user's moves

Affected Move Properties

Status effects:

• Burn chance (Fire Punch: 10% → 20%)
• Freeze chance (Ice Beam: 10% → 20%)
• Paralysis chance (Thunder: 30% → 60%)
• Poison chance (Sludge Bomb: 30% → 60%)

Stat changes:

• Attack drops (Aurora Beam: 10% → 20%)
• Defense drops (Crunch: 20% → 40%)
• Speed drops (Icy Wind: 100% → still 100%)
• Accuracy drops (Muddy Water: 30% → 60%)

Flinch chances:

• Bite/Air Slash: 30% → 60%
• Iron Head: 30% → 60%
• Headbutt: 30% → 60%

Other effects:

• Confusion (Water Pulse: 20% → 40%)
• Item removal (Knock Off: always 100%)

Notable Move Interactions

High-impact combinations:

• Thunder: 30% → 60% paralysis (70% with ParaFlinch builds)
• Air Slash: 30% → 60% flinch (infamous paraflinch)
• Iron Head: 30% → 60% flinch
• Rock Slide: 30% → 60% flinch (doubles)
• Scald: 30% → 60% burn

Already 100% effects:

• Icy Wind, Bulldoze (speed drops)
• Psychic (rare 10% → 20% SpDef drop)

Rainbow Weather Interaction

• Rainbow weather also doubles effect chances
• Stacks multiplicatively with Serene Grace
• Results in 4x effect chance (capped at 100%)
• Example: Thunder gets 100% paralysis chance

Related Abilities

Lucky Wings: Combines Serene Grace effect with Giant Wings (1.3x boost to wing/wind moves)

Strategic Applications

Paraflinch Strategy:

• Thunder Wave + Air Slash/Iron Head
• 60% flinch + 25% paralysis = ~70% no move
• Extremely frustrating but effective

Status Spreading:

• Reliable burn/poison application
• Scald becomes premier burn move (60%)
• Thunder becomes paralysis machine

Stat Control:

• Crunch for consistent Defense drops
• Psychic for Special Defense pressure
• Shadow Ball becomes 40% SpDef drop

Common Serene Grace Users

• Togekiss (paraflinch master)
• Jirachi (Iron Head flinches)
• Dunsparce/Dudunsparce
• Blissey (status spreading)
• Deerling/Sawsbuck
• Various Elite Redux additions

Damage vs Effect Consideration

While Serene Grace doesn't boost damage, the utility often outweighs raw power:

• 60% flinch effectively prevents damage
• 60% burn halves physical damage
• Status conditions provide lasting value

Synergies

• Paralysis support: Thunder Wave enables flinch abuse
• Speed control: Ensures moving first for flinches
• Substitute: Protects while fishing for effects
• King's Rock/Razor Fang: Additional flinch chances

Counters

• Inner Focus: Flinch immunity
• Shield Dust: Blocks secondary effects
• Substitute: Blocks most effects
• Covert Cloak: Prevents secondary effects
• Magic Guard: Immune to status damage
• Taunt: Prevents setup

Competitive Usage Notes

Serene Grace transforms unreliable secondary effects into core strategies. The ability is most valuable on Pokémon with:

1. Access to high-flinch moves
2. Good speed tiers or priority
3. Moves with powerful secondary effects
4. Defensive stats to abuse multiple turns

The psychological impact is significant - opponents must respect even low-chance effects.

Mathematical Examples

• 10% effect → 20% (1 in 5 chance)
• 20% effect → 40% (2 in 5 chance)
• 30% effect → 60% (3 in 5 chance)
• 50% effect → 100% (guaranteed)

AI Behavior

• Values moves with secondary effects higher
• Recognizes increased effect chances
• May prioritize status/flinch strategies

Version History

Serene Grace has remained mechanically consistent since Generation 3, always doubling effect chances. The ability's simplicity and effectiveness have made it a competitive staple, particularly on Togekiss and Jirachi.