Soul Eater (Ability #331)

Basic Information

• Name: Soul Eater
• ID: 331 (ABILITY_SOUL_EATER)
• Description: "Dealing a KO heals 1/4 of this Pokémon's max HP."

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (IMPORTANT: exactly 280-300 chars counted WITH spaces) When this Pokémon knocks out an opponent with any damaging move, it immediately recovers 25% of its maximum HP. This healing effect triggers after each knockout, making the Pokémon increasingly difficult to defeat in prolonged battles as it sustains itself through consecutive victories.

Mechanical Analysis

Implementation Details

• Trigger: onBattlerFaints with APPLY_ON_ATTACKER
• Condition: Activates when the Pokémon with Soul Eater knocks out an opponent
• Effect: Heals 25% of the user's maximum HP
• Battle Script: BattleScript_HandleSoulEaterEffect

Code Implementation

constexpr Ability SoulEater = {
    .onBattlerFaints = +[](ON_BATTLER_FAINTS) -> int {
        CHECK_NOT(BATTLER_MAX_HP(battler));
        CHECK(CanBattlerHeal(battler));
        BattleScriptCall(BattleScript_HandleSoulEaterEffect);
        return TRUE;
    },
    .onBattlerFaintsFor = APPLY_ON_ATTACKER,
};

Battle Script

BattleScript_HandleSoulEaterEffect::
    tryhealpercenthealth BS_STACK_1, 25, BattleScript_Return
BattleScript_HandleSoulEaterEffect_AfterHeal:
    orword gHitMarker, HITMARKER_IGNORE_SUBSTITUTE
    healthbarupdate BS_STACK_1
    datahpupdate BS_STACK_1
    printstring STRINGID_STACKREGAINEDHEALTH
    waitmessage B_WAIT_TIME_LONG
    return

Strategic Analysis

Strengths

• Sustain: Provides excellent longevity in battles through healing
• Snowball Effect: Each victory makes the Pokémon harder to defeat
• Reliable Activation: Triggers on any knockout, not just specific move types
• Substantial Healing: 25% HP recovery is significant

Limitations

• Requires Knockouts: No benefit if the Pokémon can't secure KOs
• No Effect at Full HP: Cannot heal beyond maximum HP
• Single Battle Focus: Most effective in battles with multiple opponents

Tactical Applications

• Sweeper Role: Ideal for Pokémon designed to sweep through multiple opponents
• Late Game Power: Becomes increasingly valuable as battles progress
• Endurance Battles: Excellent for longer, drawn-out fights
• Double/Triple Battles: More opportunities for knockouts and healing

Related Abilities

Soul Eater's healing mechanic is shared by several other abilities in the codebase:

• Blood Bath: Also uses SoulEater.onBattlerFaints for healing
• Jaws of Carnage: Uses BattleScript_HandleJawsOfCarnageEffect (50% healing)
• Hunter's Horn: References the same 25% healing mechanism
• Various Combination Abilities: Many abilities incorporate Soul Eater's effect

Technical Notes

• The ability uses tryhealpercenthealth with a 25% value
• Healing is subject to standard battle conditions (can't heal at full HP, must be able to heal)
• The effect bypasses Substitute due to HITMARKER_IGNORE_SUBSTITUTE
• Displays the standard "regained health" message after healing