Electric Burst

Overview

Electric Burst is a high-risk, high-reward ability that significantly enhances Electric-type offensive capabilities at the cost of self-inflicted damage. This ability embodies the volatile nature of electricity, providing substantial power at the expense of safety.

Mechanics

Power Boost

• Multiplier: 1.35x damage for all Electric-type moves
• Activation: Triggers on any Electric-type move used by the ability holder
• Stack Compatibility: Multiplicative with other damage modifiers

Recoil Calculation

• Recoil Amount: 10% of damage dealt (minimum 1 HP)
• Calculation: max(damage / 20, 1) HP lost
• Timing: Applied after damage calculation and delivery

Code Implementation

Location: src/abilities.cc lines 3551-3561

constexpr Ability ElectricBurst = {
    .onRecoil = +[](ON_RECOIL) -> int {
        CHECK(moveType == TYPE_ELECTRIC);
        gBattleCommunication[MULTISTRING_CHOOSER] = B_MSG_RECOIL_NORMAL;
        return max(damage / 20, 1);
    },
    .onOffensiveMultiplier =
        +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
            if (moveType == TYPE_ELECTRIC) MUL(1.35);
        },
};

Ability Registration: Line 9181 in ability lookup table

Strategic Applications

Offensive Strategies

• Glass Cannon Builds: Maximize damage output before fainting
• Choice Item Synergy: Lock into powerful Electric moves for consistent damage
• Life Orb Considerations: Stacks with Life Orb for extreme power but increased recoil
• Priority Moves: Electric-type priority moves benefit from the boost with minimal recoil exposure

Defensive Considerations

• HP Management: Careful HP monitoring required to avoid KO from recoil
• Recovery Moves: Non-Electric recovery moves essential for longevity
• Substitute Strategies: Substitute can block recoil damage in certain scenarios

Movepool Synergy

• Thunderbolt/Thunder: High base power moves benefit most from the multiplier
• Volt Tackle: Already has recoil, making the additional 10% manageable
• Thunder Wave: Status moves don't trigger recoil (no damage dealt)
• Discharge: Moderate power spread move with manageable recoil

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

• Massive Damage Output: 35% boost makes Electric attacks extremely threatening
• Versatile Application: Works with all Electric-type moves
• Intimidation Factor: Forces opponents to respect Electric-type threats
• STAB Interaction: Combines with STAB for 2.025x total multiplier

Weaknesses

• Self-Damage: Continuous use leads to self-KO
• Predictable Pattern: Opponents can exploit the recoil mechanic
• Limited Sustainability: Requires support or careful play to maintain effectiveness
• Ground-type Immunity: Electric moves have no effect on Ground-types

Tier Assessment: B+

• Pros: Exceptional damage potential, consistent activation
• Cons: Sustainability issues, risk of self-KO
• Niche: Best on fast, frail attackers or as a finishing move specialist

Pokémon with Electric Burst

Based on SpeciesList.textproto analysis, 21 Pokémon have access to Electric Burst:

Confirmed Species

• Jolteon - Natural fit with high Special Attack and Speed
• Pikachu/Raichu - Iconic Electric-types with diverse movepools
• Pichu - Glass cannon potential despite low stats
• Manectric - Fast special attacker with good Electric movepool
• Shinx/Luxio/Luxray - Physical Electric attackers with mixed potential
• Morpeko - Unique dual-type with situational use
• Regieleki - Legendary with extreme Speed and Electric specialization

Regional Variants

• Multiple Pikachu regional forms (Kanto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Alola, World)
• Pichu Spiky-eared variant

Related Abilities

Similar Risk/Reward Abilities

• Reckless: Boosts recoil moves but affects all types
• Solar Power: Trades HP for Special Attack in sun
• Life Orb: Item equivalent with universal type coverage

Electric-type Synergies

• Motor Drive: Immunity to Electric moves (defensive counterpart)
• Lightning Rod: Redirects Electric moves to boost Special Attack
• Volt Absorb: Heals from Electric moves instead of taking damage

Interactions and Edge Cases

Battle Weather

• Rain: Doesn't affect Electric moves directly
• Sun: No interaction with Electric-type moves
• Sand/Hail: Additional residual damage stacks with recoil

Item Interactions

• Leftovers: Partial recoil recovery each turn
• Choice Items: Lock-in effect works well with consistent power boost
• Focus Sash: Prevents recoil KO from full HP
• Rock Head: Does NOT prevent this recoil (ability-based, not move-based)

Move Interactions

• Protect/Detect: Prevents recoil when move is blocked
• Thunder Wave: No recoil (status move, no damage)
• Charge: Doesn't boost the ability's multiplier further

Conclusion

Electric Burst exemplifies the high-risk, high-reward philosophy of Elite Redux's ability design. While the 35% damage increase is substantial, the 10% recoil creates meaningful decision-making moments and prevents the ability from being overpowered. Success with Electric Burst requires careful HP management, strategic move selection, and often short-term thinking rather than long-term sustainability.

The ability is best suited for fast, frail attackers that can maximize damage before fainting, or as a late-game finishing tool when recoil damage is less of a concern. Its presence in the metagame forces respect for Electric-type attacks and creates interesting counterplay dynamics around Ground-type immunities and HP management strategies.