Elite Redux Ability Codex

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Striker (Ability #361) ​

Overview ​

Striker is an offensive ability that provides a 30% power boost to all kicking moves. This ability identifies kicking moves through the FLAG_STRIKER_BOOST flag system, covering both traditional kicks and modern kicking attacks.

Mechanics ​

Power Boost ​

  • Multiplier: 1.3x (30% increase)
  • Trigger: Any move with the FLAG_STRIKER_BOOST flag
  • Implementation: Called during offensive multiplier calculation phase
cpp
// From src/abilities.cc:3789-3794
constexpr Ability Striker = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier =
        +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
            if (IsStrikerBoosted(battler, move)) MUL(1.3);
        },
};

Move Recognition System ​

The ability uses the IsStrikerBoosted function from src/battle_util.c:9190-9194:

cpp
int IsStrikerBoosted(int battler, MoveEnum move) {
    if (gBattleMoves[move].flags & FLAG_STRIKER_BOOST) return TRUE;
    if (gBattleMoves[move].flags & FLAG_IRON_FIST_BOOST && BattlerHasAbility(battler, ABILITY_JUNSHI_SANDA, FALSE)) return TRUE;
    return FALSE;
}

Affected Moves ​

Classic Kicking Moves ​

  • Double Kick - Fighting-type, hits twice
  • Mega Kick - Normal-type, high power single hit
  • Jump Kick - Fighting-type, recoil if missed
  • High Jump Kick - Fighting-type, high power with recoil risk
  • Rolling Kick - Fighting-type, may cause flinching
  • Low Kick - Fighting-type, variable power based on target weight
  • Stomp - Normal-type, may cause flinching
  • Triple Kick - Fighting-type, hits three times with increasing power

Modern Kicking Moves ​

  • Blaze Kick - Fire-type, high critical hit ratio
  • High Horsepower - Ground-type, high power
  • Trop Kick - Grass-type, lowers Attack
  • Pyro Ball - Fire-type, may burn
  • Triple Axel - Ice-type, hits three times
  • Thunderous Kick - Fighting-type, lowers Defense
  • Whirling Strikes - Custom move
  • Triple Arrows - Fighting/Flying-type
  • Rider Kick - Custom move
  • Axe Kick - Fighting-type, may cause paralysis
  • Triple Tremor - Custom move

Strategic Applications ​

Team Building ​

  1. Physical Sweeper Role - Focus on high Attack stats to maximize damage output
  2. Coverage Options - Kicking moves span multiple types (Fighting, Fire, Ground, Ice, etc.)
  3. Speed Control - Many kicking moves benefit from priority or speed investment
  4. Mixed Attackers - Some kicking moves are special (like Pyro Ball)

Competitive Advantages ​

  • Consistent Damage Boost - Unlike conditional abilities, works on all qualifying moves
  • Type Diversity - Kicking moves cover multiple types for coverage
  • Multi-Hit Synergy - Boosts each hit of multi-hit kicks like Triple Kick
  • Priority Integration - Works with priority kicking moves like Rolling Kick

Common Strategies ​

  1. All-Out Attacker - Maximum Attack investment with Choice Band/Life Orb
  2. Speed Control - Use faster kicks to outspeed and KO threats
  3. Coverage Fighter - Utilize different-typed kicks for neutral coverage
  4. Support Utility - Use stat-lowering kicks while dealing boosted damage

Pokemon with Striker ​

As Regular Ability ​

  • Rapidash (Kantonian) - Fire/Striker/Deadly Precision
  • Rapidash (Galarian) - Reckless/Striker/Deadly Precision
  • Hitmonlee - Combat Specialist/Roundhouse with Striker innate
  • Blaziken line (Torchic/Combusken/Blaziken) - All have Striker as innate
  • Mega Blaziken - Striker innate with Hellblaze/Roundhouse
  • Lucario - Emanate with Striker innate
  • Buneary line (Buneary/Lopunny) - All have Striker innate
  • Mega Lopunny - Striker innate
  • Scrafty - Striker/Moxie/Intimidate
  • Litten - Striker innate
  • Primarina line - All have Striker innate
  • Scolipede line - All have Striker innate

Variant Abilities ​

  • Mega Grimmsnarl - Has Striker Pixilate (Striker + Pixilate combined)
  • Samba - Shares Striker's offensive multiplier with Dancer effects

Combat Specialist (Ability #462) ​

Combines Iron Fist and Striker effects:

cpp
constexpr Ability CombatSpecialist = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier =
        +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
            IronFist.onOffensiveMultiplier(DELEGATE_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER);
            Striker.onOffensiveMultiplier(DELEGATE_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER);
        },
};

Roundhouse (Ability #403) ​

Enhances kicking moves with perfect accuracy and defensive stat targeting:

  • Never misses when using kicking moves
  • Chooses lower defensive stat (Defense vs Special Defense)
  • Synergizes perfectly with Striker for maximum effectiveness

Iron Fist (Ability #89) ​

Similar concept but for punching moves:

  • Boosts FLAG_IRON_FIST_BOOST moves by 1.2x
  • Many Pokemon learn both punching and kicking moves

Competitive Analysis ​

Tier Assessment ​

A-Tier Offensive Ability

  • Consistent 30% boost without conditions
  • Wide move pool coverage
  • No drawbacks or restrictions

Strengths ​

  1. Reliable Damage - Always active when using qualifying moves
  2. Type Coverage - Kicking moves span many types
  3. Multi-Hit Synergy - Boosts each hit of multi-hit moves
  4. No Restrictions - No HP thresholds, status requirements, or turn limitations

Weaknesses ​

  1. Move Pool Dependent - Requires access to good kicking moves
  2. Physical Focus - Most kicking moves are physical (exception: Pyro Ball)
  3. Competition - Other offensive abilities may provide similar or better boosts
  4. Prediction Required - Opponent can switch to resist kicking move types

Usage Statistics ​

  • Most Common Sets: Choice Band physical attacker, Life Orb mixed attacker
  • Popular Moves: High Jump Kick, Blaze Kick, Triple Kick, Low Kick
  • Team Roles: Physical sweeper, wallbreaker, revenge killer

Technical Implementation ​

Code Structure ​

cpp
// Ability definition
constexpr Ability Striker = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier =
        +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
            if (IsStrikerBoosted(battler, move)) MUL(1.3);
        },
};

// Move recognition
int IsStrikerBoosted(int battler, MoveEnum move) {
    if (gBattleMoves[move].flags & FLAG_STRIKER_BOOST) return TRUE;
    // Special case for Junshi Sanda ability interaction
    if (gBattleMoves[move].flags & FLAG_IRON_FIST_BOOST && 
        BattlerHasAbility(battler, ABILITY_JUNSHI_SANDA, FALSE)) return TRUE;
    return FALSE;
}

Flag System ​

Moves gain Striker boost through proto definition:

proto
moves {
  id: MOVE_DOUBLE_KICK
  name: "Double Kick"
  description: "Kicks the foe quickly twice. Striker boost."
  striker: true  // This sets FLAG_STRIKER_BOOST
}

Ability Registration ​

cpp
// From abilities array at line 9206
{ABILITY_STRIKER, Striker},

Version History ​

  • Elite Redux 2.5+: Introduced as ability #361
  • Current: No changes since introduction

Notes ​

  • Unlike Iron Fist's 1.2x multiplier, Striker provides a stronger 1.3x boost
  • The FLAG_STRIKER_BOOST system allows easy addition of new kicking moves
  • Combat Specialist users get both Iron Fist and Striker boosts simultaneously
  • Roundhouse ability provides perfect synergy by making kicks never miss and hit weaker defensive stats

Elite Redux Ability Codex

Elite Redux Development Team