Looter (Ability #364)

Basic Information

• Name: Looter
• ID: 364 (ABILITY_LOOTER)
• 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, allowing the Pokémon to sustain itself through consecutive victories and become increasingly formidable in prolonged battles.

Mechanical Analysis

Implementation Details

• Trigger: onBattlerFaints with APPLY_ON_ATTACKER
• Condition: Activates when the Pokémon with Looter knocks out an opponent
• Effect: Heals 25% of the user's maximum HP
• Battle Script: BattleScript_HandleSoulEaterEffect
• Code Location: /src/abilities.cc lines 3805-3808

Code Implementation

constexpr Ability Looter = {
    .onBattlerFaints = SoulEater.onBattlerFaints,
    .onBattlerFaintsFor = APPLY_ON_ATTACKER,
};

Shared Implementation

Looter uses the exact same implementation as Soul Eater (#331), referencing the same lambda function and battle script. The underlying mechanics are identical:

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

• Consistent Healing: Provides reliable 25% HP recovery on each knockout
• Universal Trigger: Works with any damaging move that causes a KO
• Sustain Power: Excellent for sweep scenarios and prolonged battles
• No Type Restrictions: Unlike some healing abilities, works regardless of move type
• Immediate Effect: Healing occurs right after the knockout

Limitations

• Requires Knockouts: No benefit if the Pokémon can't secure eliminations
• Full HP Check: Cannot heal beyond maximum HP
• Battle Format Dependent: More valuable in singles than doubles due to knockout frequency
• Vulnerable to Chip Damage: Doesn't prevent residual damage between turns

Tactical Applications

• Late Game Sweeper: Ideal for Pokémon designed to clean up weakened teams
• Endurance Battles: Excellent for long battles with multiple opponents
• Recovery Strategy: Allows risky plays knowing healing is guaranteed on success
• Momentum Preservation: Maintains offensive pressure by staying healthy

Pokémon Distribution

Sample Pokémon with Looter

Based on the species list analysis, Looter appears on various Pokémon including:

• Rattata (as one of three abilities: Hustle/Normalize/Looter)
• Multiple other species across different evolutionary lines
• Both as main abilities and innate abilities

Ability Slot Usage

• Primary Ability: Available as one of the chooseable abilities
• Innate Ability: Also appears as an innate (always-active) ability on some species

Related Abilities

Abilities with Identical Implementation

These abilities share the exact same code and battle script as Looter:

• Soul Eater (#331) - Original implementation
• Predator (#363) - Uses SoulEater.onBattlerFaints
• Scavenger (#345) - Uses SoulEater.onBattlerFaints

Abilities with Similar Healing Mechanics

• Hunter's Horn (#464) - Combines Looter's healing with offensive boosts
• Magma Eater (#467) - Combines healing with type effectiveness changes
• Apex Predator - Combines healing with Tough Claws effect
• Jaws of Carnage (#438) - 50% healing instead of 25% for bite moves
• Bloodlust - Combines Soul Eater healing with Blood Bath effects

Competitive Comparison

• Soul Eater vs Looter: Functionally identical, different flavor names
• Predator vs Looter: Also identical mechanically, thematically similar
• Scavenger vs Looter: Same healing effect, different thematic approach

Technical Notes

• Uses tryhealpercenthealth with 25% recovery value
• Healing bypasses Substitute due to HITMARKER_IGNORE_SUBSTITUTE
• Subject to standard healing restrictions (full HP check, healing ability check)
• Displays standard "regained health" message after successful healing
• Code reference: Line 9209 in ability mapping table

Competitive Viability

Looter excels in formats where:

• Single battles are common (more knockout opportunities)
• Multiple weak opponents can be eliminated consecutively
• Sustain is valued over immediate power
• Long battles reward defensive capabilities

The ability transforms offensive Pokémon into self-sustaining threats, making them particularly dangerous in the late game when they can sweep through weakened opposing teams while maintaining their own health.