Bad Company - Ability #369

Overview

Bad Company is a defensive ability that prevents the user from suffering the defensive stat drops typically associated with certain powerful moves. This ability allows Pokémon to use high-power attacks without the usual defensive drawbacks.

Technical Implementation

Source Location

• File: /Users/joel/Github/eliteredux/eliteredux-source/src/abilities.cc
• Line: 3835-3837
• Battle Script Reference: /Users/joel/Github/eliteredux/eliteredux-source/src/battle_script_commands.c, line 2738

Code Implementation

constexpr Ability BadCompany = {
    .randomizerBanned = TRUE,
};

Battle Logic Implementation

The ability's effect is implemented in the battle script commands:

case MOVE_EFFECT_DEF_SPDEF_DOWN:  // Close Combat
    if (!BATTLER_HAS_ABILITY(gBattlerAttacker, ABILITY_BAD_COMPANY)) {
        BattleScriptCall(BattleScript_DefSpDefDown);
    }
    break;

Mechanics

Primary Effect

• Stat Protection: Prevents Defense and Special Defense from dropping when using moves with MOVE_EFFECT_DEF_SPDEF_DOWN effect
• Triggers On: Moves that normally lower the user's Defense and Special Defense after dealing damage

Affected Moves

Based on the codebase analysis, moves that use EFFECT_CLOSE_COMBAT are affected:

1. Close Combat (Fighting-type)

   • Power: 120, Accuracy: 100%, PP: 5
   • Normally lowers user's Defense and Sp. Defense by 1 stage each

2. Dragon Ascent (Flying-type)

   • Power: 120, Accuracy: 100%, PP: 5
   • Normally lowers user's Defense and Sp. Defense by 1 stage each

3. Strength (Rock-type, modified version)

   • Uses the same CLOSE_COMBAT effect
   • Normally lowers user's defensive stats

Battle Script Details

• Effect ID: MOVE_EFFECT_DEF_SPDEF_DOWN (enum value 57)
• Script: BattleScript_DefSpDefDown is bypassed when Bad Company is present
• Implementation: Direct check in battle_script_commands.c

Strategic Analysis

Advantages

1. Offensive Consistency: Allows repeated use of high-power moves without defensive penalties
2. Defensive Integrity: Maintains bulk while using powerful attacks
3. Setup Potential: Can use stat-boosting moves without fear of defensive drops
4. Longevity: Extends the Pokémon's staying power in battles

Disadvantages

1. Limited Scope: Only affects specific moves with defensive stat drops
2. Randomizer Banned: Cannot appear in randomized games (randomizerBanned = TRUE)
3. Situational: Requires access to affected moves to be useful
4. No Additional Benefits: Provides no other combat advantages

Competitive Applications

Ideal Users

• Physical Attackers: Pokémon that learn Close Combat or Dragon Ascent
• Mixed Attackers: Those who want to maintain defensive capabilities
• Bulky Sweepers: Pokémon that rely on both offense and defense

Team Synergy

• Entry Hazard Weak Teams: Maintains bulk against hazard damage
• Stall Breakers: Can repeatedly use powerful moves without losing bulk
• Late-Game Cleaners: Preserves defensive stats for endgame scenarios

Counters and Limitations

• Status Moves: Still vulnerable to stat-lowering status effects
• Other Stat Drops: Doesn't protect against Attack, Speed, or accuracy drops
• Non-Affected Moves: Other recoil or stat-dropping moves still function normally

Related Abilities

Similar Protective Abilities

• Clear Body (#29): Prevents all stat decreases from opponents
• White Smoke (#73): Prevents stat decreases from opponents (not self-inflicted)
• Full Metal Body (#230): Similar to Clear Body with additional effects

Key Differences

• Bad Company only protects against specific self-inflicted Defense/Sp. Defense drops
• Does not protect against opponent-caused stat changes
• More limited in scope than general stat protection abilities

Pokémon Distribution

Note: Specific Pokémon with this ability would need to be checked in the protobuf species data

Trivia

• The ability name "Bad Company" likely references the cost-benefit nature of powerful moves
• This is one of the few abilities that specifically counteracts move-based stat penalties
• The implementation suggests it was designed specifically for Close Combat-style moves
• Banned from randomizer to prevent overpowered combinations with certain Pokémon

Version History

• Added in Elite Redux as ability #369
• Currently marked as "Not implemented right now. Has no effect." in protobuf description, but actually functional in battle code
• Randomizer banned since implementation