Pollinate (Ability #381)

Basic Information

• Ability ID: 381 (ABILITY_POLLINATE)
• Name: Pollinate
• Short Description: "Normal-type moves become Bug and Bug gains STAB."
• Type: Type Conversion Ability (ATE-type)
• Generation: Elite Redux Custom

Extended In-Game Description

Normal-type moves become Bug-type and gain a 1.2x power boost. Bug-type moves receive STAB regardless of the Pokemon's actual type. Essentially gives the Pokemon a secondary Bug typing for offensive purposes, converting all Normal moves into powerful Bug attacks.

Technical Implementation

Source Code Location

• File: src/abilities.cc
• Lines: 3956-3958
• Implementation: Uses the ATE_ABILITY(TYPE_BUG) macro

ATE_ABILITY Macro Details

#define ATE_ABILITY(type)                    \
    .onMoveType = +[](ON_MOVE_TYPE) -> int { \
        CHECK(moveType == TYPE_NORMAL)       \
        *ateBoost = TRUE;                    \
        return type + 1;                     \
    },                                       \
    .onStab = +[](ON_STAB) -> int { return moveType == type; }

Mechanics

1. Type Conversion: All Normal-type moves are converted to Bug-type
2. Power Boost: Converted moves receive a 1.2x damage multiplier (*ateBoost = TRUE)
3. STAB Application: Bug-type moves (including converted ones) always receive STAB regardless of the Pokemon's actual typing
4. Priority: Applied before other type-modifying effects

Strategic Analysis

Competitive Applications

• Tier Rating: Medium - Solid offensive boost but limited by Bug-type's middling offensive coverage
• Primary Use: Converting Normal-type attackers into Bug-type specialists
• Best Movesets: Pokemon with strong Normal-type movesets benefit most

Optimal Move Combinations

Recommended Normal → Bug Conversions:

• Hyper Beam → 120 BP Bug-type move with 1.2x boost
• Body Slam → 85 BP Bug-type move with paralysis chance
• Double-Edge → 100 BP Bug-type move with recoil
• Return/Frustration → Variable BP Bug moves
• Quick Attack → Priority Bug-type move
• Facade → Powerful Bug move when statused

Coverage Considerations

Bug-type Effectiveness:

• Super Effective vs: Dark, Grass, Psychic
• Not Very Effective vs: Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Flying, Ghost, Poison, Steel
• Immune: None

Synergies

• Weather Teams: Pairs well with abilities that boost Bug moves
• Status Strategies: Facade becomes a powerful Bug-type move when burned/poisoned
• Priority Moves: Quick Attack becomes a Bug-type priority move
• Choice Items: Fixed Bug typing allows for consistent STAB damage

Related Abilities

Other ATE Abilities in Elite Redux

Pollinate is part of a large family of type-conversion abilities:

Official ATE Abilities:

• Refrigerate (#174) - Normal → Ice
• Pixilate (#182) - Normal → Fairy
• Aerilate (#184) - Normal → Flying
• Galvanize (#206) - Normal → Electric

Elite Redux ATE Abilities:

• Steelworker (#200) - Normal → Steel
• Immolate (#279) - Normal → Fire
• Fighting Spirit (#300) - Normal → Fighting
• Tectonize (#308) - Normal → Ground
• Hydrate (#315) - Normal → Water
• Intoxicate (#325) - Normal → Poison
• Spectralize (#???) - Normal → Ghost
• Mineralize (#404) - Normal → Rock
• Draconize (#413) - Normal → Dragon
• Atomic Burst (#416) - Normal → Electric (with additional effects)
• Emanate (#459) - Normal → Psychic
• Fertilize (#507) - Normal → Grass
• Deviate (#???) - Normal → Dark

Comparison with Similar Abilities

vs Refrigerate/Pixilate/Aerilate:

• Same 1.2x power boost mechanism
• Bug-type has worse offensive coverage than Ice/Fairy/Flying
• More situational than the mainstream ATE abilities

vs Swarm:

• Pollinate affects all moves, not just Bug moves
• Swarm provides conditional boost, Pollinate provides consistent conversion
• Can't stack with Swarm (both affect Bug moves)

Counters and Weaknesses

Direct Counters

• Fire-types: Resist Bug moves, often have super-effective moves
• Flying-types: Resist Bug moves, immune to Ground coverage
• Steel-types: Resist Bug moves, typically bulky
• Poison-types: Resist Bug moves, can absorb status

Strategic Limitations

• Poor Coverage: Bug-type doesn't hit many types super-effectively
• Common Resists: Many types resist Bug moves
• No Defensive Benefit: Pure offensive ability with no defensive utility
• Move Pool Dependent: Effectiveness limited by Normal-type moves available

Recommended Pokemon

Ideal Candidates

Pokemon with large Normal-type movepools and good offensive stats:

• Normal-types: Natural synergy with existing movesets
• High Attack/Sp.Attack: Maximize the 1.2x boost
• Speed Control: Fast Pokemon to outspeed and convert
• Coverage Moves: Non-Normal moves for type coverage

Team Roles

• Physical Sweeper: High Attack with converted Normal moves
• Special Attacker: Special Normal moves become Bug-type
• Revenge Killer: Quick Attack becomes priority Bug move
• Wall Breaker: Powerful converted moves break defensive cores

Conclusion

Pollinate provides a solid offensive conversion that transforms Normal-type attackers into Bug-type specialists. While Bug-type doesn't offer the best offensive coverage, the guaranteed STAB and 1.2x power boost make it a respectable ability for Pokemon with strong Normal-type movesets. The ability's effectiveness is highly dependent on move pool and team composition, making it a medium-tier competitive option that requires careful planning to maximize its potential.