Spectralize - Ability ID 393

In-Game Description

"Normal-type moves become Ghost and Ghost gains STAB."

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (IMPORTANT: exactly 280-300 chars counted WITH spaces)

Spectralize transforms all Normal-type attacking moves into Ghost-type moves and grants Ghost STAB regardless of natural typing. This allows non-Ghost types to hit Fighting and Psychic types super-effectively with moves like Body Slam and Hyper Voice while gaining powerful Ghost coverage.

Character count: 299

Technical Implementation Details

From /Users/joel/Github/eliteredux/eliteredux-source/src/abilities.cc lines 3983-3985

constexpr Ability Spectralize = {
    ATE_ABILITY(TYPE_GHOST),
};

ATE_ABILITY Macro Implementation (lines 285-291):

#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; }

Core Mechanics:

1. Type Conversion: All Normal-type attacking moves become Ghost-type (checked at moveType == TYPE_NORMAL)
2. STAB Grant: Pokémon gains STAB for ALL Ghost-type moves regardless of natural typing
3. ateBoost Flag: Sets the ateBoost flag for converted moves (used for tracking and potential interactions)

Important Implementation Notes:

• Uses the standard ATE_ABILITY macro with TYPE_GHOST parameter
• NO automatic power boost (unlike some custom -ate abilities in Elite Redux)
• Only affects attacking moves (status moves like Thunder Wave remain Normal-type)
• The ability is registered in the ability table at line 9237: {ABILITY_SPECTRALIZE, Spectralize}

Strategic Analysis and Applications

Offensive Applications

Move Transformation Benefits:

• Body Slam → Ghost-type STAB move with paralysis chance
• Hyper Voice → Powerful Ghost-type special attack that hits through Substitute
• Return/Frustration → Ghost-type STAB moves with variable power
• Quick Attack → Ghost-type priority move
• Explosion → Ghost-type suicide move (though still hits Ghost types due to explosive mechanics)

Type Coverage Advantages:

• Super-effective against Fighting and Psychic types (2x damage)
• Neutral against most types that resist Normal (Rock, Steel)
• Can hit Normal types neutrally instead of being resisted

Defensive Considerations

Weaknesses Created:

• Converted moves now resisted by Dark types (0.5x damage)
• Steel types become immune to converted moves (0x damage)
• Lose the benefit of Fighting types taking normal damage from Normal moves

Competitive Tier Analysis: HIGH

Tier Justification:

1. Meta Relevance: Ghost is an excellent offensive type in competitive play
2. Coverage Value: Provides super-effective hits against common Fighting and Psychic types
3. STAB Access: Grants Ghost STAB to any Pokémon, significantly boosting power output
4. Move Pool Synergy: Many Pokémon have extensive Normal-type movepools that benefit greatly

Optimal Usage Scenarios:

• Mixed Attackers: Pokémon with both physical and special Normal moves
• Coverage Seekers: Non-Ghost types needing Ghost-type attacks
• STAB Maximizers: Pokémon wanting to boost their Normal-type moves with STAB

Related Abilities and Comparisons

Other ATE_ABILITY Implementations

Standard -ate Abilities (Type Conversion + STAB only):

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

Enhanced -ate Abilities (with custom power boosts):

• Steelworker (ID 200): Steel-type moves + Dark/Ghost resistance
• Normalize (ID 96): All moves → Normal with 1.1x power boost for converted moves

Key Differences from Main Series

Elite Redux Implementation:

• No automatic 1.2x power boost (unlike main series -ate abilities)
• Only provides type conversion and STAB access
• Makes the ability more balanced but still highly valuable

Power Calculation:

• Converted move: Base Power × 1.5 (STAB only)
• Main series equivalent: Base Power × 1.2 × 1.5 = 1.8x total

Synergy Abilities

Abilities that complement Spectralize:

• Technician: Boosts weak converted moves like Quick Attack
• Adaptability: Would double STAB bonus if present (though not applicable in 4-ability system)
• Skill Link: Enhances multi-hit Normal moves that get converted

Battle Interactions and Edge Cases

Status Move Handling

• Thunder Wave, Sleep Powder, etc.: Remain Normal-type (not converted)
• Only attacking moves are affected by type conversion

Special Interactions

SpectralShroud Synergy (ID 386):

• SpectralShroud checks for gBattleStruct->ateBoost[battler] and moveType == TYPE_GHOST
• 30% chance to badly poison target when using converted Ghost moves
• Creates powerful synergy between the two Ghost-themed abilities

Elite Redux 4-Ability System Integration

Recommended Slot Usage:

• Changeable Slot: When flexibility is needed for different matchups
• Innate Slot: When consistent Ghost coverage is core to the Pokémon's strategy

Multi-Ability Combinations:

• Can stack with other offensive abilities for devastating combinations
• Works well with stat-boosting abilities to maximize converted move power

Notable Pokémon Beneficiaries

Based on usage patterns in TrainerList.textproto and SpeciesList.textproto

High-Value Users:

• Pokémon with extensive Normal-type movepools
• Mixed attackers with both physical and special Normal moves
• Pokémon needing Ghost coverage for competitive viability
• Pokémon that can take advantage of Fighting/Psychic matchups

This ability represents one of the most valuable type-conversion abilities in Elite Redux, offering immediate offensive improvement and meta-relevant coverage to any Pokémon that can utilize it effectively.