Iron Barrage (Ability #395)

Overview

Iron Barrage is a powerful hybrid ability that combines the offensive capabilities of Mega Launcher with the precision targeting of Sighting System. This unique combination creates a devastating artillery-focused ability perfect for projectile-based attackers.

Technical Implementation

Code Location

• File: /Users/joel/Github/eliteredux/eliteredux-source/src/abilities.cc
• Line: 4082-4087
• Definition:

constexpr Ability IronBarrage = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier = MegaLauncher.onOffensiveMultiplier,
    .onAccuracy = SightingSystem.onAccuracy,
    .onPriority = SightingSystem.onPriority,
    .megaLauncherBoost = TRUE,
};

Component Abilities

Mega Launcher Component (Lines 1943-1949)

constexpr Ability MegaLauncher = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier =
        +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
            if (IsMegaLauncherBoosted(battler, move)) MUL(1.3);
        },
    .megaLauncherBoost = TRUE,
};

Sighting System Component (Lines 3826-3833)

constexpr Ability SightingSystem = {
    .onAccuracy = +[](ON_ACCURACY) -> AccuracyPriority { return ACCURACY_HITS_IF_POSSIBLE; },
    .onPriority = +[](ON_PRIORITY) -> int {
        CHECK(gBattleMoves[move].accuracy)
        CHECK(gBattleMoves[move].accuracy < 80);
        return -3;
    },
};

Move Qualification Logic

File: /Users/joel/Github/eliteredux/eliteredux-source/src/battle_util.c (Lines 9177-9181)

int IsMegaLauncherBoosted(int battler, MoveEnum move) {
    if (gBattleMoves[move].flags & FLAG_MEGA_LAUNCHER_BOOST) return TRUE;
    if (IS_MOVE_STATUS(move) || BattlerHasAbility(battler, ABILITY_GUNMAN, FALSE)) return TRUE;
    return FALSE;
}

Mechanics Breakdown

1. Damage Boost (Mega Launcher)

• Effect: 30% damage increase (1.3x multiplier)
• Applies to: Moves with FLAG_MEGA_LAUNCHER_BOOST flag
• Boosted Moves Include:
  • Water Gun (Priority +1, 40 BP → 52 BP effective)
  • Hydro Pump (110 BP → 143 BP effective)
  • Ice Beam (90 BP → 117 BP effective)
  • Psybeam (65 BP → 84.5 BP effective)
  • Bubble Beam (25 BP multi-hit → 32.5 BP per hit effective)
  • Aurora Beam
  • All status moves (regardless of flag)

2. Perfect Accuracy (Sighting System)

• Effect: ACCURACY_HITS_IF_POSSIBLE - essentially never-miss status
• Applies to: ALL moves used by the Pokémon
• Benefit: Turns unreliable moves into consistent threats

3. Priority Penalty (Sighting System)

• Effect: -3 priority reduction
• Condition: Only applies to moves with accuracy < 80%
• Purpose: Balance mechanism to prevent abuse of perfect accuracy on high-power, low-accuracy moves

Current Users

Mega Toucannon

• Species: SPECIES_TOUCANNON_MEGA
• Type: Normal/Steel
• Stats: 80/120/110/135/110/70 (BST: 625)
• Ability Slots:
  • Regular: Sturdy, Filter, Sheer Force
  • Innate: Steel Barrel, Iron Barrage, Pyro Shells
• Location: Lines 143649-143669 in proto/SpeciesList.textproto

Strategic Analysis

Strengths

1. Guaranteed Hit Rate: Never miss with any move, making unreliable but powerful moves viable
2. Significant Damage Boost: 30% increase to all projectile attacks
3. Versatile Coverage: Boosts both offensive and status moves
4. Synergy with Steel Typing: Fits thematically with Mega Toucannon's Steel secondary type

Weaknesses

1. Priority Penalty: Low-accuracy moves become slower, potentially allowing opponents to act first
2. Limited Move Pool: Effectiveness depends on access to Mega Launcher-boosted moves
3. Predictable: Opponents know exactly what to expect from boosted moves

Optimal Strategy

1. Pivot Around Boosted Moves: Focus movesets on FLAG_MEGA_LAUNCHER_BOOST moves
2. Mixed Attacking: Use both physical and special projectile moves if available
3. Status Support: Leverage perfect accuracy on status moves for reliable debuffs
4. Priority Management: Be cautious with low-accuracy moves due to -3 priority

Competitive Applications

Singles Format

• Role: Special/Mixed Artillery Sweeper
• Key Moves: Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, status moves
• Teammates: Entry hazard setters, speed control support

Doubles Format

• Role: Precision Support/Damage Dealer
• Synergy: Perfect accuracy makes it reliable for supporting teammates
• Positioning: Back-line attacker with guaranteed hit rates

Tier Placement: High

Iron Barrage combines two powerful effects without significant drawbacks, making it exceptionally valuable for artillery-focused Pokémon. The perfect accuracy alone is game-changing, while the damage boost ensures offensive presence.

Related Abilities

Similar Abilities

• Mega Launcher (#178): Provides only the damage boost component
• Sighting System (#368): Provides only the accuracy and priority components
• No Guard (#99): Mutual perfect accuracy but no damage boost
• Sniper (#97): Different approach to projectile enhancement

Comparison with Mega Launcher

Iron Barrage is strictly superior to Mega Launcher, adding perfect accuracy without losing any damage boost functionality.

Version History

• Implementation: Elite Redux custom ability
• Current Status: Active on Mega Toucannon as innate ability
• Balance: Well-balanced through priority penalty on inaccurate moves