Loose Quills - Ability ID 401

In-Game Description

"Sets a layer of Spikes when hit (contact move)."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Loose Quills automatically sets a layer of Spikes on the opponent's side when hit by any contact move. Can set up to 3 layers maximum. Each layer deals 12.5%, 16.7%, or 25% of max HP damage when opponents switch in. Perfect for punishing physical attackers and controlling switches.

Character count: 282

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Loose Quills is a defensive ability that automatically sets up Spikes entry hazards when the Pokémon is hit by contact moves. This creates a passive punishment for physical attackers while providing excellent team support through hazard control.

Activation Conditions

• Contact requirement: Only triggers when hit by moves that make physical contact
• Hit requirement: The move must successfully hit and deal damage
• Layer limit: Will not activate if the opponent already has 3 layers of Spikes
• No self-damage: Does not activate on self-inflicted damage or recoil

Technical Implementation

// Loose Quills shares implementation with Scrapyard ability
constexpr Ability LooseQuills = {
    .onDefender = Scrapyard.onDefender,
};

// Scrapyard/Loose Quills implementation
constexpr Ability Scrapyard = {
    .onDefender = +[](ON_DEFENDER) -> int {
        CHECK(DidMoveHit())
        CHECK(IsMoveMakingContact(move, attacker))
        CHECK(gSideTimers[BATTLE_OPPOSITE(battler)].spikesAmount < 3)

        BattleScriptCall(BattleScript_DefenderSetsSpikeLayer_Scrapyard);
        return TRUE;
    },
};

Spikes Damage Calculation

• 1 layer: 12.5% of max HP (1/8)
• 2 layers: 16.7% of max HP (1/6)
• 3 layers: 25% of max HP (1/4)

Damage is calculated based on the switching Pokémon's maximum HP and is not affected by type effectiveness.

Contact Move Examples

Triggers on:

• Physical attacks like Tackle, Quick Attack, Thunder Punch
• Most Fighting, Normal, and physical moves
• U-turn, Volt Switch (if physical contact versions)

Does NOT trigger on:

• Special attacks (Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, etc.)
• Non-contact physical moves (Earthquake, Rock Slide)
• Status moves
• Moves that miss or are blocked

Important Interactions

• Long Reach: Moves with Long Reach will not trigger Loose Quills
• Protective Pads: Held item prevents contact, so no Spikes are set
• Magic Guard: Still sets Spikes even if the defender takes no damage
• Substitute: Sets Spikes when Substitute is hit by contact moves
• Multi-hit moves: Only triggers once per multi-hit attack sequence

Strategic Applications

• Physical wall utility: Punishes common physical attackers
• Team support: Provides passive hazard setting without move slots
• Switch control: Forces opponents to think twice about switching
• Entry hazard stacking: Can combine with Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes
• Revenge utility: Punishes the attacker even if you're knocked out

Synergies

• Stealth Rock setters: Maximize entry hazard damage
• Toxic Spikes users: Create multiple hazard layers
• Spin blockers: Ghost-types prevent hazard removal
• Sturdy/Focus Sash: Guarantees at least one Spikes layer
• Rocky Helmet: Stacks recoil damage with hazard setting

Counters and Limitations

• Special attackers: Completely avoid triggering the ability
• Non-contact moves: Earthquake, Rock Slide, etc. don't trigger
• Hazard removal: Rapid Spin, Defog clear the Spikes
• Magic Bounce: Reflects the Spikes back to your side
• Flying types/Levitate: Immune to Spikes damage
• Heavy-Duty Boots: Negates Spikes damage on switch-in

Competitive Viability

• Defensive utility: Excellent on bulky physical walls
• Passive support: Provides team utility without sacrificing moveslots
• Meta dependent: More valuable in physical-heavy metagames
• Hazard control: Part of comprehensive entry hazard strategies
• Prediction reward: Rewards switching into predicted physical attacks

Common Users

• Defensive Grass-types (especially those weak to U-turn)
• Steel-type walls that can tank physical hits
• Pokémon with high physical Defense stats
• Team supporters that don't need four attacking moves

Version History

• Introduced in Elite Redux as ability ID 401
• Shares exact implementation with Scrapyard ability
• Part of the expanded ability roster for defensive utility

Related Abilities

• Scrapyard: Identical effect and implementation
• Iron Barbs: Damages contact attackers instead of setting hazards
• Rough Skin: Similar contact punishment concept
• Toxic Debris: Sets Toxic Spikes instead of regular Spikes