Roundhouse - Ability ID 403

In-Game Description

"Kicks always hit. Damages foes' weaker defenses."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Roundhouse makes all kicking moves never miss and target the opponent's weaker defense stat. Kick moves with striker boost gain perfect accuracy and automatically hit Defense or Special Defense, whichever is lower. This ability transforms unreliable kicks into devastating attacks.

Character count: 289

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Roundhouse is an offensive ability that enhances all kicking moves by guaranteeing accuracy and optimizing damage output through intelligent stat targeting.

Activation Conditions

• Move requirement: Only works with moves that have the striker: true flag
• Kicking moves include: All moves with FLAG_STRIKER_BOOST flag set
  • Double Kick, Mega Kick, Jump Kick, Rolling Kick
  • High Jump Kick, Triple Kick, Blaze Kick
  • Stomping Tantrum, Axe Kick, many others
• Dual effect: Provides both accuracy and defensive stat targeting

Accuracy Enhancement

The ability grants perfect accuracy to all kicking moves through the ACCURACY_HITS_IF_POSSIBLE return value, which means:

• Never miss: All kick moves will hit regardless of original accuracy
• Ignores evasion: Bypasses evasion boosts and accuracy drops
• No Guard equivalent: Functions like No Guard but only for kicks
• Move accuracy irrelevant: 95% accuracy Jump Kick becomes 100% reliable

Defensive Stat Targeting

Roundhouse calculates both Defense and Special Defense of the target and forces kicks to target the weaker stat:

• Stat comparison: Compares raw Defense vs Special Defense values
• Automatic targeting: No manual selection needed
• Optimal damage: Always chooses the stat that results in higher damage
• Mixed attackers benefit: Physical kicks can target Special Defense if lower

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability Roundhouse = {
    .onAccuracy = +[](ON_ACCURACY) -> AccuracyPriority {
        CHECK(IsStrikerBoosted(battler, move))
        return ACCURACY_HITS_IF_POSSIBLE;
    },
    .onChooseDefensiveStat = +[](ON_CHOOSE_DEFENSIVE_STAT) -> int {
        CHECK(IsStrikerBoosted(battler, move))
        u32 def = CalculateStat(target, STAT_DEF, 0, move, FALSE, ignoreDefensiveStatBoosts, battlerUnaware, FALSE);
        u32 spDef = CalculateStat(target, STAT_SPDEF, 0, move, FALSE, ignoreDefensiveStatBoosts, battlerUnaware, FALSE);
        if (def < spDef)
            return STAT_DEF;
        else if (spDef < def)
            return STAT_SPDEF;
        else
            return 0;
    },
};

Striker Boost Eligibility

Kicks are identified through the IsStrikerBoosted function which checks for:

• FLAG_STRIKER_BOOST: Primary identifier for kick moves
• FLAG_IRON_FIST_BOOST: Secondary condition with Junshi Sanda ability
• Move examples: Double Kick, Mega Kick, Jump Kick, Rolling Kick, High Jump Kick, Triple Kick, Blaze Kick, Low Kick, etc.

Important Interactions

• Stat calculation: Uses full stat calculation including items and abilities
• Stat stage awareness: Accounts for stat boosts/drops in targeting decision
• Equal stats: Returns 0 (no change) when Defense equals Special Defense
• Ability stacking: Works with other accuracy-boosting abilities
• Priority moves: Rolling Kick's +1 priority maintained with perfect accuracy

Damage Calculation Impact

• Defensive targeting: Can dramatically increase damage output
• Type effectiveness: Still applies normally after stat targeting
• Critical hits: Unaffected by ability, follow normal crit rules
• STAB bonus: Applies normally to Fighting-type users

Strategic Implications

• Reliability boost: Makes high-power, low-accuracy kicks usable
• Damage optimization: Ensures kicks always hit optimal defense
• Mixed attackers: Physical kicks can exploit Special Defense
• Movepool synergy: Enhances Pokemon with diverse kicking movesets
• Prediction removal: Eliminates need to predict defensive investment

Competitive Usage

• Guaranteed damage: Converts unreliable moves into consistent threats
• Wall breaking: Targets weaker defensive stat for maximum damage
• Speed control: Rolling Kick becomes priority move with perfect accuracy
• Setup sweeping: Reliable STAB moves for Fighting-type sweepers
• Coverage expansion: Makes niche kick moves competitively viable

Coverage Analysis

Common kicking moves and their enhanced utility:

• Jump Kick: 100 power, 95% → 100% accuracy, stat-optimized
• High Jump Kick: 130 power, 90% → 100% accuracy, devastating
• Mega Kick: 120 power, 75% → 100% accuracy, now reliable
• Rolling Kick: Priority flinch chance with perfect accuracy
• Triple Kick: Multi-hit with guaranteed connection

Counters and Limitations

• Non-kick moves: Ability provides no benefit to non-kicking attacks
• Ghost types: Immune to Fighting-type kicks regardless of ability
• Contact punishers: Rocky Helmet, Rough Skin still trigger on contact kicks
• Protect/Detect: Still blocks kicks despite perfect accuracy
• Substitute: Blocks stat targeting, forces normal damage calculation

Synergies

• Iron Fist: Boosts power of punch moves (doesn't affect kicks directly)
• Reckless: Boosts recoil moves like Jump Kick and High Jump Kick
• Choice items: Locks into powerful, now-reliable kick moves
• Life Orb: Boosts all kick damage with perfect accuracy
• Fighting-type STAB: Maximizes damage on reliable kicks

Team Building Considerations

• Fighting-type specialists: Natural fit for Fighting-type Pokemon
• Mixed attackers: Pokemon with both physical kicks and special moves
• Speed control: Rolling Kick provides priority option
• Coverage users: Pokemon learning diverse kick moves for coverage
• Wallbreakers: Stat-targeting makes defensive investments less effective

Version History

• Elite Redux exclusive: Custom ability not found in official games
• Striker system: Part of Elite Redux's enhanced move categorization
• Accuracy mechanic: Uses advanced targeting system for optimal damage
• Defensive stat selection: Intelligent stat targeting for competitive play