Sweeping Edge - Ability ID 421

In-Game Description

"Keen Edge moves always hit and hit both foes."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Sweeping Edge makes all Keen Edge moves have perfect accuracy and hit both opposing Pokémon in double battles. Keen Edge moves include slicing attacks like Slash, Leaf Blade, Karate Chop, and Dragon Claw. This transforms single-target slicing moves into powerful multi-target attacks.

Character count: 284

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Sweeping Edge is an offensive ability that enhances Keen Edge moves with two powerful effects: guaranteed accuracy and multi-target capability in double battles. This transforms single-target slicing moves into devastating area-of-effect attacks.

Ability Effects

1. Perfect Accuracy: All Keen Edge moves become unable to miss (100% accuracy)
2. Multi-Target: In double battles, Keen Edge moves that normally target one opponent now hit both opposing Pokémon

Keen Edge Move Categories

Keen Edge moves are typically slicing, cutting, or chopping attacks that have been designated with the FLAG_KEEN_EDGE_BOOST flag. Common examples include:

Physical Slicing Moves:

• Slash - High critical hit ratio
• Leaf Blade - Grass-type blade attack
• Dragon Claw - Dragon-type slashing move
• Karate Chop - Fighting-type chopping attack
• Night Slash - Dark-type blade attack
• Psycho Cut - Psychic-type cutting move
• Cross Chop - Fighting-type crossing attack
• Crab Hammer - Water-type claw attack

Technical Implementation

// From src/abilities.cc - Sweeping Edge definition
constexpr Ability SweepingEdge = {
    .onAccuracy = +[](ON_ACCURACY) -> AccuracyPriority {
        // Check if the move has the Keen Edge flag
        CHECK(gBattleMoves[move].flags & FLAG_KEEN_EDGE_BOOST)
        // Make the move always hit
        return ACCURACY_HITS_IF_POSSIBLE;
    },
};

// From src/battle_util.c - Multi-target conversion
u8 GetBattlerBattleMoveTargetFlags(MoveEnum moveId, u8 battler) {
    // Convert single-target Keen Edge moves to multi-target
    if ((BATTLER_HAS_ABILITY(battler, ABILITY_SWEEPING_EDGE) || 
         BATTLER_HAS_ABILITY(battler, ABILITY_SWEEPING_EDGE_PLUS)) &&
        (gBattleMoves[moveId].flags & FLAG_KEEN_EDGE_BOOST) && 
        gBattleMoves[moveId].target == MOVE_TARGET_SELECTED)
        return MOVE_TARGET_BOTH;
}

Activation Conditions

• Move requirement: The move must have the FLAG_KEEN_EDGE_BOOST flag
• Target requirement: For multi-target effect, the move must normally target a single selected opponent
• Battle format: Multi-target effect only applies in double battles where there are two opponents

Battle Interactions

• Double battles: Keen Edge moves hit both opposing Pokémon instead of just one
• Single battles: Only the accuracy boost applies (no second target to hit)
• Accuracy bypass: Ignores accuracy reductions, evasion boosts, and moves like Sand Attack
• Critical hits: Each target is calculated independently for critical hits
• Contact moves: Contact effects (like Static, Rough Skin) can trigger from both targets

Important Interactions

• Priority moves: Keen Edge priority moves (if any exist) maintain their priority
• Multi-hit moves: Each hit gains perfect accuracy if the move has Keen Edge flag
• Substitute: Can hit through Substitute due to perfect accuracy mechanics
• Protection moves: Each target's Protect/Detect is calculated separately
• Abilities that trigger on hit: Abilities like Color Change trigger separately for each target

Strategic Applications

• Double battle dominance: Transforms single-target slicing moves into powerful spread attacks
• Accuracy independence: Never misses regardless of weather, abilities, or stat changes
• Coverage expansion: Allows Keen Edge moves to pressure both opponents simultaneously
• Crit fishing: More opportunities for critical hits when hitting multiple targets
• Damage maximization: Effectively doubles damage output in double battles

Upgraded Version

Sweeping Edge Plus (ID 590) includes the same effects as Sweeping Edge but also gains the offensive power boost from Keen Edge ability, increasing the power of Keen Edge moves by 30%.

Common Users

Pokémon with access to multiple Keen Edge moves benefit most from this ability:

• Physical attackers with diverse slicing movesets
• Pokémon with high critical hit ratios
• Double battle specialists
• Pokémon that learn moves like Slash, Leaf Blade, Night Slash

Competitive Usage Notes

• Double battle meta: Extremely powerful in VGC-style formats
• Move selection: Prioritize Keen Edge moves in moveset planning
• Team positioning: Pair with Pokémon that can set up favorable double battle scenarios
• Damage calculation: Remember that spread moves typically deal reduced damage in official formats

Counters

• Wide Guard: Blocks the spread effect of converted moves
• Ability suppression: Mold Breaker, Neutralizing Gas disable the ability
• Single battles: Reduces effectiveness to accuracy boost only
• Non-Keen Edge moves: Ability doesn't affect moves without the flag
• Ghost types: Immune to Normal/Fighting Keen Edge moves

Synergies

• High critical hit ratio: Many Keen Edge moves have increased crit rates
• Speed control: Pair with fast Pokémon to move first in double battles
• Setup moves: Works well after Swords Dance or similar attack boosts
• Entry hazards: Spikes/Stealth Rock damage both targets after spread moves
• Follow-up attacks: Weakened opponents from spread moves easier to finish

Move Compatibility

Not all slicing moves are Keen Edge moves. The ability only affects moves specifically flagged with FLAG_KEEN_EDGE_BOOST. Check individual move descriptions for "Keen Edge boost" to confirm compatibility.

Version History

• Elite Redux exclusive ability (ID 421)
• Upgraded version Sweeping Edge Plus available (ID 590)
• Part of the expanded ability system focusing on move type synergies