Dual Wield - Ability ID 433

In-Game Description

"Mega Launcher and Keen Edge moves hit twice for 70% damage."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Dual Wield causes moves boosted by Mega Launcher or Keen Edge to hit twice, with each hit dealing 70% of the move's normal damage. Works with beam moves, pulse moves, cannon moves, and blade moves. Total damage is 140% compared to single hit. Maintains secondary effects on both hits.

Character count: 294

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Dual Wield is an offensive ability that transforms certain moves into double-hitting attacks. When the user attempts a move that would be boosted by either Mega Launcher or Keen Edge, the ability converts it into a two-hit attack using the Parental Bond system.

Activation Conditions

• Move Type Requirement: Move must have either:
  • FLAG_MEGA_LAUNCHER_BOOST (beam/pulse/cannon moves)
  • FLAG_KEEN_EDGE_BOOST (blade/cutting moves)
• Damage Calculation: Each hit deals 70% of the original move's power
• Total Damage: 140% of original damage (0.7 × 2 = 1.4)
• Hit Mechanics: Uses PARENTAL_BOND_DUAL_WIELD system

Mega Launcher Boosted Moves (Examples)

Beam/Pulse Moves:

• Water Gun, Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, Psybeam
• Aurora Beam, Hyper Beam, Solar Beam, Dragon Pulse
• Aura Sphere, Dark Pulse, Focus Blast, Flash Cannon
• Charge Beam, Signal Beam, Heal Pulse, Steam Eruption
• Origin Pulse, Fleur Cannon, Prismatic Laser, Dynamax Cannon

Projectile Moves:

• Sludge Bomb, Octazooka, Zap Cannon, Rock Blast
• Gunk Shot, Searing Shot, Anchor Shot, Scale Shot
• Meteor Beam, Shell Side Arm, many custom moves

Keen Edge Boosted Moves (Examples)

Blade/Cutting Moves:

• Karate Chop, Razor Wind, Guillotine (custom effect)
• Cut, Slash, Leaf Blade, Night Slash
• Psycho Cut, Air Cutter, Sacred Sword
• Many custom blade moves in Elite Redux

Technical Implementation

// Dual Wield ability definition
constexpr Ability DualWield = {
    .onParentalBond = +[](ON_PARENTAL_BOND) -> MultihitType {
        CHECK(IsMegaLauncherBoosted(battler, move) || gBattleMoves[move].flags & FLAG_KEEN_EDGE_BOOST);
        return PARENTAL_BOND_DUAL_WIELD;
    },
};

// Damage calculation in battle_util.c
case PARENTAL_BOND_DUAL_WIELD:
    return UQ_4_12(0.7);  // 70% damage per hit

Important Interactions

• Secondary Effects: Both hits can trigger secondary effects independently
• Contact Moves: Contact-based moves make contact on both hits
• Accuracy: Each hit is rolled for accuracy separately
• Critical Hits: Each hit can crit independently
• Substitutes: Can break substitute on first hit, damage Pokémon on second
• Abilities: Abilities like Sturdy, Focus Sash only block the first hit
• Items: Life Orb recoil applies after each hit

Move Selection Logic

The ability works through the IsMegaLauncherBoosted() function which returns true if:

1. Move has FLAG_MEGA_LAUNCHER_BOOST flag, OR
2. Move is a status move and user has Gunman ability, OR
3. Move has FLAG_KEEN_EDGE_BOOST flag (direct check)

Damage Comparison

• Single Hit: 100% damage
• Dual Wield: 70% + 70% = 140% total damage
• Parental Bond: 100% + 25% = 125% total damage (for comparison)
• Skill Link Multi-Hit: Usually 125% (5 × 25%) but varies by move

Strategic Implications

• Power Boost: Effective 40% damage increase over single hits
• Multi-Hit Benefits: Breaks substitutes, triggers abilities multiple times
• Status Spreading: Doubles chance for secondary effects to trigger
• Synergy Potential: Excellent with abilities that trigger on hit
• Drawbacks: Vulnerable to Rocky Helmet, Rough Skin, Iron Barbs

Synergistic Abilities

• Mega Launcher: Boosts base power by 30%, then Dual Wield doubles hits
• Keen Edge: Boosts base power by 30%, then Dual Wield doubles hits
• Sheer Force: Prevents secondary effects but boosts power
• Life Orb: Boosts both hits but doubles recoil damage

Common Users

Dual Wield is particularly effective on:

• Special Attackers: With access to beam/pulse moves
• Physical Attackers: With blade/cutting moves
• Mixed Attackers: Who can utilize both move types
• Pokémon with good movepool coverage: Maximizing eligible moves

Counters and Limitations

• Rocky Helmet/Rough Skin: Double damage from contact moves
• Sturdy/Focus Sash: Only blocks first hit, not second
• Substitute: Can be broken by first hit, but limits second hit
• Protection moves: Block both hits completely
• Abilities: Lightning Rod, Storm Drain, etc. only redirect first hit

Competitive Usage Notes

• Move Selection: Prioritize moves with secondary effects
• Item Synergy: Life Orb for power, Choice items for consistency
• Team Support: Excellent for breaking through defensive cores
• Late Game: Powerful for cleaning up weakened teams
• Coverage: Wide movepool compatibility makes it versatile

Version History

• New ability introduced in Elite Redux
• Uses the Parental Bond system for implementation
• Unique in affecting both Mega Launcher and Keen Edge moves
• Part of Elite Redux's expanded ability roster

Related Abilities

• Mega Launcher: Base power boost for beam/pulse moves
• Keen Edge: Base power boost for blade/cutting moves
• Parental Bond: Similar double-hit mechanic with different power split
• Skill Link: Guarantees maximum hits for multi-hit moves