Shocking Jaws - Ability ID 441

In-Game Description

"Biting moves have 50% chance to paralyze the target."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Shocking Jaws gives all biting moves exactly a 50% chance to paralyze the target on hit. Affects moves like Bite, Crunch, Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, Ice Fang, Poison Fang, Psychic Fangs, and many others. Paralysis reduces Speed by 50% and causes 25% chance to be unable to move each turn.

Character count: 286

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Shocking Jaws is an offensive ability that adds a paralysis effect to all biting moves. The ability activates when the Pokémon with Shocking Jaws uses any move with the FLAG_STRONG_JAW_BOOST flag, giving a 50% chance to paralyze the target.

Activation Conditions

• Move requirement: Must use a move with the FLAG_STRONG_JAW_BOOST flag (biting moves)
• Hit requirement: Move must successfully hit the target (ShouldApplyOnHitAffect check)
• Paralysis check: Target must be able to be paralyzed (CanBeParalyzed check)
• Chance: Exactly 50% chance (Random() % 2)

Affected Moves (Biting Moves)

The following moves can trigger Shocking Jaws:

• Basic biting moves: Bite, Crunch, Hyper Fang, Super Fang
• Elemental fangs: Fire Fang, Ice Fang, Thunder Fang, Poison Fang
• Signature bites: Psychic Fangs, Jaw Lock, Bug Bite, Pluck, Leech Life
• Elite Redux exclusives: Aqua Fang, Shadow Fangs, Iron Fangs, Draconic Fangs, Fertile Fangs, Jagged Fangs, Lovely Bite, Tectonic Fangs, Kilobite, Terror Charge, Rip and Tear, Deathroll, Bolt Beak, Fishious Rend, Snap Trap

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability ShockingJaws = {
    .onAttacker = +[](ON_ATTACKER) -> int {
        CHECK(ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(target))
        CHECK(CanBeParalyzed(battler, target))
        CHECK(gBattleMoves[move].flags & FLAG_STRONG_JAW_BOOST)
        CHECK(Random() % 2)

        return AbilityStatusEffect(MOVE_EFFECT_PARALYSIS);
    },
};

Paralysis Mechanics

When successfully triggered, Shocking Jaws inflicts standard paralysis:

• Speed reduction: Target's Speed is reduced by 50%
• Move failure: 25% chance each turn that the paralyzed Pokémon cannot move
• Status immunity: Electric-type Pokémon are immune to paralysis
• Overrides: Ground-type immunity to Electric moves doesn't apply to paralysis from this ability

Important Interactions

• Status immunity: Electric-type Pokémon cannot be paralyzed
• Existing status: Cannot paralyze Pokémon that already have a status condition
• Ability immunity: Limber prevents paralysis from this ability
• Mycelium Might: Overrides type immunity if the user has Mycelium Might
• Contact requirement: Most biting moves make contact, but paralysis chance is independent of contact
• Multi-hit moves: Each hit has a separate 50% chance to paralyze
• Substitute: Blocked if target is behind a Substitute

Strategic Implications

• Offensive pressure: Adds status pressure to physical attackers
• Speed control: Paralysis can cripple fast sweepers and setup Pokémon
• Stacking effects: Can be combined with other status-inducing moves/abilities
• Revenge killing: Paralysis can turn fast threats into easier targets
• Setup prevention: Paralysis chance can deter setup attempts

Synergies

• Strong Jaw: Many Pokémon with biting moves also have Strong Jaw for damage boost
• Status moves: Pairs well with other status-inducing moves for reliability
• Priority moves: Paralysis makes priority moves more valuable
• Choice items: Paralysis from coverage moves while locked in
• Assault Vest: Provides special bulk while using status-inducing attacks

Counters

• Electric types: Immune to paralysis entirely
• Limber: Ability that prevents paralysis
• Substitute: Blocks the status effect
• Aromatherapy/Heal Bell: Clears paralysis from team
• Lum Berry/Pecha Berry: Cures paralysis immediately
• Natural Cure: Switches out to cure paralysis
• Status immunity: Pokémon with abilities that prevent status conditions

Competitive Usage Notes

• Reliability: 50% chance makes it reasonably reliable for status spreading
• Coverage moves: Adds utility to coverage biting moves
• Physical attackers: Best on Pokémon that naturally learn many biting moves
• Mixed sets: Can provide status support on mixed attacking sets
• Team support: Paralysis benefits slower teammates

Common Users

Pokémon that would benefit from Shocking Jaws typically:

• Learn multiple biting moves naturally
• Have good physical Attack stats
• Want to provide team support through status
• Can pressure opponents with status + damage

Version History

• Elite Redux exclusive ability (ID 441)
• Designed to provide utility to physical attackers with biting moves
• Part of the expanded ability system in Elite Redux

Similar Abilities

• Static: 30% paralysis chance on contact (physical moves only)
• Flame Body: 30% burn chance on contact
• Poison Point: 30% poison chance on contact
• Effect Spore: 30% chance for random status on contact