Elite Redux Ability Codex

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Rocky Payload - Ability ID 449 ​

In-Game Description ​

"Boosts the power of Rock-type and throwing moves by 1.5x."

Extended In-Game Description ​

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

Rocky Payload boosts Rock-type and throwing-based moves by 50%. Throwing moves include Seismic Toss, Rock Throw, Egg Bomb, Rock Slide, Rock Tomb, Fling, Rock Wrecker, Sky Drop, Grav Apple, and Astral Barrage. Provides consistent offensive boost across diverse move types for versatile coverage.

Character count: 294

Detailed Mechanical Explanation ​

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics ​

Rocky Payload is an offensive ability that provides a 1.5x power boost to two distinct categories of moves: Rock-type moves and moves flagged as "throwing-based". This creates a unique hybrid ability that combines type-based boosting with move category enhancement.

Boosted Move Categories ​

Rock-Type Moves ​

All moves with Rock typing receive the 1.5x damage multiplier, including:

  • Standard Rock attacks (Rock Slide, Stone Edge, Rock Blast)
  • Status moves that deal Rock-type damage
  • Hidden Power when it becomes Rock-type
  • Moves that change type to Rock (e.g., Judgment with Stone Plate)

Throwing-Based Moves ​

Moves with the throwingBased flag in their data structure receive the boost regardless of their type:

  • Seismic Toss (Fighting-type, fixed damage)
  • Rock Throw (Rock-type, basic throwing attack)
  • Egg Bomb (Normal-type, explosive projectile)
  • Rock Slide (Rock-type, gets double boost as both Rock and throwing)
  • Rock Tomb (Rock-type, gets double boost as both Rock and throwing)
  • Fling (Dark-type, item-dependent power)
  • Rock Wrecker (Rock-type, gets double boost as both Rock and throwing)
  • Sky Drop (Flying-type, two-turn throwing move)
  • Grav Apple (Grass-type, gravity-enhanced throwing)
  • Astral Barrage (Ghost-type, multi-target throwing)

Technical Implementation ​

c
constexpr Ability RockyPayload = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier =
        +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
            if (moveType == TYPE_ROCK || gBattleMoves[move].throwingBased) MUL(1.5);
        },
};

Double Boost Interaction ​

Some moves receive the Rocky Payload boost twice:

  • Rock Slide: Rock-type AND throwing-based → 1.5x boost (not 2.25x)
  • Rock Tomb: Rock-type AND throwing-based → 1.5x boost (not 2.25x)
  • Rock Throw: Rock-type AND throwing-based → 1.5x boost (not 2.25x)
  • Rock Wrecker: Rock-type AND throwing-based → 1.5x boost (not 2.25x)

The ability applies a single 1.5x multiplier even if a move qualifies for both categories.

Activation Conditions ​

  • Offensive moves only: Only affects damage-dealing moves
  • User must have ability: Ability suppression prevents activation
  • No weather/terrain requirements: Works unconditionally when active
  • Stacks with other boosts: Combines multiplicatively with items, weather, etc.

Strategic Implications ​

Strengths ​

  • Type coverage diversity: Boosts moves across multiple types (Rock, Fighting, Normal, Dark, Flying, Grass, Ghost)
  • Fixed damage enhancement: Boosts Seismic Toss and similar moves that ignore type effectiveness
  • Item synergy: Enhanced Fling power with various held items
  • Consistent power: No situational requirements or restrictions
  • Multi-hit compatibility: Works with multi-hit throwing moves

Weaknesses ​

  • Limited move pool: Only specific moves benefit from the boost
  • Type dependency: Half the benefit relies on Rock-type moves
  • No defensive utility: Purely offensive ability
  • Predictable: Opponents can anticipate boosted moves
  • Item dependence: Fling requires held items to be effective

Competitive Usage Notes ​

  • Physical attackers: Best suited for physically-oriented Pokémon
  • Coverage moves: Throwing moves provide unique type coverage
  • Item strategies: Fling becomes a viable coverage option
  • Rock-type STAB: Excellent for Rock-type Pokémon seeking additional coverage
  • Niche applications: Sky Drop and Seismic Toss gain unexpected power

Synergies ​

  • Choice items: Enhanced power with locked move selection
  • Life Orb: Stacks for additional damage boost
  • Rock-type STAB: Triple damage on Rock-type throwing moves (STAB + Rocky Payload)
  • Adaptability: Theoretical 3x boost on Rock-type throwing moves
  • Expert Belt: Super effective throwing moves gain additional power
  • Fling items: King's Rock, Choice items, berries all become viable weapons

Counters ​

  • Ability suppression: Mold Breaker, Neutralizing Gas, etc.
  • Type resistances: Steel and Fighting resist many boosted moves
  • Protect/Detect: Blocks enhanced throwing attacks
  • Ghost immunity: Immune to enhanced Seismic Toss
  • Levitate/Air Balloon: Avoids enhanced Earthquake-like effects

Notable Users ​

This ability would be particularly effective on:

  • Rock-type physical attackers with diverse movepools
  • Pokémon with access to both Rock moves and unique throwing moves
  • Mixed attackers that can utilize both categories effectively
  • Pokémon with Fling strategies and item manipulation

Version History ​

  • Custom Elite Redux ability (ID 449)
  • Unique hybrid mechanic combining type and move category boosts
  • Part of the extended ability roster beyond base game abilities
  • Designed to create interesting team building decisions with move selection

Interaction Notes ​

  • Z-Moves: Base power boost applies before Z-Move conversion
  • Max Moves: Enhanced base power carries over to Dynamax moves
  • Parental Bond: Each hit gets the full 1.5x boost
  • Multi-hit moves: Each hit receives the boost independently
  • Critical hits: Boost applies before critical hit calculation
  • Weather effects: Stacks multiplicatively with weather boosts/penalties

Elite Redux Ability Codex

Elite Redux Development Team