Fairy Tale - Ability ID 452

In-Game Description

"Adds Fairy type to itself."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Fairy Tale adds the Fairy type upon entering battle, granting a third type. This provides Fairy resistances to Fighting, Bug, and Dark moves plus immunity to Dragon attacks. The added type persists until switching out or fainting. Ideal for non-Fairy Pokémon needing better coverage.

Character count: 283

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Fairy Tale is a unique type-adding ability that grants the Pokémon an additional Fairy type upon switching into battle. This creates a triple-type Pokémon for the duration of their time on the field.

Activation Conditions

• Trigger: Automatically activates when the Pokémon enters battle
• Type addition: Adds Fairy as a third type (stored in type3 slot)
• Duration: Persists until the Pokémon switches out or faints
• Reactivation: Triggers again on each switch-in

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability FairyTale = {
    .onEntry = +[](ON_ENTRY) -> int { return AddBattlerType(battler, TYPE_FAIRY); },
};

static int AddBattlerType(int battler, int type) {
    CHECK_NOT(IS_BATTLER_OF_TYPE(battler, type))
    gBattleMons[battler].type3 = type;
    PREPARE_TYPE_BUFFER(gBattleTextBuff2, gBattleMons[battler].type3);
    BattleScriptPushCursorAndCallback(BattleScript_BattlerAddedTheType);
    return TRUE;
}

Type Interactions

When Fairy type is added, the Pokémon gains all Fairy-type interactions:

Resistances (0.5x damage):

• Fighting-type moves
• Bug-type moves
• Dark-type moves

Immunity (0x damage):

• Dragon-type moves

Weaknesses (2x damage):

• Poison-type moves
• Steel-type moves

Important Interactions

• No effect on existing types: Original types remain unchanged
• Type checking: All type-based effects now consider Fairy type
• Move effectiveness: Damage calculations include the new Fairy typing
• Ability interactions: Other abilities that check types now see Fairy
• Status conditions: No inherent status immunities from Fairy typing

Strategic Applications

• Defensive utility: Provides key resistances and Dragon immunity
• Coverage enhancement: Allows non-Fairy Pokémon to benefit from Fairy typing
• Team synergy: Can help cover team weaknesses to Dragon/Fighting/Bug
• Flexibility: Works on any Pokémon regardless of original typing

Similar Abilities

• Turboblaze: Adds Fire type on entry
• Teravolt: Adds Electric type on entry
• Grounded: Adds Ground type on entry
• IceAge: Adds Ice type on entry
• HalfDrake: Adds Dragon type on entry
• Aquatic: Adds Water type on entry
• Metallic: Adds Steel type on entry
• Phantom: Adds Ghost type on entry

Limitations

• Poison weakness: Makes Pokémon vulnerable to Poison moves
• Steel weakness: Makes Pokémon vulnerable to Steel moves
• Temporary effect: Lost when switching out
• No offensive benefit: Doesn't change the Pokémon's move types
• Already Fairy-types: Has no effect on Pokémon that are already Fairy-type

Competitive Usage

• Defensive pivots: Excellent on bulky Pokémon that can utilize the resistances
• Dragon immunity: Provides safe switch-ins against Dragon-type attackers
• Type coverage: Helps round out team defensive profiles
• Flexible application: Works well on various Pokémon archetypes

Counters

• Poison-type moves: Exploits the newly gained weakness
• Steel-type moves: Exploits the newly gained weakness
• Mold Breaker: Ignores the ability entirely
• Neutralizing Gas: Suppresses the ability
• Role Swap/Skill Swap: Can transfer the ability away

Synergies

• Assault Vest: Enhanced special bulk to take advantage of resistances
• Leftovers: Passive recovery to maintain longevity
• Rocky Helmet: Punishes contact moves that now deal reduced damage
• Fairy-type moves: Though the Pokémon doesn't gain STAB, can still utilize coverage
• Bulk Up/Calm Mind: Stat boosts pair well with improved resistances

Design Philosophy

Fairy Tale represents the concept of transformation and adaptation, allowing Pokémon to temporarily embrace Fairy-type characteristics. This ability enables creative team building by providing Fairy-type benefits to non-Fairy Pokémon, opening up new strategic possibilities while maintaining the temporary nature that requires careful positioning.

Version History

• Custom ability introduced in Elite Redux
• Part of the type-adding ability family
• Designed to provide flexibility in team building and defensive strategies