Tipping Point - Ability ID 488

In-Game Description

"Hit by attacks raises Special Attack by 1, or maximizes on critical hit."

Extended In-Game Description

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

When this Pokemon is hit by an attack, it raises its Special Attack by 1 stage. If the hit was a critical hit, its Special Attack is immediately maximized to +6 stages instead. This ability triggers after taking damage from offensive moves.

Character count: 289

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Tipping Point turns defensive vulnerability into offensive opportunity, with critical hits providing explosive setup potential that can instantly transform the Pokemon into a special sweeping threat.

Activation Conditions

• Trigger: When hit by any damaging move
• Requirements: Move must hit and deal damage
• Stat check: Special Attack must be able to increase
• Critical hit bonus: Instantly maximizes Special Attack to +6 stages
• Normal hit: Raises Special Attack by 1 stage only

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability TippingPoint = {
    .onDefender = +[](ON_DEFENDER) -> int {
        CHECK(ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(battler))
        CHECK(CanRaiseStat(battler, STAT_SPATK))
        
        if (gIsCriticalHit) {
            SetStatChanger(STAT_SPATK, 12);  // +6 stages (max)
            BattleScriptCall(BattleScript_TargetsStatWasMaxedOut);
        } else {
            SetStatChanger(STAT_SPATK, 1);   // +1 stage
            BattleScriptCall(BattleScript_TargetAbilityStatRaiseOnMoveEnd);
        }
        return TRUE;
    },
};

Critical Hit Mechanics

Normal critical hits:

• 1/24 chance for most moves (4.17%)
• High critical ratio moves: 1/8 chance (12.5%)
• Critical hit items: Scope Lens, Razor Claw increase odds
• Focus Energy: Guarantees critical hits

Critical hit interaction:

• Instant setup: +6 Special Attack in one hit
• Maximum power: 4x special attack multiplier immediately
• Game changer: Can turn losing positions into sweeping opportunities

Special Attack Stage Benefits

• +1 stage: 1.5x special attack (50% increase)
• +2 stages: 2x special attack (100% increase)
• +3 stages: 2.5x special attack (150% increase)
• +4 stages: 3x special attack (200% increase)
• +5 stages: 3.5x special attack (250% increase)
• +6 stages: 4x special attack (300% increase)

Strategic Applications

• Tank and sweep: Take hits to build up, then sweep
• Critical hit fishing: Use moves with high crit rates
• Revenge sweeper: Turn opponent's offense into your setup
• Special tank: High special bulk enables safe setup
• Momentum swing: Transform defensive situations into offense

Critical Hit Synergies

Critical hit boosters:

• Focus Energy: Guarantees critical hits for max setup
• Scope Lens: +1 critical hit stage
• Razor Claw: +1 critical hit stage
• Super Luck ability: +1 critical hit stage

High critical ratio moves:

• Slash, Night Slash: 1/8 crit chance naturally
• Psycho Cut, Air Cutter: Psychic/Flying coverage with crit
• Crabhammer, Karate Chop: Physical moves that can crit

Defensive Setup Strategy

Optimal setup conditions:

• Switch into resisted/weak attacks
• Use protective moves while taking hits
• Tank physical hits with high Defense
• Accumulate boosts through repeated hits

Risk-Reward Gameplay

High-risk scenarios:

• Staying in against powerful attackers
• Fishing for critical hits from opponents
• Taking unnecessary damage for setup

High-reward potential:

• Instant max Special Attack from one crit
• Sweeping potential after accumulating boosts
• Turning defense into overwhelming offense

Competitive Usage

• Special sweepers: Excellent on Pokémon with diverse special movesets
• Bulky setup: Pairs with high HP/Defense for survival
• Anti-physical: Punishes physical attackers specifically
• Momentum control: Can shift battle flow dramatically
• Crit fishing: Rewards high-crit strategies

Move Synergies

Special attacks:

• High-power specials: Psychic, Thunderbolt, Flamethrower
• Coverage moves: Hidden Power, Focus Blast
• Priority specials: Vacuum Wave for revenge killing

Support moves:

• Substitute: Block status while taking damage
• Recover: Heal while maintaining boosts
• Protect: Stall and force opponent attacks

Item Synergies

Defensive items:

• Leftovers: Sustain while taking hits
• Sitrus Berry: Heal during setup phase
• Focus Sash: Survive to get guaranteed boost

Offensive items:

• Life Orb: Amplify boosted special attacks
• Choice Specs: Stack with ability boosts
• Expert Belt: Boost super-effective coverage

Counters

• Status moves: Don't trigger ability, inflict status
• Taunt: Prevents recovery/setup moves
• Haze/Clear Smog: Reset accumulated boosts
• Critical hit immunity: Some abilities prevent crits
• Substitute: User can block hits safely

Double Battle Applications

• Spread moves: Multiple hits can trigger multiple boosts
• Partner support: Ally can trigger boosts safely
• Redirection: Use redirection to control when ability triggers
• Protection: Protect user while building boosts

Advanced Tactics

Critical hit manipulation:

• Focus Energy + high-crit moves
• Critical hit rate stacking
• Opponent crit fishing strategies

Boost preservation:

• Baton Pass to transfer boosts
• U-turn/Volt Switch timing
• Strategic switching to maintain boosts

Limitations

• Damage requirement: Must actually take hits to benefit
• Special Attack only: Doesn't help physical attacks
• Critical hit dependency: Best effects require crits
• Stat cap: Cannot exceed +6 Special Attack
• Fragility: Taking hits can lead to fainting

Team Building

Ideal team support:

• Entry hazard control: Keep user healthy
• Healing support: Heal between setup sessions
• Physical walls: Redirect physical attacks away
• Redirection users: Control when ability triggers

Version History

• Elite Redux custom ability for dynamic special setup
• Designed to reward defensive play with offensive potential
• Part of expanded risk-reward ability design
• Creates unique critical hit interaction gameplay