Freezing Point - Ability ID 492

In-Game Description

"Contact moves have 30% chance to inflict frostbite."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Contact with this Pokemon has a 30% chance to inflict frostbite. Frostbitten Pokemon lose 1/8 HP each turn and have their Special Attack halved. Fire-type moves that thaw can cure frostbite. The frostbite effect is similar to burn but affects Special Attack instead of Attack.

Character count: 296

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Freezing Point inflicts frostbite status on contact, creating a defensive ability that punishes physical attackers with a debilitating ice-based status condition.

Activation Conditions

• Trigger: When opponent makes contact with this Pokémon
• Chance: 30% probability per contact move
• Contact requirement: Move must have the contact flag
• Target eligibility: Opponent must be able to receive frostbite status
• Immunity check: Respects frostbite immunity from abilities/types

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability FreezingPoint = {
    .onDefender = +[](ON_DEFENDER) -> int {
        CHECK(IsMoveMakingContact(gCurrentMove))
        CHECK(Random() % 100 < 30)
        CHECK(CanGetFrostbite(attacker))
        
        SetMoveEffect(MOVE_EFFECT_FROSTBITE, FALSE);
        return TRUE;
    },
};

Frostbite Status Condition

• HP damage: 1/8 maximum HP lost per turn at end of turn
• Special Attack reduction: Special Attack halved during damage calculation
• Duration: Permanent until cured or switched out
• Visual indicator: Frostbitten Pokémon show ice crystals/blue tint
• Type interaction: Ice-type status effect with specific curing methods

Curing Methods

• Fire-type moves: Moves with FLAG_THAW_USER flag cure frostbite
• Switching out: Removes frostbite status naturally
• Aromatherapy/Heal Bell: Team-wide status cure moves
• Lum Berry: Instant frostbite cure
• Natural Cure: Cures on switch-out
• Rest: Sleep replaces frostbite status

Strategic Applications

• Special wall: Punishes special attackers who resort to contact moves
• Physical deterrent: Discourages contact moves from physical attackers
• Status spreading: Creates field presence through status infliction
• Defensive utility: Provides passive protection against contact moves
• Special Attack debuffing: Weakens opposing special sweepers

Contact Move Examples

Commonly affected moves:

• Tackle, Body Slam, Return
• Punch moves (Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch)
• Bite, Crunch, Hyper Fang
• Earthquake, Close Combat
• U-turn, Volt Switch (if making contact)

Not affected:

• Projectile moves (Thunderbolt, Flamethrower)
• Ranged attacks (Shadow Ball, Energy Ball)
• Non-contact physical moves (Rock Slide, Earthquake)

Immunity Considerations

• Ice-types: May have natural frostbite immunity
• Fire-types: Often immune to ice-based status conditions
• Ability immunity: Abilities like Limber or Water Veil
• Safeguard: Protects team from status conditions
• Substitute: Blocks contact and prevents frostbite

Competitive Usage

• Defensive tanks: Excellent on bulky Pokémon that can survive contact
• Status spreaders: Complements other status-inflicting strategies
• Special walls: Particularly effective against mixed attackers
• Pivot Pokémon: Good on defensive pivots that take hits
• Stall teams: Provides passive damage and debuffing

Frostbite vs Burn Comparison

• HP damage: Both deal 1/8 max HP per turn
• Stat reduction: Frostbite halves Special Attack, burn halves Attack
• Curing: Frostbite cured by fire moves, burn by water/ice moves
• Immunity: Different type immunities and resistances
• Strategic use: Frostbite counters special attackers, burn counters physical

Synergies

• Entry hazards: Combine with Stealth Rock for additional passive damage
• Other status: Stack with poison/burn for maximum status pressure
• Healing moves: Leftovers/recovery to outlast opponents
• Ice-type moves: Thematic synergy with ice-based attacks
• Defensive items: Rocky Helmet stacks contact punishment

Counters

• Long-range attackers: Special attackers with non-contact moves
• Fire-types: Often immune and can cure teammates
• Substitute: Blocks contact and prevents frostbite
• Status immunity: Magic Guard, Poison Heal, etc.
• Rapid switching: Avoid prolonged contact with the ability user

Version History

• Elite Redux custom status condition and ability
• Designed as Special Attack equivalent to burn status
• Part of expanded status system for enhanced strategic depth
• Provides ice-type defensive utility beyond traditional freeze