Yuki Onna - Ability ID 497

In-Game Description

"Intimidate variant + 30% attract on contact."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Upon entering battle, the Yuki Onna's chilling presence lowers both the Attack and Special Attack of opposing Pokemon by one stage. Additionally, when the Yuki Onna makes contact with an opponent, there is a 30% chance to infatuate the target with her ethereal beauty.

Character count: 296

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Yuki Onna combines battlefield intimidation with enchanting contact effects, representing the dual nature of the legendary Japanese snow spirit who is both terrifying and beautiful.

Entry Effect: Dual Intimidation

• Trigger: Activates immediately upon switching into battle
• Stats lowered: Both Attack and Special Attack by 1 stage each
• Targets: All opposing Pokémon on the field
• Scope: Affects both opponents in double battles
• Message: Uses intimidate activation battle script

Contact Effect: Infatuation

• Trigger: When Yuki Onna makes contact with an opponent
• Chance: 30% probability per contact move
• Status: Attract (infatuation)
• Requirement: Target must be capable of infatuation
• Success condition: Move must successfully hit and affect target

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability YukiOnna = {
    .onEntry = +[](ON_ENTRY) -> int {
        return UseIntimidateClone(battler, ability);
    },
    .onAttacker = +[](ON_ATTACKER) -> int {
        CHECK(IsMoveMakingContact(gCurrentMove))
        CHECK(ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(battler))
        CHECK(Random() % 100 < 30)
        CHECK(CanInfatuate(battler, target))
        
        SetMoveEffect(MOVE_EFFECT_ATTRACT, FALSE);
        return TRUE;
    },
};

Intimidate Clone System

// Custom intimidate variant that lowers both offensive stats
.targetBoth = TRUE,        // Affects both opponents
.statLower = {
    [STAT_ATK] = 1,       // Lower Attack by 1 stage
    [STAT_SPATK] = 1,     // Lower Special Attack by 1 stage
},

Infatuation Mechanics

• Effect: Target falls in love and may not attack 50% of the time
• Duration: Permanent until cured or target switches out
• Gender requirement: Typically requires opposite genders
• Immunity: Same-gender Pokémon or genderless often immune
• Curing: Mental Herb, switching out, or certain abilities

Strategic Applications

• Dual stat reduction: Weakens both physical and special attackers
• Contact deterrent: Punishes physical attackers with infatuation
• Entry control: Immediate battlefield impact upon switching
• Mixed utility: Both offensive and defensive applications
• Psychological warfare: Forces cautious play from opponents

Folklore Connection

Japanese Yuki-onna legend:

• Beautiful but deadly: Snow woman who appears on winter nights
• Dual nature: Both alluring and terrifying to travelers
• Fatal attraction: Men become entranced by her beauty before freezing
• Intimidating presence: Her appearance fills witnesses with dread

Contact Move Interactions

Commonly affected moves:

• Physical attacks: Tackle, Body Slam, Return
• Punch moves: Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch
• Bite moves: Bite, Crunch, Hyper Fang
• Fighting moves: Close Combat, Drain Punch

Not affected:

• Ranged attacks: Flamethrower, Thunderbolt
• Non-contact physical: Rock Slide, Earthquake
• Special moves: Most special attacks

Double Battle Applications

• Team debuffing: Weakens both opposing Pokémon simultaneously
• Contact punishment: Deters physical attackers from both sides
• Field presence: Creates immediate impact across entire field
• Support utility: Helps entire team by weakening opponents

Competitive Usage

• Lead Pokémon: Excellent for immediate battlefield control
• Defensive walls: Reduces incoming damage while punishing contact
• Support role: Weakens opponents for teammates
• Pivot Pokémon: Entry effect helps team, contact effect aids staying power
• Stall teams: Disrupts offensive pressure through stat reduction

Synergies

Stat reduction synergy:

• Rocky Helmet: Additional contact punishment
• Leftovers: Sustain while opponents deal reduced damage
• Eviolite: Enhanced bulk while debuffing opponents

Team support:

• Entry hazards: Stack passive damage with stat reduction
• Status spreaders: Combine with other disruptive effects
• Defensive cores: Create safe switching opportunities

Counters

• Clear Body/White Smoke: Immune to stat reduction
• Defiant/Competitive: Turn stat drops into boosts
• Substitute: Blocks contact and prevents infatuation
• Long-range attackers: Avoid contact entirely
• Same-gender teams: Resist infatuation effects

Limitations

• One-time entry: Stat reduction only on switch-in
• Contact requirement: Infatuation needs physical contact
• Gender dependency: Infatuation often requires opposite genders
• Mental immunity: Some abilities prevent infatuation
• Stat immunity: Some abilities prevent stat reduction

Item Interactions

Beneficial items:

• Mental Herb: Opponent item that cures infatuation
• Lum Berry: Opponent item that cures attract status
• Ability Shield: Prevents intimidate-like effects

User items:

• Rocky Helmet: Stack contact punishment
• Leftovers: Sustain through prolonged battles
• Choice items: Hit hard after debuffing opponents

Version History

• Elite Redux custom ability inspired by Japanese folklore
• Combines intimidation with attraction for thematic accuracy
• Designed to capture the dual nature of the Yuki-onna legend
• Part of expanded cultural mythology ability system