Mystic Blades - Ability ID 505

In-Game Description

"Keen edge moves become special and deal 30% more damage."

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (280-300 chars max)

Keen edge moves become special and deal 30% more damage. Affects 50+ slashing moves including Slash, Leaf Blade, Dragon Claw, and Night Slash. Converts physical slashes to special attacks using SpAtk stat. Perfect for special attackers bypassing physical walls and gaining diverse coverage.

Character count: 290

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

MYSTIC BLADES is a move conversion ability that transforms physical slashing and cutting moves into special attacks while providing significant damage amplification.

Core Mechanics:

• Damage Multiplier: 1.3x (30% boost) to all keen edge moves
• Move Conversion: Changes physical keen edge moves to special split
• Stat Usage: Converted moves use Special Attack and target Special Defense
• Move Count: Affects over 50 moves with the FLAG_KEEN_EDGE_BOOST flag

Technical Implementation:

constexpr Ability MysticBlades = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier = KeenEdge.onOffensiveMultiplier,  // 1.3x damage boost
    .onSwapSplit = +[](ON_SWAP_SPLIT) -> int {
        CHECK(gBattleMoves[move].split == SPLIT_PHYSICAL)
        CHECK(gBattleMoves[move].flags & FLAG_KEEN_EDGE_BOOST);
        return TRUE;  // Converts physical keen edge moves to special
    },
};

Complete List of Affected Moves:

Basic Slashes:

• Cut, Slash, Fury Swipes, Scratch

Elemental Slashes:

• Razor Leaf (Grass), Air Cutter (Flying), Air Slash (Flying), Psycho Cut (Psychic)

High-Power Slashes:

• Leaf Blade (90 BP), Night Slash (70 BP), Cross Chop (100 BP), Sacred Sword (90 BP)

Multi-Hit/Effect Slashes:

• Fury Cutter (40 BP, power doubles), X-Scissor (80 BP), Dual Chop (40 BP x2)

Claw Attacks:

• Dragon Claw (80 BP), Shadow Claw (70 BP), Metal Claw (50 BP), Crush Claw (75 BP)

Specialized Cuts:

• Guillotine (OHKO), False Swipe (40 BP, leaves 1 HP), Razor Wind (80 BP, 2-turn)

Priority Moves:

• Aerial Ace (60 BP, never misses), Aqua Jet (40 BP, +1 priority when slashing)

Signature Moves:

• Secret Sword (85 BP), Solar Blade (125 BP), Behemoth Blade (100 BP)

Strategic Implications:

1. Type Coverage Expansion: Special attackers gain access to diverse physical coverage
2. Wall Breaking: Bypasses physical walls expecting slashing moves
3. Critical Hit Synergy: Many keen edge moves have high crit ratios
4. Weather Teams: Solar Blade becomes a special sun nuke

Notable Interactions:

• Solar Blade: Becomes a 125 BP special Grass move in sun (162.5 BP after boost)
• Sacred Sword: Ignores defense boosts as a special move
• Night Slash: High crit special Dark move
• Leaf Blade: 90 BP → 117 BP special Grass with high crit

Damage Comparisons:

Example: Alakazam with Mystic Blades (135 Special Attack):

• Regular Psycho Cut: 70 BP physical (uses 50 Attack)
• Mystic Blades Psycho Cut: 91 BP special (uses 135 Special Attack)
• Over 4x damage increase from stat difference and multiplier

Competitive Usage:

• Coverage Monster: Special attackers with unexpected slashing coverage
• Sun Teams: Solar Blade becomes terrifying special nuke
• Crit Builds: High crit moves + special damage
• Speed Control: Aerial Ace for priority special Flying damage

Synergies:

• Sharpness: Would stack if Pokemon had both abilities
• Critical Hit Boosts: Scope Lens, Super Luck for crit slashes
• Weather: Solar Blade in sun, no charge needed
• Terrain: Grassy Terrain boosts Leaf Blade further

Common Users:

While any Pokemon with access to Mystic Blades benefits, ideal users have:

• High Special Attack
• Access to multiple slashing moves
• Need for physical coverage as special attackers

Example Set:

Theoretical Special Attacker @ Life Orb

• Leaf Blade (Grass coverage)
• Night Slash (Dark coverage)
• Psycho Cut (Psychic STAB)
• Air Slash (Flying coverage)

Counters:

• High Special Defense walls
• Pokemon resistant to common slash types
• Priority users before conversion attacks land
• Fort Knox negates the damage boost

Related Abilities:

• Keen Edge: Same boost but keeps moves physical
• Sharpness: Different boost amount, affects similar moves
• Pony Power: Combines both Keen Edge and Mystic Blades effects

Version History:

• Elite Redux exclusive ability
• Part of the "move conversion" ability family
• Designed to create unique special attacking archetypes