Determination - Ability ID 506

In-Game Description

"Ups Special Attack by 50% if suffering."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Determination boosts Special Attack by 50% when the Pokémon has any status condition or Comatose ability. Also prevents the freeze status from reducing Special Attack. This works with burn, poison, paralysis, sleep, freeze, and Blood Stain effects. Great for special attackers.

Character count: 295

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Determination is an offensive ability that provides a substantial power boost to special attacks when the Pokémon is afflicted with status conditions. The ability specifically targets special moves and provides damage immunity negation.

Activation Conditions

• Status requirement: Any status condition must be present:
  • Burn
  • Poison (including badly poisoned)
  • Paralysis
  • Sleep
  • Freeze
  • Comatose ability active
  • Blood Stain effects (Elite Redux specific)
• Move type: Only affects special moves (Special Attack-based)
• Damage boost: Exactly 50% increase (multiplier of 1.5)

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability Determination = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier =
        +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
            if (HasAnyStatusOrAbility(battler) && IS_MOVE_SPECIAL(move)) MUL(1.5);
        },
    .negatesFrzSpatkDrop = TRUE,
};

Special Properties

• Freeze immunity negation: Prevents the freeze status from reducing Special Attack
• Special move only: Only affects moves that use the Special Attack stat
• Status dependency: Requires status condition to activate

Important Interactions

• Guts comparison: Similar to Guts but for special moves instead of physical
• Comatose synergy: Always active with Comatose ability users
• Status absorption: Can benefit from intentional status infliction
• Freeze protection: Unique property among status-boosting abilities
• Multi-hit moves: Boost applies to each hit if special-based

HasAnyStatusOrAbility Function

The ability uses a specific function that checks for:

• Any STATUS1 status condition
• Comatose ability (counts as permanent "status")
• Blood Stain effects (Elite Redux mechanic)

Strategic Implications

• Status synergy: Benefits from being statused unlike most Pokémon
• Special wallbreaker: Turns status conditions into offensive pressure
• Risk/reward: High power boost compensates for status drawbacks
• Anti-freeze: Maintains Special Attack power even when frozen
• Team support: Can be paired with status inflictors

Common Users

• Special attacking Pokémon who can afford status conditions
• Bulky special attackers who can survive status damage
• Pokémon with status-healing moves or abilities
• Rest users who can sleep safely

Competitive Usage Notes

• Flame Orb/Toxic Orb synergy: Intentional status for guaranteed boost
• Rest compatibility: Can sleep and still hit hard
• Status immunity bypass: Makes status moves beneficial rather than harmful
• Freeze counter: Unique in not losing Special Attack when frozen
• Defensive pivot: Can switch into status moves for offensive gains

Counters

• Physical attackers: Ability doesn't boost physical moves
• Status cure: Healing status removes the damage boost
• Ability suppression: Mold Breaker, Neutralizing Gas
• Taunt: Prevents Rest or status-healing moves
• Magic Guard: Negates status damage while keeping boost

Synergies

• Status Orbs: Flame Orb, Toxic Orb for guaranteed activation
• Rest: Sleep status provides boost while healing
• Aromatherapy/Heal Bell: Can remove status when boost isn't needed
• Substitute: Protects from status while keeping existing conditions
• Safeguard: Can prevent unwanted status changes

Comparison to Similar Abilities

• Guts: Physical equivalent, also has burn attack negation
• Quick Feet: Speed boost from status instead of attack
• Marvel Scale: Defense boost from status conditions
• Poison Heal: Healing from poison instead of attack boost

Version History

• Elite Redux custom ability
• Part of the extended ability system
• Similar design to Guts but for special attackers
• Includes unique freeze Special Attack protection

Elite Redux Specific Notes

• Benefits from the 4-ability system as innate or changeable ability
• Synergizes with other status-based abilities in multi-ability builds
• Can be combined with defensive abilities for status tank builds
• Blood Stain interaction is unique to Elite Redux mechanics