Fertilize - Ability ID 507

In-Game Description

"Normal-type moves become Grass and Grass gains STAB."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Fertilize converts all Normal-type moves to Grass-type and grants STAB for Grass moves. This means Normal moves gain the power boost from being Grass-type plus STAB bonus. The user effectively gets Grass STAB regardless of their actual typing, making coverage moves stronger.

Character count: 295

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Fertilize is an "-ate" ability that converts Normal-type moves to Grass-type moves and provides Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB) for all Grass-type moves, regardless of the user's actual typing.

Move Type Conversion

• Normal → Grass: All Normal-type moves become Grass-type
• 1.2x power boost: Converted moves receive a 20% damage increase
• STAB application: All Grass-type moves (including converted ones) receive STAB bonus
• Type effectiveness: Converted moves use Grass-type effectiveness chart

Technical Implementation

// Fertilize uses the ATE_ABILITY macro for TYPE_GRASS
constexpr Ability Fertilize = {
    ATE_ABILITY(TYPE_GRASS),
};

// The macro provides:
// - onMoveType: Converts Normal moves to Grass + sets ateBoost flag
// - onStab: Grants STAB for Grass-type moves regardless of user typing

Damage Calculation

1. Normal move is selected
2. Move type changes to Grass
3. Base power increased by 20% (ateBoost)
4. STAB multiplier applied (1.5x for Grass moves)
5. Type effectiveness calculated using Grass typing
6. Final damage: Base × 1.2 × 1.5 × type effectiveness

Move Examples

Commonly converted moves:

• Hyper Beam → Grass Hyper Beam (150 → 180 → 270 with STAB)
• Return/Frustration → Grass Return (102 → 122.4 → 183.6 with STAB)
• Body Slam → Grass Body Slam (85 → 102 → 153 with STAB)
• Double-Edge → Grass Double-Edge (120 → 144 → 216 with STAB)
• Facade → Grass Facade (140 when statused → 168 → 252 with STAB)

Important Interactions

• Type immunity: Normal moves can now be resisted by Steel types
• Effectiveness changes: Super effective vs Water/Ground/Rock, resisted by Fire/Grass/Poison/Flying/Bug/Dragon/Steel
• Ability synergies: Works with other Grass-boosting abilities if stacked
• Hidden Power: Does not affect Hidden Power (not Normal-type)
• Weather synergy: No direct weather interaction (unlike sun-boosted Fire -ate abilities)

Strategic Applications

Offensive advantages:

• Massive power boost to Normal moves (44% total increase with STAB)
• Access to powerful Normal move coverage with Grass typing
• Surprise factor with unexpected Grass attacks

Coverage considerations:

• Gains super effective hits on Water, Ground, and Rock types
• Loses neutral damage to Steel types (now resisted)
• Vulnerable to Fire, Grass, Poison, Flying, Bug, Dragon, and Steel types

Pokémon Distribution

Regular ability users:

• Growlithe Redux (Fire/Grass)
• Arcanine Redux (Fire/Grass)
• Mega Arcanine Redux (Fire/Grass)
• Turtwig Redux (Flying/Fairy)
• Grotle Redux (Flying/Fairy)
• Torterra Redux (Flying/Fairy)
• Shaymin-Sky (Grass/Flying)

Innate ability users:

• Timburr (Fighting)
• Cursola (Ghost)

Competitive Analysis

Strengths:

• Enormous power boost to Normal moves
• Excellent coverage against common types
• Versatile offensive tool
• Works regardless of user's typing

Weaknesses:

• Normal moves become resisted by many types
• No defensive utility
• Relies on Normal move availability
• Can be situational depending on matchup

Team Building Considerations

• Physical attackers: Benefit most from strong Normal physical moves
• Mixed attackers: Can use both physical and special Normal moves
• Coverage needs: Provides unique Grass coverage option
• Type synergy: Works well on Pokémon that don't naturally get Grass STAB

Counters and Counterplay

• Steel types: Resist converted Grass moves
• Fire types: Resist and often threaten with super effective coverage
• Multi-type resistors: Pokémon with Grass resistance via dual typing
• Ability suppression: Mold Breaker, Neutralizing Gas disable the conversion

Version History

• Custom Elite Redux ability (ID 507)
• Based on standard -ate ability mechanics
• Available on both regular and regional form Pokémon
• Functions as both regular and innate ability

Related Abilities

• Pixilate (Normal → Fairy)
• Refrigerate (Normal → Ice)
• Aerilate (Normal → Flying)
• Galvanize (Normal → Electric)
• Other -ate abilities with similar mechanics but different types