Airborne - Ability ID 544

In-Game Description

"Boosts own & ally's Flying-type moves by 1.3x."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Airborne provides a 1.3x power boost to all Flying-type moves used by both the Pokémon with this ability and its allies in double battles. This boost applies to any Flying-type move regardless of category or base power. Works perfectly with strategies involving Flying-type teams.

Character count: 283

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

• Power Multiplier: 1.3x (30% boost) to all Flying-type moves
• Scope: Affects both the user and ally Pokémon in double battles
• Move Type Detection: Checks if moveType == TYPE_FLYING (type constant 2)
• Application: Uses onOffensiveMultiplier callback with APPLY_ON_ALLY flag

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability Airborne = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier =
        +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
            if (moveType == TYPE_FLYING) MUL(1.3);
        },
    .onOffensiveMultiplierFor = APPLY_ON_ALLY,
};

Activation Conditions

• Must be a Flying-type move
• Works in both single and double battles
• In doubles, affects both user and ally simultaneously
• No weather, terrain, or status requirements

Affected Moves (All Flying-type moves including)

• Physical moves: Aerial Ace, Brave Bird, Drill Peck, Fly, etc.
• Special moves: Air Slash, Hurricane, Heat Wave (if Flying-type), etc.
• Status moves: No effect on status moves as they don't deal damage

Interactions with Other Mechanics

• Stacks multiplicatively with other power boosts (items, abilities, weather)
• Type-changing abilities: If a move becomes Flying-type via Aerilate, Airborne will boost it
• Z-moves and Max moves: Boosted if they are Flying-type
• Multi-hit moves: Each hit receives the 1.3x boost

Strategic Implications

• Team Synergy: Excellent for Flying-type teams or mixed teams with Flying attackers
• Double Battle Focus: Particularly powerful in VGC/double format
• Coverage Support: Helps Pokemon with Flying STAB or coverage moves
• Wallbreaking: 30% boost can turn 2HKOs into potential OHKOs

Example Damage Calculations

• Brave Bird (120 BP) → 156 effective BP with Airborne
• Hurricane (110 BP) → 143 effective BP with Airborne
• Air Slash (75 BP) → 97.5 effective BP with Airborne

Common Users

Flying-type Pokémon that benefit from team support, particularly those used in double battles or on Flying-type themed teams.

Competitive Usage Notes

• VGC Viability: Strong in doubles format where ally support is most valuable
• Team Building: Pairs well with multiple Flying-type attackers
• Counterplay: Flying-type moves are still resisted by Rock, Electric, and Steel types

Counters

• Type Resistances: Rock, Electric, Steel types take reduced damage
• Abilities: Storm Drain doesn't affect this, but abilities that change move types can alter interactions
• Items: Air Balloon makes Pokémon immune to Ground but doesn't affect Flying moves

Synergies

• Flying Gem: Stack with consumable item for massive one-time boost
• Tailwind: Speed support for Flying-type teammates
• Flying-type STAB: Combines with natural same-type attack bonus for 1.95x total multiplier

Version History

• Added in Elite Redux as part of the expanded ability roster
• ID 544 in the ability enum (ABILITY_AIRBORNE)
• Uses modern ally support mechanics introduced in Elite Redux