Impulse - Ability ID 551

In-Game Description

"Non-contact moves use the Speed stat for damage."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Non-contact moves use Speed stat for damage instead of Attack/Special Attack. Opposite of Momentum - greatly benefits special attackers with high Speed. Most special moves are non-contact. Speed investment provides both offense and turn order. Seen on electric speedsters like Zebstrika.

Character count: 287

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

IMPULSE transforms Speed into offensive power for all non-contact moves, creating unique special attacking opportunities.

Core Mechanics:

• Trigger: Any non-contact move
• Effect: Replaces Attack/SpA with Speed in damage formula
• Stage Application: Speed stages apply instead of offensive stages
• Complete Replacement: Full stat substitution

Technical Implementation:

constexpr Ability Impulse = {
    .onChooseOffensiveStat =
        +[](ON_CHOOSE_OFFENSIVE_STAT) {
            if (!(gBattleMoves[move].contact)) *atkStatToUse = STAT_SPEED;
        },
};

Affected Moves:

Special Non-Contact (vast majority):

• Thunderbolt, Thunder, Discharge, Electro Ball
• Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Heat Wave, Overheat
• Ice Beam, Blizzard, Freeze-Dry
• Psychic, Psyshock, Psycho Boost
• Hurricane, Air Slash, Aeroblast
• Hydro Pump, Surf, Scald, Water Pulse
• Energy Ball, Giga Drain, Solar Beam

Physical Non-Contact:

• Earthquake, Earth Power, Bulldoze
• Rock Slide, Stone Edge, Rock Blast
• Razor Leaf, Seed Bomb
• Icicle Spear, Icicle Crash
• Poison Sting, Pin Missile

Pokemon with Impulse:

As Changeable Ability:

• Zebstrika (Electric) - Base 116 Speed
• Wattrel (Electric/Flying) - Base 70 Speed
• Kilowattrel (Electric/Flying) - Evolution

As Innate Ability:

• One unidentified Pokemon in species data

Strategic Applications:

1. Stat Optimization:

   • Max Speed EVs = Max damage
   • Timid/Jolly nature for +10% damage
   • No investment needed in SpA/Atk

2. Item Synergy:

   • Choice Scarf: 1.5x Speed = 1.5x damage
   • Choice Specs: Still 1.5x on special moves
   • Life Orb: Standard 1.3x boost
   • Salac Berry: Speed boost = damage boost

3. Setup Potential:

   • Agility/Rock Polish = +2 damage stages
   • Tailwind support = 2x damage
   • Speed Boost ability = incremental power

Damage Comparison:

Kilowattrel Example:

• Special Attack: 300 (base 100)
• Speed: 375 (base 125)
• Using Thunderbolt: 25% more damage with Speed

Move Selection Strategy:

1. Prioritize Coverage:

   • Most special moves are non-contact
   • Wide movepool access maintained
   • Type coverage unaffected

2. Avoid Contact:

   • Grass Knot (contact special)
   • Physical contact moves
   • Unless necessary for coverage

3. Speed Synergy:

   • Electro Ball (power scales with speed)
   • Weather speed abilities
   • Priority moves still useful

Counters:

1. Speed Control:

   • Trick Room (complete reversal)
   • Paralysis (halves damage)
   • Sticky Web, Icy Wind
   • Tailwind on opposing side

2. Priority Moves: Bypass speed entirely

3. Special Walls: High SpDef still matters

Notable Interactions:

Unique Cases:

• Psyshock/Psystrike: Use Speed but target Defense
• Body Press: Likely uses Defense as normal
• Foul Play: Unaffected
• Electro Ball: Double benefit from speed

Weather Speed:

• Swift Swim + Rain
• Chlorophyll + Sun
• Sand Rush + Sand
• Slush Rush + Hail

Common Sets:

Kilowattrel @ Choice Specs

• Hurricane
• Thunderbolt
• Heat Wave
• Volt Switch

Zebstrika @ Life Orb

• Thunderbolt
• Overheat
• Hidden Power Ice
• Volt Switch

Competitive Analysis:

Impulse creates special attackers from speed demons, particularly valuable on Pokemon with naturally high Speed but mediocre Special Attack. The ability essentially provides "double value" from Speed investment - both turn order and raw power. Most effective on special attackers due to move distribution.

Comparison to Similar:

• Momentum: Contact moves only
• Terminal Velocity: Adds 20% of Speed
• Slipstream: Different calculation

Version Notes:

• Elite Redux exclusive
• Affects both physical and special non-contact
• Part of stat-replacement ability series