Guilt Trip - Ability ID 559

In-Game Description

"Sharply lowers attacker's Attack and SpAtk when fainting."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Guilt Trip inflicts psychological damage when the Pokémon faints. The attacker that delivers the final blow suffers reduced offensive power, having their Attack and Special Attack each lowered by 2 stages. Only works when fainting from direct damage.

Character count: 294

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Guilt Trip is a posthumous punishment ability that activates when the Pokémon with this ability faints from a direct attack.

Core Mechanics

• Trigger: When the Pokémon with Guilt Trip faints from taking damage
• Effect: Lowers the attacker's Attack and Special Attack by 2 stages each
• Target: The battler that dealt the finishing blow
• Timing: Activates immediately after fainting

Activation Conditions

1. The Pokémon with Guilt Trip must faint (HP reduced to 0)
2. The fainting must be caused by a direct attack from an opponent
3. The attacker must still be alive on the field
4. The attacker must be capable of having their stats lowered (not at minimum -6 stages)

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability GuiltTrip = {
    .onDefender = +[](ON_DEFENDER) -> int {
        CHECK(ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(attacker))
        CHECK_NOT(IsBattlerAlive(battler))  // Ability holder faints
        CHECK(CanLowerStat(attacker, STAT_ATK) || CanLowerStat(attacker, STAT_SPATK))

        BattleScriptCall(BattleScript_GuiltTrip);
        return TRUE;
    },
};

The battle script performs the stat reductions:

BattleScript_GuiltTrip::
    playstatchangeanimation BS_ATTACKER, BIT_ATK | BIT_SPATK, STAT_CHANGE_NEGATIVE | STAT_CHANGE_BY_TWO | STAT_CHANGE_MULTIPLE_STATS
    setstatchanger STAT_ATK, 2, TRUE     @ Lower Attack by 2 stages
    statbuffchange STAT_BUFF_ALLOW_PTR | MOVE_EFFECT_AFFECTS_USER, BattleScript_GuiltTripTrySpAtk
    setstatchanger STAT_SPATK, 2, TRUE   @ Lower Sp. Attack by 2 stages  
    statbuffchange STAT_BUFF_ALLOW_PTR | MOVE_EFFECT_AFFECTS_USER, BattleScript_GuiltTripEnd

Stat Stage Impact

• "Sharply lowers" = -2 stages to both Attack and Special Attack
• Attack stages: 100% → 67% → 50% → 40% → 33% → 29% → 25%
• At -2 stages: Attacker deals 50% of normal physical damage
• At -2 stages: Attacker deals 50% of normal special damage

Interactions with Other Abilities/Items

Blocked by:

• Clear Body, White Smoke, Full Metal Body (prevent stat reduction)
• Hyper Cutter (prevents Attack reduction only)
• Keen Eye (doesn't prevent Attack/Sp. Attack reduction)

Enhanced by:

• Contrary (would boost attacker's stats instead of lowering them)

Not affected by:

• Substitute (ability activates even if behind Substitute)
• Magic Bounce (cannot reflect posthumous effects)

Moves That Don't Trigger Guilt Trip

• Indirect damage (poison, burn, weather, entry hazards)
• Recoil damage to the ability holder
• Confusion self-damage
• Destiny Bond (since both Pokémon faint simultaneously)

Strategic Applications

Defensive Strategy:

• Perfect for bulky support Pokémon that expect to faint
• Forces attackers to think twice about finishing off the Guilt Trip user
• Excellent on Pokémon with low offensive stats but good defensive utility

Team Synergy:

• Pairs well with revival moves (Revival Blessing, Wish)
• Works on switch-in revenge killers and Choice item users
• Particularly effective against physical/special sweepers

Common Users in Elite Redux:

• Various bulky support Pokémon across different tiers
• Often found on Pokémon with other defensive abilities
• Frequently paired with healing/utility movesets

Competitive Usage Notes

Pros:

• Guaranteed activation if opponent KOs with direct damage
• Significant offensive debuff (-50% damage output)
• No opportunity cost - activates passively on fainting
• Cannot be prevented by most standard means

Cons:

• Requires the Pokémon to faint to activate
• No benefit if the Pokémon survives the battle
• Useless against opponents using indirect damage to finish
• Some abilities can prevent or reverse the stat drops

Counters

Direct Counters:

• Stat drop immunity abilities (Clear Body, White Smoke, etc.)
• Haze, Clear Smog to reset stat changes
• Contrary ability users (though rare)

Play Around Strategies:

• Use indirect damage for the KO (Toxic, burn, hazards)
• Switch immediately after KOing to avoid the debuff
• Use Pokémon that don't rely heavily on Attack/Sp. Attack

Version History

• Added in Elite Redux as a custom ability
• Designed as a defensive/support ability for tanky Pokémon
• Part of the expanded ability roster beyond Generation 9