Hustle - Ability ID 55

In-Game Description

"0.9x accuracy. Boosts damage by 1.4x."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Hustle boosts the power of physical moves by 1.4x but reduces their accuracy to 90% of normal. Only affects non-status moves - status moves maintain perfect accuracy. High risk, high reward ability that trades reliability for raw power. Essential for frail attackers needing extra damage.

Character count: 292

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

HUSTLE is a double-edged ability that significantly increases offensive power at the cost of accuracy, creating a high-risk, high-reward playstyle.

Activation Mechanics:

• Power Trigger: onOffensiveMultiplier hook applies 1.4x damage boost
• Accuracy Trigger: onAccuracy hook applies 0.9x accuracy reduction (90% accuracy)
• Move Classification: Only affects non-status moves (SPLIT_PHYSICAL and SPLIT_SPECIAL)
• No Announcement: Ability works silently without battle messages

Technical Implementation:

constexpr Ability Hustle = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier = +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) { MUL(1.4); },
    .onAccuracy = +[](ON_ACCURACY) -> AccuracyPriority {
        CHECK_NOT(IS_MOVE_STATUS(move)) *accuracy *= .9;
        return ACCURACY_MULTIPLICATIVE;
    },
};

Core Mechanics:

1. Power Boost:

   • Applies 1.4x multiplier to all physical and special attacking moves
   • Stacks multiplicatively with other damage modifiers
   • No power boost for status moves

2. Accuracy Reduction:

   • Reduces accuracy to 90% of original value (multiply by 0.9)
   • Only affects physical and special moves
   • Status moves maintain their original accuracy
   • Uses ACCURACY_MULTIPLICATIVE priority level

Move Category Effects:

• Physical Moves: +40% power, 90% accuracy
• Special Moves: +40% power, 90% accuracy
• Status Moves: No power change, normal accuracy (100% for most)

Accuracy Calculations:

• 100% Accuracy Move: 100% × 0.9 = 90% accuracy
• 95% Accuracy Move: 95% × 0.9 = 85.5% accuracy
• 90% Accuracy Move: 90% × 0.9 = 81% accuracy
• 80% Accuracy Move: 80% × 0.9 = 72% accuracy
• 70% Accuracy Move: 70% × 0.9 = 63% accuracy

Power Calculations:

Example with 100 Base Power move:

• Normal: 100 BP × 1.0 = 100 effective power
• With Hustle: 100 BP × 1.4 = 140 effective power
• Net Effect: 40% more damage per hit, 10% more misses

AI Evaluation:

• AI Score: 7/10 (positive rating indicates AI considers it beneficial)
• Trade-off Analysis: AI values the power boost more than the accuracy reduction
• Move Selection: AI may favor higher accuracy moves to mitigate the penalty

Pokémon with Hustle:

Notable users include:

• Rattata/Raticate lines (both Kantonian and Alolan forms)
• Nidoran lines (various regional forms)
• Togepi line (Togepi only)
• Darumaka lines (all regional variants)
• Various other physical attackers

Strategic Applications:

1. Frail Sweepers: Hustle maximizes damage output for Pokémon that might not survive long
2. Choice Item Synergy: Pairs well with Choice Band/Specs for massive damage
3. Priority Moves: Benefits moves like Quick Attack and Extreme Speed
4. Status Move Coverage: Can use status moves without accuracy penalty

Competitive Analysis:

Advantages:

• Significant power increase makes OHKOs and 2HKOs more achievable
• Doesn't affect status moves, maintaining utility options
• Excellent for hit-and-run tactics with frail attackers
• Pairs well with high-accuracy moves (100% becomes 90%)

Disadvantages:

• 10% accuracy loss can be crucial in competitive play
• Poor synergy with already-inaccurate moves
• Risk of missing at critical moments
• Can be unreliable for consistent damage output

Synergies and Counters:

Synergistic Strategies:

• High-Accuracy Moves: Prioritize 100% accuracy moves that become 90%
• Choice Items: Choice Band/Specs stack for devastating power
• Priority Moves: Quick Attack, Extreme Speed get both power and speed
• Status Backup: Use status moves when attacks might miss

Optimal Move Selection:

• Favor moves with 95%+ base accuracy
• Avoid moves with 85% or lower accuracy
• Prioritize high base power moves to maximize the 1.4x boost
• Include status moves for utility without accuracy penalty

Items that Help:

• Wide Lens: +10% accuracy partially compensates (90% → 99%)
• Zoom Lens: +20% accuracy when moving second (90% → 108%, capped at 100%)
• Choice Items: Stack damage boosts for maximum impact

Calculation Examples:

Scenario 1: 100 BP Move with Choice Band

• Base: 100 BP
• Hustle: 100 × 1.4 = 140 effective BP
• Choice Band: 140 × 1.5 = 210 effective BP
• Accuracy: 90%

Scenario 2: Stone Edge (100 BP, 80% accuracy)

• Power: 100 × 1.4 = 140 effective BP
• Accuracy: 80% × 0.9 = 72%
• Not recommended due to low final accuracy

Scenario 3: Body Slam (85 BP, 100% accuracy)

• Power: 85 × 1.4 = 119 effective BP
• Accuracy: 100% × 0.9 = 90%
• Good choice - reliable accuracy with decent power

Version History:

• Gen 3-4: Physical moves only affected
• Gen 5+: Affects both physical and special moves
• Elite Redux: Follows Gen 5+ implementation affecting all attacking moves