Cute Charm - Ability ID 56

In-Game Description

"50% chance to attract on contact. Also works on offense."

Extended In-Game Description

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

When making or receiving contact moves, has a 50% chance to infatuate the opponent. Works bidirectionally - triggers whether attacking or defending with contact moves. Infatuated Pokémon have reduced accuracy and may be unable to attack. Does not work on same-gender or genderless Pokémon.

Character count: 283

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Cute Charm in Elite Redux provides bidirectional attraction with contact moves:

1. Contact-Based Attraction (50%)

   • Triggers on both offensive and defensive contact moves
   • 50% activation rate when all conditions are met
   • Causes infatuation status (MOVE_EFFECT_ATTRACT)
   • Works on both physical attacks and special contact moves

2. Gender Requirements

   • Requires attacker and defender to have different genders
   • Cannot affect genderless Pokémon (except with special abilities)
   • Normal gender compatibility rules apply

Technical Implementation

Code Structure (src/abilities.cc):

ON_EITHER(CuteCharm) {
    CHECK(ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(opponent))
    CHECK(IsMoveMakingContact(move, gBattlerAttacker))
    CHECK(CanInfatuate(battler, opponent))
    CHECK(Random() % 100 < 50)

    AbilityStatusEffectSafe(MOVE_EFFECT_ATTRACT, battler, opponent);
    return TRUE;
}
constexpr Ability CuteCharm = {
    ON_EITHER_ABILITY(CuteCharm),
};

Key Helper Functions:

• ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(): Checks if on-hit effects can apply
• IsMoveMakingContact(): Verifies the move makes physical contact
• CanInfatuate(): Validates gender compatibility and status immunity
• AbilityStatusEffectSafe(): Applies attraction status safely

Activation Conditions

1. Move must make contact: Physical moves, some special moves like Petal Dance
2. Target must be able to be infatuated: Different gender, not already infatuated
3. On-hit effects must be applicable: Target not protected by abilities/items
4. 50% random chance: Must pass Random() % 100 < 50 check

What CanInfatuate Checks

From src/battle_util.c:

• Target not already infatuated
• Battlers are different (not self-targeting)
• Attacker is alive
• Target not protected by Oblivious, Aroma Veil, etc.
• Compatible genders (different and not genderless)
• Special abilities override (Pure Love, Mycelium Might)

Bidirectional Nature

Unlike most contact abilities, Cute Charm uses ON_EITHER_ABILITY macro:

• As Attacker: Can infatuate defending Pokémon when using contact moves
• As Defender: Can infatuate attacking Pokémon when they use contact moves

Abilities Using Cute Charm's Effect

Several Elite Redux abilities share this functionality:

• Prim and Proper: .onDefender = CuteCharm.onDefender + Fort Knox immunity
• Hydro Circuit: Includes Cute Charm's defender effect + healing from infatuated foes
• Tender Affection: Full Cute Charm effect + Fairy-type STAB

Strategic Implications

1. Defensive Utility

   • Punishes physical attackers with potential infatuation
   • Creates setup opportunities when opponents are infatuated
   • Provides passive disruption without turn investment

2. Offensive Application

   • Enables aggressive infatuation strategies
   • Works with contact special moves (rare but exists)
   • Combines with other status effects for layered disruption

3. Gender-Based Strategy

   • More effective in metas with diverse gender distributions
   • Completely shut down by same-gender or genderless teams
   • Synergizes with gender-based move selection

Battle Scenarios

Defensive Scenario:

Opponent uses Earthquake (contact) → 50% chance to infatuate
If triggered: Opponent becomes infatuated, may skip turns

Offensive Scenario:

User with Cute Charm uses Thunder Punch → 50% chance to infatuate target
Creates potential setup opportunity or disruption

Interactions with Other Mechanics

Status Immunities:

• Oblivious: Complete immunity to infatuation
• Aroma Veil: Team-wide protection (if ally has it)
• Shield Dust: Prevents secondary effects including attraction
• Substitute: Blocks contact and thus Cute Charm activation

Status Amplifiers:

• Serene Grace: Does NOT affect Cute Charm's 50% rate (ability-based, not move effect)

Contact Modifiers:

• Long Reach: Prevents contact, disabling Cute Charm
• Protective Pads: User doesn't make contact, no Cute Charm trigger

Common Contact Moves

Physical Moves: Tackle, Body Slam, Earthquake, Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, etc. Special Contact: Petal Dance, Grass Knot (some variants)

Competitive Usage Notes

• C+ tier ability providing moderate utility
• Best on Pokémon that frequently make or receive contact
• More valuable in singles than doubles (higher contact frequency)
• Gender distribution in meta heavily affects viability
• AI rating: 4/10 (decent but situational)

Example Calculations

Infatuation Success Rate: 50% base chance With Oblivious Target: 0% (complete immunity) Against Same Gender: 0% (cannot infatuate) Against Substitute: 0% (no contact made)

Common Cute Charm Users

Based on base_stats.h analysis:

• Jigglypuff/Wigglytuff: Classic users with defensive bulk
• Clefairy/Clefable: Versatile Fairy-types with support options
• Skitty/Delcatty: Offensive Normal-types
• Lopunny: Fast physical attacker
• Various Pokémon as innate or selectable ability

Counters

• Same Gender Team: Complete immunity through gender matching
• Genderless Pokémon: Natural immunity (except vs special abilities)
• Oblivious: Direct ability counter
• Aroma Veil Ally: Team protection
• Long Reach/Protective Pads: Prevents contact
• Shield Dust: Blocks secondary effects
• Substitute: Physical barrier preventing contact

Synergies

• Thunder Wave: Paraflinch-style disruption with paralysis + infatuation
• Attract Support: Stacking infatuation sources
• Setup Moves: Use infatuation turns to boost stats
• Healing Moves: Recover while opponent skips turns
• Contact Moves: Maximize activation opportunities
• Gender-based Strategies: Partner with Rivalry, etc.

Related Abilities

• Pure Love (508): Can infatuate any gender/genderless
• Beautiful Music (622): Sound move-based attraction with canInfatuateAny
• Hydro Circuit: Healing + Cute Charm defensive effect
• Tender Affection: Cute Charm + Fairy STAB

Version History

• Generation III: Introduced as defensive-only contact ability
• Generation IV-V: 30% activation rate, contact moves only
• Generation VI+: Maintained basic functionality
• Elite Redux: Enhanced to 50% rate + bidirectional activation + special ability variants

Technical Notes

• Uses AbilityStatusEffectSafe for safe status application
• Respects Safeguard and other protective effects
• Triggers ability popup when activated
• Handles edge cases like Mold Breaker interaction (breakable)