Minus - Ability ID 58

In-Game Description

"Deals double damage if an ally Pokémon has Minus or Plus."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Minus doubles damage output when partnered with Plus or Minus ally. Only works in double/triple battles with living partner. Creates powerful synergy enabling devastating combo attacks. Essential for doubles strategies focused on overwhelming offensive pressure through coordinated ability combinations.

Character count: 295

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

MINUS is a damage-boosting ability that doubles offensive power when paired with specific partner abilities in multi-battle formats.

Activation Mechanics:

• Trigger: During damage calculation (onOffensiveMultiplier hook)
• Effect: Multiplies damage by 2.0x (100% increase)
• Partner Requirements: Ally must have ABILITY_PLUS or ABILITY_MINUS
• Partner State: Partner must be alive (IsBattlerAlive check)
• Battle Format: Only functions in double/triple battles (requires living partner)

Technical Implementation:

constexpr Ability Minus = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier = Plus.onOffensiveMultiplier,
};

// Shared implementation with Plus:
constexpr Ability Plus = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier =
        +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
            int partner = BATTLE_PARTNER(battler);
            if (!IsBattlerAlive(partner)) return;
            if (BattlerHasAbility(partner, ABILITY_PLUS, FALSE) || 
                BattlerHasAbility(partner, ABILITY_MINUS, FALSE)) MUL(2.0);
        },
};

Partner Detection System:

• BATTLE_PARTNER Macro: (id) ^ 2 - Uses XOR to find partner slot
• Partner Checking: Verifies partner is alive before ability check
• Ability Detection: Uses BattlerHasAbility() with FALSE flag (ignores suppression)
• Symmetric Effect: Both Plus and Minus abilities trigger the boost for each other

Battle Format Requirements:

• Singles: No effect (no partner exists)
• Doubles: Functions when partner has Plus/Minus
• Triples: Functions when direct partner has Plus/Minus
• Multi-Battle: Only checks immediate battle partner, not all allies

Move Interactions:

• All Moves: Affects every offensive move that deals damage
• Physical/Special: Boosts both physical and special attacks equally
• Multi-Hit: Each hit receives the 2.0x multiplier
• Fixed Damage: Does not affect moves with fixed damage values
• Status Moves: No effect on non-damaging moves

Synergistic Moves (AI Recognition):

Gear Up (Move Effect):

• AI recognizes Plus/Minus users as prime targets
• Raises Attack and Special Attack of Plus/Minus holders
• Score bonus when user or partner has ability

Magnetic Flux (Move Effect):

• Specifically targets Plus/Minus ability holders
• Raises Defense and Special Defense of affected Pokémon
• AI prioritizes when Plus/Minus users are present

Elite Redux Implementation:

Pokémon with Minus (as Innate):

• Plusle (Electric/Fairy) - Tier 2
  • Abilities: Transistor, Lightning Rod, Power Spot
  • Innates: Minus, Defiant, Speed Boost
  • Partner to: Minun (Plus holder)

Strategic Role:

• Forms pairs with Plus users for maximum effectiveness
• Creates "power couple" strategies in doubles format
• Enables overwhelming offensive pressure when both abilities activate

Damage Calculation:

Base Damage × Type Effectiveness × STAB × Minus Boost × Other Multipliers
Where Minus Boost = 2.0 when partner has Plus/Minus, 1.0 otherwise

Example Calculations:

• 100 BP move with partner Plus: 200 effective BP
• With STAB (1.5x): 100 × 2.0 × 1.5 = 300 effective BP
• Super effective + Minus + STAB: 100 × 2.0 × 2.0 × 1.5 = 600 effective BP

Competitive Applications:

Doubles Strategy:

• Pair Minus holder with Plus holder for mutual benefit
• Both Pokémon deal double damage when together
• Creates immediate offensive pressure from turn 1
• Forces opponents to prioritize removing one partner

Team Building:

• Natural synergy with Plusle (Minus) + Minun-like pairs
• Requires specific team composition around ability synergy
• Vulnerable to partner removal strategies
• Best with fast, powerful attackers

Counterplay:

Direct Counters:

• Eliminate Partner: Remove Plus/Minus partner to disable ability
• Singles Format: Force singles battles where ability has no effect
• Priority Moves: KO one partner before they can attack together
• Redirection: Use Follow Me/Rage Powder to isolate targets

Defensive Options:

• Wide Guard: Blocks spread moves from powered-up attackers
• Intimidate: Reduces physical damage even with Minus boost
• Protect/Detect: Stall while planning partner elimination
• Bulk Investment: Tank the doubled damage and retaliate

Ability Interactions:

Positive Synergies:

• Plus: Perfect partner ability, both get 2.0x damage
• Follow Me/Rage Powder: Protects the partner needed for activation
• Speed Boost: Ensures faster activation of boosted attacks
• Friend Guard: Reduces damage to crucial partner

Negative Interactions:

• Ability Suppression: Gastro Acid, Core Enforcer disable the boost
• Partner Switching: Loses boost when partner switches out
• Imposter: Opponent copying ability without proper partner setup

Version Notes:

• Elite Redux: Functions identically to mainline games
• Boost applies to all damage-dealing moves without exception
• AI recognizes and properly evaluates Plus/Minus synergies
• No activation message (passive boost during damage calculation)
• Perfect symmetry with Plus ability implementation