Haunting Frenzy - Comprehensive Analysis

Basic Information

• Ability ID: 594 (ABILITY_HAUNTING_FRENZY)
• Name: Haunting Frenzy
• Official Description: "20% chance to flinch the opponent. +1 speed on kill."

Mechanics

Flinch Component

• Trigger: On successful attack that damages the target
• Probability: 20% chance per hit
• Requirements:
  • Move must have the FLAG_KINGS_ROCK_AFFECTED flag (same moves affected by King's Rock)
  • Target must be alive after the attack
  • Move must successfully hit and deal damage
• Effect: Applies flinch status (MOVE_EFFECT_FLINCH) directly to the target

Speed Boost Component

• Trigger: When the Pokemon with this ability causes an opponent to faint
• Effect: Raises Speed stat by +1 stage
• Implementation: Uses the same mechanism as Adrenaline Rush ability (MoxieClone with STAT_SPEED)
• Applies: Only to the attacking Pokemon with Haunting Frenzy

Move Compatibility

Works with any damaging move that has the FLAG_KINGS_ROCK_AFFECTED flag, including:

• Basic attacks like Pound, Scratch, Tackle
• High critical hit moves like Karate Chop
• Multi-hit moves like Double Slap
• Most physical and special attacking moves that don't inherently cause flinch

Strategic Applications

Offensive Pressure

• Creates consistent flinch pressure (20% vs King's Rock's ~10%)
• Forces opponents to make risky plays or switch frequently
• Particularly effective against slower, bulky Pokemon

Speed Control

• Speed boosts from KOs create snowball potential
• Each elimination makes subsequent sweeps more likely
• Synergizes well with choice items and momentum-based strategies

Synergies

• Choice Band/Specs: Maximizes flinch chances while maintaining power
• Fast attackers: Natural speed advantage amplified by stat boosts
• Multi-hit moves: Multiple flinch chances per turn
• Revenge killing: Speed boosts help secure follow-up KOs

Counters and Limitations

Direct Counters

• Inner Focus: Completely immune to flinch effects
• Own Tempo: Prevents flinch from confusion interactions
• Substitute: Blocks both flinch and speed boost triggers

Strategic Counters

• Priority moves bypass flinch mechanics
• Status moves unaffected by flinch component
• Faster Pokemon can outspeed before speed boosts accumulate
• Bulky walls that resist being KO'd prevent speed boosts

Code Implementation

constexpr Ability HauntingFrenzy = {
    .onAttacker = +[](ON_ATTACKER) -> int {
        CHECK(ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(target))
        CHECK(CanMoveHaveExtraFlinchChance(move))
        CHECK(Random() % 100 < 20)
        
        return AbilityStatusEffectDirect(MOVE_EFFECT_FLINCH);
    },
    .onBattlerFaints = AdrenalineRush.onBattlerFaints,
    .onBattlerFaintsFor = APPLY_ON_ATTACKER,
};

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (IMPORTANT: exactly 280-300 chars counted WITH spaces) Haunting Frenzy grants attacks a 20% chance to flinch opponents, applying to all moves affected by King's Rock. Upon defeating an enemy, the user gains +1 Speed stage. This dual effect creates offensive momentum through flinch pressure and speed control, excelling at sweeping weakened teams.