Dead Power (Ability #599)

Extended Description (293 characters): Grants a 1.5x Attack boost and 20% chance to inflict curse on contact moves. Cursed enemies lose 25% max HP each turn. Only affects contact moves like Tackle, Punch, and Bite. Cannot curse already cursed targets. Great for physical attackers seeking sustained damage pressure.

Implementation Details

Core Mechanics

From src/abilities.cc:

constexpr Ability DeadPower = {
    .onAttacker = +[](ON_ATTACKER) -> int {
        CHECK(ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(target))
        CHECK_NOT(gBattleMons[target].status2 & STATUS2_CURSED)
        CHECK(IsMoveMakingContact(move, battler))
        CHECK(Random() % 100 < 20)

        return AbilityStatusEffect(MOVE_EFFECT_CURSE);
    },
    .onStat =
        +[](ON_STAT) {
            if (statId == STAT_ATK) *stat *= 1.5;
        },
};

Proto Definition

From proto/AbilityList.textproto:

id: ABILITY_DEAD_POWER
name: "Dead Power"
description: "1.5x Attack boost. 20% chance to curse on contact moves."

Detailed Analysis

Attack Boost Component

• Effect: 1.5x multiplier to Attack stat
• Timing: Passive stat modification
• Application: Affects all physical moves, not just contact moves
• Stacking: Does not stack with other Attack boosts multiplicatively

Curse Contact Component

• Trigger: Contact moves only (moves that make physical contact)
• Chance: 20% per hit (Random() % 100 < 20)
• Condition: Target must not already be cursed
• Effect: Applies curse status (STATUS2_CURSED)

Curse Status Effect

From src/battle_util.c:

case ENDTURN_CURSE:  // curse
    if (((gBattleMons[gActiveBattler].status2 & STATUS2_CURSED) || IsBattlerCursed(gActiveBattler)) && gBattleMons[gActiveBattler].hp != 0) {
        MAGIC_GUARD_CHECK;
        gBattleMoveDamage = gBattleMons[gActiveBattler].maxHP / 4;
        if (gBattleMoveDamage == 0) gBattleMoveDamage = 1;
        BattleScriptExecute(BattleScript_CurseTurnDmg);
        effect++;
    }

Curse Mechanics:

• Damage: 25% of max HP per turn (maxHP / 4)
• Timing: End of turn
• Minimum: At least 1 HP damage if calculation rounds to 0
• Interaction: Blocked by Magic Guard ability
• Duration: Permanent until switched out or cured

Strategic Applications

Offensive Synergy

1. Physical Sweeper Setup: 1.5x Attack boost makes physical moves significantly stronger
2. Contact Move Priority: Favor contact moves to trigger curse effect
3. Sustained Pressure: Curse provides ongoing damage even after switching

Contact vs Non-Contact Moves

Contact Moves (Trigger Curse):

• Tackle, Body Slam, Double-Edge
• Punch moves (Fire Punch, Ice Punch, etc.)
• Bite, Crunch
• Most physical moves that involve direct contact

Non-Contact Moves (No Curse):

• Rock Slide, Earthquake
• Projectile moves like Rock Throw
• Most ranged physical attacks

Team Synergy

1. Pivot Support: Switch in to apply curse, then pivot out
2. Wallbreaker Role: High Attack boost breaks through defensive walls
3. Status Spreading: Curse multiple targets across the battle

Comparative Analysis

Similar Abilities

• Poison Touch: 30% poison chance on contact (vs 20% curse)
• Static: 30% paralysis chance on contact
• Flame Body: 30% burn chance on contact

Unique Aspects

1. Dual Benefit: Both immediate (Attack boost) and delayed (curse) effects
2. Severe Punishment: 25% max HP per turn is extremely threatening
3. Permanent Effect: Curse persists until cured or switched

Competitive Viability

Strengths

• Immediate Power: 1.5x Attack makes all physical moves significantly stronger
• Long-term Pressure: Curse forces switches or threatens KO
• Versatile Application: Works with any contact move
• Meta Pressure: Forces opponents to carry curse cures or accept damage

Limitations

• Contact Dependency: Non-contact moves don't trigger curse
• RNG Dependent: 20% chance means inconsistent curse application
• Already Cursed Check: Cannot stack curse or reapply
• Switch Vulnerability: Curse clears on switch out

Ideal Pokemon Types

1. High Attack Physical Attackers: Maximize the Attack boost
2. Contact Move Users: Pokemon with strong contact movesets
3. Bulky Attackers: Can stay in to apply multiple curse attempts
4. Pivot Pokemon: Apply curse then switch for team support

Code Integration Notes

Implementation Pattern

• Uses standard ON_ATTACKER hook for contact-based effects
• Uses ON_STAT hook for stat modifications
• Follows established patterns from other contact abilities (Static, Poison Touch)

Status Interaction

• Checks for existing curse status before applying
• Uses AbilityStatusEffect(MOVE_EFFECT_CURSE) for application
• Integrates with battle's end-turn damage calculation system

Technical Considerations

• Random Number Generation: Uses standard Random() % 100 for chance calculation
• Status Flags: Uses STATUS2_CURSED bit flag (1 << 28)
• Damage Calculation: Follows consistent end-turn damage patterns

This ability represents a powerful combination of immediate offensive pressure and long-term strategic advantage, making it highly valuable for physical attackers in competitive play.