Toxic Chain Analysis

Core Mechanics

• Ability ID: 608 (ABILITY_TOXIC_CHAIN)
• Trigger: On attacking (onAttacker callback)
• Activation Rate: 30% chance per hit
• Status Effect: Badly Poison (MOVE_EFFECT_TOXIC)
• Implementation: Located in src/abilities.cc lines 6404-6412

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability ToxicChain = {
    .onAttacker = +[](ON_ATTACKER) -> int {
        CHECK(ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(target))
        CHECK(CanBePoisoned(battler, target, MOVE_NONE))
        CHECK(Random() % 100 < 30)

        return AbilityStatusEffect(MOVE_EFFECT_TOXIC);
    },
};

Condition Checks

1. ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(target): Standard check for secondary effects
2. CanBePoisoned(battler, target, MOVE_NONE): Verifies target can be poisoned
3. Random() % 100 < 30: 30% activation probability

Status Effect Details

• MOVE_EFFECT_TOXIC: Inflicts badly poison status
• Badly Poison: Damage increases each turn (1/16, 2/16, 3/16, etc.)
• Different from regular poison: Standard poison deals consistent 1/8 HP damage

Strategic Applications

• Contact Move Synergy: Works with all attacking moves that hit the target
• Multi-Hit Moves: Each hit has independent 30% chance to poison
• Type Coverage: Provides utility against non-Poison/Steel types
• Late Game Power: Badly poison becomes increasingly threatening over time

Interactions and Limitations

• Immunity: Poison-type and Steel-type Pokemon are immune
• Abilities: Blocked by abilities like Immunity, Poison Heal, etc.
• Substitute: May be blocked if target is behind substitute
• Secondary Effect: Only triggers on moves that successfully deal damage

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (IMPORTANT: exactly 280-300 chars counted WITH spaces) "Toxic Chain inflicts badly poison on contact with foes. Each attacking move has a 30% chance to apply the devastating status condition. Unlike regular poison, badly poison damage escalates each turn, starting at 1/16 HP and increasing progressively, making it lethal over extended battles."

Comparison to Similar Abilities

• Poison Touch: 30% regular poison vs 30% badly poison
• Effect Spore: Multiple possible effects vs guaranteed poison type
• Toxic Boost: Activated by being poisoned vs inflicting poison

Battle Applications

1. Stall Teams: Excellent for wearing down bulky opponents
2. Hit-and-Run: Apply poison then switch to preserve advantage
3. Multi-Hit Users: Pokemon with moves like Bullet Seed maximize chances
4. Late Game Closer: Badly poison can finish weakened opponents