Poison Puppeteer

Effect: When any Pokémon becomes poisoned, all opponents that can be confused become confused. Triggers from any poison source including moves, abilities, or items. The confusion bypasses Substitute and Safeguard, making it highly disruptive in battles where poison spreads across the field.

Implementation Details

Code Location

• Definition: src/abilities.cc line 6423-6434
• Battle Script: BattleScript_PoisonPuppeteer in data/battle_scripts_1.s
• Trigger: MOVE_EFFECT_POISON via setStateOnEffect

Mechanical Behavior

• Uses PoisonPuppeteerClone function to iterate through all battlers
• Triggers on the onReactive hook when poison status is applied
• Calls CanBeConfused(target) to validate confusion eligibility
• Ignores Substitute, Safeguard, and passive damage flags
• Only affects opponents who aren't already confused and lack confusion immunity

Strategic Applications

Offensive Synergy: Pairs excellently with poison-spreading moves like Toxic Spikes, Poison Gas, or abilities like Toxic Chain. Multi-target poison effects create widespread confusion.

Defensive Utility: Punishes contact moves that trigger Poison Point or abilities that inflict poison on switch-in, creating immediate battlefield control.

Counter-Strategy: Opponents using Poison-type moves or abilities become vulnerable to mass confusion, turning their offensive strategy against them.

Pokémon with This Ability

Spiritomb Redux (Psychic/Poison)

• Role: Innate ability alongside Scare and Cosmic Daze
• Stats: 77/60/108/117/120/35 - Defensive special attacker
• Synergy: Can learn poison moves to trigger its own ability

Pecharunt (Poison/Ghost)

• Role: Innate ability alongside Levitate and Toxic Chain
• Stats: 88/88/160/88/88/88 - Balanced defensive pivot
• Synergy: Toxic Chain provides 30% poison chance, triggering Poison Puppeteer

Related Abilities

• Toxic Chain: Creates poison opportunities for Poison Puppeteer
• Parasitic Spores: Another poison-based ability that spreads status
• Entrance: Uses same PoisonPuppeteerClone framework for attraction

Battle Applications

1. Status Spreading: Combine with Toxic Spikes or Poison Gas for mass confusion
2. Revenge Punishment: Punish opponent's poison strategies with confusion
3. Control Setup: Use confusion to disrupt opponent's offensive momentum
4. Synergy Chains: Stack with other status abilities for overwhelming pressure