Gleam Eyes - Ability ID 707

In-Game Description

"Frisk + Scare."

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (IMPORTANT: exactly 280-300 chars counted WITH spaces)

Gleam Eyes combines Frisk and Scare effects on entry. Checks and disables all opposing Pokémon's held items for two turns while lowering their Special Attack by one stage. This dual intimidation effect disrupts item-dependent strategies and weakens special attackers simultaneously.

Character count: 284

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Gleam Eyes is a combination ability that triggers two separate effects when the Pokémon enters battle:

1. Frisk Effect: Reveals and disables opposing Pokémon's held items
2. Scare Effect: Lowers opposing Pokémon's Special Attack by one stage

Activation Conditions

• Trigger: Activates automatically when the Pokémon switches into battle
• Targets: Affects all opposing Pokémon on the field
• Priority: Both effects trigger simultaneously on entry

Frisk Component

• Item Detection: Reveals what items the opposing Pokémon are holding
• Item Disable: Disables the effects of opposing Pokémon's held items for 2 turns
• Scope: Affects all opposing Pokémon currently on the field
• Message: Displays item information to the player

Scare Component

• Stat Reduction: Lowers opposing Pokémon's Special Attack by one stage
• Implementation: Uses the same mechanism as Intimidate but targets Sp. Attack instead of Attack
• Resistance: Can be blocked by abilities that prevent stat reduction (Clear Body, White Smoke, etc.)
• Immunities: Inner Focus, Own Tempo, Oblivious, Scrappy, and Overwhelm provide immunity

Technical Implementation

// Gleam Eyes combines UseIntimidateClone (Scare) + Frisk on entry
constexpr Ability GleamEyes = {
    .onEntry = +[](ON_ENTRY) -> int { 
        return UseIntimidateClone(ability, battler) | Frisk.onEntry(DELEGATE_ENTRY); 
    },
};

Important Interactions

• Item Disable Duration: 2 turns from activation, not affected by switching
• Stat Stage Limits: Cannot lower Sp. Attack below -6 stages
• Multi-Battle: Effects reset between battles
• Substitutes: Stat reduction blocked by Substitute, but Frisk still works
• Trace/Role Play: Can copy the ability but won't trigger entry effect until next switch

Immunities and Resistances

Scare Effect Blocked By:

• Clear Body, White Smoke (stat change immunity)
• Inner Focus, Own Tempo, Oblivious (intimidation immunity)
• Scrappy, Overwhelm (specifically immune to Scare/Intimidate)
• Hyper Cutter (if it protected Sp. Attack, but it doesn't in vanilla)

Frisk Effect Blocked By:

• No direct immunities, but some items may be unaffectable
• Still reveals items even if they can't be disabled

Strategic Applications

• Special Wall Counter: Weakens special attackers before they can set up
• Item Disruption: Disables key items like Leftovers, Choice items, and berries
• Lead Pokémon: Excellent for leading to cripple opposing team setup
• Pivot Support: Great for switching in to disrupt opposing strategies
• Doubles/Triples: Affects multiple opponents simultaneously

Team Building Synergies

• Physical Attackers: Pairs well with physical attackers who appreciate weakened special walls
• Hazard Setters: Works well with entry hazard users to stack pressure
• Momentum Builders: Good for maintaining offensive pressure
• Status Users: Creates openings for status moves against weakened foes

Common Counters

• Stat Immunity: Clear Body family abilities
• Intimidation Immunity: Inner Focus, Own Tempo, Oblivious
• Rapid Switching: Switching out removes stat drops (but not item disable)
• Special Physical Attackers: Unaffected by Sp. Attack reduction
• Mold Breaker: Can ignore ability entirely

Competitive Usage Notes

• Entry Hazards: Consider Stealth Rock damage when switching in frequently
• Prediction Required: Best used when opponent likely to stay in
• Late Game: Less effective when items already consumed
• Speed Control: Pair with faster Pokémon to capitalize on weakened foes

Version History

• Custom ability in Elite Redux
• Combines existing Frisk and Scare mechanics
• Part of the expanded ability system for enhanced strategic depth

Related Abilities

• Intimidate (lowers Attack instead of Sp. Attack)
• Frisk (reveals items but doesn't disable in vanilla)
• Scare (standalone Sp. Attack reduction)
• Fearmonger (Intimidate + Scare + contact paralysis)
• Yuki Onna (Scare + Intimidate + contact infatuation)