Supersweet Syrup - Ability ID 723

In-Game Description

"Sticky Hold + Disables foe's item for 2 turns on contact."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Supersweet Syrup combines Sticky Hold's item protection with item disruption. The Pokémon's item cannot be removed or stolen. When hit by contact moves, the attacker's item is disabled for 2 turns, preventing item activation and effects during battle.

Character count: 293

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Supersweet Syrup is a combination defensive/disruptive ability that provides dual item-related effects:

1. Sticky Hold component: Protects the user's item from removal
2. Contact-based item disable: Disables attacker's item for 2 turns when hit by contact moves

Activation Conditions

Sticky Hold Effect (Passive):

• Always active while ability is not suppressed
• Prevents item removal by moves like Knock Off, Thief, Trick, Switcheroo
• Protects from abilities that steal or remove items

Item Disable Effect (Reactive):

• Triggers when hit by contact moves
• Attacker must have an item to be affected
• Sets Embargo status on attacker for 2 turns
• Only works if the ability user survives the contact move

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability SupersweetSyrup = {
    .onDefender = +[](ON_DEFENDER) -> int {
        CHECK(ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(attacker))
        CHECK(IsMoveMakingContact(move, attacker))
        CHECK_NOT(gStatuses3[attacker] & STATUS3_EMBARGO)
        CHECK(gBattleMons[attacker].item)

        gVolatileStructs[attacker].embargoTimer = 2;
        gStatuses3[attacker] |= STATUS3_EMBARGO;
        gLastUsedItem = gBattleMons[attacker].item;
        BattleScriptCall(BattleScript_AnnounceAttackerItemDisabled);
        return TRUE;
    },
    .breakable = TRUE,
};

Embargo Status Effect

When an opponent is affected by the item disable:

• Duration: 2 turns, decremented at end of turn
• Effect: Completely negates item effects during battle
• Includes: Held item effects, berries, type-boosting items, status-curing items
• Visual: Shows status message when applied and when it ends

Item Protection (Sticky Hold Component)

The Sticky Hold aspect works through the IsStickyHold() function:

AbilityEnum IsStickyHold(int battler) {
    AbilityEnum ability = BattlerHasAbility(battler, ABILITY_STICKY_HOLD, TRUE);
    if (!ability) ability = BattlerHasAbility(battler, ABILITY_SUPERSWEET_SYRUP, TRUE);
    return ability;
}

This means Supersweet Syrup provides identical item protection to pure Sticky Hold.

Important Interactions

• Contact moves only: Only physical moves that make contact trigger the disable
• Substitute bypass: Contact through Substitute won't trigger the effect
• Multi-hit moves: Each hit can potentially trigger, but Embargo prevents multiple applications
• Already embargoed: Won't trigger if attacker is already under Embargo
• Mold Breaker: Can bypass the ability entirely
• Item already gone: Won't trigger if attacker has no item

Sticky Hold Interactions

• Knock Off: Prevents item removal but still takes super-effective damage if Dark move
• Thief/Covet: Prevents item theft
• Trick/Switcheroo: Prevents item swapping
• Magic Room: Item protection still works during Magic Room
• Fling: User can still use their own Fling (not prevented by Sticky Hold)

Strategic Applications

Defensive Use:

• Protects valuable items like Leftovers, Life Orb, Choice items
• Punishes contact attackers by removing their item benefits
• Excellent on bulky physical walls that expect contact moves

Offensive Use:

• Secure choice item effects without fear of Knock Off
• Maintain type-boosting plates or gems
• Keep utility items like Focus Sash protected

Synergies

• Rocky Helmet/Iron Barbs: Combines with contact damage for double punishment
• Flame Body/Static: Additional contact-based status alongside item disable
• Recovery items: Leftovers, Black Sludge stay protected
• Choice items: Maintain power/speed boosts safely
• Assault Vest: Keep special bulk without removal risk

Counters

• Non-contact moves: Special attacks, projectiles avoid item disable
• Mold Breaker variants: Bypass ability entirely
• Already no item: Attackers with no items aren't affected
• Long-range attackers: Pokémon that don't rely on contact moves
• Ability suppression: Neutralizing Gas, Core Enforcer

Common Users

This is a unique signature ability in Elite Redux, typically found on:

• Defensive Pokémon that expect contact moves
• Pokémon with valuable items to protect
• Support Pokémon that want to maintain utility items
• Sticky/syrup-themed Pokémon (thematically appropriate)

Competitive Viability

Strengths:

• Dual utility provides both protection and disruption
• Punishes common physical attackers
• Excellent for maintaining item-dependent strategies
• Can swing momentum by disabling key items

Weaknesses:

• Only affects contact moves
• No protection against special attackers
• Ability can be suppressed or bypassed
• Requires surviving the contact move to trigger

Comparison to Similar Abilities

• Pure Sticky Hold: Same item protection but no offensive disruption
• Rough Skin/Iron Barbs: Contact damage instead of item disable
• Effect Spore: Contact-based status instead of item disable
• Embargo (move): Similar effect but as an active move choice

Version History

• New ability introduced in Elite Redux
• Combination of existing Sticky Hold mechanics with new Embargo application
• Part of the expanded ability roster for enhanced strategic depth