Sludgy Mix - Ability ID 726

In-Game Description

"Intoxicate + Punk Rock."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Sludgy Mix combines Intoxicate and Punk Rock effects. Converts Normal-type moves to Poison-type with 20% power boost. Sound-based moves deal 30% more damage and take 50% less damage from opposing sound moves. Creates a unique offensive profile with poison typing and sound move mastery.

Character count: 286

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Sludgy Mix is a combination ability that merges the effects of two distinct abilities: Intoxicate and Punk Rock. This creates a unique offensive profile that enhances both Normal-type move conversion and sound-based move interactions.

Ability Components

Intoxicate Component

• Move Type Conversion: All Normal-type moves become Poison-type
• Power Boost: Converted moves receive a 20% damage boost (1.2x multiplier)
• STAB Interaction: Poison-type Pokémon gain STAB on converted moves
• Coverage: Provides Poison-type coverage without learning Poison moves

Punk Rock Component

• Offensive Boost: Sound-based moves deal 30% more damage (1.3x multiplier)
• Defensive Reduction: Takes 50% less damage from opposing sound moves (0.5x multiplier)
• Sound Move Recognition: Affects all moves with the sound flag in the game data

Technical Implementation

// Sludgy Mix combines both abilities through delegation
constexpr Ability SludgyMix = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier = +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
        // Delegates to both Intoxicate and Punk Rock offensive multipliers
        Intoxicate.onOffensiveMultiplier(DELEGATE_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER);
        PunkRock.onOffensiveMultiplier(DELEGATE_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER);
    },
    .onMoveType = Intoxicate.onMoveType, // Normal → Poison conversion
};

// Intoxicate uses the ATE_ABILITY macro for type conversion
#define ATE_ABILITY(type)
    .onMoveType = +[](ON_MOVE_TYPE) -> int {
        CHECK(moveType == TYPE_NORMAL)
        *ateBoost = TRUE; // Applies 20% power boost
        return type + 1;  // Returns POISON_TYPE + 1
    }

// Punk Rock provides sound move interactions
constexpr Ability PunkRock = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier = +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
        if (IsSoundMove(battler, move)) MUL(1.3); // 30% boost to sound moves
    },
    .onDefensiveMultiplier = +[](ON_DEFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
        if (IsSoundMove(attacker, move)) MUL(.5); // 50% less damage from sound moves
    },
};

Affected Sound Moves

Common sound-based moves that benefit from Punk Rock component:

• Boomburst: Extremely powerful with 30% boost
• Hyper Voice: Reliable STAB option for Normal types
• Bug Buzz: Special attacking Bug move
• Overdrive: Electric-type sound move
• Clangorous Soul: Dragon-type stat booster
• Disarming Voice: Never-miss Fairy move
• Echoed Voice: Escalating power move
• Round: Doubles in power with ally usage

Move Conversion Examples

Normal moves that become Poison-type with 20% boost:

• Hyper Voice → Poison-type, boosted by both components (1.2x from conversion, 1.3x from sound = 1.56x total)
• Boomburst → Poison-type, massive power with both boosts
• Facade → Poison-type with status boost potential
• Body Slam → Poison-type physical attack
• Swift → Poison-type never-miss move

Damage Calculation

For a sound-based Normal move with Sludgy Mix:

1. Base Power: Original move power
2. Type Conversion: Normal → Poison (enables STAB for Poison types)
3. Intoxicate Boost: 1.2x multiplier from type conversion
4. Punk Rock Boost: 1.3x multiplier for sound moves
5. Total Multiplier: 1.2 × 1.3 = 1.56x damage boost
6. STAB: Additional 1.5x if user is Poison-type

Strategic Applications

Offensive Synergies

• Sound Move Spam: Hyper Voice and Boomburst become devastating Poison attacks
• Mixed Coverage: Normal moves provide unexpected Poison coverage
• STAB Maximization: Poison-type users gain STAB on formerly Normal moves
• Sound-based Sets: Built around powerful sound moves with dual boosts

Defensive Benefits

• Sound Move Resistance: Takes half damage from opponent's sound moves
• Noise Immunity: Reduces effectiveness of sound-based strategies
• Bulk Enhancement: Effective HP doubled against sound attacks

Pokémon Synergy

Ideal candidates for Sludgy Mix:

• Poison-types with Sound Moves: Gain STAB on converted moves plus sound boosts
• Normal-types with Sound Access: Transform their movepool while keeping sound advantages
• Mixed Attackers: Benefit from both physical and special sound move variety
• Bulky Sound Users: Appreciate the defensive sound resistance

Team Composition

• Sound-based Cores: Multiple Pokémon with sound moves for team synergy
• Anti-Meta Picks: Counters opposing sound-based strategies
• Coverage Fillers: Provides unexpected Poison typing on Normal moves
• Wallbreakers: Combined boosts create powerful wall-breaking potential

Competitive Considerations

Advantages

• Unpredictable Coverage: Opponents don't expect Poison-type attacks from Normal moves
• Sound Move Mastery: Excellent at both using and resisting sound attacks
• Flexible Movesets: Can run both sound and non-sound Normal moves effectively
• Anti-Sound Meta: Hard counters sound-based teams

Limitations

• Move Pool Dependent: Requires access to both Normal and sound moves for full benefit
• Type Matchup Issues: Poison typing can be resisted or ineffective
• Soundproof Immunity: Soundproof users are immune to sound move benefits
• Limited Defensive Scope: Only resists sound moves, not other common attacks

Counters and Checks

• Soundproof: Completely negates the Punk Rock component
• Steel-types: Resist Poison-type converted moves
• Poison-types: Immune to Poison-type moves entirely
• Non-Sound Attackers: Bypass the defensive sound resistance
• Substitute: Blocks sound moves regardless of ability

Notable Interactions

• Throat Chop: Prevents use of sound moves, negating major component
• Telepathy: Allies with Telepathy avoid damage from sound moves
• Liquid Voice: Other abilities that modify sound moves may interact uniquely
• Pixilate/Aerilate: Similar -ate abilities may conflict with move conversion

Version History

• Elite Redux custom combination ability
• Combines Generation VI+ abilities (Intoxicate concept) with Generation VIII (Punk Rock)
• Represents the fusion of type conversion and sound mastery themes
• Part of Elite Redux's expanded ability system for unique battle interactions