Blade Dance - Ability ID 732

In-Game Description

"Triggers 50 BP Leaf Blade after using a dance move."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Blade Dance triggers a 50 BP Leaf Blade follow-up attack immediately after using any dance move. Works with all dance moves including Swords Dance, Dragon Dance, Quiver Dance, and others with the dance flag. The follow-up Leaf Blade has high critical hit ratio and gains STAB if applicable.

Character count: 290

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Blade Dance is an offensive ability that provides a powerful follow-up attack after using dance moves. When the user successfully executes any move with the dance flag, a 50 BP Leaf Blade attack is automatically triggered against the same target.

Activation Conditions

• Move requirement: Any move with the FLAG_DANCE flag
• Timing: Activates immediately after the dance move resolves
• Target: Same target as the original dance move (can target self if dance was self-targeting)
• Power: Fixed 50 BP for the Leaf Blade follow-up

Dance Moves That Trigger Blade Dance

• Swords Dance - Boosts Attack, then triggers Leaf Blade
• Dragon Dance - Boosts Attack/Speed, then triggers Leaf Blade
• Quiver Dance - Boosts SpA/SpD/Speed, then triggers Leaf Blade
• Petal Dance - Attacking move, triggers Leaf Blade after
• Rain Dance - Sets rain, then triggers Leaf Blade
• Feather Dance - Lowers enemy Attack, then triggers Leaf Blade
• Teeter Dance - Confuses all others, then triggers Leaf Blade
• Lunar Dance - Faints user to heal ally, then triggers Leaf Blade
• Fiery Dance - Attacking move, may trigger Leaf Blade after
• Revelation Dance - Attacking move, triggers Leaf Blade after

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability BladeDance = {
    .onAttacker = +[](ON_ATTACKER) -> int {
        CHECK(IsDance(battler, move))
        CHECK(AdjustFollowupMoveTarget(battler, &target, move, FOLLOWUP_ALLOW_SELF))

        return UseAttackerFollowUpMove(battler, target, ability, MOVE_LEAF_BLADE, 50);
    },
};

Follow-Up Move Mechanics

• Base Power: 50 BP (reduced from Leaf Blade's normal 90 BP)
• Type: Grass-type move
• Critical Hit Ratio: High critical hit ratio (inherited from Leaf Blade)
• STAB: Gains Same Type Attack Bonus if user is Grass-type
• Accuracy: 95% accuracy (inherited from Leaf Blade)
• Contact: Physical contact move
• Category: Physical attack

Important Interactions

• Setup synergy: Works excellently with stat-boosting dances
• Multi-target: Can hit different targets if dance was multi-target
• Self-targeting: Can target self if original dance was self-targeting
• Status moves: Triggers even on non-damaging dance moves
• Failed moves: Only triggers if the dance move successfully executes
• Type effectiveness: Leaf Blade follow-up affected by type matchups
• Abilities: Follow-up Leaf Blade can trigger other abilities

Strategic Applications

• Setup sweeper: Use Dragon Dance, then get free Leaf Blade damage
• Utility punishment: Turn defensive dances into offensive opportunities
• Coverage option: Provides Grass-type coverage after setup moves
• Momentum shift: Maintain offensive pressure while setting up
• Multi-hit potential: Can potentially hit multiple foes with area dances

Taekkyeon Interaction

The ability also synergizes with the Taekkyeon ability, which makes all non-status moves count as dance moves. This dramatically expands the pool of moves that can trigger Blade Dance.

STAB Considerations

• Grass-types: Get 1.5x damage on the follow-up Leaf Blade
• Non-Grass types: Still benefit from the extra 50 BP attack
• Dual-types: Grass as either type grants STAB bonus
• Type changes: If type changes mid-battle, STAB adjusts accordingly

Competitive Usage Notes

• Excellent on mixed attackers who use setup moves
• Provides immediate offensive payoff for stat-boosting dances
• Can surprise opponents expecting purely defensive setup
• Grass-type users get maximum benefit from STAB
• Works well with critical hit increasing items/abilities

Power Calculation Example

• Base 50 BP × 1.5 STAB (if Grass-type) × 2.0 critical hit = 150 effective power
• Without STAB: 50 BP × 2.0 critical hit = 100 effective power
• Regular hit with STAB: 50 BP × 1.5 = 75 effective power

Synergies

• Taekkyeon: Makes all non-status moves trigger Blade Dance
• Focus Energy: Increases critical hit ratio for follow-up
• Scope Lens/Razor Claw: Boosts critical hit chance
• Life Orb: Boosts follow-up damage (with recoil)
• Choice items: Don't lock follow-up move selection
• Stat-boosting dances: Get setup benefit plus immediate damage

Counters

• Grass immunities: Sap Sipper negates follow-up damage
• Contact punishment: Rough Skin, Iron Barbs damage user
• Defensive abilities: Filter, Solid Rock reduce damage
• Type resistance: Steel, Fire, Poison, Flying resist Grass
• Ghost types: Can switch in on predicted setup moves

Team Building Considerations

• Grass STAB users: Maximize follow-up damage potential
• Setup sweepers: Turn setup turns into offensive opportunities
• Mixed attackers: Benefit from both dance effects and follow-up
• Critical hit builds: Stack crit chance for powerful follow-ups
• Anti-meta: Punishes opponents who give free setup turns

Version History

• Elite Redux custom ability (ID 732)
• Designed to reward aggressive setup play
• Provides immediate offensive benefit for dance move usage
• Part of the expanded ability system in Elite Redux