Spider Lair Upgrade - Ability ID 752

In-Game Description

"Casts Sticky Web on entry. Lasts 7 turns."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Upon entering battle, automatically sets up Sticky Web on the opponent's side for exactly 7 turns. This enhanced hazard lowers the Speed stat of any enemy Pokemon that switches in by one stage, providing extended entry control without turn investment until the webs naturally expire.

Character count: 283

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Spider Lair Upgrade is the enhanced version of Spider Lair (Ability #339), providing extended battlefield control through automatic Sticky Web setup with increased duration.

Core Mechanics

• Trigger: Activates immediately when the Pokemon enters battle
• Effect: Sets Sticky Web on the opponent's side of the field
• Duration: Exactly 7 turns (2 turns longer than regular Spider Lair)
• Speed Reduction: -1 stage to any Pokemon switching into the hazard
• Cannot Stack: If Sticky Web is already present, ability won't activate
• Message: "Spider Lair activated!" (same as regular Spider Lair)

Technical Implementation

Located in /Users/joel/Github/eliteredux/eliteredux-source/src/abilities.cc:

constexpr Ability SpiderLairUpgrade = {
    .onEntry = +[](ON_ENTRY) -> int {
        CHECK_NOT(gSideStatuses[BATTLE_OPPOSITE(battler)] & SIDE_STATUS_STICKY_WEB)

        int side = GetOppositeSide(battler);
        gSideTimers[side].started.spiderWeb = TRUE;
        gSideStatuses[side] |= SIDE_STATUS_STICKY_WEB;
        gSideTimers[side].stickyWebTimer = 7;  // 7 turns vs 5 for regular Spider Lair
        BattleScriptPushCursorAndCallback(BattleScript_SpiderLairActivated);
        return TRUE;
    },
};

Activation Conditions

1. Pokemon must enter battle (switching in, battle start, or revival)
2. Sticky Web must not already be present on opponent's side
3. Activates regardless of Pokemon's HP, status, or other conditions
4. Cannot be prevented by most abilities (unlike the move Sticky Web)

Timer Mechanics

The ability uses the battle engine's side timer system for automatic removal:

if (gSideStatuses[side] & SIDE_STATUS_STICKY_WEB) {
    if (!gSideTimers[side].started.spiderWeb && gSideTimers[side].stickyWebTimer && 
        --gSideTimers[side].stickyWebTimer == 0) {
        gSideStatuses[side] &= ~SIDE_STATUS_STICKY_WEB;
        // Message: "Sticky Web wore off!"
    }
}

Sticky Web Effects on Switch-ins

When an opposing Pokemon switches in while Sticky Web is active:

• Speed stat is lowered by 1 stage (-50% at stage -1, -66% at stage -2, etc.)
• Effect applies to all Pokemon except those with:
  • Flying type or Levitate ability (immune to ground-based hazards)
  • Heavy Duty Boots (prevents all entry hazard effects)
  • Magic Bounce (reflects the effect back)
  • Clear Body/White Smoke/Full Metal Body (prevents stat reduction)

Differences from Regular Spider Lair

Aspect	Spider Lair (ID 339)	Spider Lair Upgrade (ID 752)
Duration	5 turns	7 turns
Setup message	Same	Same
Speed reduction	-1 stage	-1 stage
Activation conditions	Same	Same
Immunities	Same	Same

Strategic Applications

Offensive Use

• Extended Speed Control: 7 turns provides more opportunities to capitalize on speed advantage
• Sweeper Setup: Creates favorable speed tiers for bulky sweepers that need multiple turns
• Momentum Maintenance: Longer duration means less pressure to immediately capitalize
• Late-Game Control: More effective in longer battles where turn economy matters

Defensive Use

• Stall Support: Extended hazard presence for defensive teams
• Switch Punishment: Discourages opponent switching for nearly a quarter of the battle
• Revenge Killing: Makes it easier to outspeed threatening Pokemon consistently
• Entry Control: Provides reliable speed manipulation without move slot investment

Team Synergy

• Hazard Stacking: Combines excellently with Spikes, Stealth Rock, and Toxic Spikes
• Slow Sweepers: Particularly valuable for Pokemon like Rhyperior, Conkeldurr, or Magnezone
• Bulky Pivots: Enhanced utility for tanks that switch frequently (Forretress, Skarmory)
• Setup Sweepers: Provides speed advantage for Pokemon running Swords Dance, Nasty Plot, etc.

Competitive Analysis

Advantages over Regular Spider Lair

1. Extended Duration: 40% longer duration (7 vs 5 turns)
2. Greater Value: More switch-ins likely to be affected
3. Better Late-Game: Maintains relevance in longer battles
4. Setup Window: More time to set up sweepers behind the speed control

Limitations

1. Single Use: Still only activates once per battle entry
2. No Reactivation: Cannot set up new webs if original user switches out and back in
3. Immunity Issues: Same immunities as regular Sticky Web
4. Removal Vulnerability: Can still be cleared by Rapid Spin, Defog, or Court Change

Counterplay

• Entry Hazard Removal: Rapid Spin, Defog, Tidy Up, and Court Change all remove Sticky Web
• Flying Types: Completely immune (Corviknight, Skarmory, Dragonite, etc.)
• Levitate: Ground immunity negates the effect (Rotom forms, Bronzong, etc.)
• Heavy Duty Boots: Prevents all entry hazard effects including speed reduction
• Magic Bounce: Reflects hazard back to user's side (Hatterene, Xatu)
• Stat Boost Immunity: Clear Body, White Smoke, Full Metal Body prevent speed reduction
• Taunt + Setup: Prevent defensive plays and set up before webs expire

Example Damage Calculations

Sticky Web doesn't deal damage - it only reduces speed by 1 stage:

• Base 100 Speed → 67 Speed at -1 stage
• Base 80 Speed → 53 Speed at -1 stage
• Base 60 Speed → 40 Speed at -1 stage

This often creates crucial speed tiers and revenge killing opportunities.

Common Users

Spider Lair Upgrade is typically found on:

• Elite Four / Champion teams: High-tier trainers with upgraded abilities
• Legendary encounters: Enhanced versions of spider-themed legendaries
• Post-game content: Upgraded forms of Ariados and similar Pokemon
• Battle facilities: Advanced AI teams with optimized ability sets

Competitive Usage Notes

• Tier Placement: High utility ability for both offensive and defensive teams
• Format Considerations: More valuable in longer formats (6v6 vs 3v3)
• Lead Potential: Excellent on defensive leads that can set hazards and pivot
• Late-Game Insurance: Provides speed control even if hazard stack is incomplete

Version History

• Elite Redux 1.0: Introduced as upgrade to Spider Lair
• Current: 7-turn duration, identical mechanics to base version
• Proto File Bug: Listed as "Rising Dough" in AbilityList.textproto but correctly implemented

Related Abilities

• Spider Lair (ID 339): Base version with 5-turn duration
• Web Spinner: Creates additional web-based battlefield effects
• Sticky Hold: Synergizes by preventing item removal from hazard damage
• Compound Eyes: Improves accuracy of follow-up moves after speed control

Conclusion

Spider Lair Upgrade represents one of the most powerful entry hazard abilities in Elite Redux, providing guaranteed speed control for nearly a quarter of most battles. The extended 7-turn duration makes it significantly more valuable than the base Spider Lair, offering both immediate tactical advantage and long-term strategic value. Its automatic activation and immunity to most disruption makes it a cornerstone ability for teams built around speed control and entry hazard strategies.