Doom Blast - Ability ID 757

In-Game Description

"Dark-type moves deal 1.35x damage but have 10% recoil."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Doom Blast boosts all Dark-type moves by 35% damage but causes 10% recoil damage after each Dark-type attack. The recoil is calculated as 5% of damage dealt with a minimum of 1 HP. Creates high-risk, high-reward Dark-type sweeping potential at the cost of gradual self-damage.

Character count: 295

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Doom Blast is a high-risk, high-reward ability that significantly boosts Dark-type offensive power while inflicting recoil damage on the user.

Damage Boost:

• Multiplies all Dark-type move damage by 1.35x (35% increase)
• Applied after all other damage calculations
• Affects both physical and special Dark-type moves

Recoil Mechanism:

• Triggers after dealing damage with any Dark-type move
• Recoil damage = max(damage_dealt / 20, 1)
• This equals 5% of damage dealt, with a minimum of 1 HP
• Uses the B_MSG_RECOIL_NORMAL message format

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability DoomBlast = {
    .onRecoil = +[](ON_RECOIL) -> int {
        CHECK(moveType == TYPE_DARK);
        gBattleCommunication[MULTISTRING_CHOOSER] = B_MSG_RECOIL_NORMAL;
        return max(damage / 20, 1);
    },
    .onOffensiveMultiplier =
        +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
            if (moveType == TYPE_DARK) MUL(1.35);
        },
};

Affected Moves

All 64 Dark-type moves in the game are affected, including but not limited to:

• Physical: Knock Off, Crunch, Sucker Punch, Pursuit, Bite, Payback
• Special: Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, Snarl, Night Daze, Hex
• Status: Not affected (no damage to calculate recoil from)

Damage Calculations

Example with 100 BP Dark Pulse:

• Base damage: 100 BP
• With Doom Blast: 100 × 1.35 = 135 effective BP
• If deals 200 damage: Recoil = max(200/20, 1) = 10 HP recoil

Example with weak attack dealing 15 damage:

• Recoil would be max(15/20, 1) = max(0.75, 1) = 1 HP minimum

Strategic Implications

Advantages:

• Massive 35% boost to all Dark-type moves
• Transforms moderate Dark moves into powerful attacks
• Excellent for sweeping with Dark-type coverage
• Pairs well with high Attack/Special Attack stats

Disadvantages:

• Constant HP drain limits longevity
• Makes the user susceptible to priority moves
• Recoil can be substantial with high-damage attacks
• Self-KO risk in extended battles

Common Users

Currently exclusive to:

• Morpeko (Hangry Form) - Electric/Dark type with 101 Attack and Speed
  • Benefits from STAB on Dark moves (1.5x × 1.35x = 2.025x total multiplier)
  • High Speed allows for quick sweeping before recoil accumulates
  • Also has Electrocytes and Power Spot as alternative abilities

Competitive Usage

Optimal Sets:

• Choice Band/Choice Specs for maximum damage output
• Life Orb synergy creates extreme power but accelerated HP loss
• Focus Sash for guaranteed survival of first recoil

Team Support:

• Wishes support to recover recoil damage
• Entry hazard removal to prevent additional chip damage
• Priority protection from teammates

Counters and Answers

Direct Counters:

• Steel-types resist Dark moves (Doom Blast boost less impactful)
• Fairy-types are immune to Dark moves
• Bulky resists that can tank boosted Dark moves
• Priority users can exploit recoil damage accumulation

Indirect Counters:

• Entry hazards compound the HP loss problem
• Status conditions (burn, poison) accelerate KO timing
• Defensive cores that force multiple attacks

Notable Synergies

Abilities:

• Does not stack with other recoil abilities (would be redundant)
• Magic Guard would negate recoil (not available on current users)
• Guts could potentially benefit from recoil damage as indirect "status"

Items:

• Life Orb: Extreme power but 20% total HP loss per attack (10% + 10%)
• Choice items: Maximize damage while locked into Dark moves
• Leftovers/Black Sludge: Partial recoil recovery

Moves:

• Rest: Full HP recovery but wastes turns
• Roost: Consistent healing option
• Drain moves: Don't exist in Dark-type movepool

Version History

• Introduced in Elite Redux as part of the expanded ability system
• Currently version 2.6 implementation
• Unique ability exclusive to Morpeko Hangry Form
• No balance changes recorded since introduction

Competitive Viability

Tier Placement: High-risk, high-reward niche ability Usage Rate: Low due to single Pokemon availability Success Rate: Moderate - effective in right hands but requires careful play

The ability transforms Dark-type moves into nuclear options while demanding precise positioning and game state awareness to maximize effectiveness before recoil damage becomes overwhelming.