Qigong - Ability ID 762

In-Game Description

"Always hits. Fighting Spirit + Rampage."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Qigong ensures all moves never miss while converting Normal-type moves to Fighting-type with STAB. Additionally, eliminates recharge requirements after successfully KOing opponents with high-power moves like Hyper Beam, enabling devastating sweep potential with perfect accuracy and reliability.

Character count: 295

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Qigong is a powerful hybrid ability that combines three distinct mechanical effects:

1. Perfect Accuracy: All moves used by the Pokémon will always hit, regardless of accuracy calculations, evasion, or weather conditions
2. Fighting Spirit Component: Converts all Normal-type moves to Fighting-type and grants STAB for Fighting-type moves
3. Rampage Component: Eliminates recharge requirements after successfully KOing opponents

Activation Conditions

Always Hits Component

• Trigger: Every move used by the Pokémon
• Effect: return ACCURACY_ALWAYS_HITS;
• Scope: Applies to all moves, including those with naturally low accuracy

Fighting Spirit Component

• Move Type Conversion:
  • Converts Normal-type moves to Fighting-type
  • Grants the "Ate" boost (1.2x power multiplier) for converted moves
  • Code: ATE_ABILITY(TYPE_FIGHTING)
• STAB Mechanics:
  • Fighting-type moves receive STAB even if Fighting isn't the Pokémon's natural type
  • Converted Normal moves also receive STAB as they become Fighting-type

Rampage Component

• Trigger: Successfully KOing an opponent with a recharge move
• Effect: Removes recharge status and timer
• Implementation:

  .onBattlerFaints = +[](ON_BATTLER_FAINTS) -> int {
      SetAbilityState(battler, ability, TRUE);
      gVolatileStructs[battler].rechargeTimer = 0;
      gBattleMons[battler].status2 &= ~(STATUS2_RECHARGE);
      return FALSE;
  }

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability Qigong = {
    .onBattlerFaints = Rampage.onBattlerFaints,
    .onOffensiveMultiplier = FightingSpirit.onOffensiveMultiplier,
    .onMoveType = FightingSpirit.onMoveType,
    .onAccuracy = +[](ON_ACCURACY) { return ACCURACY_ALWAYS_HITS; },
    .onBattlerFaintsFor = Rampage.onBattlerFaintsFor,
    .onStab = FightingSpirit.onStab,
};

Affected Moves

Always Hits All Moves Including:

• Low accuracy moves (Thunder, Blizzard, Hypnosis, etc.)
• OHKO moves (Fissure, Horn Drill, etc.)
• Status moves with accuracy checks
• All damaging moves regardless of base accuracy

Normal → Fighting Conversion Examples:

• Hyper Beam → Fighting-type with no recharge after KO
• Giga Impact → Fighting-type with no recharge after KO
• Return/Frustration → Fighting-type with STAB
• Quick Attack → Fighting-type priority move with STAB
• Body Slam → Fighting-type with STAB and paralysis chance

Recharge Moves Affected:

• Hyper Beam
• Giga Impact
• Blast Burn
• Hydro Cannon
• Frenzy Plant
• Rock Wrecker
• Roar of Time
• Prismatic Laser

Interactions with Other Mechanics

Weather Interactions

• Always Hits overrides weather accuracy modifiers:
  • Thunder still hits in clear weather
  • Blizzard hits outside of hail/snow
  • Hurricane hits in any weather condition

Evasion/Accuracy Modifiers

• Completely ignores evasion boosts on target
• Ignores accuracy drops on user
• Overrides moves that modify accuracy (Sand Attack, Double Team effects)

Ability Interactions

• Wonder Guard: Still blocks non-super effective moves despite perfect accuracy
• Magic Guard: Doesn't prevent the Fighting-type conversion or accuracy boost
• Bulletproof: Still blocks bullet/ball moves despite perfect accuracy

Strategic Implications

Offensive Advantages

• Reliable Sweeper: Hyper Beam becomes a reliable KO move with no drawback
• Perfect Coverage: Never miss key moves in crucial moments
• STAB Boost: Normal moves gain Fighting STAB and 1.2x Ate multiplier
• Chain Sweeping: Can continuously use powerful recharge moves

Competitive Usage Notes

• Extremely powerful on physically offensive Pokémon with good Normal move pools
• Ideal for late-game sweeping scenarios
• Pairs excellently with Choice items (no recharge means no need to switch)
• Dangerous with Z-Moves converted to Fighting-type

Counters

• Type Resistances: Ghost-types immune to Fighting moves
• Sturdy/Focus Sash: Prevents OHKO sweeps
• Priority Moves: Can revenge kill before Qigong user acts
• Will-O-Wisp/Thunder Wave: Status can cripple physical attackers
• Intimidate: Reduces physical attack power

Synergies

• Choice Band: Maximizes the power of converted Fighting moves
• Life Orb: Boosts all moves while maintaining perfect accuracy
• Silk Scarf: Boosts Normal moves before conversion
• Black Belt: Boosts Fighting-type moves after conversion
• Normalize: Converts all moves to Normal first, then Qigong converts to Fighting

Example Damage Calculations

With Choice Band on a 120 Attack Pokémon using Hyper Beam (150 BP):

• Base Power: 150
• Fighting Spirit Boost: 150 × 1.2 = 180
• STAB: 180 × 1.5 = 270 effective BP
• Choice Band: 270 × 1.5 = 405 effective BP
• Perfect accuracy ensures this devastating attack never misses
• No recharge if it KOs the target

Common Users

Qigong is typically found on:

• Physically offensive Normal-types with diverse movepools
• Late-game sweepers designed for cleaning up weakened teams
• Pokémon with access to powerful recharge moves
• Mixed attackers that can utilize both the accuracy and type conversion

Version History

• Elite Redux: Introduced as ID 762
• Design Intent: Create a high-risk, high-reward sweeping ability
• Balance Considerations: Countered by Ghost-types and priority moves

Competitive Tier Assessment

Power Level: S-Tier in appropriate team compositions Usage Rate: High in offensive teams, moderate overall Versatility: Excellent on physical attackers, limited on special attackers Meta Impact: Significant threat requiring specific counterplay preparation