Tangled Feet - Ability ID 77

In-Game Description

"Doubles Evasion when confused."

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (exactly 280-300 chars)

Tangled Feet halves opponents' accuracy when this Pokémon is confused. The chaotic, unsteady movements from confusion make the Pokémon harder to hit. Works against all moves targeting this Pokémon, including status moves. Only functions while confused; provides no benefit otherwise.

Character count: 284

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

TANGLED FEET is a defensive ability that reduces incoming accuracy while the user is confused.

Core Mechanics:

• Trigger: Only when this Pokémon has the confused status (STATUS2_CONFUSION)
• Effect: Halves the accuracy of moves targeting this Pokémon (*accuracy /= 2)
• Application: Applied during accuracy calculation phase with ACCURACY_MULTIPLICATIVE priority
• Target Requirement: Uses onAccuracyFor = APPLY_ON_TARGET (affects moves targeting this Pokémon)

Activation Conditions:

1. Status Check: Pokémon must have STATUS2_CONFUSION bit set
2. Target Validation: Only applies when this Pokémon is the target of a move
3. Move Coverage: Affects all moves (attacking, status, etc.) that target this Pokémon
4. Duration: Active for entire duration of confusion status

Technical Implementation:

constexpr Ability TangledFeet = {
    .onAccuracy = +[](ON_ACCURACY) -> AccuracyPriority {
        CHECK(gBattleMons[target].status2 & STATUS2_CONFUSION);
        *accuracy /= 2;
        return ACCURACY_MULTIPLICATIVE;
    },
    .onAccuracyFor = APPLY_ON_TARGET,
    .breakable = TRUE,
};

Numerical Values:

• Accuracy Modifier: 0.5x (50% of original accuracy)
• Examples:
  • Thunder Bolt (100% accuracy) → 50% accuracy
  • Thunder (70% accuracy) → 35% accuracy
  • Fire Blast (85% accuracy) → 42.5% accuracy
  • Focus Blast (70% accuracy) → 35% accuracy

Interactions with Other Abilities/Mechanics:

1. Ability Interactions:

   • Overridden by No Guard (both user and opponent)
   • Stacks with Sand Veil/Snow Cloak evasion boosts
   • Works alongside Wonder Skin for status moves
   • Bypassed by Keen Eye users attacking this Pokémon

2. Move Interactions:

   • Affects never-miss moves like Swift and Aerial Ace (they still hit)
   • Reduces accuracy of OHKO moves (already low accuracy)
   • Applies to status moves targeting this Pokémon
   • Stacks multiplicatively with accuracy drops from moves like Sand Attack

3. Status Synergy:

   • Own Tempo prevents confusion, negating this ability
   • Lum Berry/Mental Herb cure confusion, ending the effect
   • Confusion from Swagger activates this ability
   • Persim Berry cures confusion after eating

Strategic Implications:

1. Defensive Strategy:

   • Intentionally getting confused can provide evasion
   • Pairs well with Swagger users for setup
   • Creates mind games around confusion curing

2. Risk vs Reward:

   • Confusion deals self-damage 33% of the time
   • 50% accuracy reduction vs 33% self-harm chance
   • Becomes less effective as battle progresses due to confusion timer

3. Team Support:

   • Teammates can use Swagger to activate ability
   • Heal Bell/Aromatherapy can remove confusion when needed
   • Trick/Switcheroo with Persim Berry for timing control

Common Users:

• Original Games: Spinda (signature ability), Doduo/Dodrio line
• Elite Redux: Currently appears in commented trainer parties but not actively used
• AI Evaluation: Rated 2/10 by battle AI (low priority ability)

Competitive Usage Notes:

1. Niche Applications:

   • Anti-revenge kill tool (confusion + evasion)
   • Stall tactics in specific matchups
   • Surprise factor in casual play

2. Limitations:

   • Requires negative status to function
   • Confusion timer limits duration
   • Many Pokemon have access to never-miss moves
   • Self-damage risk often outweighs benefits

Counters:

1. Direct Counters:

   • No Guard ability ignores accuracy modifiers
   • Keen Eye prevents accuracy reduction (when attacking)
   • Never-miss moves (Swift, Aerial Ace, etc.)
   • Lock-On/Mind Reader guarantees next move hits

2. Indirect Counters:

   • Status cleansing moves (Heal Bell, Aromatherapy)
   • Phazing moves (Roar, Whirlwind) to force switches
   • Multi-hit moves (more chances to hit)
   • Priority moves for guaranteed damage

Synergies:

1. Team Support:

   • Swagger users to intentionally confuse
   • Prankster status spreaders
   • Aromatic Veil teammates for confusion immunity backup

2. Item Synergies:

   • Leftovers to offset confusion damage
   • Mental Herb for emergency confusion cure
   • Persim Berry for automatic confusion removal

3. Move Synergies:

   • Rest can cure confusion while healing
   • Substitute protects from confusion damage
   • Facade benefits from confusion status

Version History:

• Gen 4: Introduced as Spinda's signature ability
• Gen 5+: Also given to Doduo/Dodrio line
• Elite Redux: Standard implementation, currently unused in active trainer parties

Notes:

• One of the few abilities that requires a negative status to function
• The ability is breakable by Mold Breaker and similar effects
• Despite its unique concept, rarely sees competitive play due to inherent risks
• More effective against physical attackers due to confusion's physical damage component