Motor Drive - Ability ID 78

In-Game Description

"Boosts Speed instead of being hit by Electric-type moves."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Motor Drive makes the Pokémon immune to Electric-type moves, boosting Speed by 1 stage instead of taking damage. This includes status moves like Thunder Wave. Works against multi-hit Electric moves, boosting Speed for each hit absorbed. Excellent for pivoting into Electric attacks safely.

Character count: 289

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

MOTOR DRIVE is an absorption ability that converts Electric-type move damage into Speed boosts, providing both immunity and a stat advantage.

Core Mechanics:

• Trigger: When hit by any Electric-type move
• Effect: Complete immunity to the move + Speed boost
• Boost Amount: +1 stage per hit absorbed
• Priority: Activates before damage calculation (onAbsorb hook)

Activation Conditions:

1. Direct Hits: Any Electric-type move targeting this Pokémon
2. Status Moves: Thunder Wave, Electric Terrain setup, etc.
3. Multi-Hit Moves: Each hit of moves like Double Kick (if Electric) boosts Speed separately
4. Indirect Damage: Does NOT absorb Electric-type damage from abilities like Static or items

Technical Implementation:

constexpr Ability MotorDrive = {
    .onAbsorb = +[](ON_ABSORB) -> int {
        CHECK(moveType == TYPE_ELECTRIC);
        *statId = STAT_SPEED;
        return ABSORB_RESULT_STAT;
    },
    .breakable = TRUE,
};

Complete List of Affected Moves:

Common Electric Moves Absorbed:

• Thunder Bolt, Thunder, Discharge, Thunderbolt
• Thunder Wave (status), Thunder Shock, Spark
• Wild Charge, Volt Tackle, Zap Cannon
• Electro Ball, Thunder Fang, Thunder Punch
• Charge Beam, Shock Wave, Thunder Wave
• Electric Terrain (when used directly)

NOT Affected By:

• Static ability activation
• Electric-type Z-moves (absorbs the base move)
• Paralysis from non-Electric sources
• Electric Terrain passive damage

Interactions with Other Abilities/Mechanics:

1. Mold Breaker: Can bypass Motor Drive, allowing Electric moves to hit normally
2. Teravolt/Turboblaze: Also bypass Motor Drive
3. Lightning Rod: Takes priority over Motor Drive if both are present
4. Air Lock/Cloud Nine: Do not affect Motor Drive (weather-independent)
5. Trace/Skill Swap: Can copy/transfer Motor Drive to other Pokémon

Strategic Implications:

• Pivoting Tool: Safe switch-in against Electric-type attackers
• Speed Control: Accumulates Speed boosts throughout battle
• Thunder Wave Immunity: Cannot be paralyzed by the most common paralysis move
• Team Support: Forces opponents to avoid Electric moves or face stat penalties

Example Damage Calculations:

• Before Motor Drive: 100 BP Thunderbolt deals ~25-30% to neutral target
• With Motor Drive: Same Thunderbolt deals 0 damage, grants +1 Speed instead
• Multi-Hit Scenario: Double Shock (hypothetical 2-hit Electric move) would grant +2 Speed stages total

Common Users in Elite Redux:

Based on the species data, Motor Drive appears on:

• Various Electric/Fighting-type hybrids
• Speed-oriented Pokémon with Generator/Transistor abilities
• Rotom forme variants (Heat, Wash, Frost, Fan forms)
• Some custom Elite Redux species focusing on speed control

Competitive Usage Notes:

• Team Role: Speed control and Electric-type switch-in
• Held Items: Focus Sash for survival, Choice items for immediate pressure after boost
• Move Synergy: Baton Pass to transfer accumulated Speed boosts
• Positioning: Use as a pivot against Electric-heavy teams

Counters:

1. Ability Bypass: Mold Breaker, Teravolt, Turboblaze users
2. Non-Electric Paralysis: Body Slam, Glare, Stun Spore
3. Priority Moves: Bypass accumulated Speed advantage
4. Status Moves: Sleep, confusion, other non-Electric debuffs
5. Trapping: Prevent switching to build Speed safely

Synergies:

• Thunder Wave Support: Teammates can set up paralysis while Motor Drive user is immune
• Electric Terrain: Team benefits from terrain while Motor Drive user is unaffected by passive damage
• Baton Pass Chains: Pass accumulated Speed boosts to sweepers
• Dual Screens: Extra setup time to accumulate multiple Speed boosts

Version History:

• Gen 4 Introduction: Original implementation as Electric immunity + Speed boost
• Elite Redux: Maintains standard mechanics with expanded move pool interactions
• Current Status: Functions identically to mainline games with full Electric-type move coverage