DNA Scramble - Ability ID 791

In-Game Description

"Changes forms based on the the move used."

Extended In-Game Description

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

DNA Scramble transforms Deoxys between forms based on the move used. Damaging moves trigger Attack form (180 Atk/SpAtk), Recover triggers Defense form (160 Def/SpDef), other status moves trigger Speed form (180 Speed). Base form has balanced 150 stats. Form changes occur before attack.

Character count: 286

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

DNA Scramble is an exclusive ability for Deoxys that automatically transforms it between its four different forms based on the type of move being used. The transformation occurs during the onBeforeAttack phase, meaning the form change happens before the move is executed, allowing the new form's stats to affect the attack.

Activation Conditions

The ability triggers before any attack and evaluates the move being used to determine the target form:

1. Attack Form Transformation: Any move with power > 0 (damaging moves)
2. Defense Form Transformation: Specifically the move Recover
3. Speed Form Transformation: Any status move (split == SPLIT_STATUS) except Recover
4. Base Form: Starting form with balanced stats

Form Statistics

Base Form (Normal):    HP: 50, Atk: 150, Def: 50, SpAtk: 150, SpDef: 50, Speed: 150
Attack Form:           HP: 50, Atk: 180, Def: 20, SpAtk: 180, SpDef: 20, Speed: 150
Defense Form:          HP: 50, Atk: 70,  Def: 160, SpAtk: 70, SpDef: 160, Speed: 90
Speed Form:            HP: 50, Atk: 95,  Def: 90, SpAtk: 95, SpDef: 90, Speed: 180

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability DNAScramble = {
    .onBeforeAttack = +[](ABILITY_ON_BEFORE_ATTACK) -> int {
        SpeciesEnum newSpecies = SPECIES_NONE;
        switch (gBattleMons[battler].species) {
            case SPECIES_DEOXYS:
                if (gBattleMoves[move].power > 0)
                    newSpecies = SPECIES_DEOXYS_ATTACK;
                else if (move == MOVE_RECOVER)
                    newSpecies = SPECIES_DEOXYS_DEFENSE;
                else if (gBattleMoves[move].split == SPLIT_STATUS)
                    newSpecies = SPECIES_DEOXYS_SPEED;
                break;
            // Additional form-specific logic for each form...
        }
        
        UpdateAbilityStateIndicesForNewSpecies(battler, newSpecies);
        gBattleMons[battler].species = newSpecies;
        BattleScriptCall(BattleScript_AttackerFormChange);
        return TRUE;
    },
    .unsuppressable = TRUE,
    .randomizerBanned = TRUE,
};

Form Change Logic by Current Form

From Base Form (SPECIES_DEOXYS):

• Damaging moves → Attack Form
• Recover → Defense Form
• Other status moves → Speed Form

From Attack Form:

• Recover → Defense Form
• Status moves (except Recover) → Speed Form
• Damaging moves → Stay in Attack Form

From Defense Form:

• Damaging moves → Attack Form
• Status moves (except Recover) → Speed Form
• Recover → Stay in Defense Form

From Speed Form:

• Damaging moves → Attack Form
• Recover → Defense Form
• Other status moves → Stay in Speed Form

Ability Properties

• Unsuppressable: Cannot be suppressed by abilities like Neutralizing Gas
• Randomizer Banned: Excluded from randomizer due to species-specific nature
• Form Change Animation: Triggers BattleScript_AttackerFormChange for visual effect

Strategic Implications

Attack Form Usage:

• Maximizes offensive power with 180 Attack and Special Attack
• Extremely frail with only 20 Defense and Special Defense
• Best for hit-and-run tactics or when you need maximum damage output
• Vulnerable to priority moves due to reduced bulk

Defense Form Usage:

• Becomes an exceptional wall with 160 Defense and Special Defense
• Significantly reduced offensive presence (70 Attack/Special Attack)
• Lower speed (90) makes it more vulnerable to setup
• Ideal for stalling strategies or when expecting powerful attacks

Speed Form Usage:

• Reaches maximum speed of 180, outspeeding almost everything
• Balanced offensive stats (95 Attack/Special Attack)
• Good for status moves, setup, or revenge killing
• Can utilize status moves to maintain form

Common Users

DNA Scramble is exclusive to Deoxys and its forms. No other Pokémon can have this ability.

Competitive Usage Notes

• Versatility: Allows Deoxys to adapt its role mid-battle based on needs
• Prediction Game: Opponents must guess which form Deoxys will take based on predicted moves
• Move Selection Pressure: Forces careful consideration of move choice due to stat implications
• Setup Synergy: Can use status moves to enter Speed form, then use that speed for offensive moves to switch to Attack form

Counters

• Priority Moves: Can revenge kill Attack form due to its poor bulk
• Taunt: Prevents status moves, limiting form change options
• Multi-hit Moves: Can break through Defense form's bulk
• Status Conditions: Burn reduces Attack form's physical damage significantly
• Choice Items: Lock Deoxys into one move type, limiting form adaptability

Synergies

• Life Orb: Boosts damage in Attack form while the recoil is manageable due to form switching
• Focus Sash: Protects frail Attack form from one-hit KOs
• Leftovers: Provides consistent recovery across all forms
• Recover: Guarantees access to Defense form when needed for bulk
• Status Moves: Allow controlled switching to Speed form for positioning

Version History

DNA Scramble is a custom ability created for Elite Redux, designed to showcase Deoxys's adaptability and alien DNA manipulation capabilities. The ability emphasizes tactical decision-making and form optimization based on battle conditions.

Example Scenarios

Scenario 1: Deoxys starts in base form, uses Psycho Boost (damaging move) → transforms to Attack form with 180 SpAtk, then uses Recover → transforms to Defense form with 160 defenses.

Scenario 2: Deoxys in Speed form uses Thunder Wave (status move) → stays in Speed form, then uses Zen Headbutt (damaging move) → transforms to Attack form for maximum damage.

Scenario 3: Deoxys in Attack form faces a powerful physical attacker → uses Recover → immediately transforms to Defense form to tank the incoming attack.