Rockhard Shaft - Ability ID 799

In-Game Description

"Boosts Rock-type moves by 1.3x, or 1.8x when below 1/3 HP."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Rockhard Shaft empowers all Rock-type moves with a 1.3x damage multiplier. When the Pokemon drops below 1/3 of its maximum HP, the boost increases to 1.8x damage. This works with any Rock-type move regardless of category. The ability activates automatically based on current HP percentage.

Character count: 289

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Rockhard Shaft is a type-boosting ability that provides conditional damage multipliers specifically for Rock-type moves. It functions similarly to abilities like Swarm, Blaze, and Torrent, but for Rock-type moves.

Activation Conditions

• Normal State: Pokemon has more than 1/3 of its maximum HP remaining
• Boosted State: Pokemon has 1/3 or less of its maximum HP remaining

Numerical Values

• Normal Boost: 1.3x damage multiplier (30% increase)
• Pinch Boost: 1.8x damage multiplier (80% increase)

Technical Implementation

The ability is implemented using the BOOSTED_SWARM_MULTIPLIER(TYPE_ROCK) macro in src/abilities.cc:

constexpr Ability RockhardShaft = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier = BOOSTED_SWARM_MULTIPLIER(TYPE_ROCK),
};

#define BOOSTED_SWARM_MULTIPLIER(type)                                       \
    +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {                                           \
        if (moveType == type) {                                              \
            if (gBattleMons[battler].hp <= (gBattleMons[battler].maxHP / 3)) \
                MUL(1.8);                                                    \
            else                                                             \
                MUL(1.3);                                                    \
        }                                                                    \
    }

Affected Moves

All Rock-type moves benefit from this ability, including but not limited to:

• Stone Edge
• Rock Slide
• Stealth Rock
• Head Smash
• Power Gem
• Ancient Power
• Rock Blast
• Accelerock
• Diamond Storm
• Stone Axe

Interactions with Other Mechanics

• STAB: Stacks multiplicatively with Same Type Attack Bonus (1.5x)
• Type Effectiveness: Stacks multiplicatively with super effective damage (2x)
• Critical Hits: Stacks multiplicatively with critical hit damage (1.5x or 2.25x)
• Weather: No direct interaction with weather effects
• Choice Items: Stacks multiplicatively with Choice Band/Specs boosts
• Life Orb: Stacks multiplicatively with Life Orb's 1.3x boost

Strategic Implications

• Early Game: Provides consistent 30% damage boost to Rock moves
• Late Game: Becomes a powerful 80% boost when at low HP
• Risk vs Reward: Players must balance staying at low HP for maximum damage
• Synergy with Sturdy: Works well with Sturdy to guarantee survival at 1 HP for maximum boost

Example Damage Calculations

Stone Edge (Base Power 100) vs neutral target:

• Normal HP: 100 × 1.3 = 130 effective base power
• Below 1/3 HP: 100 × 1.8 = 180 effective base power

With STAB (Rock-type user):

• Normal HP: 100 × 1.5 × 1.3 = 195 effective base power
• Below 1/3 HP: 100 × 1.5 × 1.8 = 270 effective base power

Common Users

• Ogerpon Cornerstone Mega: The primary user as an innate ability
  • Type: Grass/Rock
  • Stats: 80/120/156/80/96/118
  • Strategy: Uses defensive bulk to reach low HP safely, then unleashes powerful Rock moves

Competitive Usage Notes

• Tier Placement: Highly situational but potentially game-changing
• Team Synergy: Pairs well with entry hazard setters for chip damage
• Prediction: Opponents may try to finish off low-HP users before they can abuse the boost
• Setup Opportunity: Can be used to bluff weakness while setting up for a powerful revenge kill

Counters

• Priority Moves: Can finish off low-HP users before they attack
• Multi-hit Moves: Can break through Sturdy + Rockhard Shaft combos
• Status Moves: Toxic or burn can prevent the user from staying at low HP safely
• Healing Moves: Recovery moves can inadvertently weaken the ability's effectiveness

Synergies

• Sturdy: Guarantees survival at 1 HP for maximum boost
• Focus Sash: Similar to Sturdy for guaranteed survival
• Endure: Can be used to safely reach 1 HP
• Belly Drum: Reduces HP to 50% while boosting Attack, potentially triggering the enhanced boost
• Substitute: Can help preserve HP while setting up opportunities

Version History

• Elite Redux: Introduced as a signature ability for Ogerpon Cornerstone Mega
• Design Philosophy: Meant to reward aggressive play while providing comeback potential
• Balance Considerations: The 1.3x base boost prevents it from being completely useless at full HP

Trivia

• The ability name "Rockhard Shaft" appears to be a play on mining/geology terminology
• The display name "We Will Rock You" is a reference to the famous Queen song
• This ability represents the "berserker" archetype in Pokemon, becoming more dangerous when wounded