Deviate - Ability ID 800

In-Game Description

"Normal-type moves become Dark and Dark gains STAB."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Deviate converts all Normal-type moves to Dark-type and provides STAB for Dark-type moves. This transformation affects all Normal-type moves including Tackle, Body Slam, and Hyper Beam. The ability grants immediate Dark-type STAB bonus for Pokemon that wouldn't normally receive it.

Character count: 293

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

• Type Conversion: All Normal-type moves become Dark-type
• STAB Grant: Provides STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) for Dark-type moves, regardless of the user's typing
• ATE Boost: Sets the ateBoost flag when converting moves, which may provide a damage multiplier

Activation Conditions

• Automatically active when the Pokemon has this ability
• Applies to all Normal-type moves used by the Pokemon
• STAB applies to all Dark-type moves (both converted and naturally Dark-type)

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability Deviate = {
    ATE_ABILITY(TYPE_DARK),
};

#define ATE_ABILITY(type)                    \
    .onMoveType = +[](ON_MOVE_TYPE) -> int { \
        CHECK(moveType == TYPE_NORMAL)       \
        *ateBoost = TRUE;                    \
        return type + 1;                     \
    },                                       \
    .onStab = +[](ON_STAB) -> int { return moveType == type; }

Complete List of Affected Moves

Common Normal-type moves that become Dark-type:

• Tackle → Dark-type
• Body Slam → Dark-type
• Hyper Beam → Dark-type
• Swift → Dark-type
• Double-Edge → Dark-type
• Slash → Dark-type
• Tri Attack → Dark-type
• Return/Frustration → Dark-type
• Facade → Dark-type
• Giga Impact → Dark-type

All other Normal-type moves are similarly converted

Interactions with Other Abilities/Mechanics

• Type-changing abilities: Deviate takes precedence over most other type-changing effects
• Ion Deluge/Electrify: These field effects override Deviate for Normal-type moves
• Plasma Fists status: Overrides Deviate conversion
• STAB calculation: Provides 1.5x damage multiplier for Dark-type moves
• Type effectiveness: Converted moves use Dark-type effectiveness chart

Strategic Implications

• Offensive utility: Turns weak Normal moves into potentially super-effective Dark moves
• Coverage expansion: Provides Dark-type coverage to Pokemon that lack it naturally
• STAB abuse: Non-Dark types can benefit from Dark-type STAB
• Movepool synergy: Best on Pokemon with diverse Normal-type movepools

Example Damage Calculations

Scenario: Level 50 Pokemon with 100 Attack using Body Slam (85 BP)

• Without Deviate: 85 BP Normal-type (no STAB if not Normal-type)
• With Deviate: 85 BP Dark-type + STAB (127.5 effective BP) + potential ATE boost

Common Users

This is a custom Elite Redux ability (ID 800), so users would be specific Pokemon in this ROM hack's roster.

Competitive Usage Notes

• Priority: High utility for Pokemon lacking Dark-type moves
• Synergy: Excellent with Pokemon that have strong Normal-type movepools
• Coverage: Provides neutral-to-super-effective coverage against Psychic and Ghost types
• Flexibility: Maintains movepool diversity while gaining type consistency

Counters

• Dark-type resists: Steel, Fighting, Dark, and Fairy types resist converted moves
• Wonder Guard: Still blocks moves that wouldn't be super-effective
• Ability suppression: Gastro Acid, Worry Seed nullify the conversion
• Type-changing moves: Moves like Soak can remove Dark typing benefit

Synergies

• Choice items: Benefit from consistent Dark-type STAB across movepool
• Life Orb: Amplifies the boosted Dark-type moves
• Dark-type Z-moves: Can upgrade converted Normal moves to powerful Dark Z-moves
• Adaptability: Would double the STAB bonus if combined (theoretical)

Version History

• Introduced in Elite Redux as ability ID 800
• Uses the standard ATE_ABILITY macro system
• Functions similarly to Pixilate, Refrigerate, and Aerilate from official games