Reverbate - Ability ID 812

In-Game Description

"Normal moves are Sound moves."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Reverbate converts all Normal-type moves into Sound moves, enabling them to benefit from sound-based abilities and interactions. Sound moves can target multiple foes with Amplifier or Bass Boosted abilities, but are blocked by Throat Chop for 2 turns.

Character count: 284

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Reverbate modifies the game's sound detection system by adding a special case for Normal-type moves when used by a Pokémon with this ability.

Implementation Location: src/battle_util.c line 9198

int IsSoundMove(int battler, MoveEnum move) {
    if (gBattleMoves[move].flags & FLAG_SOUND) return TRUE;
    if (gBattleMoves[move].type == TYPE_NORMAL && BattlerHasAbility(battler, ABILITY_REVERBATE, FALSE)) return TRUE;
    return FALSE;
}

Activation Conditions

• Pokémon must have the Reverbate ability
• The move being used must be Normal-type
• The ability check occurs during move execution and targeting phases

Sound Move Benefits

Once converted to sound moves, Normal-type moves gain access to:

1. Multi-target capabilities with sound-boosting abilities:

   • Amplifier: Converts single-target sound moves to hit both opponents
   • Bass Boosted: Same effect as Amplifier for sound moves

2. Sound move interactions:

   • Affected by Throat Chop (blocked for 2 turns after being hit)
   • Can be blocked by Soundproof ability
   • Interact with other sound-based mechanics

Affected Normal-Type Moves

All Normal-type moves become sound moves, including but not limited to:

• Tackle, Body Slam, Double-Edge
• Quick Attack, Extreme Speed
• Return, Frustration
• Hyper Voice (already a sound move, no change)
• Boomburst (already a sound move, no change)

Strategic Implications

Advantages:

• Enables multi-targeting with Amplifier/Bass Boosted
• Synergizes with sound-based team strategies
• Converts common Normal moves into a specialized category

Disadvantages:

• Vulnerable to Throat Chop lockdown
• Blocked by Soundproof ability users
• May alert opponents to sound-based strategy

Common Users

This ability would be most effective on Pokémon that:

• Have access to powerful Normal-type moves
• Can benefit from multi-target capabilities in doubles
• Are part of sound-based team compositions

Competitive Usage Notes

• Excellent in doubles format where multi-targeting provides significant advantage
• Requires careful positioning to avoid Throat Chop users
• Best paired with other sound move users for consistency

Counters

• Throat Chop: Prevents sound move usage for 2 turns
• Soundproof: Blocks all sound moves completely
• Substitute: May block sound moves depending on implementation

Synergies

• Amplifier/Bass Boosted: Convert single-target Normal moves to multi-target
• Other sound move users: Create consistent sound-based team strategies
• Choice items: Powerful Normal moves become even more threatening

Version History

• Introduced in Elite Redux as a unique ability interaction
• Part of the expanded ability system providing new strategic options