Unburden - Ability ID 84

In-Game Description

"Consuming its held item doubles Speed until switched out."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Unburden doubles Speed when the Pokémon's held item is consumed or removed. The boost persists until the Pokémon switches out or gains a new item. Works with berries, gems, consumable items, and items lost through moves like Knock Off, Incinerate, or abilities like Pickpocket.

Character count: 296

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

UNBURDEN is a Speed-boosting ability that activates when the Pokémon loses its held item through any means.

Activation Mechanics:

• Trigger: When the Pokémon's held item becomes ITEM_NONE (removed/consumed)
• Speed Boost: Doubles Speed stat (2x multiplier)
• Duration: Until the Pokémon switches out or gains a new item
• State Management: Uses SetAbilityState/GetAbilityState system

Technical Implementation:

constexpr Ability Unburden = {
    .onStat =
        +[](ON_STAT) {
            if (statId == STAT_SPEED && GetAbilityState(battler, ability)) *stat *= 2;
        },
};

Item Loss Triggers:

1. Berry Consumption: Natural consumption when conditions are met

   • Sitrus Berry (HP drop), Lum Berry (status), etc.
   • Bug Bite/Pluck eating target's berry

2. Gem Activation: Type gems consumed when using matching move type

   • Flying Gem, Fire Gem, etc.

3. Other Consumables:

   • White Herb (stat drops), Mental Herb (attraction/taunt)
   • Focus Sash (survive lethal hit), Air Balloon (hit by Ground move)
   • Weakness Policy, Cell Battery, etc.

4. Forced Item Removal:

   • Knock Off (removes and damages)
   • Incinerate (destroys berries/gems)
   • Pickpocket (steals on contact)
   • Covet/Thief (steals via moves)
   • Magic Room (temporary item nullification ending)

State Management:

// In UpdateBattlerItem function:
if (oldItem == ITEM_NONE)
    SetAbilityState(battler, ABILITY_UNBURDEN, FALSE);  // Gained item - disable
else if (newItem == ITEM_NONE)
    SetAbilityState(battler, ABILITY_UNBURDEN, TRUE);   // Lost item - enable

Interaction Rules:

• Gaining Items: Speed boost immediately deactivates if Pokémon receives any item
• Switch Out: Speed boost is lost when Pokémon leaves battle
• Multiple Activations: Can activate multiple times per battle if item is lost again
• Sticky Hold: Prevents forced item removal, so Unburden won't activate from Knock Off/etc.

Speed Calculation Priority:

Unburden applies during stat calculation phase:

1. Base Speed stat
2. Nature modifier
3. Ability modifiers (Unburden: 2x)
4. Item modifiers (Choice Scarf, etc.)
5. Status conditions (paralysis: 0.25x)

Strategic Applications:

1. Berry Strategies:

   • Sitrus Berry + Belly Drum combo
   • Salac Berry for stacked Speed boosts
   • Petaya/Apicot berries for additional stat boosts

2. Gem Sweeping:

   • Normal Gem + Fake Out for priority
   • Flying Gem + Acrobatics (double power when itemless)

3. Sacrifice Items:

   • Focus Sash for setup opportunities
   • Weakness Policy for offensive boosts

Common Users:

• Hawlucha: Flying/Fighting with Acrobatics synergy
• Treecko line: Fast Grass types with access to berries
• Slurpuff: Fairy type with natural berry synergy
• Hitmonlee: Fast Fighting type for physical sweeping
• Various custom Elite Redux Pokémon: Speed-focused builds

Competitive Interactions:

• Acrobatics Synergy: Flying move doubles power when user has no item
• Belly Drum: Max Attack + Unburden speed for physical sweeping
• Priority Moves: Enhanced by superior Speed for move order
• Choice Items: Cannot benefit as item isn't consumed, only locked

Counters:

1. Trick/Switcheroo: Force an item onto the Pokémon
2. Priority Moves: Bypass Speed advantage
3. Status Moves: Paralysis cuts Speed, burns reduce Attack
4. Sticky Hold: Prevents item removal on opposing Pokémon

Synergies:

• White Herb: Remove negative stat drops and gain Speed
• Terrain Seeds: Stat boost + Speed boost combo
• Endure + Salac Berry: Guaranteed Speed boost at low HP
• Substitute: Protect setup while item activates

Version History:

• Gen 4 Introduction: Original implementation
• Gen 5+: Consistent across generations
• Elite Redux: Maintained standard mechanics with expanded item interactions

Example Damage Calculations:

Hawlucha @ Flying Gem

• Base Speed: 118
• After Flying Gem consumed: 236 effective Speed
• Acrobatics: 55 BP → 110 BP (no item) + STAB + gem boost
• Result: Extremely fast, powerful Flying attack

Common Competitive Set:

Hawlucha @ Flying Gem
Ability: Unburden
- Acrobatics (powered up when itemless)
- High Jump Kick/Close Combat
- Swords Dance/Substitute
- Roost/U-turn