Lightning Aspect Analysis

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (IMPORTANT: exactly 280-300 chars counted WITH spaces) "Absorbs electric moves then ups highest stat by +1."

Extended Description (280 characters)

When hit by Electric-type moves, this Pokémon becomes immune to damage and absorbs the electrical energy. The absorbed power enhances offensive capabilities by raising either Attack or Special Attack by one stage, whichever is currently higher including active stat modifications.

Mechanical Analysis

Implementation Details

• File: src/abilities.cc lines 8790-8797
• Ability Type: Absorption ability with stat boost
• Breakable: Yes (affected by Mold Breaker and similar abilities)

How It Works

1. Trigger Condition: Pokémon is targeted by an Electric-type move
2. Absorption: The move deals no damage (complete immunity)
3. Stat Selection: Uses GetHighestAttackingStatId(battler, TRUE) to determine which attacking stat is higher:
   • Compares Attack vs Special Attack only
   • Includes current stat stages in the calculation
   • Returns either STAT_ATK (1) or STAT_SPATK (4)
4. Stat Boost: Raises the selected stat by +1 stage
5. Result: Returns ABSORB_RESULT_STAT flag

Comparison with Similar Abilities

• Lightning Rod: Same mechanic, also absorbs Electric moves and boosts highest attacking stat
• Volt Absorb: Only heals HP when hit by Electric moves (no stat boost)
• Motor Drive: Raises Speed when hit by Electric moves (different target stat)

Strategic Applications

• Doubles/Multi-battles: Can redirect Electric moves from allies
• Stat Optimization: Particularly valuable for mixed attackers or Pokémon with similar Attack/Special Attack
• Counterplay: Setup opportunity against Electric-type moves

Technical Notes

• The GetHighestAttackingStatId function only considers Attack and Special Attack
• Stat stages are included in the comparison (modified stats vs base stats)
• The ability triggers before damage calculation, providing complete immunity
• Works with both single-target and multi-target Electric moves

Code References

• Main implementation: src/abilities.cc:8790-8797
• Stat selection function: src/battle_util.c:8585-8604
• Absorption constants: include/battle_util.h:370-373