Simple - Ability ID 86

In-Game Description

"Doubles all stat changes on this Pokémon."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Simple doubles all stat stage changes on user, whether positive or negative. Boosts from moves like Swords Dance become +4 instead of +2. Stat drops are also doubled. Works perfectly with Stored Power, which gains +40 power per stage instead of +20. Blocked by Clear Body/stat drop prevention.

Character count: 293

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

SIMPLE is a stat-modifying ability that doubles the magnitude of all stat stage changes applied to the Pokémon.

Activation Mechanics:

• Trigger: Automatically applies whenever the Pokémon receives a stat stage change
• Timing: Applied after Contrary reversal but before protection checks
• Code Location: battle_script_commands.c line 9625: if (BattlerHasAbility(battler, ABILITY_SIMPLE, FALSE)) statValue *= 2;

Stat Change Doubling:

1. Positive Boosts:

   • Swords Dance: +4 Attack instead of +2
   • Calm Mind: +2 SpA/SpD instead of +1 each
   • Dragon Dance: +2 Attack/Speed instead of +1 each
   • Shell Smash: +4 Attack/SpA/Speed, -2 Defense/SpD instead of +2/-1

2. Negative Drops:

   • Intimidate: -2 Attack instead of -1
   • Sticky Web: -2 Speed instead of -1
   • All stat-dropping moves doubled in effect

3. Special Interactions:

   • Order of Operations: Contrary → Simple → Protection checks
   • Move Effects: All stat-changing move effects are doubled
   • Self-Inflicted: Applies to both beneficial and detrimental self-stat changes

Stored Power Synergy:

• Normal: 20 + (stat increases × 20) base power
• With Simple: Each +1 boost = +2 stages for Simple user
• Practical Example:
  • Calm Mind once = +2 SpA/SpD stages → Stored Power = 100 base power
  • Two Calm Minds = +4 SpA/SpD stages → Stored Power = 180 base power
  • Mathematical Advantage: Reaches maximum power much faster

Setup Sweeping Potential:

1. Speed of Setup:

   • One setup move = equivalent of two for normal Pokémon
   • Reaches +6 stats in 3 moves instead of 6
   • Critical for time-limited battles

2. Power Scaling:

   • Stored Power caps at theoretical 860 base power with maxed stats
   • Simple reaches 540 base power in just 3 Calm Minds
   • Shell Smash once = +4/+4/+4/-2/-2 stat changes

Interaction Rules:

• vs Contrary: Applied AFTER Contrary reversal
• vs Clear Body: Clear Body prevents the stat drop entirely, so Simple never applies
• vs Unaware: Unaware ignores stat stages, making Simple's boosts ineffective offensively/defensively
• vs Simple Beam: Can overwrite Simple ability, removing the doubling effect
• vs Mist: Mist prevents stat drops, so Simple's doubled negative effects are blocked

Competitive Applications:

1. Stored Power Sweepers:

   • Cosmic Power + Stored Power sets become extremely potent
   • Reaches sweeping power much faster than normal
   • Psychic-types with access to both moves become setup threats

2. Mixed Setup:

   • Shell Smash users become incredibly dangerous
   • One Shell Smash = +4/+4/+4 offenses with manageable -2/-2 defense drops
   • Risk/reward calculation heavily favors Simple users

3. Defensive Considerations:

   • Vulnerability to stat drops is doubled
   • Intimidate becomes -2 Attack drop
   • Must be more careful around stat-dropping moves and abilities

Technical Implementation:

s8 ChangeStatBuffs(u8 battler, s8 statValue, u32 statId, u32 flags, const u8* BS_ptr) {
    // Handle Contrary first
    if (BATTLER_HAS_ABILITY(battler, ABILITY_CONTRARY)) {
        statValue *= -1;
    }
    
    // Simple doubles the stat change
    if (BattlerHasAbility(battler, ABILITY_SIMPLE, FALSE)) statValue *= 2;
    
    // Continue with protection checks and actual stat changes...
}

Edge Cases and Limitations:

1. Protection Bypass: Simple calculates before protection checks, but won't apply if the stat change is ultimately blocked
2. Cap Interactions: Still limited by ±6 stat stage caps
3. Z-Move Boosts: Z-move stat boosts are also doubled
4. Baton Pass: Doubled stat stages are passed along normally
5. Transform/Imposter: Copies Simple but not the current stat stages

Version History:

• Gen 4: Introduction - doubled stat stage changes
• Gen 5+: No mechanical changes
• Elite Redux: Maintains standard Simple mechanics with expanded movepools for setup strategies