Sniper (Ability #97)

Basic Information

• Name: Sniper
• Description: Critical hits have a 2.25x dmg multiplier instead of 1.5x.
• Breakable: No (standard ability)

Game Mechanics

Technical Implementation

Located in src/abilities.cc:

constexpr Ability Sniper = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier =
        +[](ON_OFFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
            if (isCrit) MUL(1.5);
        },
};

Damage Calculation

• Normal critical hit multiplier: 1.5x (as of Gen 7+, configured in B_CRIT_MULTIPLIER)
• With Sniper: 2.25x (1.5 × 1.5 = 2.25)
• The ability applies an additional 1.5x multiplier on top of the base critical hit damage
• This stacks multiplicatively, not additively

Related Abilities

• Super Sniper: An enhanced version that includes Sniper's effect plus additional mechanics for follow-up attacks
• Assassinate: Uses Sniper's offensive multiplier as part of its effect

Strategy & Usage

Optimal Builds

• Pair with moves that have high critical hit ratios (Focus Energy, moves with increased crit chance)
• Works excellently with items like Scope Lens or Razor Claw that boost critical hit rate
• Synergizes with abilities or moves that guarantee critical hits

Popular Pokemon with Sniper

• Fearow: Flying-type physical attacker
• Drizzile: Water-type special attacker
• Rowlet: Grass/Flying starter line
• Arachtres: Bug-type Pokemon
• Purrloin: Dark-type Pokemon
• Meowth: Normal-type Pokemon

Battle Applications

• Turns critical hits into devastating blows with 2.25x damage
• Makes high-crit strategies extremely viable
• Particularly effective in late-game sweeps when combined with stat boosts
• Excellent for breaking through defensive Pokemon when landing critical hits

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

• Significantly increases damage output when landing critical hits
• Makes critical-focused strategies much more viable
• Can turn the tide of battle with well-timed crits
• No setup required - passive benefit whenever crits occur

Weaknesses

• Relies on RNG unless using guaranteed crit moves/setups
• No benefit on non-critical hits
• Competes with more consistent damage-boosting abilities
• Critical hits ignore positive defense boosts, which may not always be ideal

Synergies

• Items: Scope Lens, Razor Claw, Lansat Berry
• Moves: Focus Energy, Night Slash, Leaf Blade, Cross Chop
• Abilities that boost accuracy: Ensures crit-focused moves connect
• Speed control: Allows getting off multiple attacks for more crit chances

Extended In-Game Description

Sniper amplifies critical hit damage from 1.5x to 2.25x by applying an additional 50% multiplier. This makes critical hits devastating, turning them into near one-hit KOs on neutral targets. Perfect for crit-focused strategies using high crit-ratio moves or Focus Energy setups. The massive damage spike rewards skillful play and proper setup.

Character count: 299

Notes

• The ability's code shows it multiplies by 1.5 when a crit occurs, which stacks with the base 1.5x crit multiplier
• Critical hits in Elite Redux use Gen 7+ mechanics (1.5x base multiplier)
• Sniper has no additional effects beyond the damage multiplication
• Cannot be suppressed by Mold Breaker as it's not marked as breakable