Abilities

Introduction

Abilities are innate passive effects that fundamentally shape a Pokémon's competitive viability. A single ability can transform an otherwise unremarkable Pokémon into a metagame staple or provide the crucial edge needed to execute specific team strategies.

In Pokémon Polished Crystal, abilities follow modern-series mechanics, enabling deeper strategy through damage amplification, defensive utility, speed manipulation, and field control.

Want to understand how abilities fit into Polished Crystal's broader competitive landscape? Read What Makes Polished Crystal the Definitive Way to Play Johto.

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Offensive Abilities

Offensive abilities amplify damage output, enhance accuracy, or expand coverage options. These are essential for sweepers and wallbreakers.

Power Amplification

• Huge Power / Pure Power

  • Effect: Doubles the Attack stat
  • Notable Pokémon: Azumarill
  • Strategy: Converts moderate base Attack into devastating power. Priority Aqua Jet turns Azumarill into a premier revenge killer.

• Adaptability

  • Effect: STAB multiplier increases from 1.5× to 2×
  • Notable Pokémon: Porygon-Z
  • Strategy: Encourages mono-type offense with extreme damage output.

• Guts

  • Effect: 50% Attack boost when statused; ignores burn’s Attack drop
  • Notable Pokémon: Heracross, Machamp, Ursaring
  • Strategy: Pair with Flame Orb or Toxic Orb for guaranteed activation.

• Technician

  • Effect: 60 BP or lower moves gain a 50% boost
  • Notable Pokémon: Scizor
  • Strategy: Turns weak moves like Bullet Punch into serious threats.

• Sheer Force

  • Effect: Removes secondary effects for a 30% power boost
  • Notable Pokémon: Nidoking, Nidoqueen
  • Strategy: Synergizes perfectly with Life Orb, ignoring recoil entirely.

Accuracy & Critical Hit Enhancement

• No Guard

  • Effect: All moves bypass accuracy checks
  • Notable Pokémon: Machamp
  • Strategy: Guarantees hits from moves like Dynamic Punch.

• Super Luck

  • Effect: +1 critical hit stage
  • Notable Pokémon: Honchkrow
  • Strategy: Stack with Scope Lens and Night Slash.

• Sniper

  • Effect: Critical hit multiplier increases to 2.25×
  • Notable Pokémon: Kingdra

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Defensive Abilities

Defensive abilities enhance survivability through mitigation, recovery, or stat control.

Damage Mitigation

• Filter / Solid Rock

  • Effect: Reduces super-effective damage by 25%
  • Notable Pokémon: Rhyperior

• Thick Fat

  • Effect: Fire and Ice damage halved
  • Notable Pokémon: Snorlax, Mamoswine

• Multiscale

  • Effect: Damage halved at full HP
  • Notable Pokémon: Dragonite

• Levitate

  • Effect: Immunity to Ground-type attacks
  • Notable Pokémon: Gengar

Recovery & Sustain

• Regenerator

  • Effect: Recover ⅓ HP on switch
  • Notable Pokémon: Slowbro, Slowking

• Water Absorb / Volt Absorb / Flash Fire

  • Effect: Type immunity + ¼ HP recovery
  • Notable Pokémon: Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon

• Poison Heal

  • Effect: Poison heals instead of damages
  • Notable Pokémon: Gliscor

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Speed Control

Speed control determines turn order and tempo.

Priority & Speed Boosting

• Prankster

  • Status moves gain +1 priority
  • Notable Pokémon: Murkrow

• Speed Boost

  • Speed rises every turn
  • Notable Pokémon: Yanmega

• Quick Feet

  • Speed boosted while statused
  • Notable Pokémon: Ursaring

• Unburden

  • Speed doubles after item use
  • Notable Pokémon: Hitmonlee

Trick Room

• Slow Pokémon dominate under Trick Room
• Standouts: Snorlax, Marowak

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Weather & Terrain

Weather abilities define entire team archetypes.

Weather Setters

• Drought – Ninetales
• Drizzle – Politoed
• Sand Stream – Tyranitar

Weather Abusers

• Swift Swim – Kingdra
• Chlorophyll – Victreebel
• Sand Rush – Sandslash

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Utility & Support

Abilities that enable control, disruption, or resource generation.

• Magic Bounce – Reflects hazards and status Pokémon: Espeon

• Sticky Hold – Prevents item loss Pokémon: Muk

• Synchronize – Reflects status Pokémon: Umbreon

• Natural Cure – Clears status on switch Pokémon: Blissey

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Ability Synergies

Weather Cores

• Rain Core: Politoed + Kingdra + Forretress

• Sand Core: Tyranitar + Sandslash + Gliscor

Defensive Cores

• Regenerator Core: Slowbro + Slowking

• Intimidate Cycling: Arcanine + Gyarados

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Hidden Abilities

Hidden Abilities provide alternate, often meta-defining options.

Acquisition

• Wild Pokémon: 5% chance
• Hidden Grottoes: Guaranteed
• Odd Egg: Always Hidden Ability
• Wonder Trade: 33% chance
• Ability Patch: Direct conversion

Breeding

• Base inheritance: 60%
• With Ability Capsule/Patch: up to 81% max probability

Competitive Highlights

• Ninetales – Drought
• Politoed – Drizzle
• Gliscor – Poison Heal

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Related Guides

• What Makes Pokémon Polished Crystal Different From Vanilla Crystal?
• Beginner’s Guide to Pokémon Polished Crystal
• Version History & Design Philosophy