See the above post for important information regarding this stage of the Process.
So, a lot of you will recall the list of abilities that I put in Concept Assessment – I am not going to re-post it here, because I do not necessarily agree with it any longer – but in any case, if you wish to look at it, it gives us an admirable starting point, and gives us an idea of what we are shooting for. What we are looking for here is an ability which simultaneously provides both a Risk and a Reward for its use – that is not to say, of course, that all abilities that fit this criterion will be entirely suitable, but it gives us a good idea to start with. For example, an ability such as Solar Power provides a boost to offensive ability at the expense of HP, and thus overall durability – hence there is a perpetual Risk to its use alongside the Reward.
On the other hand, such borderline abilities, such as Analytic, are not entirely what I am looking for. I fully appreciate that in order for one to take advantage of the ability itself, one must put oneself in Risky situations (such as taking advantage of a switch, or going up against faster opposition) – but in this case, specifically, the Risk is almost entirely concentrated on the fact that you used a slow Pokemon, rather than anything inherent to Analytic. The Risk would remain even if you had something like Pure Power or Wonder Guard. As such, they are not entirely what I am looking for, at least for the primary ability.
On the other hand, there are other borderline cases, such as Flare Boost and Guts – these are abilities which are Risky when applied to certain strategies, such as Toxic Orb abuse + Façade, but merely serve to decrease the effect of a potential setback in any other case, in the same way that Shed Skin or Solid Rock would, albeit in a very roundabout way. As such, I do not favour these abilities either, though you are perfectly free to argue this point if you feel that they can suit our concept better than I currently believe possible.
Well, anyway. Feel free to start discussing abilities and what not. I'm sure you all have good ideas to propose, but try not to poll-jump and for God's sake don't stir up any petty arguments.
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BMB's obligatory Topic Leader footnote gimmick - My Top 15 Arthropods
#10 The Death's Head Hawk Moth
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Originally Posted by Fat Fascinating Fact
Ah, the Death's Head Hawk Moth, so named for the marvellous skull pattern on their thoraces. I'm not fond of moths as a rule, but this one is the general exception. Aside from its questionable aesthetic taste and a bizarre habit of squeaking loudly when annoyed, its most interesting feature is its ability to attack beehives, one of nature's strongest fortresses. As a nocturnal creature, it attacks when bees are less active, and is difficult to sting to death thanks to a thick cuticle and an adaptation that gives it resistance to bee venom; in addition, once inside the hive, it can mimic the bees' scent, allowing it to grab the honey it came for, and leave, virtually without detection.
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