Mechanics - Abilities (Again)

[iforgetwhyimhere :D]

What type of bug are you reporting? Mechanics

What is the bug?
Follow-up on Ability Error:

Done Thread 'Bug Report - Unsure'

Aug 18, 2025

What type of bug are you reporting? Unsure

What is the bug?
When using Abilities that cause stat stage changes, error logs appear in the battle chat:
Example:
> TypeError: Cannot read properties of null (reading 'rememberAbility')
> at Battle.runMinor (https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/js/battle.js?0.09756734343997464:2404:11)

This does not stop the stats form increasing/decreasing, but does prevent the name of the ability from appearing.
Example: Landorus with Intimidate switching in:

UTEC2024 sent out Landorus (Landorus-Therian)!
TypeError: Cannot read properties of...

• iforgetwhyimhere :D
• Replies: 2
• Forum: PS! Bug Reports Archive

Issue appears to be with Wandering Spirit's interactions with other abilities (excluding abilities not affected such as Wonder Guard)

Replay:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9nationaldex-2424698651

Testing:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9customgame-2424710609-sb7dk73n0tc29rqacee5c1o7b2ode8rpw

Karthik you fixed the last one, perhaps you know what's causing this as well?

Are you able to replicate it? If so, how?
Yes, by simply triggering the effects of Wandering Spirit.

 

[Hydrametr0nice]

Karthik Also, remember the Trace PR where you added if (!sourceEffect && this.battle.effect) sourceEffect = this.battle.effect; inside pokemon#setAbility? Now Wandering Spirit sends 3 messages instead of 1. Is that intended? And I think we're revealing the ally's ability.

This was the commit https://github.com/smogon/pokemon-s...mits/022b995fd7fbcbf4ccf1bcfdf3d360606d7925b5

 

[Karthik]

I don't know for sure yet, but I think the issue is that Wandering Spirit needs to be implemented more like Skill Swap (and therefore not use setAbility). I will double check this later.

 

[iforgetwhyimhere :D]

Entrainment and Doodle appear to have the same issue

Entrainment: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9metronomebattle-2426074359

Doodle: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9challengecup1v1-2425942887-y0vs078flj54f9utqq9gew0n3wxxsf2pw

 

[iforgetwhyimhere :D]

Same with some more ability-rewriting moves.

Worry Seed:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9freeforall-2428526722
(Turn 34)

 

[Hydrametr0nice]

Those are client-side problems and they're all the same issue, you don't need to keep reporting them. Wandering Spirit has a different, server-side, bug and needs to be implemented like Skill Swap.

I'll fix the Wandering Spirit bug tomorrow and Karthik can have fun with the client issues :)) He is working on a refactor for setting abilities, so let's wait.

 

[ArbitraryEnding]

What type of bug are you reporting? Mechanics

What is the bug?
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9natdexdraft-2476442305-sr0c811ln0pagscq2p0t17bxgsog97kpw

Turn 5: ability messages going haywire after tapu koko w/ e-surge uturns on a runerigus w/ wandering spirit

Tapu Koko used U-turn!
It's not very effective...
(The opposing Runerigus lost 6% of its health!)
[Tapu Koko's Electric Surge]
[Tapu Koko's Wandering Spirit]
Tapu Koko acquired Wandering Spirit!
[The opposing Runerigus's Wandering Spirit]
[The opposing Runerigus's Electric Surge]
[Tapu Koko's Wandering Spirit]
The opposing Runerigus swapped Abilities with its target!
[The opposing Runerigus's Wandering Spirit]
[The opposing Runerigus's Electric Surge]
The opposing Runerigus acquired Electric Surge!

Are you able to replicate it? If so, how?
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9nationaldex-2476692475

 

[iforgetwhyimhere :D]

Karthik this was supposed to be patched out, right?

 

[Hydrametr0nice]

Related to (I don't know how to move posts to other threads)

Thread 'Mechanics - Abilities (Again)'

Aug 19, 2025

What type of bug are you reporting? Mechanics

What is the bug?
Follow-up on Ability Error:


Issue appears to be with Wandering Spirit's interactions with other abilities (excluding abilities not affected such as Wonder Guard)

Replay:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9nationaldex-2424698651

Testing:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9customgame-2424710609-sb7dk73n0tc29rqacee5c1o7b2ode8rpw

Karthik you fixed the last one, perhaps you know what's causing this as well?

Are...

• iforgetwhyimhere :D
• Replies: 10
• Forum: PS! Bug Reports

 

[HoeenHero]

Related to (I don't know how to move posts to other threads)

Thread 'Mechanics - Abilities (Again)'

Aug 19, 2025

What type of bug are you reporting? Mechanics

What is the bug?
Follow-up on Ability Error:


Issue appears to be with Wandering Spirit's interactions with other abilities (excluding abilities not affected such as Wonder Guard)

Replay:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9nationaldex-2424698651

Testing:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9customgame-2424710609-sb7dk73n0tc29rqacee5c1o7b2ode8rpw

Karthik you fixed the last one, perhaps you know what's causing this as well?

Are...

• iforgetwhyimhere :D
• Replies: 10
• Forum: PS! Bug Reports

Handled

 

[Hydrametr0nice]

https://github.com/smogon/pokemon-showdown/pull/11563 by Karthik