Ability: Kleptomania

[Alphajores]

So this is an idea I had for a long time, not so sure bout name. When the opponent get its stats boosted/lowered, the pokemon with this ability will "steal" the stat change.
Lets say that my pokemon has this ability, and the opponent used Swords Dance, my pokemon will now have +2 attack instead of my opponent.
This can be used  both offensively and defensively as a switch in to any predicted setup move and to force a switch out.
This ability's weaknesses will be moves like Overheat and Close Combat, that when used against pokemon with this ability do not only let the user get away without a stat drop, but also weaken the opponent.

What do you think?
feel free to offer better names btw

[TheBlueFiretruck]

Most mons don't run Overheat/CC because of those stat penalties, so I feel its weakness is too small. Simply sending this poke out would completely shut down all set up opportunity from that point on. Also, quick q, would stat stance changes that are already applied to a poke be "stolen" as well when this is sent out? Or would it only be able to steal ones that happen while it's on the field?

[Snaquaza]

Ruthful Clone? Sounds fun otherwise

[Alphajores]

Think of it as like a "stat change magnet" it will only steal stuff that is used while it is in battle, it wont take stat changes that happened before.
I was thinking that this could be a signature ability to one of the new mons or just have very few pokemon have it so it wont nerf setting up

[TheBlueFiretruck]

Yeah I could dig that, depending on how powerful the poke is. Either way nice option to prevent predicted set-up.

[Deleted]

Another possibility for an ability would have the ability be pretty much an automated Psych Up.

[Simbada]

i give this ability 2 and a half thumbs up

it definitely adds a new area of prediction while still being fairly balanced

[zalm]

If I get this right, it's kind of a magic bounce for all stat drops/boosts done by the foe, where it affects you instead? I think this might be reliable as an ability due to the fact that once you switch in on a sd, you'll get it instead. I'll assume he won't use it again. Therefore this ability os a great counter to set-ups. Albeit I do hope it won't be implemented on already powerful pokes, preferably on pokemon who need a boost.

Also, how will this affect on abilities like defiant and speed boost?

[Alphajores]

I see this acting similar to how Lightningrod acts. If an electric type attack is used while a pokemon with lightningrod is in the field, the pokemon with lightningrod will be the target even if it wasnt used on him.
If any stat raise/decrease happens while a pokemon with this ability is in the field, Stat Absorb (Still looking for better name) will activate and the raise/decrease will happen to the pokemon with this ability.
So it will absorb Speed Boost's...umm..speed boost.
As for Defiant, if this ability takes the stat drops before they even happen it means that Defiant wont get a chance to activate.
It will not work on boost's like Unburden.
It will also take the Speed drop from Sticky webs, so using that if you have this ability on your team would be shooting yourself in the leg.
I Can also see this ability used defensively to protect teammates in Doubles from stat decreases but it will also take raises and using a pokemon with intimidate in doubles will result in halving the attack of the pokemon with this ability.

I haven't decided yet about how it will work with substitute so any advising would be welcome

[Snaquaza]

Accepted 1/2

Think of a better name though

[Alphajores]

yuss
How about something like Kleptomania?

[Alphajores]

Im gonna need some help with this can anyone help me find a good name?
so far I've come up with Kleptomania, Psych Rod, Absorption and Assimilator.

[Snaquaza]

Empathetic or Clairsentient?

[Alphajores]

Clairsentient is nice, i like it
Im gonna search for some pokemon that this ability would fit on and also need a boost.
I want it to be an ability that no more than 10 pokemon (NFE and new mons included) would have.

EDIT list so far:
Psyduck
Golduck
Spoink
Grumpig
Watchog 
Misdreavus
Mismagius

[Alphajores]

So is this accepted because I want to move on to my next ability

[Galom]

A passive Snatch ability. A cool idea, but your name does not fit with Snatch's original flavor. Obviously, this ability would likely be a one of a Dark-type.

Name it "Burglar" or something imo.

[Alphajores]

Well i dont really mind if its a psychic or dark approach.
imo we do a poll

[Deleted]

Name Ideas: Empathetic or Sympathetic.

[Alphajores]

Can someone add a poll to decide if it will be a dark approach called Burglar or a psychic approach called Clairsentient

[herndonchad]

One question. Does this pokemon steal stats already in place or just those that are indroduced while it is out? For example, if xern popped a geomancy, could this ability steal it a turn later or would it have to be out on the turn geo was used

[Alphajores]

the ability does not steal stat changes already in place before it was in battle.
If xern used geomancy turn 1 and a pokemon with this ability would switch in on turn 2 then the pokemon that switched in would have the boost. that is because geomancy is a 2-turn move that gives boost on second turn, If the pokemon switched in after the boost was already given then then boost would remain on xern

[herndonchad]

Thank you for clarifying. In order to add a poll you have to select edit your post, then select create a poll

[Deleted]

Alphajores, if you want to create a poll. Edit your post, then right by the title of the thread should be a think saying "Add Poll"

[Alphajores]

Thanks!
for some reason I thought that a mod was needed to add a poll

[Deleted]

Haha nope its super easy to do once you know. I hope the voting isnt too split lmao