M&F
tikitok
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Well, if you wouldn't mind some some comments, second opinions, and one incidental (non-)approval...
Speaking of...
You could get away with dropping Static in favor of Volt Absorb instead, which was also suggested and is more of a balanced trade (arguably a steal, even). If you still want Lightning Rod, you could have it minus the part where it always draws Electric-type moves used in the battle towards Shocktail, or you could have it minus the immunity to the damage and/or effects from the Electric-type moves drawn in (this isn't by any means an exhaustive list of ways to balance off the Lightning Rod, though, so you can try something else if none of those are what you want).
I don't have a problem with the aforementioned approvals, but personally I'm not so sure about this principle. I wouldn't consider a signature attribute slot to be so interchangeable with a held item slot (and that's in so far as a held item slot actually tends to be used for a higher net positive bonus, but balanced off by the fact that everyone can hold an item and everyone has access to the same pool of items).I think the general consensus behind these types of attributes is that they can be achieved with a held item anyway, so this is basically using up an attribute slot in place of an item slot for the same effect.
Actually, I'm pretty sure the omission implies that it doesn't take up an item slot. It's just that using Thief and the like to steal/remove something other than a held item is a perfectly valid move in ASB, so Sangfroidish is specifically barring that, for understandable mechanical reasons. It's... a bit on the iffy side, but not enough to oppose an approval, as far as I figured; still, if you would consider it a problem for the hat not to take up an item slot, well, there it is.Logan - I feel like I'm nitpicking the ever loving hell out of this one, but I just realised you never specified if the hat actually takes up an item slot. I'm presuming it does, but you might want to clarify that. Otherwise, approved 2/2.
A lot of signature attributes deal in ability changing; generally, regardless of whether a given ability happens to be the species' HA, approval will hinge much more on the strength of the ability and whether gaining it via signature attribute warrants drawbacks.So, as I said earlier, I don't think there's as much of an issue with abilities that can be gained by items anyway, but I guess gaining hidden abilities is a bit trickier. I suppose unless the hidden ability is extremely good it shouldn't be too much of an issue, but I realise it could make hidden ability Pokémon a bit less special, so to speak, since they're already so hard to obtain. So, if anyone wants to go ahead and give a second opinion on this, feel free.
Speaking of...
I'm loathe to go back on what a fellow approver has said, but, there's a significant difference between Lightning Rod and a straightforward immunity to Electric-type attacks (specifically, in that it draws Electric-type attacks towards the Pokémon with the ability -- very useful in non-single battle formats!). It's arguably a bit of a trade-up from Static, so, even while dropping it, you'd need an additional drawback, specially at base stage (although it wouldn't have to be all that much of a drawback).
Name: Shocktail the Pichu
Ability: Static*
Signature Attribute
Name: Rewired
Effects: Static is replaced by Lightning Rod.
Description: When struck by an electric attack, the electricity immediately runs through Shocktail's body and contributes to his own, increasing the power of his attacks.
Flavour: All Pichu, Pikachu and Raichu are born with the innate ability to store electricity in their cheeks (though Pichus need to learn this skill and have difficulty with it due to their youth). Most then typically discharge from these storage pouches, both in self-defense and to stop themselves from becoming 'overcharged' and hurting themselves. Most.
Shocktail's body is somewhat altered; while the electricity is still stored in his cheeks, he can't discharge directly from them. Instead the electricity runs through his body, discharging through his tail. This odd ability saved Shocktail from being electric-disabled and also allows him to absorb incoming electrical attacks, turning them on his foes.
You could get away with dropping Static in favor of Volt Absorb instead, which was also suggested and is more of a balanced trade (arguably a steal, even). If you still want Lightning Rod, you could have it minus the part where it always draws Electric-type moves used in the battle towards Shocktail, or you could have it minus the immunity to the damage and/or effects from the Electric-type moves drawn in (this isn't by any means an exhaustive list of ways to balance off the Lightning Rod, though, so you can try something else if none of those are what you want).