Motor Drive
Gen IVWhenever an Electric-type move hits this Pokémon, its Speed rises one stage, negating any other effect on it. This ability will not take effect if this Pokémon is immune to Electric moves. Electric moves will ignore this Pokémon's Substitute. This effect includes non-damaging moves, i.e. Thunder Wave.
Motor Drive in Battle
Motor Drive grants full immunity to Electric-type moves and boosts the Pokemon's Speed by one stage each time it is hit by one, introduced in Generation IV. This applies to both damaging moves and status moves like Thunder Wave -- the Electric attack is completely negated while the Speed boost stacks with each subsequent hit.
The ability activates through Substitute, meaning even a protected Pokemon will absorb the Electric move and gain the Speed boost. However, Motor Drive will not activate if the Pokemon is already immune to Electric moves through other means (such as being a Ground-type). The ability effectively turns a would-be weakness into fuel for a sweep.
Motor Drive is found on 4 Pokemon, most notably Electivire, for whom it defines a competitive niche. In Double Battles, a common strategy involves intentionally hitting an allied Electivire with Discharge or another Electric move to trigger the Speed boost while dealing spread damage to opponents. This partner synergy makes Motor Drive users valuable pivot options against Electric-heavy teams.
Pokemon With Motor Drive (4)
| # ▲ | Name | Type | Other Abilities | Hidden? | HP | Atk | Def | SpA | SpD | Spe | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #466 |  | Electivire | Vital Spirit (HA) | Regular | 75 | 123 | 67 | 95 | 85 | 95 | 540 | |
| #522 |  | Blitzle | Regular | 45 | 60 | 32 | 50 | 32 | 76 | 295 | ||
| #523 |  | Zebstrika | Regular | 75 | 100 | 63 | 80 | 63 | 116 | 497 | ||
| #587 |  | Emolga | HA | 55 | 75 | 60 | 75 | 60 | 103 | 428 |