Perish Body

Perish Body creates a high-risk, high-reward scenario whenever its user takes a contact move. When a Pokémon with this ability is struck by any move that makes direct physical contact, both the attacking Pokémon and the ability user become afflicted with a perish count that will cause them to faint after exactly three turns have passed. This countdown cannot be stopped once activated, but both Pokémon can escape their fate by switching out of battle before the timer expires.

The ability functions as a powerful deterrent against physical attackers, particularly those that rely heavily on contact moves like Close Combat, U-turn, or Earthquake. Smart opponents will often think twice before making contact with a Perish Body user, potentially forcing them into less optimal plays or requiring them to sacrifice momentum by switching. However, the ability is completely ineffective against special attackers and non-contact physical moves, creating clear counterplay options.

Cursola stands as the sole possessor of Perish Body, and its Ghost-type synergizes well with the ability's defensive nature. In competitive play, Cursola can leverage Perish Body alongside moves like Stealth Rock and Will-O-Wisp to create an annoying defensive presence. The ability works particularly well in formats where switching is more costly or limited, as it forces difficult decisions on opponents who might otherwise freely attack with physical moves.