Does lightning rod activate on ground types in a single battle?

Question

If I had a Rhyperior with lightning rod and I got hit an electric attack, would my special attack be raised or does the electric immunity from the ground typing activate first and not give me the special attack raise?

Answer 1

Immunity activates first, then ability.

The only way for Rhyperior to get the absolutely useless special attack boost is for it to hold a Ring Target.

Bulba - Lightning Rod

Comments

Just wondering

Only thing I can think of that the special attack would be GOOD for is surf but he can get Aqua tail as a transfer move anyway... But I didn't have much of an example because their are no special attacking ground types with lightning rod.

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Game freak did not think that through. Honestly, lightningrod on a ground type? Only good for drawing fire.

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Nope, in Doubles it has uses. It redirects all Electric attacks onto Rhyperior, effectively saving a teammate damage. It's pretty viable.

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Really? I could've sworn that I used that same Pokémon, and its Lightning Rod ability activated first…