What it does
Justified raises the holder's Attack by +1 stage every time it's hit by a Dark-type move. It stacks — two hits means +2, three hits means +3, up to the +6 cap. There's no immunity, no damage absorption. The holder takes the hit and gets the boost.
What counts as a Dark-type move hit: direct Dark attacks like Knock Off, Crunch, Sucker Punch, Dark Pulse, and others. In doubles, spread Dark-type moves that hit the Justified holder also trigger the boost — this opens the door to intentionally positioning a Justified holder in the range of a teammate's Dark-type spread move for a free Attack boost while the teammate attacks the opposing side.
Who runs it
Absol: 4% usage — the most common Justified carrier here. 130 base Attack; Justified turns Dark-type hits into Attack boosts that stack on top of that already-high base. Mega Evolution via Mega Evolution replaces the ability, so base form Absol is the Justified version.
Arcanine: 3% usage. 95 Speed, 110 Attack. Intimidate and Flash Fire are more common ability picks; Justified is a niche alternative when the team needs a counter to Dark-type pressure.
Lucario: 3% usage. 110 Attack, 115 Sp. Atk. Justified stacks well on a high-Attack Pokémon. Mega Evolution replaces it — same trade-off as Absol.
Gallade: 1% usage. Psychic/Fighting at 125 Attack. Justified activates, then Close Combat or Leaf Blade follows at boosted power. Limited Champions presence.
How to use it
Anticipate the Dark-type move: the main pattern is switching in Justified when you read a Dark-type move incoming — a Knock Off, a Crunch, a Sucker Punch. The hit comes in, Attack rises, you hit back harder. Each subsequent Dark-type hit keeps stacking.
Doubles spread synergy: if your teammate runs a Dark-type spread move, the Justified holder can intentionally stand in range. Teammate attacks the opposing side, Justified holder gets a free +1 Attack on the same turn. This requires advance planning in moveset construction.
Tips & strategy
Dark-type moves are common: Knock Off appears on a wide range of Pokémon. Crunch is a staple coverage move. Justified gets triggered more consistently than abilities that need specific team archetypes to activate.
Mega Evolution drops the ability: Absol Mega and Lucario Mega both swap out Justified. Base form or Mega — pick one. You can't have both.
No damage reduction on the hit: Justified doesn't absorb or reduce the damage from the Dark-type move. The holder takes full damage and gets the boost. Don't treat it as a defensive tool against Dark-type pressure — it's an offensive payoff from taking that pressure.
Comparing to similar abilities: Rattled gives +1 Speed from Dark, Ghost, or Bug hits. Defiant gives +2 Attack when any stat is lowered by the opponent. Justified is narrower in trigger range but gives reliable Attack stacking in Dark-heavy matchups.