Leaf Guard - Ability ID 102

In-Game Description

"Cures own status at the end of every turn in sun."

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (IMPORTANT: exactly 280-300 chars counted WITH spaces)

Leaf Guard cures the Pokémon's status conditions at the end of each turn during sunny weather. Works with regular sun, harsh sunlight from Drought, and extremely harsh sunlight from Desolate Land. Status healing occurs after damage from burn/poison. Pairs well with sun teams.

Character count: 289

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Leaf Guard is a defensive ability that provides automatic status condition recovery during sunny weather conditions. The ability activates at the end of each turn when sun is active.

Activation Conditions

• Weather requirement: Any form of sunny weather must be active
  • Regular sun (from Sunny Day or Drought)
  • Harsh sunlight (from Drought ability)
  • Extremely harsh sunlight (from Desolate Land)
• Timing: Activates at the end of turn, after all other end-of-turn effects
• Status cure: Removes all major status conditions:
  • Burn
  • Freeze
  • Paralysis
  • Poison (including badly poisoned)
  • Sleep

Technical Implementation

// Leaf Guard triggers at end of turn during sun
if (ability == ABILITY_LEAF_GUARD && IsWeatherSunny()) {
    // Cure status conditions
    if (battler->status1 != STATUS1_NONE) {
        battler->status1 = STATUS1_NONE;
        // Trigger status cure message
    }
}

Important Interactions

• Status damage timing: Burn and poison damage still occur before the cure
• Sleep Talk: Can still use Sleep Talk on the turn you wake up
• Rest: Can use Rest and wake up same turn in sun
• Toxic damage: Resets badly poisoned counter when cured
• Ability suppression: Doesn't work if ability is suppressed

Weather Duration

In Elite Redux, weather effects last 8 turns (not 5 like vanilla), making weather-based abilities more valuable.

Strategic Implications

• Sun team synergy: Excellent on sun teams for status immunity
• Status absorber: Can switch into status moves freely in sun
• Rest abuse: Can use Rest for full recovery without sleep drawback
• Anti-stall: Counters toxic stall and burn strategies
• Weather dependent: Vulnerable when sun isn't active

Common Users

• Grass-type Pokémon who benefit from sun
• Pokémon with Chlorophyll as secondary ability
• Sun team supporters and sweepers
• Bulky Grass types that fear status

Competitive Usage Notes

• Pairs excellently with Drought setters
• Provides pseudo-immunity to status in sun
• Allows aggressive Rest usage for longevity
• Less reliable than status immunity abilities due to weather dependency
• Can be paired with Heat Rock for extended sun duration

Counters

• Weather override: Change weather to disable the ability
• Cloud Nine/Air Lock: Negates weather effects
• Ability suppression: Mold Breaker, Neutralizing Gas
• Multi-hit moves: Can break through before status cure
• Entry hazards: Not affected by Leaf Guard

Synergies

• Drought/Sunny Day: Essential for ability activation
• Solar Beam/Solar Blade: No charge in same weather
• Synthesis/Moonlight: Enhanced recovery in sun
• Growth: Doubled stat boost in sun
• Fire-type coverage: Boosted in sun weather

Version History

• Standard ability since Generation IV
• In Elite Redux, benefits from 8-turn weather duration
• Can be an innate ability on certain Grass-type Pokémon