Water Absorb - Ability ID 11

In-Game Description

"Heals 25% of max HP when hit by a Water-type move."

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (280-300 chars max)

This Pokémon absorbs Water-type moves completely, converting them into energy that restores 25% of its maximum HP. Provides complete immunity to Water damage, secondary effects like stat drops, and even Scald's burn chance. Fire-types can safely switch into any Water attack with this.

Character count: 285

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Water Absorb provides Water-type immunity with healing benefit:

1. Complete Absorption

   • Negates all damage from Water-type moves
   • Prevents secondary effects (stat drops, etc.)
   • Works on all Water moves including status moves

2. Healing Mechanism

   • Restores exactly 25% of maximum HP (maxHP / 4)
   • Minimum 1 HP healing if calculation rounds down
   • Still absorbs at full HP (no overflow damage)

Technical Implementation

Code Structure (src/abilities.cc):

constexpr Ability WaterAbsorb = {
    .onAbsorb = +[](ON_ABSORB) -> int {
        CHECK(moveType == TYPE_WATER)
        return ABSORB_RESULT_HEAL;
    },
    .breakable = TRUE,
};

Identical implementation to Volt Absorb but checking for Water-type.

Healing Calculation

For various HP values:

• 404 HP Pokémon: Heals 101 HP per trigger
• 352 HP Pokémon: Heals 88 HP per trigger
• 4 HP Pokémon: Heals 1 HP (minimum)

Strategic Implications

1. Type Advantage Negation

   • Fire-types lose Water weakness
   • Ground/Rock-types become viable Water switch-ins
   • Removes 4x weakness for Fire/Rock, Fire/Ground

2. Defensive Utility

   • Safe switch into Scald (no burn risk)
   • Absorbs Surf/Muddy Water in doubles
   • Negates rain-boosted Water moves

3. Recovery Option

   • 25% healing is significant
   • Can full heal in 4 Water attacks
   • Partner healing in doubles

Interactions with Other Abilities/Mechanics

• Storm Drain: Would redirect but Water Absorb triggers
• Dry Skin: Has Water Absorb effect plus weather interaction
• Mold Breaker: Bypasses Water Absorb
• Freeze-Dry: Ice-type move, not absorbed
• Soak: Changes target to Water-type, not absorbed

Common Water Absorb Users

• Poliwrath: Fighting/Water with absorption
• Toxapex: Poison/Water defensive wall
• Lanturn: Water/Electric with dual absorptions
• Mantine: Water/Flying special wall
• Lapras: Water/Ice bulky support

Double Battle Applications

Surf Spam: Partner uses Surf for healing + damage Water Pledge: Healing while setting up combos Scald Support: Risk-free healing from partner

Competitive Usage Notes

• S-tier on Fire/Ground/Rock types
• Excellent defensive ability
• Enables new defensive cores
• Counters rain teams effectively
• Provides momentum through free switches

Mathematical Analysis

Against common Water moves:

• Hydro Pump (110 BP): 0 damage, heal 25%
• Scald (80 BP): 0 damage, heal 25%, no burn
• Surf in doubles: Damages enemies, heals ally
• Aqua Jet priority: 0 damage, heal 25%

Counters

• Freeze-Dry: Super effective on Water, not absorbed
• Grass moves: Alternative coverage
• Electric moves: Alternative coverage
• Mold Breaker: Ignores ability
• Status moves: Toxic, Thunder Wave work normally

Synergies

• Fire-types: Remove major weakness
• Ground-types: Defensive synergy
• Rain teams: Absorb opposing rain-boosted attacks
• Substitute: Bait Water moves safely
• Wish/Protect: Stack recovery options

Related Abilities

• Volt Absorb: Electric-type equivalent
• Flash Fire: Fire absorption with boost
• Sap Sipper: Grass absorption with Attack boost
• Earth Eater: Ground absorption with healing
• Dry Skin: Includes Water Absorb plus rain healing

Weather Considerations

In rain:

• Absorbs boosted Water moves (1.5x becomes 0x)
• Doesn't boost healing amount
• Excellent rain counter

AI Behavior

The AI recognizes Water Absorb and:

• Avoids Water moves entirely
• May heal allies intentionally in doubles
• Switches to alternative coverage
• Respects the immunity when choosing moves

Version History

• Gen III+: Consistent 25% healing mechanic
• Elite Redux: Identical function with strategic importance