Cloud Nine - Ability ID 13

In-Game Description

"Clears weather and prevents its effects."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Cloud Nine clears all weather upon switch-in and nullifies weather effects while user remains on field. Weather can still be set but provides no benefits - no damage boosts, speed changes, or other effects. Works on all weather including primal conditions. Essential for shutting down weather teams.

Character count: 299

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Cloud Nine operates through two distinct mechanisms:

1. On-Entry Weather Removal: When a Pokémon with Cloud Nine enters battle, it executes BattleScript_AnnounceAirLockCloudNine which:

   • Immediately removes any active weather condition
   • Displays appropriate messages about weather being cleared
   • Works on both regular and primal weather conditions

2. Passive Weather Nullification: While on field, Cloud Nine prevents ALL weather effects via the WEATHER_HAS_EFFECT macro:

   #define WEATHER_HAS_EFFECT (!IsAbilityOnField(ABILITY_CLOUD_NINE))

Complete List of Blocked Effects

• Damage Effects: No Sandstorm/Hail chip damage
• Type Modifications:
  • Water moves don't get 50% boost in rain
  • Fire moves don't get 50% reduction in rain
  • Fire moves don't get 50% boost in sun
  • Water moves don't get 50% reduction in sun
• Stat Modifications: Rock-types don't get 50% SpDef boost in sand
• Ability Activations:
  • Swift Swim/Chlorophyll/Sand Rush don't double Speed
  • Rain Dish/Dry Skin/Ice Body don't activate
  • Solar Power/Harvest don't trigger
• Move Changes:
  • Solar Beam/Solar Blade still require charging
  • Thunder/Hurricane don't get accuracy boosts
  • Weather Ball remains Normal-type
  • Morning Sun/Moonlight/Synthesis heal standard amounts

Technical Implementation

• Located in src/abilities.cc
• Uses shared code with Air Lock ability
• AI evaluates with AI_SCORE_REMOVE_WEATHER rating
• The weather itself remains set but is completely ineffective

Interactions with Other Abilities

• Air Lock: Functions identically to Cloud Nine
• Clueless: Prevents weather, terrain, AND room effects
• Weather-setting abilities: Can still activate but provide no benefit
• Primal weather: Cloud Nine clears even primal weather on entry

Strategic Implications

• Anti-Weather Tech: Hard counter to weather-based strategies
• Defensive Utility: Protects team from chip damage and weather boosts
• Speed Control: Negates Swift Swim/Chlorophyll/Sand Rush threats
• Offensive Disruption: Removes opponent's weather-based damage boosts
• Switch Timing: Crucial to time switches for maximum weather denial

Common Users

Pokémon with access to Cloud Nine in Elite Redux include various defensive and support-oriented species that benefit from weather control.

Competitive Usage Notes

• Excellent on balanced teams that don't rely on weather
• Pairs well with setup sweepers who appreciate neutral conditions
• Can enable Fire-types to check Water-types in would-be rain
• Allows Ice-types to survive in would-be sun
• Creates "weather wars" where timing becomes critical

Counters

• Weather setters can reset after Cloud Nine user switches
• Abilities that don't rely on weather (Intimidate, Regenerator, etc.)
• Direct offense to force Cloud Nine user out
• U-turn/Volt Switch to maintain momentum while resetting weather

Synergies

• Stealth Rock setters (capitalize on forced switches)
• Pokémon weak to weather chip damage
• Mixed attackers who want consistent damage calculations
• Stall teams that prefer neutral conditions

Version History

Elite Redux maintains the Gen 5+ implementation where Cloud Nine blocks weather effects rather than just preventing weather from being set (as in Gen 3-4).