Sap Sipper - Ability ID 157

In-Game Description

"Redirects Grass moves. Absorbs them, ups highest Atk."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Sap Sipper provides immunity to Grass-type moves and boosts the highest attacking stat by one stage when hit. Also redirects single-target Grass moves in doubles. The boost applies to Attack or Special Attack, whichever is higher. Great defensive utility with offensive potential.

Character count: 280

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Sap Sipper is a dual-purpose ability that provides both defensive immunity and offensive enhancement when facing Grass-type moves. When a Pokémon with Sap Sipper is targeted by a Grass-type move:

1. Move Absorption: The Grass-type move is completely negated - it deals no damage and has no effect
2. Stat Boost: The Pokémon's highest attacking stat (Attack or Special Attack) is raised by one stage (+50% increase)
3. Move Redirection: In double battles, single-target Grass moves are redirected to the Sap Sipper Pokémon

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability SapSipper = {
    .onAbsorb = +[](ON_ABSORB) -> int {
        CHECK(moveType == TYPE_GRASS);
        *statId = GetHighestAttackingStatId(battler, TRUE);
        return ABSORB_RESULT_STAT;
    },
    .redirectType = TYPE_GRASS,
    .breakable = TRUE,
};

Affected Moves

All Grass-type moves are absorbed by Sap Sipper, including but not limited to:

• Physical: Seed Bomb, Wood Hammer, Power Whip, Bullet Seed, U-turn (if Grass-type)
• Special: Solar Beam, Energy Ball, Giga Drain, Leaf Storm, Grass Knot
• Status: Leech Seed, Spore, Sleep Powder, Stun Spore, Grass Whistle

Activation Conditions

• Must be hit by a Grass-type move (direct or indirect)
• Works on both damaging and non-damaging Grass moves
• Triggers even if the move would normally have no effect (e.g., Spore on already sleeping Pokémon)
• Does not activate on self-inflicted Grass moves

Stat Boost Logic

The ability uses GetHighestAttackingStatId(battler, TRUE) to determine which stat to boost:

• Compares current Attack vs Special Attack stats (including modifiers)
• Boosts whichever stat is higher
• If stats are equal, typically defaults to Attack
• The boost is +1 stage (50% increase from base)

Interactions with Other Abilities/Mechanics

• Mold Breaker: Can bypass Sap Sipper's immunity and redirection
• Telepathy: Does not prevent Sap Sipper from absorbing ally Grass moves in doubles
• Magic Guard: Sap Sipper's immunity takes precedence over Magic Guard
• Substitute: Sap Sipper works even if the Pokémon is behind a substitute
• Wonder Guard: Sap Sipper immunity overrides Wonder Guard's type effectiveness rules

Strategic Applications

Defensive Utility:

• Complete immunity to Grass-type moves makes it excellent against Grass-type threats
• Particularly valuable against status moves like Spore and Sleep Powder
• Can safely switch into predicted Grass moves for momentum

Offensive Potential:

• Each Grass move absorbed provides a free Attack or Special Attack boost
• Can turn opponent's Grass moves into setup opportunities
• Especially potent in formats with common Grass-type moves

Double Battle Tactics:

• Redirects single-target Grass moves away from teammates
• Can protect frail partners from Grass-type attacks
• Synergizes well with Grass-weak teammates like Water/Ground types

Example Damage Calculations

Before Sap Sipper activation:

• Azumarill with 50 base Attack: 150 Attack stat at level 50
• After +1 boost: 225 Attack stat (50% increase)

Practical impact:

• Aqua Jet damage: 40 BP × 225 Attack = significantly higher damage output
• Belly Drum becomes even more threatening with the extra boost

Common Users

Notable Pokémon with Sap Sipper include:

• Azumarill: Synergizes with Huge Power for massive physical offense
• Bouffalant: Becomes an even more dangerous physical attacker
• Mamoswine: Covers its Grass weakness while boosting Attack
• Sawsbuck: Provides offensive momentum while maintaining Grass immunity

Competitive Usage Notes

Tier Assessment: Highly valuable in formats with common Grass-type moves Usage Rate: Moderate to high on Pokémon that can effectively use both attacking stats Niche Applications:

• Grass-type immunity in Grass-heavy metas
• Setup sweeper enabler after absorbing Grass moves
• Support role in doubles for move redirection

Counters and Limitations

Counters:

• Mold Breaker abilities bypass the immunity
• Multi-hit moves can still trigger other abilities on subsequent hits
• Non-Grass type moves are unaffected

Limitations:

• Only works against Grass-type moves
• Stat boost may not always be useful if the Pokémon uses the non-boosted attacking stat
• Redirection only works on single-target moves in doubles

Synergies

Excellent Synergy:

• Huge Power/Pure Power: Doubles the Attack boost from Sap Sipper
• Choice items: Turns Grass immunity into setup opportunities
• Life Orb: Increased damage output without recoil on absorbed moves

Team Synergy:

• Partners weak to Grass moves (Water/Ground/Rock types)
• Teams lacking reliable Grass-type answers
• Hyper offensive teams that benefit from stat boosts

Version History

• Originally introduced in Generation V
• Elite Redux implementation maintains core functionality
• Enhanced with the extended ability system for detailed in-game descriptions
• Redirects both damaging and non-damaging Grass moves in doubles