Misty Surge - Ability ID 228

In-Game Description

"Casts Misty Terrain on entry. Lasts 8 turns."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Misty Surge automatically sets Misty Terrain when the Pokémon enters battle, lasting 8 turns. Misty Terrain prevents all status conditions for grounded Pokémon and boosts Fairy-type moves by 30%. Also activates Misty Seeds to boost Special Defense and powers up certain terrain-based moves.

Character count: 295

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Misty Surge is an automatic terrain-setting ability that activates when the Pokémon enters battle.

Core Mechanics

• Activation: Triggers immediately upon switching in or at the start of battle
• Duration: Sets Misty Terrain for exactly 8 turns (reduced from infinite in some games)
• Priority: Activates before most other entry abilities
• Overrides: Replaces any existing terrain when activated

Misty Terrain Effects

1. Status Immunity: Grounded Pokémon are completely immune to all major status conditions (Sleep, Poison, Burn, Paralysis, Freeze/Frostbite, Bleed)
2. Fairy-type Move Boost: Fairy-type moves used by grounded Pokémon receive a 30% power increase
3. Item Activation: Automatically activates Misty Seeds held by grounded Pokémon, boosting Special Defense by 1 stage
4. Move Interactions:
   • Misty Explosion receives 1.5x power when used in Misty Terrain
   • Moves with terrain-boosting effects get enhanced power (30% boost for certain moves)

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability MistySurge = {
    .onEntry = +[](ON_ENTRY) -> int {
        CHECK(TryChangeBattleTerrain(battler, STATUS_FIELD_MISTY_TERRAIN, &gFieldTimers.terrainTimer))
        
        gBattleCommunication[MULTISTRING_CHOOSER] = B_MSG_TERRAINBECOMESMISTY;
        BattleScriptPushCursorAndCallback(BattleScript_SurgeActivates);
        return TRUE;
    },
    .allowTerrainIfAirborne = TERRAIN_MISTY,
};

Affected Moves

Boosted by Misty Terrain:

• All Fairy-type moves (30% power increase for grounded users)
• Misty Explosion (50% power increase)
• Nature Power (becomes Moonblast)
• Terrain-specific moves with EFFECT_MISTY_TERRAIN_BOOST

Interactions with Other Abilities/Mechanics

• Overrides: Electric Surge, Grassy Surge, Psychic Surge, Toxic Surge
• Terrain Extenders: Terrain Extender item extends duration from 8 to 12 turns
• Airborne Pokémon: Flying-types and Levitate users are unaffected by terrain benefits but still affected by Fairy-type boost if grounded by moves like Smack Down
• Infiltrator: Does not bypass terrain effects (terrain affects the field, not sides)

Strategic Implications

• Defensive Utility: Provides team-wide status protection, making it excellent for stall teams
• Fairy-type Support: Essential for Fairy-type sweepers and teams
• Priority Control: Sets terrain immediately, potentially disrupting opponent's terrain-based strategies
• Utility Support: Activates beneficial seeds and terrain-based item effects

Common Users

In Elite Redux, Misty Surge is typically found on:

• Tapu Fini (primary user)
• Other Fairy-type legendaries or specially designed Pokémon
• Custom Elite Redux Pokémon designed for terrain support

Competitive Usage Notes

• Team Building: Often paired with Fairy-type attackers and defensive Pokémon vulnerable to status
• Lead Position: Commonly used as a lead to establish terrain control early
• Switching Strategy: Can be brought in mid-battle to reset terrain and provide status immunity
• Terrain Wars: Priority in terrain setting often determines matchup outcomes

Counters

• Terrain Override: Other Surge abilities, Terrain moves, or abilities that change terrain
• Airborne Moves: Magnet Rise, Telekinesis make Pokémon immune to terrain effects
• Utility: Pokémon with Natural Cure or other status-clearing abilities reduce the defensive value

Synergies

• Fairy-type Attackers: Pixilate, Sylveon, Gardevoir benefit from terrain boost
• Status-Vulnerable Pokémon: Physical attackers weak to burn, fast Pokémon weak to paralysis
• Seed Users: Pokémon holding Misty Seeds get immediate Special Defense boost
• Defensive Cores: Pairs well with other defensive abilities and moves

Version History

• Originally introduced in Generation 7 as Tapu Fini's signature ability
• Elite Redux: Maintains 8-turn duration and standard effects
• No significant changes from original implementation in Elite Redux

Numerical Values

• Terrain Duration: 8 turns (12 with Terrain Extender)
• Fairy Move Boost: 30% power increase (1.3x multiplier)
• Status Immunity: 100% for all major status conditions
• Seed Boost: +1 Special Defense stage when activated