Sand Spit - Ability ID 245

In-Game Description

"If hit, summons a sandstorm that lasts 8 turns."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Sand Spit activates when the Pokémon takes damage from any attack. Upon activation, it summons an 8-turn sandstorm that deals 1/16 max HP damage each turn to non-Ground, Rock, and Steel types. The user gains immunity to sandstorm damage and benefits from all sandstorm-based abilities.

Character count: 289

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Activation Conditions

• Trigger: When the Pokémon with Sand Spit takes damage from any direct attack
• Fails if: Sandstorm is already active, or primal weather (Desolate Land, Primordial Sea, Delta Stream) is active
• Works through: Substitutes, focus sash activations, and even if the Pokémon faints from the triggering hit

Weather Effects Created

1. Sandstorm Weather: Creates standard 8-turn sandstorm weather
2. Duration: 8 turns (can be extended with Smooth Rock)
3. Damage: 1/16 max HP per turn to all Pokémon not immune
4. Type Immunity: Ground, Rock, and Steel types take no sandstorm damage
5. Ability Immunity: Pokémon with Sand Veil, Sand Rush, Sand Force, Magic Guard, Overcoat, and other sand-immune abilities take no damage

Interactions

• Primal Weather: Cannot override Desolate Land, Primordial Sea, or Delta Stream
• Other Weather: Will override rain, sun, hail, and fog
• Multiple Activations: If sandstorm ends and the Pokémon is hit again, Sand Spit can activate again
• Utility Umbrella: Does not block sandstorm effects (only blocks sun/rain)

Sand Spit User Benefits

• Sand Immunity: The user takes no damage from sandstorm weather (sandImmune = TRUE)
• Synergy: Works perfectly with other sand-based abilities like Sand Veil (accuracy reduction), Sand Rush (speed boost), Sand Force (attack boost)

Strategic Uses

1. Defensive Setup: Provides automatic weather control when taking hits
2. Chip Damage: Forces 1/16 HP damage on opponents each turn
3. Sand Team Support: Enables sand-based strategies without needing Sand Stream
4. Weather Control: Overwrites opponent's beneficial weather

AI Behavior

• AI rates Sand Spit positively when evaluating taking damage (AI_SCORE_SANDSTORM)
• AI considers the defensive value of setting up sandstorm when making damage calculations

Code Implementation

• File: src/abilities.cc
• Trigger: onDefender callback when taking damage
• Checks: Uses ShouldApplyOnHitAffect() to verify activation conditions
• Weather Setting: Uses TryChangeBattleWeather(battler, ENUM_WEATHER_SANDSTORM, TRUE)
• Properties: sandImmune = TRUE grants immunity to sandstorm damage