Whiteout - Ability ID 269

In-Game Description

"Ups highest attacking stat by 1.5x in hail."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Whiteout boosts the Pokémon's highest attacking stat by 50% during hail weather. The boost applies to either Attack or Special Attack, whichever is higher. Also grants immunity to hail damage. Ideal for mixed attackers in hail teams.

Character count: 284

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Functionality

Whiteout is a weather-dependent ability that provides both offensive enhancement and defensive protection during hail conditions.

Stat Boost Mechanics

• Boost Amount: 1.5x multiplier (50% increase) to the highest attacking stat
• Stat Selection: Uses GetHighestAttackingStatId() function to determine between Attack (STAT_ATK) and Special Attack (STAT_SPATK)
• Stat Calculation: Includes stat stage modifications when determining the highest stat
• Application: The boost is applied during stat calculation, affecting the final damage output

Weather Requirements

• Hail Types: Works with all forms of hail weather
  • WEATHER_HAIL_TEMPORARY: Standard hail (5 turns, 8 with Icy Rock)
  • WEATHER_HAIL_PERMANENT: Permanent hail from abilities like Snow Warning
• Weather Check: Uses IsBattlerWeatherAffected() to verify the Pokémon is affected by hail

Additional Effects

• Hail Immunity: The ability includes hailImmune = TRUE, preventing hail damage
• Stat Stage Interaction: The ability considers current stat boosts/reductions when determining which attacking stat is higher

Implementation Details

constexpr Ability Whiteout = {
    .onStat = +[](ON_STAT) {
        if (statId != GetHighestAttackingStatId(battler, TRUE)) return;
        if (IsBattlerWeatherAffected(battler, WEATHER_HAIL_ANY)) *stat *= 1.5;
    },
    .hailImmune = TRUE,
};

Strategic Applications

• Mixed Attackers: Particularly valuable on Pokémon with balanced Attack and Special Attack stats
• Hail Teams: Synergizes with Snow Warning setters and other hail-based abilities
• Stat Flexibility: Automatically adapts to stat changes from items, abilities, or moves during battle
• Weather Counter: Can be used defensively against opposing weather teams while maintaining offensive presence

Similar Abilities

• Sand Force: Same mechanic but for sandstorm weather
• Solar Power: Weather-based Special Attack boost with different trade-offs
• Chlorophyll/Swift Swim: Weather-based Speed boosts following similar patterns

Ability Code Location

• Definition: /src/abilities.cc line ~2685
• Function: Uses shared GetHighestAttackingStatId() from /src/battle_util.c
• Weather Constants: Defined in /include/constants/battle.h