Poison Absorb

Ability ID: 344
Type: Absorption/Healing
Breakable: Yes

Overview

Poison Absorb is a defensive ability that turns Poison-type moves into a healing opportunity. When the user would be hit by a Poison-type move, they instead take no damage and recover 25% of their maximum HP. This ability also provides passive healing benefits on Toxic Terrain.

Mechanics

Primary Effect: Poison-Type Move Absorption

• Trigger: When targeted by any Poison-type move
• Effect: Complete immunity to the move + healing for 25% of max HP
• Healing Amount: gBattleMoveDamage = gBattleMons[battler].maxHP / 4
• Minimum Healing: 1 HP (if calculation results in 0)

Secondary Effect: Toxic Terrain Healing

• Trigger: End of turn while on Toxic Terrain
• Effect: Heals 12.5% of max HP per turn
• Healing Amount: gBattleMoveDamage = gBattleMons[battler].maxHP / 8
• Conditions:
  • Not at full HP
  • Can heal (not blocked by Heal Block, etc.)
  • Not the first turn after switching in
  • Standing on Toxic Terrain

Redirection in Double Battles

• Effect: Redirects Poison-type moves to this Pokémon
• Type: TYPE_POISON
• Note: Similar to Lightning Rod but for Poison-type moves

Code Implementation

Location: /Users/joel/Github/eliteredux/eliteredux-source/src/abilities.cc (Lines 3631-3650)

constexpr Ability PoisonAbsorb = {
    .onAbsorb = +[](ON_ABSORB) -> int {
        CHECK(moveType == TYPE_POISON)
        return ABSORB_RESULT_HEAL;
    },
    .onEndTurn = +[](ON_END_TURN) -> int {
        CHECK_NOT(BATTLER_MAX_HP(battler))
        CHECK(CanBattlerHeal(battler))
        CHECK(gVolatileStructs[battler].isFirstTurn != 2)
        CHECK(IsBattlerTerrainAffected(battler, STATUS_FIELD_TOXIC_TERRAIN))

        gBattleMoveDamage = gBattleMons[battler].maxHP / 8;
        if (gBattleMoveDamage == 0) gBattleMoveDamage = 1;
        gBattleMoveDamage *= -1;
        BattleScriptPushCursorAndCallback(BattleScript_RainDishActivates);
        return TRUE;
    },
    .redirectType = TYPE_POISON,
    .breakable = TRUE,
};

Healing Logic

The healing is processed in src/battle_util.c where ABSORB_RESULT_HEAL triggers:

if (effect & ABSORB_RESULT_HEAL && !BATTLER_MAX_HP(battler) && CanBattlerHeal(battler)) {
    gBattleMoveDamage = gBattleMons[battler].maxHP / 4;  // 25% healing
    if (gBattleMoveDamage == 0) gBattleMoveDamage = 1;
    gBattleMoveDamage *= -1;  // Negative damage = healing
    BattleScriptCall(BattleScript_MoveHPDrain);
}

Strategic Applications

Offensive Strategy

• Move Redirection: In double battles, forces opponent's Poison-type moves to target this Pokémon
• Toxic Terrain Synergy: Pairs well with Toxic Terrain setters for passive healing
• Switch-In Opportunities: Can safely switch into predicted Poison-type moves

Defensive Strategy

• Healing Tank: Provides substantial healing (25% per absorbed move)
• Status Move Immunity: Immune to Poison-type status moves like Toxic, Poison Powder
• Terrain Control: Benefits from friendly Toxic Terrain setup

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

• Reliable Healing: 25% HP recovery is significant
• Type Immunity: Complete immunity to an entire type
• Terrain Synergy: Additional healing source on Toxic Terrain
• Doubles Utility: Move redirection can protect partners

Weaknesses

• Mold Breaker: Can be bypassed by Mold Breaker and similar abilities
• Limited Scope: Only works against one specific type
• Heal Block: Healing can be prevented by Heal Block
• Breakable: Can be suppressed by abilities like Gastro Acid

Counters

• Mold Breaker family: Bypasses the absorption entirely
• Heal Block: Prevents the healing component
• Non-Poison attackers: Ability provides no benefit against other types
• Gastro Acid: Suppresses the ability entirely

Pokémon with Poison Absorb

Based on the codebase analysis, Poison Absorb appears on various Pokémon as both a regular ability and innate ability:

As Regular Ability

• Multiple Grass/Poison type Pokémon (including Oddish line based on code context)
• Various other species with poison resistance themes

As Innate Ability

• Several species have this as one of their fixed innate abilities
• Often paired with other defensive or type-based abilities

Note: Complete list would require cross-referencing the SpeciesList.textproto file with specific species names.

Related Abilities

Similar Absorption Abilities

• Water Absorb (ID: 11): Same mechanics but for Water-type moves
• Volt Absorb (ID: 10): Same mechanics but for Electric-type moves
• Flash Fire (ID: 18): Absorbs Fire-type moves but boosts Attack instead of healing

Terrain-Based Healing

• Rain Dish (ID: 44): Heals in rain weather
• Ice Body (ID: 115): Heals in hail weather

Technical Notes

• Constant Definition: #define ABILITY_POISON_ABSORB 344 in include/generated/constants/abilities.h
• Absorption Flag: Uses ABSORB_RESULT_HEAL (value: 1 << 0) to trigger healing
• Battle Script: Uses BattleScript_RainDishActivates for the terrain healing animation
• Minimum Healing: Always heals at least 1 HP to prevent 0-damage issues
• Negative Damage: Healing is implemented as negative gBattleMoveDamage

Version History

This ability is part of Elite Redux's expanded ability system, providing enhanced defensive options for Poison-type specialists and defensive team compositions.