North Wind - Ability #348

Overview

North Wind is an extremely powerful defensive ability that automatically sets up Aurora Veil upon entering battle. This ability provides immediate team support by reducing damage from both physical and special attacks by 50% for the user's entire team. Additionally, the user gains complete immunity to Hail damage, making it synergistic with Hail-based strategies.

Mechanics

Aurora Veil Setup

• Duration: 3 turns (base) or 5 turns if holding Light Clay
• Effect: Reduces damage from both physical and special attacks by 50%
• Scope: Affects the entire team on the user's side
• Stacking: Cannot be activated if Aurora Veil is already active

Hail Immunity

• Complete immunity to Hail damage (1/16 HP per turn normally)
• Does not prevent other Hail effects or abilities from activating
• Allows safe switching in Hail weather conditions

Code Implementation

Primary Implementation

File: /Users/joel/Github/eliteredux/eliteredux-source/src/abilities.ccLines: 3678-3694

constexpr Ability NorthWind = {
    .onEntry = +[](ON_ENTRY) -> int {
        CHECK_NOT(gSideStatuses[GetBattlerSide(battler)] & SIDE_STATUS_AURORA_VEIL)

        int side = GetBattlerSide(battler);
        gSideTimers[side].started.auroraVeil = TRUE;
        gSideStatuses[side] |= SIDE_STATUS_AURORA_VEIL;
        if (GetBattlerHoldEffect(battler, TRUE) == HOLD_EFFECT_LIGHT_CLAY)
            gSideTimers[side].auroraVeilTimer = SCREEN_DURATION;
        else
            gSideTimers[side].auroraVeilTimer = SCREEN_DURATION_SHORT;
        BattleScriptPushCursorAndCallback(BattleScript_NorthWindActivated);

        return TRUE;
    },
    .hailImmune = TRUE,
};

Constants

• SCREEN_DURATION_SHORT = 3 (base Aurora Veil duration)
• SCREEN_DURATION = 5 (Light Clay extended duration)

Battle Message

File: /Users/joel/Github/eliteredux/eliteredux-source/src/battle_message.cMessage: "{B_ACTIVE_NAME_WITH_PREFIX}'s North Wind set up Aurora Veil!"

Strategic Applications

Team Support

• Immediate Protection: Provides instant damage reduction for the entire team
• Safe Switches: Allows teammates to switch in more safely under Aurora Veil protection
• Setup Opportunities: Creates safer conditions for setting up stat boosts or hazards

Weather Synergy

• Hail Teams: Perfect fit for Hail-based strategies, immune to self-damage
• Weather Wars: Can safely enter against opposing Hail setters
• Mixed Weather: Provides consistent defensive utility regardless of weather

Light Clay Synergy

• Extends Aurora Veil from 3 to 5 turns
• Maximizes the defensive utility window
• Allows for longer-term strategic plays

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

• Immediate Impact: Activates automatically on switch-in
• Team Wide: Affects all teammates, not just the user
• Versatile Defense: Protects against both physical and special attacks
• Weather Immunity: Additional utility against Hail strategies
• No Setup Required: Unlike the Aurora Veil move, requires no turn investment

Limitations

• One-Time Use: Only activates once per battle entry
• Non-Stacking: Cannot reactivate if Aurora Veil is already up
• Status Moves: Does not protect against status conditions or effects
• Breakthrough: Some abilities and moves can bypass damage reduction

Comparison to Aurora Veil Move

• Advantages: Automatic activation, no turn cost, can't be Taunted
• Disadvantages: Cannot be used multiple times, no timing control

Pokémon with North Wind

Primary Ability Holders

• Articuno: Legendary Ice/Flying type, natural weather control synergy
• Suicune: Legendary Water type, excellent bulk to utilize Aurora Veil
• Abomasnow: Ice/Grass type with natural Hail synergy
• Cryogonal: Ice type specialist with defensive utility
• Mr. Rime: Ice/Psychic type with support capabilities

Innate Ability Holders

• Dewgong: Ice/Water type with multiple defensive abilities
• Various other Ice-type specialists

Strategic Considerations by Pokémon

• Articuno: Combines with Pressure for stall strategies
• Suicune: Excellent for Calm Mind setup sets
• Abomasnow: Natural Hail setter with immediate protection
• Cryogonal: Rapid Spin support with team protection

Related Abilities and Interactions

Similar Defensive Abilities

• Intimidate: Attack reduction on entry
• Download: Stat boost based on opponent's defenses
• Trace: Copies opponent's ability

Weather-Related Abilities

• Snow Warning: Sets up Hail (synergizes well)
• Sand Stream: Sets up Sandstorm (neutral interaction)
• Drought/Drizzle: Overwrites beneficial Hail conditions

Screen-Setting Abilities

• Light Screen/Reflect: Single-type damage reduction
• Aurora Veil Move: Requires Hail weather to use

Counters and Responses

Direct Counters

• Brick Break: Removes Aurora Veil completely
• Psychic Fangs: Also removes Aurora Veil
• Infiltrator: Bypasses Aurora Veil protection
• Screen Cleaner: Removes all screens including Aurora Veil

Strategic Responses

• Status Moves: Aurora Veil doesn't prevent status conditions
• Entry Hazards: Damage occurs before Aurora Veil setup
• Priority Moves: Still hit at full power but with reduced damage
• Multi-Hit Moves: Each hit is reduced but can add up

Competitive Viability

Usage Scenarios

• Lead Position: Immediate team protection from the start
• Pivot Role: Safe switching and team support
• Defensive Core: Anchor for defensive team strategies
• Weather Support: Essential for Hail-based team compositions

Team Building Considerations

• Light Clay Carrier: Maximize Aurora Veil duration
• Setup Sweepers: Take advantage of protected setup turns
• Entry Hazard Setters: Safer hazard placement under Aurora Veil
• Status Spreaders: Protected status move usage

Conclusion

North Wind stands as one of the most powerful defensive abilities in Elite Redux, providing immediate and significant team-wide protection. Its combination of automatic Aurora Veil setup and Hail immunity makes it exceptionally valuable for both defensive and weather-based strategies. The ability's reliability and immediate impact make it a top-tier choice for competitive play, particularly on teams that can capitalize on the protective turns it provides.