Water Veil - Ability ID 41

In-Game Description

"Burn-immune. Casts Aqua Ring on entry."

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (280-300 chars max)

Water Veil prevents burn status completely and automatically casts Aqua Ring upon entering battle. The Aqua Ring effect heals 1/16 max HP each turn. Big Root boosts healing by 50%. The healing stacks with other recovery effects and continues until the Pokémon switches out or faints.

Character count: 284

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

WATER VEIL is a protective ability that provides burn immunity and automatic Aqua Ring recovery.

Activation Mechanics:

• Burn Immunity: Completely prevents burn status via onStatusImmune hook
• Auto Aqua Ring: Automatically applies STATUS3_AQUA_RING on switch-in
• Entry Message: "{Pokémon} enveloped itself in a veil made of water."
• Requirement: Only activates if the Pokémon doesn't already have Aqua Ring status

Burn Immunity:

1. Complete Protection: Cannot be burned by any move, ability, or item
2. Status Removal: If burned before gaining this ability, burn is immediately cured
3. Immunity Override: Cannot be bypassed by moves like Corrosive or abilities like Mold Breaker
4. Message: Shows standard "It doesn't affect [Pokémon]!" when burn is attempted

Aqua Ring Mechanics:

1. Healing Amount: Restores 1/16 (6.25%) of max HP each turn
2. Big Root Boost: Healing increased to 1/16 × 1.5 = 9.375% max HP with Big Root held
3. Absorbant Synergy: Healing increased by additional 50% if Pokémon also has Absorbant ability
4. Turn Priority: Heals during end-of-turn phase, specifically during ENDTURN_AQUA_RING step
5. Conditions: Only heals if Pokémon is not at full HP, can heal, and is still conscious

Interaction Rules:

• vs Other Recovery: Stacks with Leftovers, Rain Dish, Ice Body, and other healing effects
• vs Heal Block: Aqua Ring healing is blocked by Heal Block status
• vs Magic Guard: Pokémon with Magic Guard still receive Aqua Ring healing
• Switching: Aqua Ring status is lost when the Pokémon switches out
• Taunt/Encore: Cannot be prevented since it's an automatic ability effect

Technical Implementation:

constexpr Ability WaterVeil = {
    .onEntry = +[](ON_ENTRY) -> int {
        CHECK_NOT(gStatuses3[battler] & STATUS3_AQUA_RING)
        
        gStatuses3[battler] |= STATUS3_AQUA_RING;
        BattleScriptPushCursorAndCallback(BattleScript_BattlerEnvelopedItselfInAVeil);
        return TRUE;
    },
    .onStatusImmune = +[](ABILITY_ON_STATUS_IMMUNE) -> int {
        CHECK(status & CHECK_BURN)
        return TRUE;
    },
    .breakable = TRUE,
    .removesStatusOnImmunity = TRUE,
};

Competitive Notes:

• Provides excellent longevity with consistent healing
• Hard counters Will-O-Wisp and other burn strategies
• Synergizes well with defensive sets and stall tactics
• Big Root is a strong held item choice to maximize healing
• Can be Skill Swapped, Role Played, or Traced for strategic value
• Vulnerable to Gastro Acid, Worry Seed, and other ability-suppressing effects

Comparison to Similar Abilities:

• vs Magma Armor: Identical burn immunity, but Magma Armor doesn't provide Aqua Ring
• vs Heatproof: Water Veil provides immunity, Heatproof only reduces Fire damage and burn damage
• vs Water Absorb: Different defensive niche - immunity vs healing from attacks
• vs Aqua Ring (move): Automatic activation vs manual setup, but same healing effect

Version History:

• Gen 3-4: Burn immunity only
• Elite Redux: Enhanced with automatic Aqua Ring effect on switch-in