Absorbant - Ability ID 425

In-Game Description

"Drain moves recover +50% HP & apply Leech Seed."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Absorbant boosts HP recovery from drain moves by 50% and applies Leech Seed to the target. Affects moves like Absorb, Mega Drain, Giga Drain, and Drain Punch. Leech Seed won't apply to Grass-types or already seeded targets. Excellent for sustain-focused strategies.

Character count: 287

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Absorbant is a unique ability that enhances drain moves in two ways: it increases HP recovery and applies the Leech Seed status effect to targets hit by drain moves.

Activation Conditions

• Move type requirement: Only activates when using moves with EFFECT_ABSORB or EFFECT_DREAM_EATER
• Target requirements: Target must not be Grass-type and must not already have Leech Seed
• Damage requirement: The drain move must successfully hit and deal damage

Drain Move Enhancement

The ability provides a 50% bonus to HP recovery from drain moves:

• Base drain moves: Normally recover 50% of damage dealt
• With Absorbant: Recover 75% of damage dealt (50% + 25% bonus)
• High-drain moves: Some moves already drain 75%, these become 100%+ recovery

Leech Seed Application

After a successful drain move hit, Absorbant applies Leech Seed to the target:

• Leech Seed effect: Target loses 1/8 max HP each turn, healer gains that HP
• Immunity: Grass-type Pokémon are immune to Leech Seed
• Non-stacking: Won't apply if target already has Leech Seed
• Duration: Lasts until the target switches out or faints

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability Absorbant = {
    .onAttacker = +[](ON_ATTACKER) -> int {
        CHECK(ShouldApplyOnHitAffect(target))
        CHECK_NOT(IS_BATTLER_OF_TYPE(target, TYPE_GRASS))
        CHECK_NOT(gStatuses3[target] & STATUS3_LEECHSEED)
        CHECK(gBattleMoves[move].effect == EFFECT_ABSORB || gBattleMoves[move].effect == EFFECT_DREAM_EATER)

        gStatuses3[target] |= battler;
        gStatuses3[target] |= STATUS3_LEECHSEED;
        BattleScriptCall(BattleScript_AbsorbantActivated);
        return TRUE;
    },
};

Compatible Moves

Moves that trigger Absorbant include:

• Absorb: Basic 20 BP drain move
• Mega Drain: 40 BP Grass-type drain move
• Giga Drain: 75 BP Grass-type drain move
• Drain Punch: 75 BP Fighting-type drain move
• Dream Eater: 100 BP Psychic-type move (works on sleeping targets)
• Leech Life: 80 BP Bug-type drain move
• Horn Leech: 75 BP Grass-type physical drain move
• Draining Kiss: 50 BP Fairy-type drain move

Strategic Applications

• Sustain tank: Provides excellent HP recovery and gradual damage
• Stall breaking: Leech Seed prevents opponent from stalling
• Setup support: Forces switches while maintaining HP
• Wall breaking: Consistent damage from both move and Leech Seed

Important Interactions

• Big Root: Stacks with Absorbant for even more HP recovery
• Liquid Ooze: Opponent's ability can turn drain moves into damage
• Grass-type immunity: Cannot seed Grass-types, limiting effectiveness
• Magic Guard: Protects from Leech Seed damage but not initial drain move
• Substitute: Blocks Leech Seed application but not the drain effect

Synergies

• Big Root item: Further boosts drain move recovery
• Life Orb: Increases drain move damage and thus recovery
• Choice items: Lock into powerful drain moves for consistent pressure
• Leftovers: Stacks with drain recovery for maximum sustain
• Recovery moves: Combines with natural healing for incredible bulk

Counters

• Grass-types: Immune to Leech Seed application
• Magic Bounce: Reflects Leech Seed back to user
• Liquid Ooze: Reverses drain move healing into damage
• Substitute: Blocks Leech Seed while taking drain damage
• Rapid Spin: Can remove Leech Seed from the user's team

Competitive Usage

• Bulky attackers: Pokémon that can survive long enough to benefit from both effects
• Pivot Pokémon: Switch in, seed the opponent, and switch out
• Stall teams: Provides consistent damage pressure and healing
• Anti-setup: Forces opponents to switch rather than set up

Common Users

Absorbant works best on Pokémon with:

• Good bulk: To survive and make use of the healing
• Drain move access: Natural or through TMs
• Defensive typing: To switch in safely
• Support moves: To capitalize on forced switches

Version History

• New ability introduced in Elite Redux
• Unique combination of enhanced drain and status application
• Part of the expanded ability roster for diverse strategies
• Designed to make drain moves more viable in competitive play