Sand Stream (Ability ID: 45)

In-Game Description

"Summons a sandstorm on entry. Lasts 8 turns."

Extended In-Game Description (280-300 chars)

Summons sandstorm for 8 turns (12 with Smooth Rock) when entering battle. Damages non-Rock/Ground/Steel types by 1/16 HP per turn. Rock-types gain 50% Special Defense boost. Sand Force/Rush work. Cannot override primal weather. Weather setters compete by Speed.

Character count: 285

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

Sand Stream automatically sets up a sandstorm when the Pokémon enters battle, providing the same effect as the move Sandstorm without using a turn.

Trigger Conditions

• Activates immediately upon entering battle (switch-in, battle start, or after KO)
• Uses the onEntry hook in the ability system
• Fails if primal weather is active

Weather Duration

• Base Duration: 8 turns (defined by WEATHER_DURATION)
• Extended Duration: 12 turns with Smooth Rock item
• Duration decreases at the end of each turn

Sandstorm Effects

1. Damage Per Turn:

   • Deals 1/16 max HP damage to all Pokémon except:
     • Rock-type Pokémon
     • Ground-type Pokémon
     • Steel-type Pokémon
   • Also immune: Pokémon with Sand Veil, Sand Rush, Sand Force, Overcoat, or holding Safety Goggles

2. Stat Modifications:

   • Rock-type Pokémon: +50% Special Defense
   • No accuracy/evasion changes in Elite Redux (unlike base games)

3. Move Changes:

   • Weather Ball: Becomes Rock-type and doubles in power
   • Solar Beam/Solar Blade: Power reduced to 50%
   • Moonlight/Morning Sun/Synthesis: Restore 1/4 HP instead of 1/2

4. Ability Interactions:

   • Sand Veil: +25% evasion
   • Sand Rush: Doubles Speed
   • Sand Force: Rock/Ground/Steel moves get 30% power boost
   • Forecast: Castform becomes Rock-type (if applicable)

Special Interactions

• Primal Weather: Cannot override Desolate Land, Primordial Sea, or Delta Stream. Shows special blocked message
• Weather Priority: Can override other non-primal weather
• Multiple Sand Stream: If multiple users enter, fastest goes last (overwrites others)
• Cloud Nine/Air Lock: Suppresses sandstorm effects while active

Implementation Details

• Ability struct definition: src/abilities.cc line 787
• Uses TryChangeBattleWeather with ENUM_WEATHER_SANDSTORM
• Battle script: BattleScript_SandstreamActivates
• Weather duration constants in include/battle_util.h