Sand Guard - Ability ID 482

In-Game Description

"Blocks priority and reduces special damage by 1/2 in sand."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Sand Guard blocks priority moves and reduces special attack damage by 50% during sandstorm weather. Works with all sandstorm forms including Sand Stream. Priority blocking protects user and allies, while damage reduction applies only to special moves targeting the user in sandstorm weather.

Character count: 291

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Sand Guard is a dual-defensive ability that provides both priority move immunity and special damage reduction during sandstorm weather. The ability has two distinct effects that operate under different conditions.

Priority Move Blocking

• Weather requirement: Sandstorm must be active to block priority moves
• Effect: Completely blocks all priority moves (priority > 0) from opponents
• Range: Protects both the user and allied Pokémon (onImmuneFor = APPLY_ON_ALLY)
• Mechanism: Uses the same priority blocking system as Queenly Majesty and Dazzling
• Message: Shows "Dazzling" protection message when blocking

Special Damage Reduction

• Weather requirement: Sandstorm must be active for damage reduction
• Attacker condition: The attacking Pokémon must be affected by sandstorm
• Move type: Only applies to special attacks (IS_MOVE_SPECIAL)
• Damage reduction: Multiplies incoming special damage by 0.5 (50% reduction)
• Target: Only applies to the Sand Guard user, not allies

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability SandGuard = {
    .onImmune = +[](ON_IMMUNE) -> int {
        CHECK(IsBattlerWeatherAffected(battler, WEATHER_SANDSTORM_ANY));
        return QueenlyMajesty.onImmune(DELEGATE_IMMUNE);
    },
    .onDefensiveMultiplier =
        +[](ON_DEFENSIVE_MULTIPLIER) {
            if (IS_MOVE_SPECIAL(move) && IsBattlerWeatherAffected(attacker, WEATHER_SANDSTORM_ANY)) MUL(.5);
        },
    .breakable = TRUE,
    .sandImmune = TRUE,
};

Weather Conditions

Sand Guard activates under any sandstorm weather:

• Regular sandstorm (from Sandstorm move)
• Sand Stream (from Tyranitar, Hippowdon, etc.)
• Sand Spit (triggered by contact moves)
• WEATHER_SANDSTORM_ANY covers all sandstorm variants

Important Interactions

• Sandstorm immunity: User is immune to sandstorm damage (sandImmune = TRUE)
• Ability suppression: Both effects are disabled by abilities like Mold Breaker (breakable = TRUE)
• Priority bypass: Abilities like Triage or Prankster still have their priority moves blocked
• Physical moves: No damage reduction against physical attacks
• Status moves: Priority status moves are still blocked even if they don't deal damage

Priority Move Examples Blocked

• Aqua Jet, Bullet Punch, Mach Punch (physical priority)
• Vacuum Wave, Water Shuriken (special priority)
• Prankster-boosted status moves
• Quick Attack, Extremespeed
• Fake Out, Sucker Punch

Special Damage Reduction Examples

• Blocked: Hydro Pump from Pokémon in sandstorm (50% damage)
• Not blocked: Earthquake from Pokémon in sandstorm (physical move)
• Not blocked: Surf from Pokémon not in sandstorm (clear weather)
• Blocked: Thunderbolt from Garchomp with Sand Stream active

Strategic Implications

• Sandstorm team synergy: Essential for sand-based teams
• Priority immunity: Protects against common priority revenge killers
• Special tank: Excellent special bulk in sandstorm conditions
• Weather dependent: Completely ineffective without sandstorm
• Dual protection: Covers both offensive pressure and priority threats

Competitive Usage

• Sand core: Pairs well with Sand Stream setters like Tyranitar/Hippowdon
• Defensive pivot: Can switch into special attackers and priority users
• Weather support: Maintains sand for team while providing utility
• Anti-priority: Shuts down common priority-based strategies
• Tank role: Functions as special wall in sandstorm teams

Common Users

Sand Guard is a custom Elite Redux ability, so usage depends on which Pokémon receive it:

• Likely Ground/Rock/Steel types that fit sandstorm teams
• Pokémon that naturally benefit from sandstorm conditions
• Defensive Pokémon that can utilize both protective effects

Synergies

• Sand Stream/Sand Spit: Essential weather setters
• Sand Rush/Sand Force: Other sand-based abilities
• Rock-type moves: Boosted accuracy in sandstorm
• Leftovers/Rocky Helmet: Defensive item synergy
• Sand Veil: Evasion boost stacking with damage reduction

Counters

• Weather override: Changing weather disables both effects completely
• Cloud Nine/Air Lock: Negates sandstorm effects
• Physical attackers: Bypass special damage reduction
• Mold Breaker family: Ignore the ability entirely
• Weather-immune moves: Some moves ignore weather conditions

Comparison to Similar Abilities

• Queenly Majesty: Same priority blocking but no damage reduction
• Ice Scales: Same special damage reduction but no priority blocking
• Fur Coat: Physical damage reduction instead of special
• Dazzling: Priority blocking for ally but no personal benefits

Elite Redux Context

In Elite Redux's 4-ability system, Sand Guard can function as either:

• Changeable ability: Switchable based on team needs
• Innate ability: Always active for consistent sand team support
• The dual nature makes it valuable in both roles