Wind Rider - Ability ID 484

In-Game Description

"Tailwind entry boost + wind move absorption."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Boosts the Pokemon's highest attacking stat when entering battle under Tailwind. When hit by wind-based moves like Gust, Hurricane, or Tailwind, absorbs the attack completely and raises the highest attacking stat by one stage instead of taking damage.

Character count: 293

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Wind Rider combines Tailwind synergy with wind move absorption, creating a Pokemon that thrives in aerial conditions and benefits from wind-based attacks.

Dual Effect Components

Tailwind Entry Boost

• Trigger: Activates when entering battle while Tailwind is active on user's side
• Effect: Raises the Pokemon's highest attacking stat by 1 stage
• Stat determination: Compares Attack and Special Attack (including current modifiers)
• Timing: Immediate upon switch-in during Tailwind

Wind Move Absorption

• Trigger: When hit by air-based moves
• Effect: Completely negates damage and raises highest attacking stat by 1 stage
• Affected moves: Gust, Hurricane, Tailwind, and other moves with airBased flag
• Benefit: Turns wind attacks into stat boosts

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability WindRider = {
    .onEntry = +[](ON_ENTRY) -> int {
        CHECK(gSideStatuses[GET_BATTLER_SIDE(battler)] & SIDE_STATUS_TAILWIND)
        u8 statId = GetHighestAttackingStatId(battler, TRUE);
        CHECK(CanRaiseStat(battler, statId))
        RaiseStat(battler, statId, 1, TRUE, FALSE);
        return TRUE;
    },
    .onAbsorb = +[](ON_ABSORB) -> int {
        CHECK(gBattleMoves[move].airBased)
        u8 statId = GetHighestAttackingStatId(battler, TRUE);
        CHECK(CanRaiseStat(battler, statId))
        RaiseStat(battler, statId, 1, TRUE, FALSE);
        return TRUE;
    },
    .breakable = TRUE,
};

Wind-Based Moves

Commonly absorbed moves:

• Gust (Flying-type, 40 BP)
• Hurricane (Flying-type, 110 BP)
• Tailwind (Flying-type status move)
• Whirlwind (Normal-type, forces switching)
• Bleakwind Storm (Flying-type, 100 BP)

Strategic Applications

• Tailwind teams: Perfect synergy with speed control strategies
• Wind immunity: Complete protection against wind-based attacks
• Stat accumulation: Multiple ways to boost attacking stats
• Switch-in timing: Rewards switching during Tailwind
• Anti-Hurricane: Hard counter to Hurricane users

Tailwind Synergy

• Setup reward: Benefits immediately from team Tailwind setup
• Doubled benefit: Speed boost from Tailwind + stat boost from ability
• Priority switching: Enhanced value of switching during Tailwind turns
• Team coordination: Encourages Tailwind support from teammates

Competitive Usage

• Tailwind sweepers: Excellent on teams built around Tailwind setup
• Wind counters: Reliable answer to wind-based offense
• Mixed attackers: Benefits regardless of physical/special preference
• Dynamic switching: Rewards tactical switch timing
• Weather teams: Synergizes with flying-type weather effects

Wind Move Interactions

Strategy against common winds:

• Hurricane: Complete immunity + stat boost
• Gust: Absorbs weak early-game moves for setup
• Tailwind: Can absorb opposing team's Tailwind for benefit
• Whirlwind: Prevents forced switching while gaining stats

Limitations

• Ability suppression: Breakable by Mold Breaker effects
• Non-wind moves: Only helps against specific move types
• Tailwind dependency: Entry effect requires active Tailwind
• One boost per hit: Each absorption only gives 1 stage
• Stat cap: Cannot exceed +6 stat stages

Counters

• Mold Breaker family: Suppresses the entire ability
• Non-wind attacks: Physical/special moves that aren't air-based
• Stat reset: Haze, Clear Smog remove accumulated boosts
• Taunt: Prevents Tailwind setup for entry synergy
• Ground moves: Typically not air-based, bypass absorption

Team Building

Ideal partners:

• Tailwind setters: Whimsicott, Suicune, Crobat
• Wind move users: Can set up Wind Rider with friendly wind moves
• Speed control: Trick Room as alternative to Tailwind
• Stat passers: Baton Pass to transfer accumulated boosts

Item Synergies

• Choice items: Benefit from guaranteed stat boosts
• Life Orb: Amplify boosted attacking stats
• Weakness Policy: Additional stat boost opportunity
• Sitrus Berry: HP recovery while accumulating boosts

Version History

• Elite Redux custom ability for wind-based battle strategies
• Designed to create Tailwind synergy and wind immunity
• Part of expanded weather and field effect ability system
• Encourages aerial battlefield control tactics