Wishmaker - Ability ID 496

In-Game Description

"Uses Wish on entry 3 times per battle."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Automatically uses Wish upon entering battle, setting up delayed healing that restores half of the user's max HP on the following turn. This self-healing ability can only be activated 3 times per battle, making it a valuable but limited source of HP recovery.

Character count: 292

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Wishmaker provides automatic access to the Wish move upon entry, creating delayed healing without requiring turn investment or move slot dedication. The ability has a battle-long usage limit for balance.

Activation Conditions

• Trigger: Automatically activates when switching into battle
• Usage limit: Maximum 3 activations per battle
• Move used: Wish (restores 50% max HP after 1 turn delay)
• Persistence: Usage counter persists across switches and status
• Reset: Counter resets only when the battle ends

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability Wishmaker = {
    .onEntry = +[](ON_ENTRY) -> int {
        CHECK(GetSingleUseAbilityCounter(battler, ability) < 3)
        SetSingleUseAbilityCounter(battler, ability, 
            GetSingleUseAbilityCounter(battler, ability) + 1);
        return UseEntryMove(battler, ability, MOVE_WISH, 0);
    },
    .persistent = TRUE,  // Counter persists across switches
};

Wish Move Mechanics

• Type: Normal
• Category: Status
• Effect: Heals 50% of user's maximum HP
• Delay: Takes effect at the end of the next turn
• Self-targeting: Always heals the user, not allies
• Reliability: Cannot miss or fail once activated

Usage Counter System

• Initial state: 0 uses remaining at battle start
• Increment: +1 each time ability activates
• Limit check: Ability fails if counter ≥ 3
• Persistence: Counter maintained across switches, status, fainting
• Reset: Only resets when leaving battle entirely

Strategic Applications

• Entry healing: Guarantees healing without turn investment
• Switch-in safety: Provides recovery for risky switches
• Stall support: Enhances defensive strategies
• HP management: Helps maintain crucial HP thresholds
• Pivot utility: Safe switching with healing benefit

Timing Considerations

Turn 1 (switch-in):

• Wishmaker activates Wish
• Counter increments to 1
• No immediate healing

Turn 2:

• Wish healing takes effect (50% max HP restored)
• Can act normally while receiving healing

Usage Strategy

First activation (early game):

• Safe switch-in healing
• Establishes presence without risk

Second activation (mid-game):

• Emergency healing during pressure
• Maintains crucial HP for abilities/items

Third activation (late game):

• Final emergency healing
• Must be used strategically

Competitive Applications

• Defensive walls: Enhanced staying power
• Pivot Pokémon: Safe switching with recovery
• Status absorbers: Can afford status with healing
• Setup sweepers: Healing support during setup
• Stall teams: Additional recovery layer

Synergies

Item combinations:

• Leftovers: Stack passive healing effects
• Rocky Helmet: Tank hits while healing
• Choice items: Healing compensates for lock-in risk

Ability combinations (in 4-ability system):

• Regenerator: Multiple forms of switching recovery
• Natural Cure: Status removal + healing
• Magic Guard: Prevents indirect damage while healing

Limitations

• Usage cap: Only 3 uses per battle total
• Delayed healing: No immediate HP recovery
• Turn investment: Requires switching to activate
• Predictable: Opponent knows healing is coming
• Battle-long limit: Cannot exceed 3 uses regardless of duration

Counters

• Heal Block: Prevents Wish healing entirely
• Fast offense: Overwhelm before healing matters
• Taunt: Doesn't affect entry activation but limits options
• Pressure: Force frequent switching to waste uses
• Status moves: Poison/burn can offset healing

Optimal Usage Patterns

Conservative play:

• Save uses for critical moments
• Use only when below 50% HP
• Preserve for late-game scenarios

Aggressive play:

• Use early for safe switches
• Enable riskier plays with healing backup
• Trade uses for battlefield advantage

Team Building Considerations

• Switching games: Excellent for pivot-heavy teams
• Defensive cores: Provides additional recovery layer
• Stall teams: Enhances passive defensive strategies
• Balanced teams: Safety net for key Pokémon

Version History

• Elite Redux custom ability for enhanced recovery options
• Limited usage prevents infinite healing loops
• Designed to reward strategic switch timing
• Part of expanded utility ability system