High Tide - Ability ID 503

In-Game Description

"Triggers 50 BP Surf after using a Water-type move."

Extended In-Game Description

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

High Tide triggers a 50 BP Surf attack immediately after the Pokémon uses any Water-type move. The followup Surf uses the same target as the original move and cannot miss. Works with all Water-type attacks including status moves. Creates powerful two-hit combos for sustained offensive pressure.

Character count: 295

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

High Tide is an offensive ability that provides automatic followup attacks after using Water-type moves. The ability triggers a 50 BP Surf attack immediately after any Water-type move is used.

Activation Conditions

• Move type requirement: Must use a Water-type move
• Target adjustment: Uses same target as the original move
• Power: Followup Surf always has 50 BP (regardless of original Surf power)
• Timing: Triggers immediately after the original move resolves

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability HighTide = {
    .onAttacker = +[](ON_ATTACKER) -> int {
        CHECK(moveType == TYPE_WATER)
        CHECK(AdjustFollowupMoveTarget(battler, &target, move, FOLLOWUP_STANDARD))
        
        return UseAttackerFollowUpMove(battler, target, ability, MOVE_SURF, 50);
    },
};

Move Interactions

• All Water moves: Works with any Water-type move, including status moves
• Original move first: Original move resolves completely before followup
• Same target: Followup Surf targets the same opponent as original move
• Fixed power: Followup Surf is always 50 BP regardless of original Surf power
• No accuracy check: Followup Surf cannot miss

Status Move Synergy

High Tide works with Water-type status moves, making them offensive threats:

• Aqua Ring: Heals then deals 50 BP damage
• Rain Dance: Sets weather then attacks
• Water Sport: Reduces Fire damage then attacks
• Any other Water-type status moves

Important Interactions

• Double damage: Effectively adds 50 BP to every Water-type move
• Type effectiveness: Followup Surf has normal type effectiveness
• Contact: Followup Surf does not make contact (like regular Surf)
• Multi-target: In doubles, Surf hits both opponents if applicable
• Ability suppression: Doesn't work if ability is suppressed

Strategic Implications

• Sustained pressure: Every Water move becomes a potential 2-hit combo
• Status move utility: Makes Water status moves threatening
• STAB synergy: Water-types get STAB on both original move and followup
• Coverage: Provides consistent Water-type damage output
• Energy efficiency: Doubles damage output per turn with Water moves

Pokemon Distribution

High Tide appears as an innate ability on several Water-type Pokemon:

• Manaphy: Innate alongside other abilities
• Phione: Innate alongside Field Explorer and Soul Heart
• Squirtle evolution line: Innate with Torrent and Opportunist
• Primarina: As a regular ability option alongside others

Competitive Usage Notes

• Water-type synergy: Essential for Water-type attackers
• Multi-hit potential: Creates powerful combos with Water moves
• Doubles utility: Surf followup affects multiple targets
• Status move viability: Makes Water status moves more threatening
• Consistent damage: Guaranteed extra damage on Water attacks

Counters

• Type resistance: Steel and Water types resist followup Surf
• Ability suppression: Mold Breaker, Neutralizing Gas disable it
• Contact abilities: Don't trigger since Surf doesn't make contact
• Substitute: May block the followup attack
• Protect variations: Can potentially block followup

Synergies

• Torrent: Boosts both original move and followup when at low HP
• STAB: Water-types get 1.5x damage on both hits
• Rain: Powers up both Water moves significantly
• Choice items: Locked into original move, not followup
• Life Orb: Boosts both attacks with recoil from each

Similar Abilities

High Tide follows the same pattern as other followup abilities:

• Volcano Rage: Fire moves → 50 BP Eruption
• Thundercall: Electric moves → 20% power Smite
• Frost Burn: Fire moves → 40 BP Ice Beam
• Glacial Rage: Ice moves → 50 BP Blizzard

Version History

• Custom Elite Redux ability (ID 503)
• Part of the enhanced ability system
• Uses the UseAttackerFollowUpMove framework
• Designed for sustained offensive pressure

Calculation Examples

• Hydro Pump (110 BP) + Surf (50 BP): Total ~160 BP per turn
• Scald (80 BP) + Surf (50 BP): Total ~130 BP with burn chance
• Aqua Ring (0 BP) + Surf (50 BP): Healing + 50 BP damage
• With STAB: Both moves get 1.5x multiplier
• In rain: Both moves get 1.5x power boost