Water Gale Wings - Ability ID 560

In-Game Description

"Water-type moves get +1 priority at max HP."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Tidal Rush grants Water-type moves +1 priority when the Pokémon is at maximum HP. This powerful offensive ability allows Water-type attackers to strike first with moves like Hydro Pump, Surf, and Aqua Jet. The priority boost disappears once HP drops below maximum, encouraging aggressive play.

Character count: 299

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Water Gale Wings (displayed as "Tidal Rush" in-game) is a clone of the Gale Wings ability that specifically affects Water-type moves instead of Flying-type moves. The ability implementation uses the GALE_WINGS_CLONE(TYPE_WATER) macro.

Activation Conditions

• The Pokémon must be at maximum HP (BATTLER_MAX_HP(battler) returns true)
• The move being used must be Water-type (checked via GetTypeBeforeUsingMove(move, battler) == TYPE_WATER)
• When both conditions are met, the move receives +1 priority

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability WaterGaleWings = {
    .onPriority = GALE_WINGS_CLONE(TYPE_WATER),
};

#define GALE_WINGS_CLONE(type)                               \
    +[](ON_PRIORITY) -> int {                                \
        CHECK(GetTypeBeforeUsingMove(move, battler) == type) \
        CHECK(BATTLER_MAX_HP(battler))                       \
        return 1;                                            \
    }

Priority System Details

• Standard priority moves: +1 (Quick Attack, Aqua Jet)
• Water Gale Wings boost: +1 additional priority
• Result: Water-type moves at max HP get +1 priority over normal moves
• Still subject to speed tiebreakers within the same priority bracket

Affected Moves

All Water-type moves benefit from the priority boost, including but not limited to:

• Powerful STAB moves: Hydro Pump, Surf, Scald, Water Pulse
• Status moves: Water Sport, Rain Dance, Aqua Ring
• Physical moves: Waterfall, Liquidation, Crabhammer
• Multi-hit moves: Water Shuriken (if user is Water-type)
• Already priority moves: Aqua Jet becomes +2 priority

Pokemon That Have This Ability

Based on the Elite Redux species data, several Pokemon have access to Water Gale Wings either as a regular ability or innate ability, including various Water-type specialists and some mixed-type Pokemon. The ability appears on both offensive sweepers and more defensive Water-types.

Competitive Applications

Offensive Sweeping: Allows Water-type attackers to outspeed common priority moves and revenge kill efficiently. Particularly powerful on fast, frail attackers who can maintain max HP through careful play.

Early Game Dominance: Provides significant early-game pressure since most Pokemon start battles at full HP, making the first few turns particularly threatening.

Priority War Advantage: Gives Water-types an edge in priority move exchanges, as +1 priority Water moves will outspeed most common priority moves.

Comparison to Regular Gale Wings

• Gale Wings: Affects Flying-type moves (Brave Bird, Acrobatics, etc.)
• Water Gale Wings: Affects Water-type moves (Hydro Pump, Surf, etc.)
• Identical mechanics: Both require max HP for activation
• Type coverage: Water-type moves often have better neutral coverage than Flying-type moves

Strategic Applications

1. Lead Pokemon: Excellent on lead Pokemon who start at full HP
2. Switch-in sweepers: Pairs well with healing moves or items to maintain max HP
3. Glass cannon builds: Maximizes the effectiveness of frail but powerful Water attackers
4. Priority control: Allows Water-types to control the pace of battle in early turns

Counterplay

• Chip damage: Any damage that brings the user below max HP disables the ability
• Multi-hit moves: Moves like Bullet Seed can quickly break the max HP requirement
• Entry hazards: Stealth Rock, Spikes, etc. prevent the ability from activating on switch-in
• Status conditions: Poison, burn, etc. will eventually reduce HP below maximum