Drought (Ability ID: 70)

In-Game Description

"Summons sun on entry. Lasts 8 turns."

Extended In-Game Description (280-300 chars)

Summons harsh sunlight for 8 turns (12 with Heat Rock) when entering battle. Boosts Fire moves by 50%, reduces Water moves by 50%. Solar Beam/Blade charge instantly. Thunder/Hurricane miss more. Prevents freezing. Cannot override primal weather. Blocked by Cloud Nine.

Character count: 292

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

Drought sets up harsh sunlight weather automatically when the Pokémon with this ability enters battle. This weather effect is identical to using the move Sunny Day, but doesn't consume a turn.

Trigger Conditions

• Activates immediately upon entering battle (switch-in, battle start, or after fainting an opponent)
• Uses the onEntry hook in the ability system
• Cannot activate if primal weather is already present

Weather Duration

• Base Duration: 8 turns (defined by WEATHER_DURATION constant)
• Extended Duration: 12 turns if the user holds Heat Rock
• Turn Counting: Duration counts down at the end of each turn

Sun Weather Effects

1. Type Modifications:

   • Fire-type moves: 1.5x damage (50% boost)
   • Water-type moves: 0.5x damage (50% reduction)

2. Move Changes:

   • Solar Beam and Solar Blade: No charge turn required
   • Thunder and Hurricane: Accuracy reduced to 50%
   • Weather Ball: Becomes Fire-type and doubles in power
   • Moonlight/Morning Sun/Synthesis: Restore 2/3 HP instead of 1/2

3. Status Effects:

   • Prevents Pokémon from being frozen
   • Thaws already frozen Pokémon

4. Ability Interactions:

   • Activates Chlorophyll (doubles Speed)
   • Activates Solar Power (1.5x Special Attack, lose 1/8 HP per turn)
   • Activates Flower Gift (boosts team's Attack and Special Defense)
   • Activates Forecast (Castform becomes Fire-type)
   • Activates Leaf Guard (prevents status conditions)

Special Interactions

• Primal Weather: Cannot override Desolate Land, Primordial Sea, or Delta Stream. If blocked, displays "The extremely harsh sunlight was not lessened at all!"
• Weather Competition: Can be overridden by other weather abilities or moves
• Cloud Nine/Air Lock: These abilities suppress sun's effects while active
• Multiple Users: If multiple Drought users enter simultaneously, speed determines order

Implementation Details

• Located in src/abilities.cc at line 993
• Uses battle script BattleScript_DroughtActivates
• Returns NO_ANNOUNCE when blocked by primal weather to prevent duplicate ability announcement