Energy Siphon - Ability ID 748

In-Game Description

"Heals the user for 1/4 of the damage they deal."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Energy Siphon heals the user for 25% of all damage they deal to opponents. Works with any attack that causes damage, including physical, special, and multi-hit moves. Healing occurs immediately after damage is dealt. Minimum healing is 1 HP even for very weak attacks.

Character count: 287

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Energy Siphon is an offensive ability that provides self-sustaining healing based on damage output. Unlike traditional healing moves, this ability turns aggressive play into defensive value by converting damage dealt into HP recovery.

Activation Conditions

• Damage requirement: Must deal damage to an opponent
• Timing: Healing occurs immediately after damage calculation
• Target requirement: Must have a target that takes damage
• Health check: Will not activate if user is already at maximum HP
• Healing check: Must pass CanBattlerHeal() check

Healing Calculation

// Energy Siphon healing formula
gBattleMoveDamage = -gHpDealt / 4;
if (!gBattleMoveDamage) gBattleMoveDamage = -1;

• Healing amount: 25% (1/4) of damage dealt
• Minimum healing: 1 HP guaranteed even for weak attacks
• Rounding: Truncated (rounded down) to nearest integer
• Maximum healing: No cap, scales with damage output

Technical Implementation

Energy Siphon uses the onAttacker trigger in the ability system:

• Checks if on-hit effects should apply
• Verifies user isn't at max HP
• Confirms user can be healed
• Calculates healing as negative damage (healing mechanic)
• Uses the same battle script as other drain abilities

Important Interactions

• Multi-hit moves: Heals after each individual hit
• Critical hits: Healing scales with critical damage
• Type effectiveness: More effective moves = more healing
• Substitute: No healing if attacking a Substitute
• Abilities that boost damage: Indirectly boost healing amount
• Life Orb/Choice items: Damage boost increases healing

Move Compatibility

Works with all damaging moves:

• Physical attacks (Earthquake, Close Combat, etc.)
• Special attacks (Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, etc.)
• Multi-hit moves (Bullet Seed, Rock Blast, etc.)
• Priority moves (Quick Attack, Aqua Jet, etc.)
• Spread moves (Surf, Earthquake in doubles)

Does NOT work with:

• Status moves (no damage dealt)
• Self-inflicted damage
• Recoil damage to user
• Fixed damage moves that don't use normal damage calculation

Strategic Implications

• Aggressive sustainability: Rewards offensive play with healing
• Wallbreaker synergy: High-damage attackers benefit most
• Momentum maintenance: Healing while attacking maintains pressure
• Anti-chip damage: Negates passive damage through combat
• Late-game power: Becomes stronger as moves get more powerful

Battle Script Usage

Uses BattleScript_HydroCircuitAbsorbEffectActivated - the same script used by other 25% drain abilities like Hydro Circuit and Pure Love, ensuring consistent visual and audio feedback.

Comparison to Similar Abilities

• Hydro Circuit: Same healing rate, but only on Water-type moves
• Pure Love: Same healing rate, but only when target is infatuated
• Reservoir: Heals 12.5% (1/8) instead of 25% (1/4)
• Vampiric: Heals 10% (1/10) for punching moves only

Common Users

Energy Siphon is typically found on:

• Offensive Pokémon that lack reliable recovery
• Glass cannon attackers who need sustainability
• Mixed attackers who benefit from any damage type
• Pokémon with high attack stats and diverse movesets

Competitive Usage Notes

• Bulky offense: Excellent on moderately bulky attackers
• Life Orb synergy: Recoil can be partially offset by healing
• Choice item users: Healing helps offset lack of recovery moves
• Pivot moves: U-turn/Volt Switch provide healing while switching
• Status immunity: Pairs well with abilities that prevent status

Counters

• Non-damaging moves: Status moves bypass the healing entirely
• Substitute: Blocks healing by preventing direct damage
• Wonder Guard: Limits which moves can trigger healing
• Heal Block: Prevents the healing effect from occurring
• Magic Bounce: Reflects moves back without triggering healing

Synergies

• Life Orb: Increased damage = increased healing, helps with recoil
• Choice items: Healing compensates for inability to switch moves
• Type-boosting items: More damage = more healing
• Stat-boosting moves: Setup moves increase future healing
• Multi-hit moves: Multiple healing instances per turn

Team Building Considerations

• Entry hazard support: Helps chip opponents for easier KOs
• Speed control: Pairs well with Thunder Wave/Sticky Web support
• Wallbreakers: Benefits most from high-damage, low-accuracy moves
• Pivot support: Works well with VoltTurn cores for chip healing

Version History

• Elite Redux exclusive ability (ID 748)
• Shares implementation pattern with other 25% drain abilities
• Uses established battle script system for consistent presentation
• Part of the expanded ability roster in Elite Redux