Reservoir - Ability ID 749

In-Game Description

"Water Absorb + Storm Drain."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Reservoir combines Water Absorb and Storm Drain effects. When hit by Water-type moves, the Pokémon recovers 25% HP and boosts its highest attacking stat by one stage. Single-target Water moves are redirected to this Pokémon. Perfect for mixed attackers on water-weak teams needing sustain.

Character count: 289

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Reservoir is a powerful defensive-offensive ability that combines the effects of Water Absorb and Storm Drain. When the Pokémon is hit by Water-type moves, it both heals HP and gains a stat boost, making it an exceptional ability for pivot Pokémon and mixed attackers.

Activation Conditions

• Move type requirement: Must be hit by a Water-type move
• Healing effect: Recovers 25% of maximum HP (same as Water Absorb)
• Stat boost effect: Raises the highest attacking stat by one stage (same as Storm Drain)
  • Chooses between Attack and Special Attack based on which is higher
  • If tied, prioritizes Attack stat
• Move redirection: Single-target Water moves are redirected to this Pokémon (like Storm Drain)

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability Reservoir = {
    .onAbsorb = +[](ON_ABSORB) -> int {
        CHECK(moveType == TYPE_WATER);
        *statId = GetHighestAttackingStatId(battler, TRUE);
        return ABSORB_RESULT_STAT | ABSORB_RESULT_HEAL;
    },
    .redirectType = TYPE_WATER,
    .breakable = TRUE,
};

The ability combines both ABSORB_RESULT_HEAL (Water Absorb effect) and ABSORB_RESULT_STAT (Storm Drain effect) using bitwise OR operation.

Important Interactions

• Multi-hit moves: Each hit triggers both healing and stat boost
• Substitute: Doesn't block the effects if substitute is broken
• Maximum HP: Still triggers stat boost even if at full HP
• Stat boost cap: Won't boost if already at +6 in the relevant attacking stat
• Move redirection: Only affects single-target moves, not spread moves like Surf
• Priority: Redirection happens before damage calculation

Strategic Implications

• Dual threat: Both defensive (healing) and offensive (stat boost) benefits
• Team support: Redirects Water moves away from teammates
• Setup potential: Can use Water-type attacks as setup opportunities
• Mixed attacker synergy: Benefits both physical and special attackers
• Water immunity: Essentially immune to Water-type damage in most scenarios

Common Users

• Mixed attackers who can use both Attack and Special Attack
• Pivot Pokémon that need sustainability
• Pokémon weak to Water that want to turn the weakness into a strength
• Team supporters who can redirect dangerous Water moves

Competitive Usage Notes

• Excellent on teams weak to common Water attackers like Kingdra or Rotom-Wash
• Provides both immediate healing and long-term offensive presence
• Can force opponents to avoid Water-type coverage moves
• Particularly valuable in formats with powerful Water-type threats
• Works well with Pokémon that have good mixed offensive stats

Counters

• Non-Water attacks: Ability only works against Water-type moves
• Mold Breaker effects: Ignore the ability entirely
• Multi-target moves: Surf, Origin Pulse aren't redirected
• Status moves: Only affects damaging Water moves
• Ability suppression: Neutralizing Gas, Core Enforcer disable it

Synergies

• Mixed movesets: Pokémon with both physical and special attacks
• Recovery moves: Stacks with other healing for incredible sustain
• Stat-boosting items: Life Orb, Expert Belt work well with boosted stats
• Team positioning: Pairs with Pokémon weak to Water coverage
• Weather: Rain teams can provide consistent Water move opportunities

Differences from Components

vs Water Absorb:

• Adds stat boost and move redirection
• More offensive utility beyond just healing

vs Storm Drain:

• Adds healing component for sustainability
• Dual benefit makes it much more powerful

Version History

• New ability introduced in Elite Redux
• ID 749 represents the final ability milestone in the current ability set
• Combines two classic abilities for modern competitive utility
• Designed for mixed attackers and pivot Pokémon