Toxic Surge

Basic Information

• Ability ID: 834
• Name: Toxic Surge
• Basic Description: sets Toxic Terrain on entry.

Extended In-Game Description

Toxic Surge automatically sets Toxic Terrain when the Pokémon enters battle. The toxic sludge covers the battlefield for 5 turns (8 with Terrain Extender). Each turn, grounded Pokémon that aren't Poison or Steel-type take damage equal to 1/16 of their max HP. Flying-types and Levitate users avoid damage unless grounded.

Detailed Mechanics

Terrain Activation

• Triggers immediately upon switch-in or battle start
• Replaces any existing terrain
• Duration: 5 turns (8 with Terrain Extender)
• Cannot be prevented by opponent abilities

Toxic Terrain Effects

1. End-of-turn Damage:

   • Deals 1/16 max HP damage to grounded Pokémon
   • Poison and Steel types are immune to damage
   • Flying-types and Levitate users avoid damage unless grounded
   • Magic Guard and abilities with toxicTerrainImmune flag prevent damage

2. Move Interactions:

   • Changes Nature Power to a Poison-type move
   • Camouflage turns user into Poison-type

3. Visual Effects:

   • Message: "Toxic sludge covers the battlefield!"
   • End message: "The sludge disappeared from the battlefield."

Implementation Details

• Defined in src/abilities.cc as ability ID ABILITY_TOXIC_SURGE
• Uses TryChangeBattleTerrain with STATUS_FIELD_TOXIC_TERRAIN flag
• Damage script: BattleScript_ToxicTerrainDamages
• Terrain type for moves: TYPE_POISON

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

• Provides passive chip damage to most opponents
• Synergizes well with Poison-type teams
• Can pressure switch-ins and wear down walls
• Denies other terrain effects

Weaknesses

• No damage boost to Poison-type moves (unlike other terrains)
• Many common Pokémon are immune (Steel, Poison, Flying types)
• Can be overwritten by other terrain setters
• Limited offensive utility compared to other surge abilities

Usage Tips

• Pair with grounding moves (Gravity, Thousand Arrows) to maximize damage
• Use on bulky Poison-types that benefit from chip damage on opponents
• Consider Terrain Extender to maintain field control
• Combine with hazards for increased passive damage

Similar Abilities

• Electric Surge (sets Electric Terrain)
• Grassy Surge (sets Grassy Terrain)
• Misty Surge (sets Misty Terrain)
• Psychic Surge (sets Psychic Terrain)