Winter Throne - Ability ID 874

In-Game Description

"1/8 Damage each turn to non-ice. Heals Ice 1/8 each turn."

Extended In-Game Description

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

Winter Throne creates a freezing field that damages all non-Ice type Pokémon for 1/8 maximum HP each turn while healing all Ice-type Pokémon for 1/8 HP. Affects every Pokémon on the battlefield regardless of position. Ice types gain significant survivability advantage in prolonged battles.

Character count: 290

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Winter Throne is a powerful field control ability that creates a dichotomy between Ice-type and non-Ice-type Pokémon. It activates at the end of each turn, dealing damage to enemies while healing allies of the appropriate type.

Activation Conditions

• Timing: Activates at the end of turn for all Pokémon on the field
• Damage targets: All non-Ice-type Pokémon (including allies in doubles)
• Healing targets: All Ice-type Pokémon (including the user)
• HP calculation: 1/8 of the target's maximum HP per turn

Affected Pokémon

• Takes damage: Any Pokémon without Ice as primary or secondary type
• Gets healed: Any Pokémon with Ice as primary or secondary type
• Minimum values: 1 HP minimum for both damage and healing

Technical Implementation

// Winter Throne triggers at end of turn for all battlers
if (ability == ABILITY_WINTER_THRONE) {
    for (battler = 0; battler < MAX_BATTLERS_COUNT; battler++) {
        if (IS_BATTLER_OF_TYPE(battler, TYPE_ICE)) {
            // Heal Ice types for 1/8 HP
            if (!BATTLER_MAX_HP(battler) && CanBattlerHeal(battler)) {
                gBattleMoveDamage = -gBattleMons[battler].maxHP / 8;
                if (gBattleMoveDamage == 0) gBattleMoveDamage = -1;
                // Heal battler
            }
        } else {
            // Damage non-Ice types for 1/8 HP
            gBattleMoveDamage = gBattleMons[battler].maxHP / 8;
            if (gBattleMoveDamage == 0) gBattleMoveDamage = 1;
            // Damage battler
        }
    }
}

Important Interactions

• Type changes: Effect changes if Pokémon's type changes mid-battle
• Dual typing: Works if Ice is either primary or secondary type
• Ability suppression: Doesn't work if ability is suppressed (Mold Breaker, etc.)
• Substitute: Damage/healing may be blocked by Substitute
• Magic Guard: Magic Guard prevents the damage but not the healing

Strategic Implications

• Field control: Dramatically shifts battle dynamics in favor of Ice types
• Stall potential: Makes Ice types extremely difficult to wear down
• Team building: Encourages Ice-heavy team compositions
• Counter strategies: Forces opponents to end battles quickly
• Doubles synergy: Affects all Pokémon, creating complex field states

Damage Calculations

• 1/8 HP per turn: Significant but not overwhelming
• 300 HP Pokémon: Takes 37 damage per turn (heals 37 if Ice type)
• 400 HP Pokémon: Takes 50 damage per turn (heals 50 if Ice type)
• Cumulative effect: Can determine long battles

Counters

• Ability suppression: Mold Breaker, Neutralizing Gas disable the effect
• Type changing: Forest's Curse, Trick-or-Treat can add/remove Ice typing
• Quick wins: End battles before cumulative damage becomes decisive
• Magic Guard: Protects non-Ice types from the damage
• Substitute: May block damage (but not healing)

Synergies

• Ice-type teams: Maximizes the healing benefit
• Bulk building: Leftovers + Winter Throne creates massive sustain
• Stall tactics: Combines with defensive moves for attrition wins
• Entry hazards: Complements chip damage strategies
• Weather immunity: Not dependent on weather unlike similar abilities

Competitive Usage Notes

• Unique effect: No other ability provides both damage and healing simultaneously
• Field presence: Changes how both players approach the battle
• Late game impact: Becomes more powerful as battles extend
• Team archetype: Enables Ice-type stall/balance teams
• Doubles consideration: Affects teammates, requiring careful team construction

Common Users

• Bulky Ice-type Pokémon who can capitalize on the healing
• Ice-type walls and defensive pivots
• Pokémon designed to outlast opponents through sustain
• Ice-type setup sweepers who need longevity

Version History

• New ability in Elite Redux
• Part of the extended ability roster (800+ series)
• Designed to make Ice types more viable in competitive play
• Unique field control mechanism not found in official games