Hidden ability is not the apropiate term indeed. Id go for... Triggered ability of the keyword?
Suggestions of my own (In new keyword Aquatic)
Mermaid (5R, Aquatic)
Enemy tower & wall & stock -2
Dike (3B, Aquatic)
Wall +N
Tower +N/2
N= #Aquatic
Whale (10/10/10, Aquatic)
Enemy tower, wall, stock -10
Seaquake (6G, Aquatic)
Players loose N tower, wall, stock
N= #Aquatic
Naga (15G 5R, Aquatic)
Wall -3N
Tower-2N
Stock-3N
N=#Aquatic
Sunken statue (4B,4R Aquatic, Unliving)
Stock +N
N= #Unliving + #Aquatic
Sea serpent (5G 5R Aquatic)
If enemy wall = 0
Stock -7
Else
Enemy tower, wall, stock -3
Poseidon (25G aquatic)
Player with lowest wall
Tower, wall, stock -15
Triggered effect of keyword: Enemy tower, wall, stock -1,2,3 (c,u,r)
Well, didn't mention rarity, but for most cards it's obvious. Surely it coud use ballancing.