The Best Pokémon for Tera Raids

Trainers in the world of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet can seek greater challenges and rewards in Tera Raid battles. These battles require teamwork and planning to defeat tough opponents. Here are the best Pokémon and some strategies to consider for Tera Raids.

What Are Tera Raids?

Tera Raids are cooperative battles involving teams of four trainers, each with a single Pokémon, against a more powerful NPC Pokémon.

The concept was showcased in Sword and Shield with Max Raid Battles, with gigantic success. In Scarlet and Violet, trainers combine their strategic prowess to take down a powerful Terastalized Pokémon. Success in these raids hinges on deftly navigating the dynamic landscape of type matchups and Tera typing, ensuring that each Pokémon contributes meaningfully.

While it might seem like you’re in trouble if you prefer to play alone, the game provides NPC trainer buddies for you. Their limited movesets and the unpredictable nature of which Pokémon partners you get means you’ll have an easier time with a top-tier Pokémon at your side.

Recommended Pokémon for Tera Raid Battles

Legendary and Paradox Pokémon are usually a cut above the rest and will pack the most punch (if type advantages allow). However, you might not be far up in the game to obtain them and have to rely on ’regular’ Pokémon.

While there are many combinations to consider when building a team of four, certain Pokémon stand out as preferred choices. Their movesets make them more versatile in combat, or their stat totals make them beefier and more powerful than other Pokémon.

Dragapult

Dragapult is a pseudo-legendary Pokémon (meaning its stat total is 600 despite it being catchable in-game). Besides sporting superior stat totals to common Pokémon (and even most Paradox ones), Dragapult hits fast, with one of the highest speeds stats in the game. The type combination of Dragon and Ghost makes Dragapult a solid damage soak for attacks, with two immunities and six resistances.

It also has a broad coverage of attacks, being able to STAB on Dragon Pulse and Shadow Ball. If you can Terastalize it, Dragon and Ghost bolster its attacks, while Steel covers some defensive downfalls.

Dragapult can also pick up Light Screen, which is one of the ideal opening moves. A good option is also Will-o-Wisp for a guaranteed burn and attack reduction.

Volcarona

Volcarona has long been a force to be reckoned with, boasting impressive Speed and Special Attack since its debut in Gen V. However, its fragility to physical attacks and extreme vulnerability to Rock-type moves (which are frequently physical to boot) have always held it back.

Thanks to Terastalization, Volcarona gains a further STAB bonus on its typical moves, elevating its already formidable offensive capabilities. You can also change Volcarona’s defenses through Terastalization, ensuring that it can set up and sweep with far greater safety.

Fairy Tera typing works best, as it has the least obvious weaknesses (Poison and Steel), while giving Volcarona the best move coverage (through Tera Blast).

In battles, the combination of Quiver Dance and Morning Sun can give Volcarona time to set up its Special Attack stat for massive damage on an offensive move of your choice. Pair it with a Pokémon that can set up Sunlight for better healing.

Umbreon

Umbreon, a Dark-type Pokémon introduced in Generation II, is renowned for its impressive defensive capabilities. Its solid Defense stat and high Special Defense enable it to withstand a variety of attacks.

One of Umbreon’s shortcomings in Tera Raids is its Synchronize ability, which might not be as useful. However, you can teach it Skill Swap to give it to the opponent and potentially get rid of their game-changing ability. Note that your team shouldn’t rely on status effects in that case.

Moreover, Umbreon’s arsenal of moves includes powerful Dark-type moves like Foul Play and Snarl, which can inflict significant damage and lower an opponent’s Special Attack, respectively. Additionally, it can use Confuse Ray to potentially waste opponent’s moves.

Alternatively, use Ghost Terastalization and Helping Hand to make Umbreon a supportive tank while relying on Foul Play to counter high-Attack opponents.

Lucario

Lucario is a powerhouse in the Pokémon world, with impressive stats and a unique Fighting/Steel typing. With Lucario’s high Special Attack, holding Wise Glasses can be quite beneficial to improve special moves by 10%. However, in certain moveset scenarios, a Black Belt may be a superior option as it bolsters Fighting-type moves by 20%.

To optimize Lucario’s potential in Tera Raids, its Tera type should be Fighting. This way, it can overpower Steel, Ice, Dark, and Rock-type Pokémon, while also possessing resistance against them. However, this makes it weaker against Fairy-types. In that case, Steel Terastallization can be potent, switching Lucario to a decent tank while maintaining some of its offensive power.

Garchomp

This pseudo-legendary is a force to be reckoned with in Tera Raid Battles. To make Garchomp an even stronger physical attacker, Ground Terastallization is recommended, as it removes Garchomp’s Fairy and Dragon weaknesses, allowing it to withstand other fast dragons, and boosts its Ground-type STAB. This is most prominent in higher-star Tera Raids which have more Fairy and Dragon-type opponents. When it comes to nature, an Adamant one would be best.

In Tera Raid Battles, you could have Garchomp chain three Swords Dances for the maximum Attack Stat boost before using Outrage to take down Dragon-types. Earthquake and Iron Head are also effective moves, and Garchomp’s abilities and moves make it a valuable asset in battles due to its Tera Ground Type Terastallization.

Ceruledge

Ceruledge is a fierce fighter in Tera Raid battles, possessing both Fire and Ghost typing to hit six types with its STAB moves, as well as resist Blissey’s Dazzling Gleam. As a physical attacker, an Adamant Nature is recommended, and holding a Shell Bell will aid in HP recovery.

Ceruledge can set up Swords Dance to boost its Attack stat, and Sunny Day to increase the power of Bitter Blade, its main damaging move that also restores health. You can also deal massive Ghost-type damage with Shadow Claw, which has a higher chance of landing critical hits.

The most reliable strategy is to start with Swords Dance three times to max Ceruledge’s Attack stat. After that, use Shadow Claw or Bitter Blade depending on the type matchup. If your team composition can already set up Sunny Day, you can use another utility move or off-type offensive one to cover for type deficiencies. For example, a Fighting move adds another three distinct type advantages.

Miraidon

While Miraidon is a Paradox Pokémon (and therefore a bit of a „cheat“ for Raids), it has become a fan-favorite thanks to its striking design and potent skills.

The Pokémon’s unique ability, Hadron Engine, sets up Electric Terrain upon entry, increasing its Special Attack. it also protects your team against Sleep-inducing moves, which can be one of the most frustrating debuffs to face in a time-bound match.

Miraidon has excellent stats, making it effective even in type-disadvantaged fights, and the Dragon/Electric typing is solid on defense.

As if that wasn’t enough, it can Terastalize into a pure Dragon or Electric type, furthering one of its STABs, making it an ideal team leader and an even more powerful sweeper. All these factors make Miraidon a versatile and fearsome Pokémon that can undoubtedly become a valuable asset to any team with proper planning and strategy.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Pokémon for Tera Raids

Before each Raid, the Tera Gem where the raid can be started will glow different colors based on the type of the Pokémon you’ll be fighting. While Tera types have varied effects on the offensive power of the Tera Pokémon, their defense is largely down to their (new) Tera type. Use a Pokémon with a favorable type matchup (such as a Fire or Flying Pokémon against Grass Tera Pokémon) to eke out an advantage.

Approaching Type Matchups

In Tera Raids, the types of Pokémon can change in unexpected ways, which adds an extra layer of complexity to type matchups compared to regular combat. Terastalized Pokémon get a Tera type that can be independent of their normal type. This means that trainers can never be entirely sure what type of Pokémon they will be facing in a Tera Raid until they arrive at the crystal to check its silhouette.

A Pokémon’s Tera type overrides its original type-based defenses. However, its attacks still get STAB as if they have the old types, and they get an additional STAB on their Tera type if it’s different. Alternatively, a Tera type that matches one of the Pokémon’s original types increases the STAB bonus.

If Tera typing changes the original typing, you might have a tougher time picking your Pokémon. While a Fire Pokémon might deal extra damage to Grass Tera Types, if the Raid Pokémon is originally Water-type, their Water attacks will both STAB and be supereffective against you.

Furthermore, higher-star Tera Raid Pokémon can have a variety of moves that may not typically be associated with their type, making it more challenging to predict and counter their attacks. This means that trainers must stay alert and adapt their strategies on the fly, making use of their own Pokémon’s move sets and abilities to overcome the Tera Raid Pokémon’s strengths and weaknesses.

With these unpredictable changes to type matchups, Tera Raids require a high degree of strategic planning and quick thinking, adding to the thrill and excitement of these cooperative battles.

Unlocking Tera Raid Battles

Tera Raids become available after reaching Mesagoza (the first big city). To enter these battles, search for Tera Raid crystals that emit beams of light into the air. The Pokémon that appears at a crystal is unknown until you arrive to check its silhouette. Alternatively, you can participate in Tera Raid Battles by selecting it from the Poké Portal menu, depending on whether you’re offline, online, or in a Union Circle group.

As you earn more badges, higher-tier raids become available, with 5-star Tera Raids unlocked after completing the main story and 6-star Tera Raids unlocked after the postgame events. After that, 7-star Tera Raids become available through events.

Final Musings: The Art of Tera Raid Mastery

Mastering Tera Raids requires understanding three main concepts: type matchups, Pokémon selection, and the delicate balance between battling and cheering.

Moreover, trainers must not underestimate the importance of synergy and adaptability. Assembling a team that complements each other’s strengths and mitigates their vulnerabilities is the cornerstone of Tera raid success. With ever-changing challenges and a vast array of Pokémon combinations, the ability to adapt and evolve is paramount.

Do you have any Tera Raid strategy tips to dispense or a better top-tier Pokémon not mentioned in the list? Let us know in the comment section below.