Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Terastal Phenomenon explained: Tera Types & how to Terastallize

The Terastal Phenomenon was the new battle mechanic introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Generation 9 Pokemon title. Here’s a detailed guide to Tera Types and how to Terastallize in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

Traditionally, with each new Pokemon generation comes a brand-new battle mechanic to shake up gameplay, and Pokemon Scarlet & Violet were no different.

In the past, we’ve seen brilliant new additions like Mega Evolutions and the Dynamax transformation. This time, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet players were treated to the Terastal Phenomenon.

This new battle mechanic available to Pokemon found in the Paldea region allows them to Terastallize. Terastallized Pokemon will not only take on a shiny new appearance, but they’ll receive a major combat boost in battle.

Here’s a breakdown of how the Terastal Phenomenon works in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

• How to Terastallize in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
• Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Terastal Phenomenon explained
• What are Tera Types in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet?
• What is a Tera Blast attack in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

How to Terastallize in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

You’ll need a Tera Orb item to Terastallize in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to use this exclusive new Terastal Phenomenon technique, but you’ll get the Orb very early on in the game.

Your Tera Orb will lose its Terastal energy after it’s been used once in battle. To recharge the Tera Orb you’ll either have to visit a Pokemon Center or touch one of the many crystals that contain Terastal energy across Paldea.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Terastal Phenomenon explained

Pokemon that undergo Terastallization in battle will appear with a glistening jewel above their head. The Pokemon will take on a shiny crystal-like aesthetic, but the Terastal Phenomenon provides more than just a change in appearance.

When a Pokemon Terastallizes their ability in battle skyrockets and your Pokemon’s moves will be notably stronger in battle, which adds a new layer of strategy to the game, especially for tough opponents like Gym Leaders.

Of course, this new battle mechanic can only be performed within the Paldea region, as it is said to originate from the energy that the region stores deep within the ground.

The Terastal Phenomenon is a relatively new concept, and even Professor Sada and Professor Turo continue to uncover all of its mysteries.

Given how powerful this new Pokemon Scarlet and Violet mechanic is, it’s no surprise that you can only Terastallize a Pokemon once per battle, and they will maintain this form until the battle comes to a close.

What are Tera Types in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet?

The Pokemon Company

Pokemon that Terastallize could take on a new type, and each creature in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will have a Tera Type. Tera Types determine the type of your Pokemon when they Terastallize.

Often, your Pokemon’s standard Type will match their Tera Type, but on certain occasions, a Terastallized Pokemon can take on a new type. For example, the Eevee seen in the image above is a Normal-Type Pokemon with a Water Tera Type.

This explains the Water-Type Tera jewel above their head. In this case not only do Eevee’s weaknesses and resistances change to match the Water-Type after Terastallizing, but their Water-Type moves will pack more of a punch.

As the Pokemon Company puts it: “There are 18 types, meaning there are countless combinations of Pokémon and Tera Types.” This adds a whole new layer of strategy to Pokemon battles in Scarlet and Violet.

What is a Tera Blast attack in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet?

Changing type and receiving a boost to stats aren’t the only benefits of Terastallizing in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Tera Blast, a new move that can be learned via a TM, also plays a unique role in the Terastal Phenomenon.

Tera Blast is a Normal-type move, but when it is used by a Terastallized Pokemon it takes on the Pokemon’s Tera Type. For example, a Tyranitar with a Ghost Tera Type will have access to a Ghost-type Tera Blast.

Tera Blast is unaffected by moves that change the Pokemon’s type. It’s important to note that Tera Blast uses the higher stat out of Attack and Sp. Attack to deliver damage, which adds yet another layer of strategy to Scarlet and Violet’s battles.

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Now that we’ve cleared up Terastallizing and Tera Types in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, let’s run through some of our other guides for the game:

How to get revives in Pokemon Go | Pokemon Go best attackers ranked | All Pokemon Go free rewards | How to get Master Ball in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | Everything we know about Pokemon Scarlet & Violet DLC | How many Pokemon types are in Scarlet & Violet? | How to beat Delphox Tera Raid in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Tips & best counters for 7-Star event