Skip to main content

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Tera Raid guide: basic tips and tricks

The Pokémon franchise has always specialized in family-friendly RPGs first and foremost. The main mechanics and focus of each game, which is to battle, catch, and train Pokémon, is very easy for even new players to grasp. At the same time, those who have been with the series for a long time have enjoyed a steady evolution of more deep and complex mechanics to further push the competitive nature of fighting monsters. For a long time, battling other trainers was the only real way to challenge yourself after beating the game, but Pokémon Scarlet and Violet has added something else for hardcore trainers to test themselves against.

Tera Raids are the toughest challenges in Scarlet and Violet. These encounters against special Pokémon are so challenging that you can’t take them on alone. These battles take advantage of the new Terastallized Pokémon, and are ranked in difficulty with a star level. There’s a lot more to these than just throwing your strongest Pokémon out there and hoping for the best. Here’s a full breakdown on how Tera Raids work, their rewards, and some tips and tricks to come out on top in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

See more

How Tera Raids work

A pokemon terrestalizes in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Tera Raids are a new challenge you can take in Scarlet and Violet that put you and three others up against one Terastallized Pokémon. No matter what, you will have to face this foe as a team. You can bring friends along, connect with others online, or be given AI trainers to join you, though that last option is the least advisable.

Not only is this Pokémon way more powerful than normal, you and your team will also be under a strict time limit to defeat it. Each one has a different time limit you can see when beginning the raid.

Where to find Tera Raids

Pokemon trainers run around with their monsters in Pokemon Violet and Scarlet.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Tera Raids are accessed all over Paldea by finding crystal outcroppings in the world. They can be spotted fairly easily since they emit a beam of light, but also appear marked on your map. They will change location each day, though, so you can’t just go back to the same spot all the time.

Once you find one, simply approach it and hit Y to see the details – such as what Pokémon you will fight, the time limit, and difficulty rating — and begin the raid.

What are the rewards?

Managing to beat a Tera Raid will first allow you to capture the Tera Pokémon you just fought. You will also get a random reward from a pool based on the difficulty level of the raid. There are too many to list, but here’s a few rewards you can expect from each difficulty level:

  • One Star: EXP Candy S, Pearl, Swift Feather, Resist Feather, Muscle Feather, Health Feather, Genius Feather, and Clever Feather.
  • Two Star: EXP Candy M and everything from One Star raids, and more.
  • Three Star: EXP Candy M, Wiki Berry, Sitrus Berry, Mago Berry, Lum Berry, Figy Berry, Big Mushroom, Star Piece, and Big Pearl.
  • Four Star: EXP Candy L, EXP Candy M, Nugget, everything from Three Star raids, and more.
  • Five Star: Ability Capsule, Rare Candy, EXP Candy XL, EXP Candy L, and all Mint materials.
  • Six Star: Ability Patch, Bottle CapNugget, Rare Cand,y EXP Candy XL, EXP Candy L, and more.

Five and Six Star Tera Raid tips

A Pokemon student holds a Pokeball in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re going to challenge the tougher raids, here’s some essential tips to win.

  • Pick your highest-level Pokémon that counters the Tera Pokémon’s type. Check what you’re up against first, and pick your Pokémon accordingly.
  • No need to worry about using items or healing before the fight. Your Pokémon will always have full HP and PP when you start.
  • Work with your team. If you can coordinate attackers, buffers, debuffers, and such, you can make quick work of raids.
  • Don’t forget to cheer! You can choose to cheer instead of using a move during Tera Raids, which can boost your team’s offense, defense, or heal everyone.

Editors' Recommendations

Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox loves writing, games, and complaining about not having time to write and play games. He knows the names of more…
The best Pokémon Scarlet and Violet mods
Three shiny Pokémon by a picnic.

It's no secret that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet launched in a technically messy state. Many are willing to look past the flaws in performance, graphics, and quality of life features, however, others took it upon themselves to fix or improve aspects of the game that the developers can't or won't. While modding is typically associated with PC games, it is possible to do it on your Nintendo Switch. There are limitations, and they may come with some risks, but these mods can certainly make your journey through Paldea more enjoyable. Don't expect a 4K, 60 fps enhancement here, but these are the best Pokémon Scarlet and Violet mods out there.
How to mod Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
Modding on your Nintendo Switch isn't as easy as it is on PC, but as long as you follow a few simple steps, anyone can do it. The basics of it simply ask you to download the Trinity Mod Loader tool, download the mod(s) you want and add them to the tool, and then apply the mod to your Switch.

Be aware that mods can result in you getting banned by Nintendo, so it is recommended that you play offline while using them. Even then, you do so at your own risk.

Read more
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Academy Ace Tournament guide
A Spanish inspired landscape and castle from Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet.

Pokémon titles have always provided extra content for players to challenge themselves with after completing the main quest. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet not only has a far more expansive series of main quests but tons more to do even after beating all three of them. Aside from hunting down legendary Pokémon or rematching all the gym leaders, one of the toughest post-game activities that will open up is the Academy Ace Tournament.

Unlike gym leaders, or most other trainers you will fight around Paldea, the competition you will go up against in the Academy Ace Tournament typically won't build their teams around a single Pokémon type. Their teams are all very high-level and diverse, making them quite the challenge to overcome. Here's all the information you need to train your team to become the Academy Ace Tournament champion in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Read more
After 25 seasons, Ash Ketchum is retiring from Pokémon
Ash holds a Pokeball while a lot of iconic Pokemon stand behind him.

The Pokémon Company confirmed that Ash Ketchum will no longer be the main protagonist of the series' anime starting in 2023.
Ever since Pokémon! I Choose You! first aired in Japan on April 1, 1997, the Pokémon anime has followed the exploits of 10-year-old Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum on his quest to become Pokémon Master. After trying and failing many times across 25 seasons, Ash finally managed to become the world's greatest Pokémon trainer in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series after winning the Pokémon World Coronation Series.
The Pokémon Company is deciding to leave Ash's journey on a high note and will retire his character as the protagonist of the Pokémon anime after the current season. Thankfully, he is getting a proper send-off across the final 11 episodes of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, with classic anime characters like Misty and Brock returning to help tell "the final chapter in Ash and Pikachu's story." These final 11 episodes will start airing in Japan on January 13, 2023.
This won't be the end of Pokémon anime adaptions, though; The Pokémon Company will start a new series later next year, following two new characters named Liko and Roy. Details on this new series are still scarce, but we know it will also feature Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly, and a Shiny Rayquaza in significant roles. We're likely to see them venture through Paldea, the region Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are set in.
While the announcement that Ash Ketchum will no longer be the protagonist of the Pokémon series is bittersweet for those of us who grew up with the Pokémon anime, we can hope that the series will give him a beautiful farewell, and that Liko and Roy's series can successfully capture the hearts of a whole new generation of Pokémon fans. 

Read more