How to Join Black Tera Raids in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Joining Black Tera Raids in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is a significant step for trainers aiming to tackle the toughest challenges the game has to offer. These raids feature incredibly powerful Pokémon with unique Tera Types, providing excellent opportunities to capture rare and strong team members. To join these high-level raids, specific in-game requirements must be met and a few important gameplay mechanics understood. The following guide will explain exactly how you can participate in these thrilling battles.
Requirements and Preparation
Completing the Main Game
The first and most critical step is to finish the main story of Pokémon Scarlet or Violet. This includes defeating the Elite Four and the Champion, which unlocks post-game content. Access to black tera raids is a reward for your journey through the game’s main narrative.
Post-Game Rematches
After becoming champion, you must then re-challenge and defeat all the Gym Leaders again. These rematches are more challenging than the initial encounters and serve as a stepping stone to higher-level raid battles. Winning against each Gym Leader the second time will further prove your worth as a trainer.
The Academy Ace Tournament
Following the gym rematches, you’ll need to complete the Academy Ace Tournament. This challenging competition will test your team and your skills. Winning this tournament shows you’re ready for the more rigorous tests of Black Tera Raids.
Unlocking Six-Star Raids
Finally, you’ll need to unlock 6-star Tera Raids to gain access to black crystal locations. This is triggered after completing the Ace Tournament and winning at least ten 4-Star raids. Once unlocked, one 6-star raid will appear daily on your map, marked by a black sparkling icon and a black crystal location. This is where you’ll find the coveted Black Tera Raids.
Additional Factors
Once these core requirements are fulfilled, your game will start spawning the black crystal raids on your map, allowing access. Importantly, you can bypass these requirements and join a Black Tera Raid by participating in another trainer’s raid battle. This is made possible through either multiplayer groups or link codes. This can be a great way to access higher-level raids earlier in the post-game process if you have access to the code of someone who has already unlocked them.
Understanding Black Tera Raids
Black Crystal Appearance
Black Tera Raids are denoted by black sparkling icons on your map along with black crystals at the location where the raid will occur. These stand out significantly compared to the normal raid dens, making them easily identifiable.
Daily Spawn
Only one 6-star Tera Raid Battle den will appear each day at a random location on your map. This means you’ll need to make time to explore to find them. They are not always easily located so a good amount of exploring will be needed. These raids will reset each day at midnight, local time.
Battle Mechanics
Once you’ve found a black crystal, select the Pokemon you want to bring with you and enter the battle. The raid will have a time limit. The system is designed to allow players to battle without waiting for everyone else to choose moves, thus keeping the battle engaging and fast-paced.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you see Black Tera Raids on the map?
Yes, Black Tera Raids are visible on the map, marked by a distinct black sparkling icon and a black crystal at their location.
2. How do you access special Tera Raids?
Special Tera Raids, such as 7-star raids, are generally event-based. They require completion of the main story, all gym rematches, and typically completing a certain number of 5-star raids. They become available in game only during in-game events.
3. How do I join an event in Tera Raids?
To participate in high-ranked Tera Raids (including event raids), you must complete the main story, beat all gym rematches, conquer the Ace Academy Tournament, and complete at least ten 4-Star Raid battles.
4. How do Black Tera Raids work?
Black Tera Raids have time limits, and all players battle simultaneously without waiting on others to choose their moves. They feature powerful Pokémon with unique Tera Types.
5. Where do Black Tera Raids appear?
These raids appear at black crystals that spawn on the map after you’ve completed the entire story and the post-game Academy Ace Tournament. Only one will appear per day.
6. Why are Tera Raids different colors?
The color of the crystal indicates the Tera Type of the Pokémon you’ll find in the raid. Each raid also displays a silhouette of the Pokemon and its star rating.
7. Why are no Tera Raids spawning?
Raid locations reset daily at midnight local time. Ensure you have progressed far enough into the game and completed all necessary steps to access the higher level raids.
8. Do you need online for Tera Raid events?
While you don’t necessarily need it to host the 6-star tera raids, you do need a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership to participate in Tera Raid Battles with other trainers online. Additionally, you need to download the latest Poké Portal News to encounter special event-featured Pokémon.
9. How many 5-star Tera Raids per day?
After unlocking 5-star raids, you will unlock one 6 star raid per day after you complete at least 15 of the 5 star raids.
10. Can you tell if a Tera Raid is shiny?
Tera Raids do not have a shiny animation. Shiny Pokemon can be caught in a raid encounter but will not be visible as shiny until they are in battle.
11. How often do Tera Raids pop up?
Every day, a new 6-star raid will become available. It appears as one single black crystal location on your map.
12. Are Tera Raid locations random?
Yes, Tera Dens spawn at random locations around the map and despawn after each battle. This means no two days will feature the exact same raids in the exact same locations.
13. What happens if a Tera Raid is blue?
Blue Star Tera Raid Battles are tied to ongoing events. They are available for a limited time and can return in the future.
14. What are the best counters for the Decidueye Tera raid?
Hisuian Decidueye will have a Grass Tera Type, making it weak to Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and Bug. The two best counters for this raid are Armarouge and Iron Moth.
15. Can you join Tera Raids hosted by other players to avoid completing the main game?
Yes, you can join Tera Raids, even Black Tera Raids, hosted by other trainers to bypass some of the requirements if you have a link code or are in the same group.
Conclusion
Black Tera Raids are among the most difficult challenges in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and they require significant progress and preparation to access, but understanding the requirements, gameplay mechanics, and participating in online groups or with link codes is the surest way to participate in these elite-level challenges. These raids are well worth the effort, as they can offer rare and highly beneficial Pokémon to add to your roster. By following the steps and keeping the FAQs in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to take on the exciting and difficult battles that await.