When Can You Get 7-Star Raids in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet? The Ultimate Guide
You can unlock 7-Star Tera Raids in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet after completing a significant portion of the post-game content. This involves finishing the main story, winning the Academy Ace Tournament, and then actively participating in Tera Raids, specifically 4-star and 5-star raids, until you trigger a special event that unlocks the higher-level raids. These raids are typically event-based and feature exceptionally powerful Pokemon.
Unlocking the Path to 7-Star Raids: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
Earning the right to face the ultimate challenge of 7-Star Tera Raids isn’t a walk in the park. Here’s a detailed guide to unlocking them:
- Conquer the Main Story: This is the first and most crucial step. You must complete all three main storylines: Victory Road (defeating all Gym Leaders), Starfall Street (defeating Team Star), and Path of Legends (defeating the Titan Pokemon).
- Become the Academy Ace: Once the main story is complete, you will unlock the Academy Ace Tournament. This is a post-game tournament held at the Naranja/Uva Academy. You need to battle through a series of tough trainers to win this tournament.
- Raid, Raid, Raid!: After becoming the Academy Ace, you need to participate in a number of 4-star and 5-star Tera Raids. Focus on completing these raids, as they are essential to triggering the next step. Winning around 15 Five-Star Tera Raid Battles is generally considered the magic number.
- The Professor’s Call: As you complete Tera Raids, you’ll eventually receive a call from Professor Jacq. He will inform you about the appearance of unusual Black Tera Crystals. These are the dens that host 6-star raids.
- Tackle the Black Tera Crystals: Completing 6-star raids is the final step toward unlocking 7-star raids. Participate in these raids and defeat the powerful Tera Pokemon within.
- Event Awareness: Keep an eye out for official announcements regarding 7-star raid events. These raids do not spawn randomly; they are specifically tied to scheduled events. Pokemon news sources and the in-game Poke Portal will provide details about upcoming events and the featured Pokemon.
Important Considerations:
- Pokemon Level: Be sure that your Pokemon are at least level 100 when engaging in 7-star raids. The Pokemon you’ll face are incredibly powerful, and having a fully trained team is essential.
- Tera Type Knowledge: Understanding the Tera Type of the raid boss is vital. Choosing Pokemon with advantageous type matchups will significantly increase your chances of success.
- Online Connection: While you can technically do 7-star raids offline if you join someone else locally, an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required to participate in online raids with other players. This is the primary way to access these events.
- Teamwork: 7-Star Raids are designed to be challenging and are best tackled with a well-coordinated team. Use online communication methods or play with friends to strategize and maximize your effectiveness.
- Daily Limit: You only have access to one seven-star Tera Raid battle in your world each day. More of these battles can be joined using the Poke Portal online matchmaking feature for Tera Raid battles.
- Event Raids: Keep in mind that glowing raids are event raids. These raids often offer unique rewards and Pokemon that are not normally available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About 7-Star Raids
1. What level should my Pokémon be for 7-star raids?
Your Pokémon should ideally be level 100 to participate effectively in 7-star raids. The raid bosses are extremely strong, and lower-level Pokemon will likely be defeated quickly.
2. Are 7-star raids always available?
No, 7-star raids are typically event-exclusive. They are announced in advance and only available for a limited time. Keep an eye on official Pokemon news channels for announcements.
3. Can I do 7-star raids offline?
You can participate in 7-star raids offline if you join a raid hosted by someone locally. However, you need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to access and host online raids yourself.
4. What kind of rewards can I get from 7-star raids?
7-star raids offer valuable rewards, including rare items, Ability Patches, Herba Mystica, and a chance to catch a powerful Tera Pokemon.
5. How do I find out about upcoming 7-star raid events?
Stay updated on 7-star raid events by checking official Pokemon websites, social media channels, and in-game news through the Poke Portal.
6. What happens if I fail a 7-star raid?
If you fail a 7-star raid, you can try again. However, remember that you only have one local spawn of the 7-star raid per day. You can join other players’ raids online to participate in more battles.
7. Can I get a shiny Pokémon in a 7-star raid?
The 7-star raid Pokémon themselves are usually shiny-locked, meaning they cannot be obtained as shiny versions directly from the raid. However, you can breed the captured Pokemon with a Ditto to potentially hatch a shiny version.
8. Do I need to beat all the Gym Leaders a second time to unlock 7-star raids?
Yes, beating all the Gym Leaders a second time is required to unlock the Academy Ace Tournament, a necessary step to eventually unlock 7-star raids.
9. How many 5-star raids do I need to complete to unlock 6-star raids?
You generally need to complete around 15 Five-Star Tera Raid Battles to trigger the call from Professor Jacq that unlocks 6-star raids.
10. Is there a best Pokémon to use in 7-star raids?
The “best” Pokemon for 7-star raids depends on the Tera Type of the raid boss. Popular choices often include Pokemon with high attack or special attack stats, good defensive typing, and moves that exploit the boss’s weaknesses. Some examples include Azumarill, Iron Hands, and Annihilape.
11. What does it mean when a Tera Raid den is glowing?
Glowing Tera Raid dens indicate that it is an event raid. These raids often feature special Pokemon or increased rewards.
12. How do I update event raids without an online connection?
You can update event raids without an active online connection, but you still need to have connected to the internet at least once to download the latest updates and event data.
13. Can I participate in Scarlet raids if I have Violet, and vice versa?
Yes, you can join raids hosted from both Scarlet and Violet versions when playing online. This allows you to access version-exclusive Pokemon.
14. What level should my Pokémon be for 5-star raids?
Your Pokémon should ideally be at least level 75, but level 100 is highly recommended for successfully completing 5-star raids.
15. Why am I not getting 6-star raids even after completing the Academy Ace Tournament?
After completing the Academy Ace Tournament, you need to complete around 15 Five-Star Tera Raid Battles to trigger the event that unlocks 6-star raids. Professor Jacq will then call you about the Black Tera Crystals.
Remember that the journey to unlocking and conquering 7-star raids requires patience, strategy, and a well-prepared team. Stay informed about upcoming events, and good luck, Trainer! The Games Learning Society provides a great foundation for understanding the strategic elements within games like Pokemon. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.