Decoding Terastallization: Do Terastallized Pokémon Keep Their Original STAB?

Absolutely! When a Pokémon Terastallizes in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, it retains its Same-Type Attack Bonus (STAB) for its original types while also gaining STAB for its Tera Type. This mechanic significantly impacts battle strategy, offering both offensive and defensive advantages. Let’s delve into the intricacies of this fascinating transformation and unravel its implications for your gameplay.

Understanding STAB and Terastallization

Before we dive deeper, let’s recap the basics. STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) is a mechanic in Pokémon games where a Pokémon’s move power is boosted by 50% (multiplied by 1.5) if the move’s type matches one of the Pokémon’s types. This bonus encourages type-aligned movesets and strategic team building.

Terastallization, introduced in the Paldea region, allows a Pokémon to change its type to a chosen Tera Type once per battle. This mechanic shakes up traditional type matchups and adds a layer of unpredictability to competitive battling.

The Offensive Impact of Terastallization on STAB

The key to understanding Terastallization lies in its additive STAB effect. Consider a classic example: Charizard, normally a Fire/Flying type.

• Pre-Terastallization: Charizard receives STAB for Fire and Flying-type moves. Fire-type moves get a 1.5x boost, and Flying-type moves also get a 1.5x boost.

• Post-Terastallization (Water Tera Type): If Charizard Terastallizes into a Water Tera Type, it now receives STAB for Fire, Flying, and Water-type moves. This means its Fire and Flying moves still retain their 1.5x boost, while any Water-type move it learns also receives a 1.5x boost.

• Post-Terastallization (Fire Tera Type): If Charizard Terastallizes into a Fire Tera Type, the boost is even greater. It retains the original Fire-type STAB, but because its Tera Type matches its original type, that STAB is effectively doubled to 2x. The Flying moves stay with their original 1.5x STAB.

This mechanic opens up a realm of strategic possibilities. You can boost existing type coverage or patch up weaknesses by choosing a Tera Type that complements your Pokémon’s base typing.

The Defensive Implications of Terastallization

Terastallization doesn’t just augment offensive capabilities; it also drastically alters a Pokémon’s defensive profile. When you Terastallize, your Pokémon’s type changes completely to its Tera Type, overwriting its original weaknesses and resistances. However, the STAB from the original typing remains!

This means you can transform a Pokémon with glaring weaknesses into a defensive powerhouse with carefully selected resistances. For example, a Pokémon weak to Ground can Terastallize into a Flying type, becoming immune to Ground-type attacks.

Adaptability and Terastallization: A Potent Combination

The Adaptability ability further complicates the STAB equation. Normally, Adaptability increases STAB from 1.5x to 2x. When a Pokémon with Adaptability Terastallizes:

• If the Tera Type matches one of its original types, the STAB for that type is a massive 2.25x.

• If the Tera Type does not match one of its original types, the STAB for the Tera Type is 2x.

This creates opportunities for devastating offensive sweeps, especially with Pokémon that have already strong base Attack or Special Attack stats.

FAQs: Unraveling the Mysteries of Terastallization and STAB

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the nuances of Terastallization and its interaction with STAB:

1. Does Terastallizing remove STAB from original types?

No! This is the crucial point. Terastallization adds STAB for the Tera Type but does not remove STAB from the Pokémon’s original types.

2. Can a Pokémon have more than two STAB types after Terastallizing?

Yes, absolutely. A Pokémon can have up to three STAB types: its original types and its Tera Type.

3. Does the Tera Type’s STAB get applied before or after other damage modifiers?

STAB is applied after the base power of the move is calculated but before other modifiers like held items (Life Orb), abilities (such as Adaptability), and critical hits.

4. If a Pokémon Terastallizes into a type it’s already resistant to, does the resistance stack?

No. Type resistances and weaknesses don’t stack additively. The Pokémon will simply have the usual resistance (e.g., taking 1/2 damage instead of 1x damage) to that type.

5. What happens if a Pokémon’s Tera Type is Normal?

A Pokémon Terastallized into the Normal-type would receive STAB for Normal-type moves and retain STAB for its original types. This is a unique scenario as Normal-type moves are only super effective against Ghost-types (which doesn’t happen), and Ghost-types are immune to Normal-type moves.

6. Does Terastallizing affect abilities that change a Pokémon’s type?

No. Terastallized Pokémon cannot have their type changed from moves and Abilities such as Soak, Double Shock, Protean, or Transform.

7. Does Protean work with Tera Blast?

If a Pokemon with Protean has not Terastalized, Protean will change the user’s type before Tera Blast deals damage. However, Protean will not activate after a Pokemon has Terastalized.

8. If a Pokémon has Adaptability and Terastallizes into one of its original types, how much is the STAB multiplier?

The STAB multiplier is a potent 2.25x! This is because Adaptability increases the STAB bonus to 2x, and the Tera Type matching the original type adds an additional 1.25x boost, for a total of 2.25x!

9. Can you Terastallize multiple Pokémon in a single battle?

No, you can only Terastallize one Pokémon per battle.

10. How do you change a Pokémon’s Tera Type?

You can change a Pokémon’s Tera Type by collecting 50 Tera Shards of the desired type and speaking to the chef at the Treasure Eatery in Medali.

11. Are there any moves that bypass Terastallization’s type change?

Tera Blast will revert the Terastallized Pokemon back to its original typing after the move is completed, but only if the Pokemon isn’t holding a Normal Gem.

12. Can wild Tera Pokémon be shiny?

Yes, but finding a shiny Tera Pokémon is an extremely rare occurrence.

13. Does Terastallization affect the effectiveness of moves like Freeze-Dry?

No. Freeze-Dry will still be super effective against Water-type Pokémon, even if they are Terastallized into a different type. However, if the Terastallized Pokémon is still part Water, the move will still be 4x effective.

14. Does Terastallizing reset stat changes?

No, Terastallizing doesn’t reset stat changes (positive or negative) caused by moves like Swords Dance or status conditions like burn.

15. Where can I learn more about the mechanics of Pokémon games?

Excellent question! For deeper dives into game design principles, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society, a community dedicated to understanding the intersection of games and learning. Check them out at GamesLearningSociety.org for insightful articles and research.

Mastering Terastallization: A Path to Victory

Terastallization is more than just a flashy transformation; it’s a strategic tool that demands careful planning and execution. Understanding how it interacts with STAB is crucial for maximizing its potential. By thoughtfully selecting Tera Types and building teams that synergize with this mechanic, you can gain a significant advantage in battles and climb the ranks of competitive play. Experiment with different combinations, explore unique strategies, and embrace the dynamic possibilities that Terastallization unlocks in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. Now go out there and become a Terastallization master!