Conquering the Black Dragon: Your Guide to Joining Charizard Raids in Scarlet and Violet
So, you’re ready to take on the fiery tyrant, Charizard, in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet! You’ve heard the legends, seen the videos, and now you want a piece of the action. But how exactly do you jump into these high-stakes Tera Raids? Let’s break it down, step-by-step, so you can add this powerful Pokémon to your team.
The core answer is multifaceted: access to 6-Star Raids, a strong internet connection, finding the black Tera Raid crystal (Dragon type icon on the map), and being aware of the raid event schedule. Essentially, you need to beat the main story, unlock postgame content, and then keep an eye out for the special event raids appearing in your game world. Let’s delve into each aspect in greater detail.
Preparing for the Raid: Unlocking 7-Star Battles
Before you even think about tackling Charizard, you need to unlock 7-Star raids in your game. This is a post-game endeavor, so buckle up for a bit of work.
Step 1: Complete the Main Story
This is the most basic requirement. You need to finish the three main story paths in Scarlet and Violet. This includes the Victory Road path (challenging the gyms), the Starfall Street path (taking down Team Star), and the Path of Legends path (conquering the Titan Pokémon). Only after you’ve seen the end credits can you progress to the next stage.
Step 2: Academy Ace Tournament
Once the main story is complete, you’ll unlock the Academy Ace Tournament. This is a series of battles against the teachers and staff of the academy. Beat them all to proceed.
Step 3: Rematch the Gym Leaders
After the Academy Ace Tournament, you’ll be tasked with rematches against all the Gym Leaders. Defeat them once again to unlock even tougher challenges.
Step 4: 5-Star Raid Battles
Next, you need to participate in and win a certain number of 5-Star Tera Raid Battles. Winning about 15 5-star raids is needed to unlock the special phone call that activates 6-Star raids in your game.
Step 5: Unlocking 6-Star Raids
After the 5-Star raids have been conquered, a phone call from Jacq at the academy will inform you about the appearance of even stronger raids. This unlocks 6-Star Tera Raids. You absolutely need to have access to these before you can see the 7-Star Charizard raid.
Step 6: Update your game
Ensure that your game has the most recent updates and that you are connected to the internet. You do NOT need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to participate, but an internet connection is required. This will ensure you receive event information.
Finding and Joining the Charizard Raid
Once you’ve unlocked 6-Star raids, you need to actually find and join the Charizard raid when it’s available as an event!
Tera Raid Crystals
Look for Tera Raid crystals – these are the glimmering formations that shoot beams of light into the sky. Follow the beam to find the crystal. The 7-Star Charizard raids are specifically indicated by a black Tera Raid crystal on the map with a Dragon Tera Type icon.
Checking the Map
The best way to find the raid is to check your map frequently. 7-Star Raids, when active, will appear with a special icon. If you are not seeing the Charizard raid crystal showing up on your map, connect to the internet. This will refresh your game’s data and allow the event raid to appear.
Joining Online
While you can attempt the Charizard raid solo, it’s much easier with friends or online players. Select “Join a Raid Battle” from the Poké Portal to search for available raids. Be quick, as spots fill up fast!
Password (if applicable)
Sometimes, hosts will set a password for their raid to allow only friends to join. If you have a password, enter it when prompted.
Preparing Your Pokémon
Finally, don’t go into the raid unprepared! You’ll need a strong Pokémon to stand a chance against Charizard. Level 100, EV-trained Pokémon are highly recommended.
Level and Stats
Aim for level 100 for maximum stats. You also need to EV train your Pokémon, meaning you specifically target the stats you want to maximize using specific in-game items or by battling certain Pokémon.
Type Matchups
Charizard is a Dragon Tera Type, so choose your Pokémon accordingly. Fairy-type Pokémon are super effective against Dragon-types.
Moves
Make sure your Pokémon has powerful moves that are effective against Charizard’s Tera Type. Status moves like Screech or defense boosts can also greatly enhance your team’s performance.
Held Item
Equip your Pokémon with a suitable held item. Items that boost attack power or provide sustain are generally good choices.
FAQs: Your Charizard Raid Questions Answered
1. Has the Charizard raid already happened?
The Charizard Tera Raid events have run in the past, but Nintendo often re-runs these events. Keep an eye on official Pokémon news channels for announcements about future Charizard raids. The last confirmed dates in the given text were: Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 7 p.m. Eastern to Sunday, December 18, 2022, at 6:59 p.m. Eastern.
2. Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to participate in Charizard raids?
No, you do not need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to participate in Tera Raid Battles. However, you do need an internet connection to download event data and connect with other players.
3. Can I catch a shiny Charizard from the 7-Star raid?
Unfortunately, Charizard is Shiny Locked in the 7-Star raid event. This means you cannot obtain a shiny Charizard from these raids.
4. I’ve finished the main story, but I don’t see any 6-Star raids. What do I do?
Make sure you’ve completed the Academy Ace Tournament and rematched the Gym Leaders. Then, you need to win around 15 5-Star Tera Raid Battles to trigger the event that unlocks 6-Star raids.
5. Where do I find Tera Raid crystals?
Tera Raid crystals are found throughout the Paldea region. They are recognizable by the beams of light they emit. Explore different areas and keep an eye out for them. Black Raid Crystals are event specific.
6. Can I do the Charizard raid alone?
Yes, it is possible to complete the Charizard Tera Raid solo, but it is very challenging. You’ll need a well-trained Pokémon with the right type matchups and moves, and a bit of luck. Online multiplayer is generally recommended.
7. What level should my Pokémon be for the Charizard raid?
A level 100, EV-trained Pokémon is highly recommended for the Charizard raid. Anything lower may struggle significantly.
8. What is the best Pokémon to use against Charizard?
Since Charizard is a Dragon Tera Type, Fairy-type Pokémon are a good choice. Pokémon like Azumarill and Sylveon, with strong Fairy-type moves, can be effective. But, it is wise to check what moves Charizard is using to strategize accordingly.
9. How often do the Charizard raids spawn?
The raids respawn once per day, similar to regular 6-Star raids. However, the Charizard raid itself is only available during specific event periods.
10. Is there a code for Charizard in Pokémon Violet?
Yes, there was a code at one point: DARKTERA0006 for the Dark Tera Type Charizard. However, it is a gift and not a raid joining code. It is unlikely this code still works, as it was for a limited time, and it gave a free Charizard rather than enabling you to find the raid itself.
11. How do I get Mewtwo in Pokémon Violet?
Similar to Charizard, Mewtwo was available through a 7-star Tera Raid Battle. If the event is active, you need to find the black crystal raid and defeat Mewtwo to have a chance to catch it. Check for official announcements regarding future Mewtwo raid events.
12. What are EV’s and why are they important?
EVs are Effort Values. These values represent the hidden stats you can train on your Pokémon to boost certain attributes like Attack, Defense, Speed, etc. Maxing out EV’s relevant to your preferred style of play for a given Pokémon will greatly increase your chances of success.
13. Can I transfer my Charizard from another game?
No, the 7-Star Charizard can only be obtained by participating in and completing the Tera Raid event in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. You cannot transfer a Charizard from other games to participate.
14. Why isn’t the Charizard raid showing up on my map even though I’m connected to the internet?
Ensure you’ve completed all the prerequisites to unlock 6-Star raids (story, tournament, gym rematches, 5-Star raids). Also, double-check that the Charizard raid event is currently active. Sometimes, even with an internet connection, it may take a few minutes for the raid to appear.
15. Where can I find more information about the strategies behind the Tera Raids?
Besides reading guides like this, one great resource is the Games Learning Society. You can learn about strategy, game mechanics, and more at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.