Mastering Tera Raids: Understanding Which Moves Fall Flat
Tera Raids in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet offer a challenging and rewarding experience, but navigating the intricacies of battle can be tricky. One crucial element is knowing which moves simply won’t work against a Tera Raid boss. Understanding these limitations can save you valuable turns and prevent frustrating failures.
The following moves will fail when used in a Tera Raid Battle:
- Self-Destruct, Explosion, Misty Explosion, and Final Gambit: These moves are designed to cause massive damage at the cost of the user’s own HP, but they are entirely nullified in Tera Raids. The raid boss will be unaffected by the move.
- Guard Split and Power Split: These moves attempt to equalize the user’s and target’s Defense and Special Defense (Guard Split) or Attack and Special Attack (Power Split). The raid boss will be unaffected by the move.
- Perish Song: This move places a “perish counter” on all Pokémon in battle, causing them to faint after three turns. The raid boss will be unaffected by the move.
- Trick: This move allows the user to swap held items with the target.
- One-Hit Knockout (OHKO) Moves: This includes moves like Horn Drill, Guillotine, Fissure, and Sheer Cold.
- Imprison: This move prevents the target from using any moves that the user also knows.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tera Raid Moves
These FAQs dive deeper into the specific mechanics and implications of move failures in Tera Raids, providing you with the knowledge to become a true raid master!
Q1: Why do Self-Destruct and Explosion fail in Tera Raids?
These moves are designed for high-risk, high-reward scenarios, often used to create openings or secure a final blow in standard battles. However, in the context of Tera Raids, their self-sacrificing nature doesn’t translate well. The raid mechanics likely prevent these moves from working to prevent exploits.
Q2: Do One-Hit KO (OHKO) moves ever work in Tera Raids?
No. Moves like Horn Drill, Guillotine, Fissure, and Sheer Cold will always fail against a Tera Raid boss. These moves are designed to instantly knock out a target, which would trivialize the raid’s challenge. The game mechanics are specifically coded to render these moves ineffective.
Q3: If OHKO moves don’t work, why do some guides mention them affecting the barrier in Max Raid Battles?
This is a crucial distinction. While OHKO moves fail entirely in Tera Raids, they used to interact with the mysterious barrier in Max Raid Battles from Pokémon Sword and Shield. Specifically, a successful OHKO move would deplete two bars of strength from the barrier. However, this mechanic does not exist in Tera Raids.
Q4: Does the move Trick work in Tera Raids? Can I use Trick in a Tera Raid to give the boss a bad item?
No, Trick will always fail when used in a Tera Raid Battle. You cannot swap items with the raid boss. It does not matter which items or target is selected. This is likely to prevent players from crippling raid bosses by giving them detrimental items or stealing valuable held items.
Q5: Does Seismic Toss work in Tera Raids?
Yes, Seismic Toss does work in Tera Raids. Unlike OHKO moves, Seismic Toss deals a fixed amount of damage equal to the user’s level, regardless of the target’s defenses. It’s a consistent source of damage, particularly useful against bosses with high defenses.
Q6: Why does Perish Song fail?
Perish Song places a delayed KO effect on all Pokémon. Since Tera Raids are designed to be a longer, more strategic battle, instantly knocking out the boss after three turns would disrupt the intended gameplay.
Q7: What about stat-splitting moves like Guard Split and Power Split? Why do they fail?
These moves are likely disabled to prevent players from drastically altering the raid boss’s stats and potentially breaking the encounter. These moves redistribute stats and could make the raid either unfairly easy or extremely difficult.
Q8: Do moves that induce status conditions like paralysis or burn work in Tera Raids?
Yes, most status condition moves do work in Tera Raids. Paralysis, burn, poison, and sleep can all be inflicted on the raid boss. These conditions can provide significant advantages, such as reducing the boss’s Attack (burn) or Speed (paralysis).
Q9: Does Yawn work in Tera Raids?
Yes, Yawn can be used to force a Pokemon to fall asleep during the Tera Raid.
Q10: Does it matter what kind of Poke Ball you use to catch a Pokemon in a Tera Raid?
No. All Pokémon defeated in Tera Raid Battles are guaranteed to be caught, regardless of the Poké Ball used. Feel free to use your favorite ball for aesthetic reasons!
Q11: Can I use consumable items like berries in Tera Raids?
Yes! And the best part is that any consumed held items, like berries, Focus Sashes, Weakness Policies, and Booster Energies, are returned to you after the raid. This allows you to experiment with different strategies without worrying about permanently losing valuable items.
Q12: Do abilities like Unaware, Justified, and Moxie work in Tera Raids?
Yes, these abilities function as they normally would. Unaware ignores the opponent’s stat changes, Justified increases Attack when hit by Dark-type moves, and Moxie increases Attack after knocking out a Pokémon. Abilities can play a key role in Tera Raid strategies.
Q13: What moves are good to use in Tera Raids?
Moves that provide support and utility are generally valuable. Reflect, Light Screen, and Aurora Veil reduce incoming damage. Life Dew and Heal Pulse heal allies. Taunt can disrupt the raid boss’s buffs and debuffs. Status inflicting moves also work.
Q14: Does Speed matter in Tera Raid Battles?
While Speed is important in standard battles, it’s less crucial in Tera Raids. The raid boss’s actions are often scripted or triggered by specific events, rather than determined by turn order.
Q15: Where can I find more resources to improve my understanding of Pokémon and game mechanics?
Organizations like the Games Learning Society offer valuable resources and insights into the educational aspects of gaming. By exploring platforms like GamesLearningSociety.org, you can deepen your knowledge of game mechanics, design principles, and the broader impact of gaming on learning and society.
By understanding which moves are ineffective in Tera Raids, you can optimize your team’s strategy and increase your chances of success. Good luck, and happy raiding!