Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Tera raids - HP values, difficulties, and how to start

In the new Pokemon Scarlet and Violet titles, the game is bringing back a recently introduced multiplayer experience - Raids. The new version is called Tera Raids, and in this guide, we'll detail everything that we know about Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Tera Raids and how they work, including how much HP the Tera Pokemon might have.

In the game, there's a new form that Pokemon can take on called Terastal. The Pokemon in this game have a Tera Type, and these raids can be a way to get more rare Pokemon with rarer Tera typings.

While you're here, consider checking out the best EXP farm locations in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Alongside our look at Rare Candy locations, you'll train up a high-level team at record speed.

What are Tera Raids in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?

Raids were introduced in their first form in Pokemon GO and were iterated on in Pokemon Sword and Shield. This iteration of Raids is more akin to the Sword and Shield version. Players will see in the open world crystal formations. When you interact with them, you'll be given the option to fight the Pokemon at the crystal.

These encounters are multiplayer, so players can either matchmake AI to go it alone or use a link code to party with friends. Once you've defeated the Pokemon, you'll have the opportunity to catch it.

These raids have improved in function from the Sword and Shield ones as well. In the older raids, you had to wait for your teammates to make their moves before you could proceed with your next attack or heal. This time, players are able to perform actions independently of their team, speeding up the pacing of these fights.

There are also Black Crystal Tera raids, which allow you to battle stronger than usual Pokemon for greater rewards.

These Tera raids are only available during a specific time, so you'll want to make sure you take them on while they're around. You'll have to complete certain Pokemon Scarlet and Violet post game events to partake in these raids normally. But if you haven't, you can still join someone who has by using their Link Code.

How to find and start a Tera Raid Battle in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

On your travels around Paldea, you'll notice beams of light shooting into the sky from afar. If these aren't wild Tera Pokemon you can fight alone, they're crystal outcrops (or Dens) where a larger Tera Pokemon dwells.

Interacting with one opens up a menu showing a silhouette of the Pokemon you'll find within and a star rating as an indicator of its difficulty.

On that same screen, you'll see options to team up with friends or to go it alone. Going alone will actually pair you with three AI teammates, so you won't be expected to deal with a colossal Pokemon on your lonesome.

For more difficult raids, though, you'll want to team up with real players either online or locally. Either way, you'll need to open up a room and share your code. If someone else has given you a code for their raid, open up the menu, go into Poke Portal, and enter it on the Tera Raid Battle tab to join.

Any player slots that aren't filled as you go into the battle will be filled with AI allies, so whichever way you attempt to tackle a Tera Raid Battle, you'll always have three other trainers by your side.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Tera Pokemon HP values

Because they're always going up against four other Pokemon, Tera Raid Pokemon have inflated HP pools to make them formidable battles.

Though you can't see how much HP they have left as a numerical value (you just see a bar go down instead) keen-eyed data diggers like Austin John Plays have seemingly figured out how much HP Tera Raid Pokemon have as they increase in star difficulty ratings.

Take a look at the breakdown above to get an idea of how this works.

Are we getting Gigantamax Pokemon in Tera Raids?

One thing that Sword and Shield had in their raids was Gigantamax Pokemon. These Pokemon would be far larger and have special Gigantamax moves in battle. While we haven't heard whether or not we'll be seeing any officially, we'd guess that we probably won't see them.

Gigantamax was a form that was in the generation 8 Galar region. Since the Paldea region has Terastal as its regional gimmick, there's a low chance that there will be any cross over between them, at least at launch.

When can players do Tera Raids?

As far as we know, Tera Raids will be available at the game's launch on November 18, 2022. Now we should expect that more Pokemon will be added to the list of encounters as they were in Sword and Shield, especially if there's going to be DLC.

We do know that there is going to be Tera Raid events as well coming to the game. These events are spotlight events where specific Pokemon can be found in Tera Raids. The first Tera Raid event will be Eevee and will take place from November 25, 2022 to November 27, 2022. During these events, Eevee will show up with various Tera types.

We also know the first Black Crystal Tera raid that's going to be available, which is Charizard! It will be available at two times, December 2-4, 2022 and December 16-18, 2022.

And there we have it. That's all the info that we have about Tera Raids right now, but as more information comes out, we'll be sure to keep you updated. In the meantime be sure to check out our Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Starter Guide, so know which Pokemon to pick to start your journey!