Pokemon Scarlet and Violet - Terastal Pokemon explained

After a tell-all Direct, it's time to look into the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Terastal mechanic that's at the centre of the new games. The next iteration of flagship Pokemon titles, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are right around the corner. In a Pokemon Presents today, the Pokemon Company showed off some more details about the game, including its new transformation method.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is the ninth generation of Pokemon games. Set in the Paldea Region, they're iterating on the past game's multiplayer features to offer up an open-world JRPG. Battles still take centre-stage, though, and the new terastalize feature looks to be the next new meta mechanic trainers will have to account for.

If you're looking for more information about the game, check out our other guides to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. We have a primer on the best Pokemon Scarlet and Violet pre-order rewards, and all we know about the Gym Leaders in the game.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Terastal explained

In previous Pokemon games, we have seen various special forms that our Mons can take on. We've seen forms like Mega Evolutions to Dyanamax and Gigantimax forms, and we now have a new form that our Pokemon can transform into. This new form is called Terastal.

When a Pokemon Terastalizes, it turns into a crystal form, with a very stylish Gem ornament on their heads. Every Pokemon in the Paldera Region can Terastalize. Doing so can provide a boost of power to the Pokemon such as increasing the damage of its moves.

The trailer said it boosts their type. Whether or not that means it boosts their STAB (same type attack boost) moves, however, isn't clear.

It's also possible for a Pokemon to change type when it terastalizes, which is based on something called a Tera Type. There were a few examples shown, such as the Balloon Pikachu being a Flying-type rather than Electric. It also seems that there's a way to find Pokemon with different Tera Types, such as Eevee.

Tera Raids were said to feature these rare Pokemon more regularly, suggesting you'll be able to find them in a wild as well. With enough luck, at least.

How do I catch Terastal Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet?

Terastal forms are pretty darn cool, but how do we get them? Well, since every Pokemon in the game can Terastalize, any Pokemon that we catch in the wild has this form available to them. We don't know if there are any special requirements to Terastalize yet, though, but

Another way that we can get Pokemon with rarer Tera Types is through Tera Raids. If you played Pokemon Sword and Shield, or even Pokemon GO, then you're familiar with these kinds of events. These will be multiplayer experiences, with opportunities to catch the raid Pokemon at the end of the battle.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Terastalized Pokemon

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Which Terastalized Pokemon have we seen so far?

So far, we have a few different Pokemon whose Terastailzed versions have been shown off. Here's a list of the Pokemon that we've seen so far.

• Sprigatito
• Fuecoco
• Quaxly
• Pikachu
• Eevee
• Persian
• Azumarill
• Drifblim
• Hydregion
• Tsareena
• Hatterene
• Pelipper
• Gardevoir
• Dragonite

And that's all that we have for you. There's a lot yet to be revealed for the new game, and we're only a few months out, so be sure to stay tuned for that coverage.

While you're here, be sure to check out our guides to the Regions in the game, the Legendaries, and our new beloved professors!