Summary
To continue the Terastal phenomenon inPokemon Scarlet and Violet, theIndigo DiskDLC adds a new typing that puts a slight twist on the idea of Terastallization. Instead of swapping to a single, potentially different type than a Pokemon usually is, the new Stellar type keeps the Pokemon’s typing the exact same, but with the added benefit of boosting their STAB moves more.
While not something of note in the competitive scene,Stellar Terastal typeadds awhole new method to tackling Tera Raids,as the usual limit of the Stellar boost doesn’t exist inside the raid dens. Most Pokémon could benefit from this Tera type, but a select few benefits from the Stellar type’s special change to the move Tera Blast, which is the main appeal to using a Stellar type at all. This is a full team ranking from the least to the best Pokemon suited for the Stellar Tera type, specifically in Tera Raid battles.
6Terapagos
The Signature Stellar Type
The Legendary Pokemon responsible for the Stellar Tera type,Terapagosis, unfortunately, not a tremendously useful Pokemon in raids. While far from bad, as its stats and moves are actually great, along with a powerful ability, Terapagos only suffers from being a Normal type and needing setup before being truly efficient in raids.
As is the case with the Tera raids, just because a Pokemon is Legendary or Mythical does not mean it automatically wins raids. With the whole point of using Terapagos revolving around Tera Blast turned Tera Starstorm, the process rarely works out, as the Tera move barely damages any given raid boss without tremendous stat boosts, which are often wiped away the next turn anyway.
5Arceus
Multitype Made Stronger
A powerful Pokemon pick in Tera raids for its type-changing ability,Arceusdoes not benefit much more from the Stellar than a standard Tera type. Stellar type does boost Arceus' most iconic and powerful move, Judgement, tremendously, but beyond that, it is still too rigid of a Tera Raid option given the true power of the Stellar type.
Arceus' gimmick is that, with its ability Multitype, it can obviously become whatever type the player wants, so long as it holds a type-specific plate. While this is helpful forpromoted raids with Mightiest Mark Pokemon,it can be annoying to have to swap a plate constantly to match a current boss' weakness. Stellar type does not really add or subtract from the role Arceus provides.
4Enamorus
The Contrary Ability
What truly prevents Stellar from being a dominating Tera type is the fact that the signature move for it, Tera Blast, drops the Attack and Special Attack by one stage each time it’s used. This effectively makes it useless for practically every single Pokemon available inScarlet and Violet,except for a very select few with the wonderful ability of Contrary.
As the name suggests, Contrary reverses the effects of stat-affecting moves for Pokemon such asEnamorus, meaning Tera Blast instead is an extremely powerful move once Terastallized. While Enamorus has that ability benefit and the powerful stats expected of a Legendary Pokemon, it doesnot have a suitable movefor powering it up prior to Terastallizing into Stellar, making it notably less effective than other Contrary Pokemon.
3Lurantis
Constant Power Boosting
Lurantisis one of the best Pokemon for the Stellar type, thanks to its Contrary ability, its movepool, and how versatile it can be with the Stellar type. While Lurantis usually leans into being a physical Attack Pokemon, it having access to Leaf Storm, a move that is powered up by Lurantis' STAB and offers a two stat increase to Lurantis' Special Attack, makes it decidedly more useful as a Special Attacker.
Its movepool also features Superpower, however, and while that does not synergize as much, since it isn’t a Grass-type move, it does provide Lurantis a single boost to its Attack stat. Tera Blast also works as both a physical or special attack, allowing Lurantis to go down both routes tobring down a raid boss.
2Malamar
Contrarian Synergy
Malamar, also possessing the gift of Contrary, is another strong choice for a Stellar Tera type Pokemon. Along with Enamorus and Lurantis, however, it lacks a STAB move that also makes use of Contrary, but unlike the previous two, Malamar can commit to using its Physical Attack.
With access to Superpower, Malamar can slowly increase its Attack and Defense stats during the Tera Raid battle, and with a typing of Psychic and Dark,Malamar is only weak to two types.As long as players avoid Fairy and Bug type raid Pokemon, Malamar can handle the Tera Raid in no time.
1Serperior
The Superior Stellar Type
Serperioris the superior choice for the Stellar Tera type. With thisStarter Pokemonpossessing the Contrary ability, being a Special Attacking Grass type with access to Leaf Storm, and having a high Speed stat, Serperior is easily the best possible option for Stellar typing.
Since Serperior is the fastest Contrary Pokemon inScarlet and Violet,it’s able to use STAB Leaf Storm before the raid boss can attack it, allowing Serperior to increase its Special Attack by two stages and potentially heal any damage taken, so long as it’s holding the Shell Bell item. Serperior using Leaf Storm three times in a Tera Raid maxes out it’s Special Attack stat, and since it has access to Terastallizing after attacking three times, the always super-effective Tera Blast will destroy the boss in no time at all.
