Pokémon Day 7* Tera Raids (Paldea Starters and Pseudos)

[pika pal]

I've been thinking about the starters, beginning with solo Meowscarada since the cat is first:

Scizor @ Shell Bell
Ability: Swarm
Tera Type: Bug
EVs: 240 HP / 28 Atk / 240 Def
Adamant Nature
- Lunge
- Iron Defense
- Swords Dance
- ???????

The bulk EVs ensure that a crit Flower Trick can never do more than a quarter, and a neutral Night Slash also can't do more than a quarter. Lunge ensures that non-crits will do laughable damage, and maybe eventually just force it to Flower Trick you for under a quarter. This is definitely the "safer" route for Scizor, just making sure that you can't lose rather than you'll quickly win.

If the last slot goes unused, any reason Focus Energy can't be used, since the main goal is just "don't die" and thus won't wear off anyway? Gonna build this for a Solo so figure anything to make it a little faster

 

[Vengeance417]

If the last slot goes unused, any reason Focus Energy can't be used, since the main goal is just "don't die" and thus won't wear off anyway? Gonna build this for a Solo so figure anything to make it a little faster

I've been using Pounce in the last slot. Found that it finishes the raid faster by going first after a speed drop.

 

[Arcticblast]

If the last slot goes unused, any reason Focus Energy can't be used, since the main goal is just "don't die" and thus won't wear off anyway? Gonna build this for a Solo so figure anything to make it a little faster

yeah, I've been using Focus Energy in the last slot. It's a little bit dependent on how the first few turns go, but a little extra crit chance never hurt anyone

 

[Terimas]

Thinking ahead towards the Skeledirge raid, I think we can probably expect a moveset consisting of Torch Song, Alluring Voice, Hex and Will-O-Wisp. Shadow Ball and Scorching Sands are also possible.

For scripted moves, I would say turn 1 Flame Charge could be a thing. Sunny Day and Heat Wave also likely choices.

Unaware and constant SpA boosts from Torch Song are going to be a major threat, and they will likely be the biggest hurdle we need to overcome with our strategies.

With these in mind, we might consider following counters:



Manaphy @ Shell Bell / Covert Cloak
Ability: Hydration
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Modest Nature
- Skill Swap
- Surf
- Tail Glow
- Rain Dance

With Skill Swap we can solve the issue of both Unaware and Torch Song in one move. From there, Tail Glow into Surf will be immensely powerful. One major thing to consider is that Alluring Voice can confuse you on the turns you go for Tail Glow which is why Covert Cloak can be considered as an option. Take Heart is an alternative setup move in case you'd prefer a slower and bulkier approach.



Diancie @ Shell Bell
Ability: Clear Body
Tera Type: Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Skill Swap
- Calm Mind
- Power Gem

Diancie can also pull off similar tricks as Manaphy with Skill Swap and Calm Mind. Diancie being naturally slower than Skeledirge can be a benefit in avoiding the confusion from Alluring Voice.



Blissey @ Shell Bell
Ability: Natural Cure
Tera Type: Psychic
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Modest Nature
- Skill Swap
- Calm Mind
- Stored Power

If you want to use a Pokémon that never dies, Blissey can be your choice. Even with Tera Psychic granting you weakness to Ghost, Blissey's special bulk should be more than enough to handle it. And Stored Power should be strong enough at +6 in both of your special stats.

It's worth noting that several Pokémon get access to Skill Swap and Calm Mind, and can use either Stored Power or Tera Water Tera Blast for offense. These options include , , , and many more, so pick whichever feels right. I think these options should suffice as decent counters against almost anything Skeledirge could pull off.

Also, Soundproof Kommo-o will probably hard wall Skeledirge, although you might want to watch out for Will-O-Wisp + Hex combo.

 

[Worldie]

My main issue with Skill Swap is that you're getting Unaware yourself.
Which means you are ignoring Skeledirge's debuffs that may be applied by others or yourself, as well as not preventing it from snowballing off non-AI teammates.

But what if...


Araquanid @ Leftovers / Shell Bell / honestly anything
Ability: Water Bubble
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Rain Dance
- Skitter Smack
- Entrainment
- Aqua Ring / Liquidation / anything really

Rain Dance is actually not necessary per se (Araqua actually takes more from Hex than Torch Song even without being burned, so it'd use Hex on you) but mainly there as a way to discourage Skeledirge from using Torch Song on others.
I am also not sure if there's any weird interaction with Water Bubble and Will o Wisp, it'd be funny if the boss ends up wasting turns on it like they do for, say, the bread doggo.
The main idea is just to throw Entrainment turn one, then either commit to -spatk debuffs with Skitter Smack, or if you rather go offensive or there's other debuffers, you can run Liquidation and just do damage.

Relevant calc:
0 SpA Tera Fire Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Water Bubble Araquanid: 42-50 (12.3 - 14.7%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0 SpA Tera Fire Skeledirge Hex (65 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Araquanid: 51-60 (15 - 17.6%) -- possible 9HKO

Aqua Ring + Lefties / Shell Bell on Liquidation probably outheal any damage Skeledirge actually tries to do as long as it's not setting up torch songs.

(Also fun fact, you can even Entrainment teammates that get burned to remove the burn)

 

[Terimas]

My main issue with Skill Swap is that you're getting Unaware yourself.

That's the point. Skeledirge will very likely skyrocket up to +6 SpA with its Torch Song in just a couple of turns, so it's necessary to take away its Unaware and use the ability against it.

And any damage calcs involving Skeledirge should assume that it's at +6 SpA.

Of course, it's a fair point that you can't do any debuffs that way, but they shouldn't really be needed.

 

[DHR-107]

My main issue with Skill Swap is that you're getting Unaware yourself.
Which means you are ignoring Skeledirge's debuffs that may be applied by others or yourself, as well as not preventing it from snowballing off non-AI teammates.

I think you just die to get your own ability back anyway, that's what Malamar usually does regardless. Get the Skill Swap off, die, and then proceed to use your own ability for your own benefit.

Contrary would always work against Skeledirge anyway.

 

[Vengeance417]

I wouldn’t be shocked if they have Skeledirge use Overheat at some point during the raid. It’s constantly building up SpA with Torch Song, so the -2 SpA drop wouldn’t matter too much since it can build that back up in an instant. Plus, it would be an effective foil to Contrary Skill Swap, boosting SpA by 2 instead.

 

[Worldie]

I wouldn’t be shocked if they have Skeledirge use Overheat at some point during the raid. It’s constantly building up SpA with Torch Song, so the -2 SpA drop wouldn’t matter too much since it can build that back up in an instant. Plus, it would be an effective foil to Contrary Skill Swap, boosting SpA by 2 instead.

To be fair it doesn't really do much to the skill swap part, sure it goes from -6 to -4 and then again to -6

 

[Vengeance417]

To be fair it doesn't really do much to the skill swap part, sure it goes from -6 to -4 and then again to -6

Normally, yeah, but I can see the boss clearing its stats, then using Overheat. I’ll be at +2 SpA, then.

It also depends if Skeledirge even chooses to use Torch Song after it gains Contrary. It might pick its other moves instead.

 

[Worldie]

It also depends if Skeledirge even chooses to use Torch Song after it gains Contrary. It might pick its other moves instead.

From other raids, I don't recall the AI being able to understand when contrary is messing up their skill gains from offensive moves.

(And even then, you'd still be happy for it to stop using its tera boosted stab)

 

[pika pal]

Also tangentially related, what Pokeballs are people using for the Starters? I'm spamming Item Printer for a Friend Ball on Meowscarada, then Lure for Quaquaval and undecided for Skeledirge

 

[R_N]

Also tangentially related, what Pokeballs are people using for the Starters? I'm spamming Item Printer for a Friend Ball on Meowscarada, then Lure for Quaquaval and undecided for Skeledirge

I think I will be using one of my many Sport Balls on Skeledirge but I'll probably just use like the Lure for Quaquaval. Maybe friend if I have one; the speckles along the front kind of match his feathers & festival vibe.

 

[Rex The Eater Of Worlds]

Also tangentially related, what Pokeballs are people using for the Starters? I'm spamming Item Printer for a Friend Ball on Meowscarada, then Lure for Quaquaval and undecided for Skeledirge

Personally, I used Dusk on Meowscarada, Skeledirge will probably be Fast (or Timer if I don't have fast), and then Lure for Quaquaval.

 

[Vengeance417]

Also tangentially related, what Pokeballs are people using for the Starters? I'm spamming Item Printer for a Friend Ball on Meowscarada, then Lure for Quaquaval and undecided for Skeledirge

I’m going the basic route and catching them all in Beast Balls.

My last hurrah vs Meowscarada happens to be my new favorite set:

Charizard @ Shell Bell
Ability: Solar Power
Shiny: Yes
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 252 Def / 68 SpA / 188 Spe
Modest Nature
- Breaking Swipe
- Sunny Day
- Flamethrower
- Weather Ball

Works both for solo and randoms. Breaking Swipe to build Tera, Sunny Day on the player stat reset turn, and just spam Weather Ball to win, with Flamethrower on turns without Sun. Works especially well with Acid Spray support, causing you to dish out nuclear amounts of damage.

 

[Jadis]

Also tangentially related, what Pokeballs are people using for the Starters? I'm spamming Item Printer for a Friend Ball on Meowscarada, then Lure for Quaquaval and undecided for Skeledirge

I caught the cat in Safari Ball, it'll be Lure or Love Ball for Quaquaval, and Skeledirge is tough. Fast Ball had a blue flash for a couple of generations now, for some reason, Sport Ball has a clashing green net flash... Might need a Love Ball for it as well.

I’m going the basic route and catching them all in Beast Balls.

My last hurrah vs Meowscarada happens to be my new favorite set:

View attachment 719501
Charizard @ Shell Bell
Ability: Solar Power
Shiny: Yes
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 252 Def / 68 SpA / 188 Spe
Modest Nature
- Breaking Swipe
- Sunny Day
- Flamethrower
- Blast Burn

Works both for solo and randoms. Breaking Swipe to build Tera, Sunny Day on the player stat reset turn, and just spam Flamethrower to win. Blast Burn is an optional 4th move, that slot doesn’t matter too much. Works especially well with Acid Spray support, causing you to dish out nuclear amounts of damage.

This reminded me that, for Unrivaled Serperior raid, I ran a simillar, but more dubious set, on Reshiram. Had Metronome Weather Ball and Rest for my Tera-Fire turn. I figured it'd be fine, as the raid was easy, and everyone brought sun anyway... Was it a Good Idea? No. Did I enjoy watching my dear Reshiram do big damadges? Yes.

 

[Vengeance417]

I caught the cat in Safari Ball, it'll be Lure or Love Ball for Quaquaval, and Skeledirge is tough. Fast Ball had a blue flash for a couple of generations now, for some reason, Sport Ball has a clashing green net flash... Might need a Love Ball for it as well.


This reminded me that, for Unrivaled Serperior raid, I ran a simillar, but more dubious set, on Reshiram. Had Metronome Weather Ball and Rest for my Tera-Fire turn. I figured it'd be fine, as the raid was easy, and everyone brought sun anyway... Was it a Good Idea? No. Did I enjoy watching my dear Reshiram do big damadges? Yes.

Actually, now that you mention it, I forgot Zard learns Weather Ball lol, I’m gonna use that over Blast Burn.

 

[doipy hooves]

Also tangentially related, what Pokeballs are people using for the Starters? I'm spamming Item Printer for a Friend Ball on Meowscarada, then Lure for Quaquaval and undecided for Skeledirge

So far I have caught all the 7-star raids in a Luxury Ball.

 

[VividBunnie]

I got bored of bouncing between Johto, Premier, and Luxury Balls so I've planned on putting the Paldean trio in Beast Balls, although I might put Skeledirge in a Dream Ball instead if I wanted to masuda Fuecoco down the line. Although inner goblin has been compelled to use Quick Balls instead for humor's sake.

 

[SadisticMystic]

Skeledirge has Torch Song/Shadow Ball/Stomping Tantrum/Hyper Voice as its standard moveset, and Disarming Voice + Flame Charge as the opening salvo. Too bad we can't bring Air Balloon Exploud into the game (for the 75% of times that Flame Charge targets someone else).

 

[doipy hooves]

Despite all expectations, Azumarill soloed Skeledirge just fine. More detail soon because this clear was kind of weird but I just wanted to get it out there.

 

[Pikachu315111]

Are the Paldean Starter Raids going to repeat? I forgot to get Meowscarada (I was busy this week, I had made myself some time tonight to get it... and turns out the new day for UTC starts early for those of us in New York).

 

[Rex The Eater Of Worlds]

Are the Paldean Starter Raids going to repeat? I forgot to get Meowscarada (I was busy this week, I had made myself some time tonight to get it... and turns out the new day for UTC starts early for those of us in New York).

As far as I've heard, we don't know if there's gonna be repeats. They could still repeat, but no other 7-star raids have been repeated, as far as I'm aware. I guess if any 7-stars were to be repeated it would be the starters tho.
Side note, if you connected to the internet any time during the Meowscarada event (maybe for a minute to trade or something), you should still have the raid appear in game. Just don't connect to the internet until you catch Meowscarada and you should be good.

 

[Pikachu315111]

As far as I've heard, we don't know if there's gonna be repeats. They could still repeat, but no other 7-star raids have been repeated, as far as I'm aware. I guess if any 7-stars were to be repeated it would be the starters tho.
Side note, if you connected to the internet any time during the Meowscarada event (maybe for a minute to trade or something), you should still have the raid appear in game. Just don't connect to the internet until you catch Meowscarada and you should be good.

Unfortunately I never got the chance to log into the internet during the time of Meowscarada, life got busy and I thought I had all night today.

Oh well, my perfect streak was nice while it lasted, not the first time I missed an event, won't be the last. Though usually there's a repeat week before we move onto the next Raids, wonder why GF were so eager to get all these done in one shot and seemingly move on (though I guess they could do the repeat run after Quaquaval before moving to the Psudeo Legendaries; here's hoping).

Anyone, lesson learned, even if I can't get them at that moment I should at least connect and get it active.

 

[SadisticMystic]

The verdict is in: if you Skill Swap an opponent Contrary, they will never again voluntarily pick a pure stat-boost move like Dragon Dance (as of the start of the first turn in which they know they have that ability), but for damaging moves with a 100% stat-boost side effect like Torch Song, they will happily keep using it like any other move, tanking their own stat in the process.

This means that while Malamar will take super-effective damage off the opening Disarming Voice, as long you go almost full-on in speed to get to 253, you'll outspeed Skeledirge even after the Flame Charge boost, and can Skill Swap in time to make them start getting negative boosts from the first Torch Song. Granted, you're Unaware at that point so it'll continue to hit like +0, but all the better for using sacrificial cheers to make them become permanent after they still hit for decent damage, KO you, and get Contrary back. This conveniently also drains the timer enough to make the pos-wipe happen while you're out of it and don't have any boosts to take away. If there's a Gardevoir partner who keeps spamming Soul Dew at the start to prevent your cheers from becoming permanent, might as well reset out of that.

Use Superpowers to build Tera charge, and even if there's an Intimidate partner who faints and gives them Contrary attack boosts, the defense boosts you get will make that not be a real threat. Tera Blast will probably need PP Ups--you might not have enough time to use all 16, but you can use more than 10, and it'll take most of them to wear down Skeledirge's health bar even after you're at +6.