What is Terastallizing in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet? Terastal phenomenon explained

One of the new additions to the Pokemon franchise in Scarlet & Violet is the Terastalize ability, a brand new mechanic that can boost your Pokemon’s power in battle. The ability can even change a Pokemon’s type. Here’s everything we know about the Terastallizing phenomenon in Gen 9.

Pokemon games often have a special battle move that serves as that generation’s gimmick and some are more fondly remembered than others. Following in the footsteps of Mega-Evolution, Z-Moves, and Gigamaxing, the latest special move in the series will be the Terastalize ability – something that allows your Pokemon to turn into crystal.

The Terastalize ability changes the battle in certain ways, the most notable being it encases a Pokemon in crystal and gives it a new elemental typing that can turn the tide of battle.

So keep reading to find out everything we know about Terastallizing in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.

Alternatively, be sure to check out the version differences between Scarlet & Violet, how to get marks in the games, and all the new Pokemon you can find in the Paldea region.

One starter Pokemon uses the Terastal phenomenon in battle.

What is Terastallizing in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet?

Terastallizing in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet is a new ability that each Pokemon in the Paldea region can use. You can Terastallize a Pokemon once per battle. After this, you’ll have to recharge your Tera Orb with crystals or by visiting a Pokemon Center before you can Terastalize again.

When Terastallizing, each Pokemon will have a giant crystal hat sprout from its head. Once it does, the Terastal phenomenon will give a boost to that Pokemon’s type, making their moves stronger. Some Pokemon will even change type once they Terastallize.

This all depends on that Pokemon’s individual Tera Type, which is an additional type that emerges when it Terastallizes. For example, an Eevee could remain Normal-type when it Terastallizes, but if their Tera Type is Water, then that Eevee will become a Water-type once they transform.

This mechanic will really give combat a shake-up, meaning preparing for battle based on knowledge of Pokemon types will be much harder to predict. It may look like you’re going into battle against a Normal-type, but that could change at any moment if it Terastallizes.

Its also been confirmed that shiny wild Pokemon can be encountered which means they will be a Terastallized version of a normal wild Pokemon. After all, the phenomenon is unique to the Paldea region.

The presentation also confirmed that some Tera Types will be considered rare. So far though, there’s been no word on what how Tera-types will work with traded Pokemon or Pokemon with Tera Types moving to older Pokemon games.

We’ll keep you posted as we learn more, but until then, we also found out that the new box art Legendary Pokemon Koraidon and Miraidon can turn into motorcycles.

Where to buy Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | What is Pokemon Scarlet & Violet’s region? | Everything we know about Scarlet & Violet so far | All Paldean forms | All new characters | How to unlock Rotom Phone cases

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