In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet gameplay trailer. However Game Freak further revealed major details about the RPGs on August 3, with a special Pokémon Presents broadcast. In the massive update, fans got their first look at the Paldea Region, and Gen 9's new battle gimmick called the Terastal Phenomenon.
In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, players will control a student enrolled in Paldea's oldest Academy which is located in Mesagoza City. The Gen 9 campaign will open up with the students being assigned to a Treasure Hunt. Pokémon fans will then be given access to three separate story campaigns which can be completed in any order. Regardless of which story path is tackled first, players will quickly encounter the Terastal Phenomenon while completing their assignment of exploring the Paldea Region map.
Just like Gen 8 Pokémon Sword and Shield's Dynamax feature, Terastal energy will transform Pokémon into powerful forms in battle. Players looking to become the Paldea region's champion, or get an advantage over the game's villain group, will need to learn how to Terastallize their Pokémon. Below is a breakdown of how the new Terastal battle mechanic works in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet's Gen 9 Gimmick Is The Terastal Phenomenon
As players explore the Paldea region, players will encounter trainers who Terastallize their Pokémon. The Gen 9 battle gimmick transforms Pokémon into crystalized forms of themselves and gives them boosted attack powers based on their battle typing. So, a Quaxly that is Terastallized will get boosed Water-attacks while in the Crystalized state. Throughout the story, Scarlet and Violet Pokémon Professors Sada and Turo will be spearheading the region's effort to understand the Phenomenon.
Interestingly, there are certain Pokémon that actually gain a unique Tera type when they are Terastallized, and their battle typing and weakness will change while using the gimmick. Game Freak uses an example of a Normal-type Eevee that is turned into a Grass-type while in its Terastal form. Rare Pokémon that are able to change their typing using the Terastal Phenomenon, will have a high spawn rate in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's new Tera Raid Battle feature. Players will be able to find these Tera dens throughout Paldea, and team up with three players online to take on a Terastallized Pokémon boss. After defeating it, players will have a chance of catching the rare Pokémon that has a unique Tera type.
How To Terastallize Pokémon In The Paldea Region
Just like Gen 6 Pokémon X and Y's Mega Evolution mechanic, players will only be able to use the Terastal power once per battle. Where Pokémon Scarlet and Violet differ from previous generation battle gimmicks, is that trainers will actually need to recharge their Terastal energy after every battle before being able to use the mechanic again. In the story, trainers will be given a special Tera Orb which stores up energy.
Throughout the Paldea region, players will be able to find special green Tera crystals which can be interacted with to fill up their Tera Orb. Once the orb has been recharged, players can then use the item in their next battle to Terastallize their Pokémon. The option to Terastallize will be a menu option in every battle and can be triggered to transform a single Pokémon into its crystallized form.
With every Pokémon in Paldea capable of Terastallizing, it's likely that there will be abundant amounts of Tera crystals throughout the region so that players will be able to recharge their Tera orb often. There is still a lot of mystery surrounding the Gen 9 mechanic, that players will be able to discover when Pokémon Scarlet & Violet launches in November 2022.
Want more Pokémon Scarlet & Violet articles? Check out our essential content below...
- Everything We Know About Pokémon Scarlet & Violet’s New Starters
- Pokémon That Deserve Scarlet & Violet Regional Variants In Gen 9
- All New Pokémon Shown In Scarlet & Violet's Second Trailer
- Everything We Know About Pokémon SV's New Legendaries
- Biggest Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Leaks & Rumors
