Changing Tera Types in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

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Changing Tera Types in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Changing Tera Types in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: What Trainers Need to Know

Terastallization is one of the defining battle mechanics in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. During a battle, a Pokémon can transform into its Tera Type, changing its defensive typing and potentially strengthening its attacks.

However, a Pokémon's Tera Type is not always the type you want. Perhaps your favorite Pokémon has a Tera Type that does not fit your strategy, or you want to experiment with a different battle approach. Fortunately, Scarlet and Violet provide a way to change it.

What Is a Tera Type?

Every Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet has a Tera Type. When it Terastallizes, it takes on the characteristics of that type for battle purposes.

For example, a Pokémon that normally has a Grass type can have a Water Tera Type. When it Terastallizes, its defensive typing changes accordingly, which can alter how opponents' moves affect it.

Tera Types also influence offensive power. When a Terastallized Pokémon uses a move matching its Tera Type, the move can receive a same-type attack bonus. The exact benefit depends on the Pokémon's original typing and its Tera Type.

This creates opportunities to strengthen a Pokémon's existing attacks or surprise an opponent with a different defensive profile.

Where Can You Change a Tera Type?

You can change a Pokémon's Tera Type at the Treasure Eatery in Medali.

However, you cannot simply walk in and change any Pokémon's Tera Type for free. The process requires Tera Shards.

Tera Shards are special items associated with the different types in the game. You need shards matching the Tera Type you want to give your Pokémon.

Once you have the required materials, you can speak to the appropriate character at the Treasure Eatery and request the change.

How Many Tera Shards Do You Need?

Changing a Pokémon's Tera Type normally requires 50 Tera Shards of the desired type.

For example, if you want to give a Pokémon a Fire Tera Type, you need 50 Fire Tera Shards. If you want a Fairy Tera Type instead, you need 50 Fairy Tera Shards.

This requirement means that changing Tera Types is a decision worth considering rather than something you will necessarily do for every Pokémon in your collection.

If you are unsure which type to choose, it can be useful to experiment with the Pokémon's current abilities and moves before spending the shards.

How Do You Obtain Tera Shards?

One important way to collect Tera Shards is through Tera Raid Battles.

During these battles, you face Terastallized Pokémon in special encounters. Winning raids can provide useful rewards, including Tera Shards associated with the raid's Tera Type.

The exact rewards can vary, so you should not expect every raid to provide the same number or type of shard.

As you explore Paldea and participate in raids, you can gradually build a supply of materials for future changes.

Should You Change Every Pokémon's Tera Type?

Not necessarily.

A Tera Type should ideally serve a purpose. You might want to increase the power of an important attacking move, improve a Pokémon's defensive options, or create a surprising matchup against a particular opponent.

For a casual playthrough, you can often make progress without changing any Tera Types at all.

The feature becomes especially interesting when you begin experimenting with more deliberate team strategies or preparing for difficult battles.

Offensive Tera Types

An offensive Tera Type can help a Pokémon deal more damage with attacks that match its new type.

Imagine that a Pokémon has a powerful move that does not match either of its original types. Giving it a matching Tera Type can make that attack more threatening when the Pokémon Terastallizes.

Alternatively, you may want to strengthen a move that already benefits from the Pokémon's original typing.

The important consideration is whether the new Tera Type improves the moves you actually use. Choosing a type solely because it sounds powerful may not help if the Pokémon has few useful attacks of that type.

Defensive Tera Types

A defensive Tera Type can change how your Pokémon handles incoming attacks.

For example, changing to a type that resists a dangerous opponent's move can help your Pokémon survive a battle that would otherwise be difficult.

However, Terastallization also changes your defensive weaknesses and resistances. A type that protects you from one attack may expose you to another.

This means that a defensive Tera Type should be selected with the expected matchup in mind.

There is no single Tera Type that makes a Pokémon resistant to everything.

Why the Original Type Still Matters

Changing a Tera Type does not erase every characteristic of the Pokémon's original typing.

When a Pokémon Terastallizes, its defensive typing changes to its Tera Type. However, its original types continue to matter for offensive bonuses under the game's rules.

This distinction is important when deciding whether a new Tera Type improves your strategy.

A Pokémon with an original type that matches its strongest moves may benefit from a different Tera Type than a Pokémon whose main attacks already align with its original typing.

A Simple Example of Tera Type Planning

Suppose you have a Pokémon with a strong Electric-type attack, but its current Tera Type is not Electric.

You could consider changing it to Electric if you want to emphasize that attack. Before spending your shards, however, think about whether the Pokémon already performs well in its current role.

If your team is struggling against a particular type of opponent, a different Tera Type might provide more value than simply increasing damage.

The best choice depends on what your team needs.

Is Changing Tera Types Necessary to Finish the Story?

No. Terastallization itself is an important part of the battle system, but you do not need to change every Pokémon's Tera Type to complete the main storyline.

Many players can finish the adventure using their Pokémon's existing Tera Types.

Changing them is an additional option for players who enjoy customization, experimentation, and preparing for specific challenges.

The Main Lesson

Changing a Tera Type in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet gives you another way to customize your team. You can do so at the Treasure Eatery in Medali by spending 50 Tera Shards of the type you want.

Before making a change, consider whether you want to improve offensive power, strengthen your defensive options, or address a particular weakness.

Terastallization is most interesting when it complements a Pokémon's role rather than being treated as an automatic upgrade. With the right Tera Type, a familiar Pokémon can gain a new strategic purpose and become an even more useful member of your Paldea team.