GuidesVideo Games

How to Beat 7-Star Empoleon Tera Raids: Best Builds in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

empoleon tera raid pokemon

The 7-Star Tera Raids in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet continue with the Generation 3 starter Empoleon. With an expanded moveset and rocking an Ice Tera type, 7-Star Empoleon is one of the hardest Tera Raid events yet.

Recommended Videos

7-Star Empoleon Tera Raid Dates & Times

empoleon 7-star tera raid
Image via The Pokemon Company

The latest 7-Star Tera Raid event featuring Empoleon kicked off on Thursday, February 1, at 4 PM PST. The first weekend of the event will run until February 4 at 3:59 PM PST. The second weekend will start on February 8 and run until February 11.

7-Star Empoleon Moveset & Typing

As with every 7-Star Tera Raid in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Empoleon’s moveset contains more than the traditional four moves. It is also an Ice Tera Type, which means you’ll have to account for its new weaknesses in addition to its versatile moveset.

7-Star Empoleon’s moveset and details are listed below:

PokemonLevelMovesetAbilityNatureTera Type
empoleon
Empoleon
100Blizzard
Surf
Flash Cannon
Grass Knot
Snowscape
Ice Beam
Iron Defense
CompetitiveModestIce
Bolded moves have STAB

Best Builds for 7-Star Empoleon Tera Raids

The Empoleon Tera Raids give the penguin a newfound Ice typing, meaning players will want to bring Pokémon with Fighting-, Fire-, Rock-, and Steel-type moves. That said, you don’t want to bring Pokémon that are Fire or Rock types, as Empoleon’s moves are super effective against those types.

Below are a few Pokémon we recommend bringing to Empoleon Raids in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet:

Annihilape Rage Fist DPS

If you’ve raided much over the last year, you’re probably already aware of this Annihilape build. You use Rage Fist on repeat while tanking hits. Getting hit builds up damage, and any stat drops are met with Annihilapes’s Defiant ability.

PokemonLevelMovesetAbilityHeld ItemNatureEVs/IVs
annihilape
Annihilape
100Rage Fist
Screech
Shadow Punch
Close Combat
DefiantShell BellAdamantHP & Attack

Clawitzer, the Crabby Special Attacker

Clawitzer doesn’t see much limelight, but its mono typing combined with its utility moveset makes it a great offensive partner to have on hand. Open with Entertainment to nullify Empoleon’s ability and then fire away with Aura Sphere, using Heal Pulse where needed.

PokemonLevelMovesetAbilityHeld ItemNatureEVs/IVs
clawitzer
Clawitzer
100Aura Sphere
Entertainment
Heal Pulse
Mud Slap
Mega LauncherShell BellModestHP &
Special Attack

Umbreon, the best Support Teammate

If you take Umbreon into battle, don’t expect to deal much damage. While you may not deal the killing blow, Umbreon is an incredible asset when ensuring the battle doesn’t get too out of hand. Using Skill Swap will make it easier to lower Empoleon’s stats, and the rest of the moveset focuses on keeping your team alive.

PokemonLevelMovesetAbilityHeld ItemNatureEVs/IVs
umbreon
Umbreon
100Skill Swap
Snarl
Light Screen
Fake Tears
Inner FocusLight ClayCalmHP &
Special Defense

Vaporeon, the Fire-Tera trump card

Vaporeon is another Water-type Pokemon that could excel in the battle in the Empoleon Tera Raids in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. The trick to this build is a combination of Vaporeon’s Water Absorb ability, its Fire Tera Typing, and the Ability Shield Held Item. Once all of this is in place, Vaporeaon should use Sunny Day followed by Weather Ball to deal super effective damage.

Note: This setup relies on Sunny Day being active in order to work. If the weather is changed or cleared, you will need to use Sunny Day again to make Weather Ball a Fire-type attack.

PokemonLevelMovesetAbilityHeld ItemNatureEVs/IVsTera Type
vaporeon
Vaporeon
100Weather Ball
Sunny Day
Calm Mind
Fake Tears
Water AbsorbAbility ShieldModestHP &
Special Attack
Fire

Poliwrath Face-Tank Strat

For anyone who doesn’t want to worry about strategy or using more than one move, the face-tank Poliwrath build is perfect. It’s durable and self-sustaining and doesn’t take a lot of effort to use. If you build it as it’s listed below, all you need to do is use Drain Punch until you can Terastalize, and then Drain Punch some more.

If you want to increase your chances of survival, you can use Amnesia to raise your special defense. And if you’re feeling risky, use Belly Drum after you Terastalize to max out your attack.

PokemonLevelMovesetAbilityHeld ItemNatureEVs & IVsTera Type
poliwrath
Poliwrath
100Drain Punch
Amnesia
Belly Drum
Brick Break
Water AbsorbMetronomeAdamantAttack &
Special Defense
Steel

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are available now on Nintendo Switch.

About the author

Zackerie Fairfax
Zackerie Fairfax is an Associate Editor at The Escapist. He's honed his skills as a Pokemon trainer from a young age, and fell in love with the quirky, imaginative side of gaming shortly after. Fairfax has had bylines in Screen Rant and Dexerto, as well as The LaRue County Herald News. He accepts any and all pitches at [email protected].
    Zackerie Fairfax
    Zackerie Fairfax is an Associate Editor at The Escapist. He's honed his skills as a Pokemon trainer from a young age, and fell in love with the quirky, imaginative side of gaming shortly after. Fairfax has had bylines in Screen Rant and Dexerto, as well as The LaRue County Herald News. He accepts any and all pitches at [email protected].

      Hi-Fi Rush Datamine Reveals PlayStation 5 & Switch Ports Might Be Coming

      Previous article

      Is a Joe Swanson Skin Coming to Fortnite?

      Next article