Best Pokémon for Empoleon Tera Raid: How to beat the Empoleon seven-star Tera Raid event

Everything you need to know about the Empoleon seven-star Tera Raids in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Empoleon is the target of the next set of seven-star Tera raids, and it will be a difficult Pokémon to take down and capture. The Generation 4 starter will be available for all players of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Empoleon's first run is already live, but it is only available for a limited time before it is gone for good.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Empoleon seven-star Tera raids.

When does the Empoleon raid start?

Similar to other seven-star raids, Empoleon will be available over two weekends. There will be one raid available on each of the days so you will have six chances to catch the powerful ‘mon.

Here are the dates when Empoleon is available:

• From Friday, February 2, 2024, until Sunday, February 4, 2024
• From Friday, February 9, 2024, until Sunday, February 11, 2024

7-Star Tera Raid Empoleon stats, moves, and ability – Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

The scariest thing about Empoleon is that it comes with the ability Competitive, which sharply boosts its Special Attack every time a stat is dropped. This means that you cannot use the usual stat-dropping methods that usually help in Tera raids, and if the NPCs bring an Arcanine or Staraptor then you might as well reset.

The Ice Tera type makes things a little easier, as it is a defensively poor typing, though it does mean that its Ice Beams can be dangerous. It also has a fairly diverse move pool which can make it a little difficult to counter.

The Mightiest Empoleon – Level 100

• Nature – Modest
• Ability – Competitive
• Item – None
• Tera type – Ice
Move set – Ice Beam, Surf, Flash Cannon, Grass Knot, Snowscape, Blizzard, Iron Defense

Best counters for Empoleon – Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Due to its high Special Attack and Competitive ability, your Pokémon will need a high Special Defense stat, a good defensive typing, and the ability to boost its own stats rather than lowering Empoleon’s.

Here are some of the best options to take down Empoleon.

Iron Hands

The Pokémon Company / Nintendo

Iron Hands is a staple of raids as it can maximize its Attack stat with Belly Drum and then heal back up all of its lost HP with Drain Punch. Electric Terrain will activate Iron Hands’ Quark Drive and further boost that Attack stat. It doesn’t really need a fourth move, but Fake Out can be used on switch in and give your allies a little bit of breathing room.

Iron Hands – Level 100

• Nature – Careful
• Ability – Quark Drive
• Item – Big Root
• Tera type – Fighting
• Move set – Belly Drum, Drain Punch, Electric Terrain, Fake Out

Gholdengo

The Pokémon Company / Nintendo

Gholdengo has one of the game’s best abilities, meaning that status moves will not affect it. It already has a high Special Attack stat which it can boost with Nasty Plot to deal huge damage with Make it Rain. It can also keep itself healthy with Recover and Light Screen to stop it from taking too much damage.

Gholdengo – Level 100

• Nature – Calm
• Ability – Good As Gold
• Item – Shell Bell
• Tera type – Steel
• Move set – Nasty Plot, Make it Rain, Recover, Light Screen

Kingambit

The Pokémon Company

Kingambit is one of the most powerful Pokémon in the game and the typing is perfect for this fight. Swords Dance will boost itself so that it can deal massive damage with Iron Head. Iron Head can also flinch so if you train your Kingambit in Speed, there is a chance for Empoleon to not move after an attack. Sandstorm and Substitute are here to keep Kingambit healthy, but may not be needed.

Kingambit – Level 100

• Nature – Careful
• Ability – Defiant
• Item – Shell Bell
• Tera type – Steel
• Move set – Swords Dance, Iron Head, Sandstorm, Substitute

Dusk Mane Necrozma

The Pokémon Company

Legendaries are always strong but Dusk Mane Necrozma’s Psychic/Steel typing is perfect for this raid. Sunsteel Strike is a great Steel-type move and Dusk Mane can boost that power with Swords Dance. As the move has low PP, Iron Head is more of a fail-safe in case you run out of moves, while Light Screen will keep you healthy to set up.

Dusk Mane Necrozma – Level 100

• Nature – Careful
• Ability – Prism Armor
• Item – Shell Bell
• Tera type – Steel
• Move set – Swords Dance, Sunsteel Strike, Light Screen, Iron Head

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: all special coaches’ trades and rewards