Water-Tera Type Pikachu is returning to 7-star Tera Raids to celebrate the start of a new season in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, so here are the best counters to take on this iconic creature with the Mightiest Mark.
7-star Tera Raids have made for the bulk of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet’s post-game, bringing incredibly tough bosses to beat that require a level of skill rarely needed in Pokemon games.
Following the departure of Sceptile, players will have the chance to take on Pikachu with the Mightiest Mark once again.
This pure Electric-type Pokemon will have the Water-Tera Type, so here are the best counters you can take to battle to easily defeat this powerful creature.
Best Pikachu 7-star Tera Raid counters
Arboliva
Arboliva is the best pick for Pikachu Tera Raids because of its Special Attack stats and hard-hitting Grass-type moveset. And if players use a Grass Tera Type, they will get the job done quickly.
For solo play (offline), players will want to equip the Covert Cloak held item to negate and secondary effect from Pikachu’s moves. Use Energy Ball three times to charge your Tera Orb before using Sunny Day to remove the buff from Pikachu’s Rain Dance and to lower the power of Surf.
After the setup is complete, use Giga Drain on repeat until Pikachu is defeated. This will deal massive damage thanks to the STAB from your Grass Tera Type and will sustain Arboliva thanks to its healing properties.
| POKEMON | LEVEL | MOVES | ABILITY | NATURE | HELD ITEM | TERA TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | – Energy Ball – Sunny Day – Giga Drain – Strength Sap | Seed Sower | Modest | Covert Cloak | Grass |
Lurantis
While Lurantis is often overlooked due to its stats and mono-typing, it’s perfect for dealing with pesky surfing rodents.
However, this Lurantis requires a bit more effort to set up than other options for taking on Pikachu. You’ll need to defeat trainers to unlock a unique TM for this build to be viable, but it’s worth the effort if you’ve got time to spare.
Using the Ability Contrary, Lurantis will be able to boost its Sp. Attack instead of reducing it when using Leaf Storm. Then, Sunny Day can help reduce Pikachu’s Surf move and increase the healing done by Synthesis.
Once Laurentis manages to Terastallize, use Solar Beam to hit Pikachu hard.
| POKEMON | LEVEL | MOVES | ABILITY | NATURE | HELD ITEM | TERA TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | -Sunny Day -Leaf Storm -Synthesis -Solar Beam | Contrary | Modest | Shell Bell | Grass |
Appletun
Appletun, the Gen 8 Grass/Dragon, is a powerful choice that can play the role of a support Pokemon and a devastating attacker.
While its Dragon typing does leave it susceptible to Pikachu’s Play Rough, there are ways to get around this, allowing Appletun to be a cornerstone for its team.
With moves like Apple Acid, it can charge up its Tera Orb while lowering Pikachu’s Sp. Defense, and by using Iron Defense, it can boost its own. Also, Recover can come in handy to help heal damage.
| POKEMON | LEVEL | MOVES | ABILITY | NATURE | HELD ITEM | TERA TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | – Apple Acid – Recover – Giga Drain– Iron Defense | Thick Fat | Modest | Shell Bell | Grass |
Lilligant
One Pokemon that can handle Pikachu with ease is Lilligant. The Grass-type flower monster is resistant to Water-type moves and has a moveset that can take down the 7-star Pikachu on its own.
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The Sunny Day move and Leaf Guard Ability work hand in hand, as the move will activate Sunshine for 5 turns, allowing the Ability to keep Lilligant from being paralyzed by Pikachu’s Thunder.
Players can use Quiver Dance to boost Lilligant’s Sp. Attack, Sp. Defense and Speed. Then, Giga Drain to charge the Tera Orb, and when the Pokemon finally Terastallizes, hit it with Energy Ball.
| POKEMON | LEVEL | MOVES | ABILITY | NATURE | HELD ITEM | TERA TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | -Sunny Day -Quiver Dance -Solar Beam -Giga Drain | Leaf Guard | Modest | Shell Bell | Grass |
7-star Pikachu moves, Tera-Type, and Ability
Pikachu is normally an Electric-type Pokemon, but in Scarlet & Violet’s 7-star raids, the mouse has taken on the Water-Tera Type. This means that instead of having a mono weakness to Ground-type moves, Pikachu takes on all the weaknesses of a Water-type Pokemon.
| POKEMON | ABILITY | HP | ATTACK | DEFENSE | SP. ATTACK | SP. DEFENSE | SPEED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning Rod (Hidden Ability) | 35 | 55 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 90 |
Pikachu moves
Pikachu’s moveset for the Raid has not been confirmed yet, but as a returning ‘mon, the following are likely to be part of its arsenal:
- Rain Dance (Water)
- Surf (Water)
- Play Rough (Fairy)
- Thunder (Electric)
- Iron Tail (Steel)
7-star Pikachu has five moves at its disposal – one more than the average Pokemon is allowed. It also starts the Tera Raid with its shield active, meaning players will have to chip away at its health, leaving little room for cheesy one-shot strategies.
Its main asset is its Speed, which allows the elusive mouse to land attacks first. Luckily for players, it has a very low Defense, making it very vulnerable.
Of course, staying in the battle is key in these 7-Star Raids, so make sure you bring a Pokemon with high HP and Defense who’ll be able to take high damage.
When will Pikachu appear in Tera Raids?
7-star Pikachu will take on Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Tera Raids from Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 5:00 PM PDT until Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 4:59 PM PDT.
Note that you can only catch one Pikachu per save file, though you can challenge it as many times as you want to get the rewards. If you caught one during its initial run in 2023, you won’t be able to get another.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Pikachu Tera Raid rewards
Trainers that defeat Pikachu the Unrivalled from Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Tera Raids will have the chance to not only capture it but to gain plenty of juicy rewards.
Trainers who defeat Pikachu with the Mightiest Mark may find some of the following items, with varying degrees of rarity:
- Herba Mystica
- TM123 (Surf)
- Water Tera Shard
- Quiet Mint
- Bottle Cap
- Ability Capsule
- Ability Patch
- Exp. Candy L
- Exp. Candy XL
- Rare Candy
- Calcium
- PP Up
- Star Piece
- Comet Shard
- Nugget
Can 7-star Tera Raid Pikachu be Shiny in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet?
Sadly for Shiny hunters, Pikachu with the Mightiest Mark can not be Shiny in the game. However, players can breed a Shiny Pikachu through traditional Egg hatching methods.
That’s all you need to know to take down 7-star Pikachu in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. Don’t forget to check out more of our guides to learn about the Mass Outbreak events and all Pokemon Scarlet & Violet trade codes.