Since the 1990s, Pokemon games have always made battle one of the biggest focal points for its audience. As a result, with each generation of Pokemon, there is a need for variety in both the design and the practicality of certain Pokemon types. With the advent of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, despite the games' apparent flaws, the Terastallization phenomenon has brought with it a new way to do battle.
In short, Terastallizing a Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet allows it to inherit the strengths and weaknesses of the Tera-type it has. However, it still retains the offensive potency of its original types as long as it has the right moves. For example, having a Pikachu Terastallize into a Flying-type takes away its weakness to Ground-type attacks while in turn rending it weak to Electric attacks such as Thunderbolt. Knowing how to take advantage of Tera-types can turn the tide of a battle. As a result, this allows some Pokemon to truly show how versatile they can be.
Terastallizing the Venomous Versatility of Poison Pokemon
For the first five generations of the series, Poison-type attacks were only effective against Grass-type Pokemon such as Tangrowth and Sceptile, and Poison-type Pokemon were easily countered by Psychic-type and Ground-type attacks. However, when 2013's Pokemon X and Y marked the debut of Fairy-type Pokemon, this gave Poison-type Pokemon a distinct use as a counter to the new type, alongside Steel types. With numerous Fairy-type Pokemon in the Kalos region, having a Poison-type attack such as Venoshock and Poison Jab on hand was crucial.
Since then, trainers have figured out strategies for dealing with Fairy-type counters. However, the Terastal phenomenon has thrown a new wrinkle into the competitive meta-game. Despite some of their flaws, Poison-type Pokemon are well-rounded, with Special Defense, Attack, and Special Attack being their top stats in most situations. These stats complement the Poison type's immunity to the Poison status and resistance to Poison-type attacks.
An example of a versatile Poison-type Pokemon is Clodsire, which is a Ground and Poison dual-type that can become one of the best tanks in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. With moves such as Chilling Water, Acid Spray, Curse, and Earth Power, Clodsire can be a menace in Tera raid battles. It can also take advantage of the Water Absorb ability to cancel out its weakness to Water and can cover its other weaknesses with Tera-types such as Dark and Psychic. Alternatively, Clodsire can go all in on being a Ground-type Pokemon using Terastallization for an all-out assault against Pokemon weak to Ground, including other Poison Pokemon.
The arrival of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet compatibility in Pokemon Home allows even more Poison-type Pokemon to be used in the ninth generation. As a result, Pokemon such as Hisuian Qwilfish and its evolution Overqwil can come to Paldea after being obtained in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. As Dark and Poison Pokemon, both Hisuian Qwilfish and Overqwil boast decent defenses and high Special Attack. While Overqwil's Attack stat makes it worth considering, Hisuian Qwilfish can hold an Eviolite to make it a formidable tank without taking too big a loss to its Attack stat. Both these Pokemon can Terastallize to either boost their Dark or Poison attacks or defend against Ground-type attacks with Tera-Flying or Tera-Bug types.
The versatility of Poison-type Pokemon and the Terastal battle gimmick of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet make quite the team. With the arrival of more Poison-type Pokemon in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, the potential of Poison-type Pokemon in this generation is yet to be fully realized.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for Nintendo Switch.
