Pokemon Scarlet And Violet’s Summer Raids, Ranked

Alongside several Pokemon outbreaks throughout the rest of the summer, the lineup for the next several Tera raids in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet has been revealed. Appearing both as fun challenges and celebratory events for real-life occasions, players looking for things to do in the game should keep track of which raids might be the most helpful and difficult.

One raid is simple for players that have beaten the game, while other raids require strategy and properly trained Pokemon. In either case, the four announced summer raids aren’t simply fodder for summer break. Knowing about the upcoming raids is crucial for players ready for new, powerful raids — one with an incredibly rare shiny Pokemon.

Pokemon Players, Do You Keep or Use the Master Ball?

In Pokemon, gamers receive a Master Ball not long before the final fight against the game’s main Legendary Pokemon. While some fans don’t hesitate to throw the Master Ball at its intended target, guaranteeing an immediate catch, others prefer to keep this one-of-a-kind item in their inventory and use another Poke Ball to catch it. I know that many Pokemon players like to keep their favorite Pokemon in aesthetic-pleasing or rare Poke Balls. Personally, I don’t pay much attention to my adversary’s Poke Ball choice, and I don’t think the Master Ball is worth keeping, so I always use it to catch one of the Legendary Pokemon in the game.

4 5-Star Shiny Gimmighoul

One Of The Rarest Shinies

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A rerun of an earlier raid, the return of the shiny Gimmighoul raid is coming just in time for the Pokemon 2024 World Championships. Starting August 8, this raid is less of a challenge and more of a shiny gamble gauntlet. Featuring random Tera types and a 5-Star rating, this Pokemon doesn’t need much or offer much to strategize over. The big bonus of this raid, unlike other promoted raids, is that this Tera raid boss has a boosted chance of being shiny.

Since Gimmighoul cannot breed, and no encounters with the Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet include a chance for a shiny form, this is the only way for players to obtain such an elusive shiny. Additionally, the raid is only 5 Star, making it far easier than the rest of the Tera raids spread across the summer. The only real challenge or requirement to defeat this Ghost type is to beat the game, or otherwise have level 100 Pokemon. Good stats or EVs aren’t necessary. It is practically impossible to lose to Gimmighoul, unless players bring intentionally underpowered Pokemon.

3 7-Star Water Pikachu

Rerun For The Mascot

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Entering the games on July 12, Water-Tera Type Pikachu returns again in raids. Much like the first appearance of this powered-up Pikachu, it will have the ability Lightning Rod, setting up a trap for players trying to bring Electric types to fight this mightiest mascot. Beyond that, this Pikachu will also be holding the Light Ball item, boosting both of its Attack stats. This will make it far more formidable than the usual electric mouse.

Since this is a rerun of an earlier raid from 2023’s Pokemon Day, players who caught this mighty Pikachu before cannot catch it again. However, with that in mind, strategies formed for that first run will work again, since it will be the exact same Pikachu. Even then, the speed and power of this Pokemon isn’t anything to underestimate. It is still a 7 Star Tera raid, so this fight is engineered to be difficult. Players who fall for the cuteness of Pikachu won’t get far into the fight.

2 7-Star Water Dondozo

A Powerful Water Type

The first appearance of Dondozo in the promoted raids, this newest 7 Star raid boss will be available for battle starting July 25. While this Pokemon isn’t as intimidating without access to its doubles partner in Tatsugiri, the bulk and stats behind Dondozo present a challenge once this raid drops. Even being a pure Water type with a Water Tera type isn’t a free pass for Electric or Grass types. Water-type attacks from Dondozo will be boosted on top of STAB, to a devastating degree.

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Although the moveset of this titanic Pokemon isn’t known yet, the general physical bulk and decent attack stat all but guarantees Dondozo won’t go down without a fight. Unlike Pikachu, it doesn’t have an ability to trick players into bringing the wrong Pokemon. However, it does have the ability Unaware, allowing it to ignore all stat changes for players’ Pokemon when attacking or taking damage. Dondozo won’t be a fast or easy battle.

1 7-Star Normal Dragonite

The Original Pseudo-Legendary

Perhaps the most well-known Dragon type Pokemon, Dragonite seems to be the most challenging Tera raid lined up for the summer events. Having the Tera type of Normal seems odd at first, but given the STAB Dragonite has, it may end up being one of the most difficult Tera raids in general. With a wide variety of moves and access to the defensive Multiscale ability, this Dragon type increases the difficulty of raids in general. Starting August 9, this original pseudo-legendary lives up to the name in its 7-Star Tera raid.

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A Pokemon Scarlet and Violet player invests hundreds of hours to get one of the most difficult-to-obtain Pokemon in the history of the franchise.

Since Normal type only has one weakness, the Fighting type, Dragonite is a difficult raid boss. With plenty of boosted Flying type moves to pick from, as well as the terrifying Earthquake, this Tera raid will require plenty of strategy and synergy between players trying to slay this dragon. Additionally, using the Normal Tera type on Dragonite seems to take a page from the competitive side of Pokemon, as this type allows Dragonite to deal plenty of damage while keeping itself relatively safe. Only players who invest in their Pokemon’s stats, moves, items, and EVs will take down this most legendary of pseudo-legendaries.