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

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.

7-Star Empoleon Tera Raid Dates & Times

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:

Pokemon	Level	Moveset	Ability	Nature	Tera Type
Empoleon	100	Blizzard Surf Flash Cannon Grass Knot Snowscape Ice Beam Iron Defense	Competitive	Modest	Ice

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.

Pokemon	Level	Moveset	Ability	Held Item	Nature	EVs/IVs
Annihilape	100	Rage Fist Screech Shadow Punch Close Combat	Defiant	Shell Bell	Adamant	HP & 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.

Pokemon	Level	Moveset	Ability	Held Item	Nature	EVs/IVs
Clawitzer	100	Aura Sphere Entertainment Heal Pulse Mud Slap	Mega Launcher	Shell Bell	Modest	HP & 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.

Pokemon	Level	Moveset	Ability	Held Item	Nature	EVs/IVs
Umbreon	100	Skill Swap Snarl Light Screen Fake Tears	Inner Focus	Light Clay	Calm	HP & 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.

Pokemon	Level	Moveset	Ability	Held Item	Nature	EVs/IVs	Tera Type
Vaporeon	100	Weather Ball Sunny Day Calm Mind Fake Tears	Water Absorb	Ability Shield	Modest	HP & 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.

Pokemon	Level	Moveset	Ability	Held Item	Nature	EVs & IVs	Tera Type
Poliwrath	100	Drain Punch Amnesia Belly Drum Brick Break	Water Absorb	Metronome	Adamant	Attack & Special Defense	Steel

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are available now on Nintendo Switch.