How To Beat 7-Star Dondozo Tera Raid: Best Counters and Builds in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Crashing in with the second wave of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s four-part summer event, Dondozo is serving up some pain in 7-Star Tera raids! Here are some of the best builds and counters to take on 7-Star Dondozo, the mightiest of Poké chefs.

7-Star Dondozo Tera Raid Event Dates in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

The 7-Star Dondozo Tera Raid event in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet begins on Thursday, July 25 at 5 PM PST and will continue until Thursday, August 8 at 4:59 PM PST. This event replaces the 7-Star Pikachu Tera raid, and much like its immediate predecessor, will last for a full two weeks.

7-Star Dondozo Moveset and Tera Type

Continuing the surf-themed summer trend, Dondozo will have the Water Tera type during its 7-Star Tera raid. Dondozo is already a mono Water-type in its normal non-Terrastalized form, so there won’t be any big surprises here. Like other 7-Star Raid Pokemon, 7-Star Dondozo will have access to more than the usual four moves, have perfect stats, and be at a max level of 100.

7-Star Dondozo’s full moveset and abilities are as follows:

Pokemon	Level	Moveset	Ability	Nature	Tera Type
Dondozo	100	Order Up Wave Crash Earthquake Avalanche Curse Yawn	Unaware	Adamant	Water

Best Builds and Counters for 7-Star Dondozo Tera Raid

As a Water-type Pokemon, Dondozo is weak to Grass and Electric-type moves, which will remain the case during its 7-Star Tera raid. It’s a bulky Pokemon that has some pretty huge Defense, HP, and Attack stats, so Pokemon with a high Special Attack stat are probably going to do best here, though you’ll want to make sure your defenses are covered as well. Since Dondozo’s move pool is so eclectic, it can be hard to find full Type coverage that perfectly counters Dondozo without some major weaknesses. But where there’s a will, there’s a way. So below are a few recommendations to help you succeed in this challenge.

Note: 7-Star Dondozo has the Unaware ability, meaning any stat changes you make to your Pokemon will go ignored by Dondozo. Feel free to reduce Dondozo’s stats instead, but be aware that it will completely reset its stats at 70% Time Remaining.

Ogerpon

If you have access to Scarlet & Violet’s Teal Mask DLC, Ogerpon could be a huge boon in the 7-Star Dondozo Tera raid. With the Wellspring Mask equipped, Ogerpon will be immune to Dondozo’s Water-type moves and doesn’t have any weaknesses. It’s not a Special Attacker, but it should still be able to hit hard with the move Solar Blade, which has a staggering 125 base power. Be sure to use Sunny Day first to transform Solar Blade from a 2-move attack to a single-move attack, and set up Grassy Terrain for an extra boost to damage and a bit of slight healing at the end of each turn.

The one thing you’ll want to keep in mind is that Ogerpon lacks a way to counter Yawn, which can be hugely detrimental. It’ll be up to your allies to set up a Safeguard or Electric/Misty Terrain to keep you awake.

Pokemon	Level	Moveset	Ability	Held Item	Nature	Tera Type	EVs/IVs
Ogerpon	100	Sunny Day Solar Blade Grassy Terrain Charm	Water Absorb	Wellspring Mask	Adamant	Grass	Attack & HP

Miraidon

Miraidon can be an absolute beast in this raid, but you do need to watch out for its several weaknesses against Dondozo. This build comes from YouTuber Osirus, and as he explains, it’s best to ensure one of your ally Pokemon has the Intimidate ability to reduce incoming attacks, otherwise Miraidon will probably get knocked around quite a bit. The battle itself should be quick and easy: start the battle by inflicting three Metal Sounds, use Charge to increase your Special Attack, and then hit with Electro Drift for a one-hit KO.

Pokemon	Level	Moveset	Ability	Held Item	Nature	Tera Type	EVs/IVs
Miraidon	100	Charge Metal Sound Electro Drift Parabolic Charge	Hadron Engine	Life Orb	Modest	Electric	Sp. Attack & Defense

Arboliva

I recommended this Arboliva build for the last Tera raid against 7-Star Pikachu, and I imagine it could be pretty useful against Dondozo as well. With Arboliva’s high Special Attack and Defense stats, it’s well-suited for battle. And its Seed Sower ability also makes for a pretty neat build:

Seed Sower will turn the ground into Grassy Terrain whenever you’re hit by an attack, boosting your Grass-type moves by 50%, healing you for 1/16th of your HP at the end of each turn, and turning the move Terrain Pulse into a strong base 100 Grass-type move. Set things up with Safeguard to protect against Yawn, which Dondozo will use at 95% Time Remaining, put up a Reflect to diminish opposing physical attacks, and then use Terrain Pulse for heavy damage and Giga Drain for healing when you need it. It’s a pretty easy setup and things should be relatively smooth sailing, though you will want to watch out for Avalanche.

Pokemon	Level	Moveset	Ability	Held Item	Nature	Tera Type	EVs/IVs
Arboliva	100	Safeguard Terrain Pulse Giga Drain Reflect	Seed Sower	Expert Belt	Modest	Grass	Sp. Attack & Defense

Leafeon

Another build I had recommended against the 7-Star Pikachu Tera raid, Leafeon should be pretty well-suited against Dondozo as well. With the help of some Status moves like Charm and Tickle, Leafeon should be able to tank most moves with its naturally huge Defense stat, and it should be able to dish out some okay damage with Leaf Blade. Additionally, Leafeon’s Leaf Guard ability will negate Dondozo’s Yawn and protect you from Sleep or any other status conditions.

Pokemon	Level	Moveset	Ability	Held Item	Nature	Tera Type	EVs/IVs
Leafeon	100	Tickle Charm Leaf Blade Synthesis	Leaf Guard	Shell Bell	Adamant	Grass	HP & Defense

Primarina

This is a bit of an odd one, but Primarina could be set up as a decent support Pokemon that is immune to Order Up and resists Water-type attacks. Surprisingly, Primarina has a decent, lone Grass-type attack, Energy Ball, and while it won’t receive a STAB boost, we can use it to dish out a bit of damage.

With Primarina’s other moves, we can counter most of whatever Dondozo has up its sleeve. To counter Dondozo’s Yawn at the start of battle, we can throw down Misty Terrain to keep the whole team awake. Use Charm to reduce Dondozo’s Attack stat or Life Dew to heal yourself and allies by a small amount, throw up a Reflect to further reduce the power of incoming attacks, and try to get in a bit of damage with Energy Ball. It’s not the strongest build, but it will keep you and your allies awake and alive for the duration of the battle.

Pokemon	Level	Moveset	Ability	Held Item	Nature	Tera Type	EVs/IVs
Primarina	100	Energy Ball Reflect Life Dew / Charm Misty Terrain	Torrent	Shell Bell	Modest	Grass	HP & Sp. Attack

That’s it for the 7-Star Dondozo Tera Raid in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Immediately following this raid in early August will be a Gimmighoul event, where you’ll have a slight chance to find a shiny chest-form Gimmighoul in 1- to 5-Star Tera raids – a Pokemon that’s usually shiny-locked. So be sure to keep your eyes peeled for that next.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available now on the Nintendo Switch.

The above article was updated on July 28, 2024, by Seth Lowe to confirm Dondozo’s full moveset and ability, include Miraidon, and adjust existing builds for better use.