It has been revealed that the new Terastal system in Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet would keep a Pokemon’s same-type attack benefit in addition to its new bonuses. The recent Pokemon Scarlet and Violet previews have revealed some important insights about how the next games’ battle will be drastically altered. Terastallization, a new mechanic that offers a Pokemon a new Tera Type, is the driving force behind these alterations. The confirmation of STAB preservation just adds to that.
In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, players will be able to Terastallize their Pokemon by using a Tera Orb. Visually, the Terastal phenomena will resemble Pokemon that have been transformed into crystal, with a jeweled symbol indicating the type of metamorphosis (i.e. balloons for flying or candles for fire). While Terastallized, Pokemon will get moves linked with the Tera Type selected by the user, however it is unclear whether a Pokemon’s existing typing benefits will also stay.
That question is been solved, as Pokemon have been verified to retain their STAB. A Charizard, for example, possesses both Fire and Flying STABs, which offer a 1.5x advantage to Fire or Flying-type attacks. When a Charizard gets Terastallized with a Water Tera Type, it retains its Fire and Flying benefits while also gaining a Water bonus. If Charizard obtains the Fire Tera Type, its Fire STAB will rise while their Flying STAB will remain same.
It should be noted that defensive typing benefits are the inverse. A Charizard is vulnerable to Electric, Rock, and Water since those kinds are naturally powerful against Fire or Water. If that Charizard Terastallizes with a Water Tera Type, they will instead be vulnerable to Water, Grass, and Dragon. They will lose their inherent vulnerabilities and inherit the Tera Type’s deficiencies.
To suggest that the Terastal mechanism has the potential to drastically alter high-level Pokemon competitive play is an understatement. It will allow Pokemon Scarlet and Violet players to not only attack but also protect their Pokemon in innovative ways. When confronted with Pokemon opponents that have many great type advantages, players must defend cleverly.
It’s also true that the more intricate features of Pokemon battle strategy like Terastallization are unlikely to be important to the vast majority of Pokemon players. Most Pokemon trainers should be able to conquer Victory Road by catching powerful Pokemon and levelling efficiently. Terastallization, on the other hand, should offer some spice to the experience.
