How to beat the Empoleon Tera Raid in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Empoleon is the final evolution of the adorable Piplup from Gen IV. This Pokemon has a tricky typing to deal with as it’s Water/Steel. The Tera Raid version is even more formidable, so let me show you how to beat the Empoleon Tera Raid in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

How to beat Tera Raid Empoleon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

The Tera Raid version of Empoleon is a real menace as it has the Ice Tera Type. The combination of Water, Steel, and Ice gives Empoleon incredible coverage. As with all 7 Star Tera Raids, Empoleon has an extended move pool and can use the following abilities:

Empoleon Moveset

Tera Type: Ice
Ability: Competitive

• Snowscape
• Blizzard
• Ice Beam
• Grass Knot
• Surf
• Flash Cannon
• Iron Defense

In my testing, Empoleon loves to spam Ice Beam but is quite happy to check its opponents with counters like Surf and Grass Knot. The Competitive ability is a big problem, as any attempt to lower Empoleon’s stats increases its SP Atk by two stages. 

Competitive alone stumps many strategies and makes Empoleon one of the toughest Tera Raid opponents we’ve seen in a long time. Unfortunately, this battle is a knowledge check. If your teammates unwittingly try to debuff Empoleon, they can ruin the entire Tera Raid attempt. Still, against all odds, Empoleon is not unbeatable, and I recommend bringing Annihilape to the party.

Annihilape Moveset

Tera Type: Ghost
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Defiant
Held Item: Shell Bell
EV Spread: 252 HP, 252 Attack

• Rage Fist
• Bulk Up
• Drain Punch

I’ve only included three moves because my fourth is usually a debuffer, which will not work in this battle. The Strategy is simple: Bulk Up three times before spamming Rage Fist. If you Terrastalize as soon as possible, you’ll do a ton of damage with every hit and should recover enough HP per attack to outlast Empoleon.

If your stat changes are nullified, use Bulk Up to regain them if you have the time.

It’s not a technical strategy, but it works. Unfortunately, you’re at the mercy of your team, but if they bring bulky Pokemon and know not to debuff, you can win. 

Can I use any other Pokemon to beat Empoleon?

Iron Hands is an excellent alternative to Annihilape if you build it similarly. I used Iron Hands to great effect in the Tera Raid with the following moveset:

Iron Hands moveset

Tera Type: Fighting
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Quark Drive
Held Item: Shell Bell
EV Spread: 252 HP, 252 Attack

• Belly Drum
• Drain Punch
• Electric Terrain
• Swords Dance

Belly Drum is risky, but if you open with it and can recover, your Drain Punches will do incredible damage. Swords Dance is safer and probably more sensible for online play. I like opening the fight with Electric Terrain to trigger Quark Drive before setting up with Swords Dance. With everything in place, you can Drain Punch to victory.

As with Annihilape, this build depends on your team, and it only takes one weak link to ruin it for everyone. 

Can I beat the Empoleon Tera Raid Solo?

Thanks to the Competitive ability, Empoleon is an absolute nightmare solo. Your AI teammates aren’t smart enough to play around Competitive, and will quickly buff Empoleon to unbeatable levels. Unless you’re extremely lucky with your teammates, I don’t think this Tera Raid is possible solo.

Tera Raids are some of the best end-game activities in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, but if you’re looking for new things to do, check out our guide on post-DLC activities.