The inclusion of Tera Forms in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet has opened the way for some dual-type Pokémon to excel in competitive and general use. The ninth-generation gimmick has seen a handful of usages that can heavily impact battles, from changing a Pokémon's type completely and neutralizing any counterplay, to powering up a dual-type by eliminating one type holding it back. Tera Forms are a massive part of the game's story and will likely be a crucial component of how the competitive scene is shaped this generation.
Dual-types in Pokémon are often a double-edged sword, as they can give powerful new advantages but also some debilitating disadvantages. A perfect example of this is how Scizor, a Bug/Steel-type, removes many of Bug's weaknesses by being part Steel, but in return, gains a 4x weakness to Fire. Fire Pokémon are commonly used, and saw a new starter added in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet in Fuecoco. Scizor can now stay on the field much longer than its pre-evolution Scyther or most Bug types, but any Fire move is all but certain to damage Scizor heavily, if not instantly take it out. Scizor, along with Garchomp, Gengar, Staraptor, and Noivern, are all Pokémon that can significantly benefit from the correct Tera Form.
Steel Tera Form Is A Great Buff To Scizor In Scarlet & Violet
Scizor is a heavy-hitting physical attacker with a glaring weakness to Fire, but with a Steel Tera Form, it can be an interesting option. In becoming pure Steel, Scizor gains weaknesses to Ground and Fighting, which it can semi-withstand, while Fire becomes only a 2x weakness. Scizor becomes interesting due to its evolution move, Bullet Punch, which is a priority attack. Bullet Punch will also get double its original power of 40 due to the 2x STAB effect of using Tera types in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet matching one of a Pokémon's original types. Trainers can also add a Choice Band that will lock Scizor into only using Bullet Punch but will increase its Attack. Altogether this makes it so Scizor can be dangerous to any Pokémon weak to Steel or with low physical defense.
Scarlet & Violet's Dragon Tera Form Helps Garchomp's Weakness
Garchomp is one of the most popular Dragon Pokémon in the franchise and has the stats to justify it. However, Garchomp is often threatened by a 4x weakness to Ice moves, which can be very frequent with how heavily used Water types are. Garchomp becoming pure Dragon through its Tera Form makes it much more likely to survive a hit or two, thus being able to use its high Attack stat. The 2x STAB bonus Garchomp will receive will also drastically power up the often-used Dragon Rush or Draco Meteor. This combines to make it possible for Garchomp to out-pace and eliminate its opponent before they can even get hit.
Gengar's Ghost Tera Form Makes It Powerful & Fast
Much like its best build in Pokémon Unite, Gengar is a speedy special attacker, and while its Poison-type doesn't hurt it as much as other dual-types, losing it does buff Gengar. Gengar in a Ghost Tera Form loses its weaknesses to Psychic and Ground, often very popular and robust offensive types. As with the others, Gengar's 2x STAB for Ghost moves makes it more effective, along with a Speed stat that not many Pokémon will beat. Ghost Tera Form Gengar won't reach the highest levels, but this option gives it more survivability and usability in all formats.
Normal Tera Form Staraptor Can Do A Lot Of Damage
Staraptor is often one of the most popular Flying-types in the franchise, known for its excellent physical attacks to go along with natural speed. However, Staraptor also has relatively low Defense and Special Defense, making it easy to kill even if his weaknesses are few. Normal Tera Type Staraptor helps avoid this issue by making its only weakness Fighting, and boosting the damage to its already powerful Normal attacks, making Staraptor even more helpful for beating the Gym Leaders in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
A Giga Impact Staraptor would be able to finish most opponents and leave the player in a situation to adapt to whatever the opponent tries. Any physical Flying-type attacks would still be highly effective and allow Staraptor to continue helping a team's coverage. Finally, even if Staraptor is countered, assuming it is not the last Pokémon on a team, sacrificing it to heavily damage the enemy team still gives it excellent viability.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Dragon Tera Form Noivern
Noivern, like Garchomp, is another popular Dragon-type in the franchise, and while its stats fall slightly below Garchomp, Noivern still makes its case for a swift Special Attacker. Noivern also falls into the struggle Garchomp has of having 4x weakness to Ice, which just gained a mighty new part-Dragon Pokémon Baxcalibur in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. This makes it incredibly hard for Noivern to get more than one attack out, but in becoming a pure Dragon, the chances of surviving an extra turn or two rises dramatically. Like Garchomp, the 2x STAB bonus will make Noivern's Dragon Pulse and Draco Meteor more destructive. Overall, If Noivern can win the Speed battle, it has a great chance to sweep multiple members of teams.
The proper usage of a Tera Form in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet can entirely shift the flow of a battle. Since only one Tera Form can be used in a battle, trainers must be smart about which Pokémon to use it on. This also makes it so if one of these five examples is in use, the other four would have to make do with their normal conditions. Tera Forms do not replace a well-balanced and constructed team, as solely relying on that Pokémon to sweep the entire enemy team would be foolish. Instead, the correct usage of the Tera Forms is to have the option as a counter or surge of attack.