Terapagos Movesets and Best Builds

This is a guide to movesets and best builds for using Terapagos in competitive play for the games Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV). Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, Tera Type, and Held Items to use with Terapagos, as well as its strengths and weaknesses.

Terapagos - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Moveset for Ranked Battle	Tera Raid Build

Attention!	Terapagos is a new Legendary Pokemon available in the The Indigo Disk DLC. These builds will not be legal for Ranked Battle until at least Regulation G of Ranked Battle is released on May 1, 2024. For builds for Pokemon that are currently legal for Ranked Battle, click here

Terapagos Base Stats, Type, Ability and Weakness

Blueberry #240		Type
Terapagos
		Abilities
		Tera Shift
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Immune to:	(0x)

What is Type Effectiveness?

Ability Name		Description
Tera Shift		When Terapagos enters a battle, it transforms into its Terastal Form.

Base Stats

Terastal Form

Stellar Form

Best Nature for Terapagos

Best Natures
Modest （Sp. Atk+, -Atk）	Timid （+Spe, -Atk）

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Terapagos

Build Name	Recommendation
Assault Vest	★★★★★
Double Boosts	★★★★★

Assault Vest Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Modest (+Sp. Atk, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 4 / Def 252 / Sp. Atk 252
Final Stat Values	HP 171 / 162 Def / 172 Sp. Atk / 130 Sp. Def / 105 Spe
Ability	Tera Shift / Tera Shell / Teraform Zero
Tera Type
Held Item	Assault Vest
Moveset	・ Tera Starstorm ・ Earth Power ・ Thunderbolt ・ Ice Beam

Summary

Amazing natural bulk and abilities. Has an attack for every type in the game, except for Flying, Ghost, and Poison. Can become even bulkier when Terastallized.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Tera Shift Tera Shell Teraform Zero	Assault Vest

Terapagos only has one set of abilities. When it is first sent out into battle, it will use Tera Shift to change to its Terastal Form which has the Tera Shell ability. Finally, when it Terastallizes, it will change to its Stellar Form which has the Teraform Zero ability.

The item chosen for this build is an Assault Vest. This further increases Terapagos' amazing Sp. Def stat by 50%, making it incredibly difficult to knockout.

Moves Breakdown

Tera Starstorm	Earth Power
Thunderbolt	Ice Beam

Tera Starstorm is its signature move that is basically an upgraded version of Tera Blast. It's a 120 BP Normal-type STAB attack that also becomes a Stellar-type attack when Terapagos Terastallizes. Tera Starstorm, (as well as Tera Blast) will become Stellar type when Terastallized into Stellar. This means that these moves will no longer be Normal-type Moves, but will instead be Stellar-type, which is able to damage types like Rock and Steel for neutral damage, which would normally resist Normal.

Earth Power, Thunderbolt, and Ice Beam are its main coverage moves. The combination of these three attacks hits a wide range of Pokemon for super-effective damage, and not a single Pokemon can resist all three moves.

Best Tera Type: Stellar

Stellar Tera Type Matchup
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Immune to:	(0x)

Stellar is the only Tera Type that Terapagos can use, similar to how the different Ogerpon forms cannot change their Tera Type.

Do note that even if it's a Stellar Tera Type, it will still keep the defensive properties of its Normal typing.
Offensively, Stellar Tera will be able to deal neutral damage to types like Steel and Rock, which would normally resist Normal, and Ghost which would normally be immune to it.

Stellar Tera Type Match-Ups Explained

EV Spread and Nature

A full 252 EVs are placed in Terapagos' Defense and Sp. Atk to make it as bulky as possible while still being able to hit hard. The extra 4 EVs are put into its HP to help round out its bulk.

A Modest nature is preferred to maximize Terapagos' damage output.

Other Viable Moves

Power Gem	Used over Thunderbolt to hit a different range of Pokemon for super-effective damage.
Aura Sphere	Like Power Gem, it will hit a different range of Pokemon for super-effective damage.

Key Damage Calculations

These values were taken while Terapagos is in its Terastal Form and the damage will increase if it's in its Stellar Form thanks to the Sp. Atk increase it gets.

Also, the damage received calculations were made without factoring in Tera Shell for cases where it would no longer be active.

Damage Dealt by Terapagos
80 HP｜96 Sp. Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 HP (Jolly) Item: Hearthflame Mask	Tera Starstorm 102-120 (65.3 - 76.9%) Guaranteed 2HKO
91 HP｜100 Sp. Def Defensive EV Investment: 252 HP (Adamant) Ability: Multiscale Item: Choice Band	Ice Beam 98 ~ 116 (49.4 ~ 58.5%) Guaranteed 2HKO If No Multiscale: Ice Beam 196-232 (98.9 - 117.1%) 87.5% Chance to OHKO
87 HP｜91 Sp. Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 HP (Timid) Item: Choice Scarf	Earth Power 106 ~ 126 (65 ~ 77.3%) Guaranteed 2HKO
80 HP｜65 Sp. Def No Defensive EV Investment (Jolly) Item: Focus Sash	Aura Sphere 248 ~ 292 (160 ~ 188.3%) Guaranteed 2HKO after Focus Sash
Damage Received by Terapagos
130 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk (Jolly) Item: Punching Glove	Close Combat 152 ~ 182 (88.8 ~ 106.4%) 31.3% Chance to OHKO

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

Double Boosts Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Modest (+Sp. Atk, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 4 / Sp. Atk 252 / Spe 252
Final Stat Values	HP 171 / 130 Def / 172 Sp. Atk / 130 Sp. Def / 137 Spe
Ability	Tera Shift / Tera Shell / Teraform Zero
Tera Type
Held Item	Leftovers
Moveset	・ Tera Starstorm ・ Dark Pulse ・ Rock Polish ・ Calm Mind

Summary

Amazing natural bulk and abilities. Becomes very difficult to deal with once it's set up. Can become even bulkier when Terastallized.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Tera Shift Tera Shell Teraform Zero	Leftovers

Terapagos only has one set of abilities. When it is first sent out into battle, it will use Tera Shift to change to its Terastal Form which has the Tera Shell ability. Finally, when it Terastallizes, it will change to its Stellar Form which has the Teraform Zero ability.

The item chosen for this build is Leftovers. This gives Terapagos a way to recover its health every turn, and it will also recover more HP when Terapagos is Terastallized because its base HP is increased to 160.

Moves Breakdown

Tera Starstorm	Dark Pulse
Rock Polish	Calm Mind

Tera Starstorm is its signature move that is basically an upgraded version of Tera Blast. It's a 120 BP Normal-type STAB attack that also becomes a Stellar-type attack when Terapagos Terastallizes. Tera Starstorm, (as well as Tera Blast) will become Stellar type when Terastallized into Stellar. This means that these moves will no longer be Normal-type Moves, but will instead be Stellar-type, which is able to damage types like Rock and Steel for neutral damage, which would normally resist Normal.

Dark Pulse is its main coverage move to help it deal with Ghost-types that are immune to Tera Starstorm while Terapagos isn't Terastallizaed.

Rock Polish makes Terapagos an insanely fast sweeper once set up in conjuction with Calm Mind.

Calm Mind is the key move for this build because it can boost Terapagos's Special Attack and Special Defense, making it an offensive tank. You also don't have to worry about getting OHKO'd before getting set up thanks to Tera Shell.

Best Tera Type: Stellar

Stellar Tera Type Matchup
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Immune to:	(0x)

Stellar is the only Tera Type that Terapagos can use, similar to how the different Ogerpon forms cannot change their Tera Type.

Do note that even if it's a Stellar Tera Type, it will still keep the defensive properties of its Normal typing.

Offensively, Stellar Tera will be able to deal neutral damage to types like Steel and Rock, which would normally resist Normal, and Ghost which would normally be immune to it.

Stellar Tera Type Match-Ups Explained

EV Spread and Nature

A full 252 EVs are placed in Terapagos' HP and Defense to make it as physically bulky as possible, especially since it can boost its Special Stats with Calm Mind. The extra 4 EVs are put into its Sp. Def to help round out its bulk.

A Modest nature is preferred to maximize Terapagos' damage output, especially since it doesn't have any EV investment in its Sp. Atk.

Other Viable Moves

Rest + Chesto Berry	Used over Dark Pulse to fully heal Terapagos and reset Tera Shell if it's not Terastallized. Make sure to use a Chesto Berry over Leftovers if using this move.
Any Other Coverage Move	Terapagos has a very wide move pool, so you can opt to change Dark Pulse to any of its other special attacking moves.

Doubles Movesets for Terapagos

Build Name	Recommendation
Regulation G Specially Offensive	★★★★★

Regulation G Specially Offensive Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Modest (+Sp. Atk, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 4 / Def 252 / Sp. Atk 252
Final Stat Values	HP 171 / 162 Def / 172 Sp. Atk / 130 Sp. Def / 105 Spe
Ability	Tera Shell
Tera Type
Held Item	Choice Specs
Moveset	・ Tera Starstorm ・ Hyper Beam ・ Earth Power ・ Thunderbolt

Summary

Forces you to use up your Tera, otherwise it is a mediocre Pokemon. Has an attack for every type in the game, except for Flying, Ghost, and Poison. Can only Tera Stellar.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Tera Shift Tera Shell Teraform Zero	Life Orb

Terapagos will most notably have its Tera Shell Ability, which renders damaging attacks ineffective when Terapagos is at full HP.

The item chosen for this build is an Choice Specs. This gives Terapagos extra firepower for its STAB and coverage moves.

Moves Breakdown

Tera Starstorm	Hyper Beam
Earth Power	Thunderbolt

Tera Starstorm is its signature move that is basically an upgraded version of Tera Blast. It's a 120 BP Normal-type STAB attack that also becomes a Stellar-type attack when Terapagos Terastallizes. Tera Starstorm, (as well as Tera Blast) will become Stellar type when Terastallized into Stellar. This means that these moves will no longer be Normal-type Moves, but will instead be Stellar-type, which is able to damage types like Rock and Steel for neutral damage, which would normally resist Normal. In Double Battles, Tera Starstorm can damage both opponents but only when Terapagos is Terastallized.

Hyper Beam is an even more powerful single-target Normal-type Move, but will render Terapagos unable to move the following turn.

Earth Power is a strong coverage option which allows Terapagos to damage Steel and Rock-types which resist Normal.

Thunderbolt gives Terapagos a powerful option against Kyogre.

Best Tera Type: Stellar

Stellar Tera Type Matchup
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Immune to:	(0x)

Stellar is the only Tera Type that Terapagos can use, similar to how the different Ogerpon forms cannot change their Tera Type.

Do note that even if it's a Stellar Tera Type, it will still keep the defensive properties of its Normal typing.

Offensively, Stellar Tera will be able to deal neutral damage to types like Steel and Rock, which would normally resist Normal, and Ghost which would normally be immune to it.

Stellar Tera Type Match-Ups Explained

EV Spread and Nature

A full 252 EVs are placed in Terapagos' Defense and Sp. Atk to make it as bulky as possible while still being able to hit hard. The extra 4 EVs are put into its HP to help round out its bulk.

A Modest nature is preferred to maximize Terapagos' damage output.

Other Viable Moves

Dark Pulse	Is a strong coverage option for when your team needs a Dark-type option.
Aura Sphere	Like Power Gem, it will hit a different range of Pokemon for super-effective damage.

Key Damage Calculations

These values were taken while Terapagos is in its Terastal Form and the damage will increase if it's in its Stellar Form thanks to the Sp. Atk increase it gets.

Also, the damage received calculations were made without factoring in Tera Shell for cases where it would no longer be active.

Damage Dealt by Terapagos
80 HP｜96 Sp. Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 HP (Jolly) Item: Hearthflame Mask	Tera Starstorm 102-120 (65.3 - 76.9%) Guaranteed 2HKO
87 HP｜91 Sp. Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 HP (Timid) Item: Choice Scarf	Earth Power 106 ~ 126 (65 ~ 77.3%) Guaranteed 2HKO
Damage Received by Terapagos
130 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk (Jolly) Item: Punching Glove	Close Combat 152 ~ 182 (88.8 ~ 106.4%) 31.3% Chance to OHKO

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

How to Use Terapagos Effectively

Remove any Opposing Fighting-Types or Stellar Tera Blast Pokemon

Since Terapagos is locked into having a Stellar Tera Type, it will always be weak to Fighting moves. Terapagos also wants to be the Pokemon that Terastallizes to get a massive buff to its HP, meaning that it will be susceptible to a Stellar Tera Blast.

Make sure to remove these threats first before sending out Terapagos so that it will have an easier time staying in battle and doing massive damage with its Stellar Tera-boosted attacks.

How to Build a Team with Terapagos

Terapagos ideally wants to be the Pokemon that Terastallizes to make use of its increased stats in its Stellar Form. Bring Pokemon that don't need to Terastallize so that you can save it for Terapagos instead.

Sample Singles Build

Offensive Lead	Special Attacker	Physical Attacker
Flutter Mane	Terapagos	Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style

Flutter Mane is used to get quick knockouts on Pokemon that cannot resist the combination of Shadow Ball and Moonblast. It is also the key Pokemon that can remove Fighting-types that Terapagos is weak to.

Once any Fighting-types are dealt with, Terapagos can come in and use its immense bulk to whittle down the opponent's team without getting knocked out in return.

Finally, Urshifu Rapid Strike can come in to sweep up any other Pokemon left alive on the opponent's side. It also has the bonus of not needing to Terastallize since it already has a pretty strong damage output.

Sample Doubles Team

Support	Special Attacker
Comfey	Terapagos (Terastal Form)
Physical Attacker	Physical Attacker
Dragonite	Chien-Pao

Comfey makes for a great partner for Terapagos in Regulation G, being able to keep it healthy with Floral Healing. It is also able to lend its support through Speed Control options like Tailwind and Trick Room, and increase Terapagos's damage output with Helping Hand.

Dragonite and Chien-Pao make up for a solid back-end who can close out games.

Counters for Terapagos

Use Strong Fighting-Type Pokemon That Don't Need a Stellar Tera Blast

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Has Surging Strike to deal with Tera Shell. ・Doesn't need to Terastallize to deal massive damage with Close Combat. ▶️ Urshifu Rapid Strike Best Movesets
Sneasler	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can use Fake Out to break Tera Shell. ・Easily outspeeds Terapagos once Unburden is active. ▶️ Sneasler Best Movesets
Iron Hands	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Commonly runs an Assault Vest to help it tank special attacks. ・Can outlast Terapagos with Drain Punch healing. ▶️ Iron Hands Best Movesets

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