Terastal phenomenon

The Terastal phenomenon (Japanese: テラスタル Terastal) is a temporary transformation affecting Pokémon that was introduced in Generation IX. This transformation gives the Pokémon a gem-like appearance along with changing into the exclusive Tera Type.

Artwork of the Terastal phenomenon

Terastallized Pikachu with Flying-type Tera Jewel

History

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

There is a lot of mystery surrounding the Terastal phenomenon and why it only happens in Paldea. Professor Sada^S/Professor Turo^V is known to be researching this mysterious transformation.

The Terastal phenomenon was first discovered 140 years ago in Area Zero along with Terastallized Pokémon. However, attempts to remove Terastallized Pokémon from the crater caused the light to disappear. Further details of the Terastal phenomenon thus remained unclear for a while.

10 years before the events of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Professor Sada^S/Professor Turo^V started to solve the mystery. The Professor discovered the energy emitted from shining crystals in Area Zero is what triggered the Terastal phenomenon. The Tera Orbs were then created by Professor Sada^S/Professor Turo^V from the Terastal energy located in Area Zero. Clavell helped support the research on it. This allowed people to Terastallize their Pokémon outside of Area Zero. The Tera Orb was then shared to the Paldea League and Naranja Academy^S/Uva Academy^V.

At some point, the Terastal energy was used by the Professor to create a time machine, bringing in Paradox Pokémon from the ancient past^S/distant future^V, including a pair of Koraidon^S/Miraidon^V.

The crystalline petals of Glimmora seem to resemble the Tera Jewels that appear during the Terastal phenomenon. It is unknown if there is a connection between Glimmora and the Terastal phenomenon.

The Scarlet Book/Violet Book makes cryptic hints that it may be linked to an unknown Pokémon resembling a disk made of layers of overlapping hexagons, but the truth of this has yet to be confirmed.

Effects

Trainers who obtain a Tera Orb are able to use it to Terastallize their Pokémon, which makes a Tera Jewel appear above the Pokémon's head, causes the Pokémon's body to glisten like gems, and changes the Pokémon's type(s) to its Tera Type (Japanese: テラスタイプ Teras-Type), removing all other types. Terastallized Pokémon are identified by having "Tera" in front of their name. The phenomenon is only found in Paldea, apparently due to the Terastal energy seeping from the ground of the region.

While Terastallized, Pokémon receive STAB on moves matching their Tera Type, in addition to moves matching the type(s) they had immediately before Terastallizing. If the Pokémon's Tera Type is the same as one of its original types, moves of that type receive an ×2 power boost instead of the usual ×1.5. Pokémon can only have one Tera Type. The move Tera Blast changes type to the Pokémon's innate Tera Type upon Terastallization. Terastallized Pokémon cannot have their type changed. Wild Terastallized Pokémon can be found both in the overworld in Paldea and in Tera Raid Battles. Wild Pokémon cannot be caught while Terastallized, and they will lose their Terastallization after sustaining a certain amount of damage from attacks.

The Terastal phenomenon lasts until the battle ends or the Terastallized Pokémon faints. After being used once, the Tera Orb loses all its Terastal energy and has to be recharged by either touching crystals containing Terastal energy or visiting a Pokémon Center.

Trivia

• The Ground-type Tera Jewel appears to be based on a cut-through model of the Earth.
• The Ghost-type Tera Jewel appears to be based on the Generation I sprite of a ghost.
• The Psychic-type Tera Jewel appears to be based on its TCG type symbol.
• The Rock-type Tera Jewel appears to be based on the Acropolis of Athens.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 太晶化 Taaijīngfa Mandarin 太晶化 Tàijīnghuà French Téracristallisation German Phänomen der Terakristallisierung Italian Fenomeno Teracristal Korean 테라스탈 Terastal Spanish Fenómeno de la teracristalización

Tera Type

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 太晶屬性 Taaijīng Suhksing Mandarin 太晶屬性 / 太晶属性 Tàijīng Shǔxìng French Type Téracristal German Tera-Typ Italian Teratipo Korean 테라스탈타입 Terastal Type Spanish Teratipo

See also

• Dynamax
• Gigantamax
• Mega Evolution
• Z-Move
• Myths and legends involving Legendary and Mythical Pokémon
• Paradox Pokémon
• Koraidon
• Miraidon

Pokémon transformations
Mega Evolution • Primal Reversion • Bond Phenomenon Ultra Burst • Dynamax (Gigantamax) • Eternamax Terastal phenomenon

This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.