Hey trainers! If you‘ve powered through Pokemon Scarlet and Violet‘s main story and postgame and are craving a truly intense battle, you‘re going to love this. 6 Star Tera Raids represent the pinnacle of challenge in these new Pokemon titles, letting you test your skills against formidable Tera Pokemon with souped-up stats and movesets.
But these apex raids are locked behind some steep requirements. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through exactly how to unlock 6 Star Tera Raids and start hunting down those elusive black crystals, drawing from my own experience as a long-time competitive Pokemon player. Let‘s dive in!
What Are 6 Star Tera Raids in Scarlet and Violet?
In case you‘re not already familiar, Tera Raids are a new multiplayer Pokemon battle activity introduced in Gen 9. You work cooperatively with other players to take on powerful Tera Pokemon in crystallized dens across the Paldea region.
The more stars a Tera Raid has, the tougher it is. 1- and 2-Star Raids are meant for beginners, while 5-Stars pose a challenge even for seasoned trainers.
6 Star Raids are the highest star rating possible, signified by flashy black crystals. According to lore, these form when normal crystals are blasted with intense energy, transforming them jet black.
The Tera Pokemon inside 6 Star Raids have fully maximized stats, ideal Natures, egg moves, held items, and more. Their movesets are tailored to perfectly complement their Tera Type as well. These bosses easily rival the Elite Four or even Champion Iris in strength!
Needless to say, 6 Star Raids represent the pinnacle of challenge in Pokemon SV. They‘re the final benchmark to test your battle skills after you‘ve seemingly done it all. But you‘ll need to jump through some hoops first…
Requirements for Unlocking 6 Star Tera Raids
Here are the steps required to unlock these menacing black crystals and the ferocious Tera Pokemon within:
1. Complete the Main Story and Postgame Story
The first major milestone is finishing the main story in Pokemon SV, which means conquering all Gyms, the Elite 4, and becoming Champion by beating Champion Iris.
I recommend having a team of Level 65+ Pokemon before challenging Iris. Grinding Audino and Chansey encounters is a quick way to level up.
Once you‘ve completed the main story, the postgame story involving the various Titans across Paldea also needs to be finished. Make sure to defeat all the Titans and collect their ingredients.
2. Rematch All 8 Gyms
After the credits roll, you can challenge all Gym Leaders to rematches at higher levels. I suggest having a team around Level 75 before attempting these.
Track down every Leader and defeat them again to check this requirement off your list. Be prepared to overcome their stronger teams and upgraded battle tactics.
Here are the Gym Leader‘s rematch levels:
| Gym Leader | Rematch Level |
|---|---|
| Brassius | Lv. 76 |
| Grusha | Lv. 77 |
| Iono | Lv. 78 |
| Ryme | Lv. 79 |
| Tulip | Lv. 80 |
| Dakim | Lv. 81 |
| Nemona | Lv. 82 |
| Larry | Lv. 83 |
3. Win the Ace Academy Tournament
Once you‘ve beaten all the Gyms again, head to Naranja Academy in Mesagoza and enter the Ace Academy Tournament. This single-elimination bracket pits you against powerful veteran trainers with diverse teams.
I recommend battling with Level 80+ Pokemon and having coverage for a wide array of Types before attempting this tournament. Items like X Attack can give you an edge as well. Emerge victorious to move one step closer to those black crystals!
4. Defeat 5-10 5 Star Tera Raids
At this point, Jacq will call you and mention mysterious, ultra-difficult raids popping up around Paldea. But before you can access 6 Star Raids, you need to take down 5-10 of the 5 Star variety first.
This last requirement ensures you and your Pokemon are properly prepared for the pinnacle battles ahead. Here are some tips for defeating 5 Star Tera Raids:
- Use Level 75+ Pokemon with type advantage against the Tera Pokemon
- Equip items like Life Orb, Choice Band/Specs to boost damage
- Max out relevant EVs like Attack, Sp. Attack, Speed etc.
- Utilize Stealth Rock, Toxic Spikes to steadily chip away at bosses
- Have diverse coverage across your party to handle anything
- Play co-op and coordinate targetting weaknesses
Once you‘ve proven your strength by clearing 5-10 5 Star Raids, you‘ll be ready for the ultimate challenge!
The Call from Jacq – "Black Crystals"
Once all requirements are met, Jacq will phone you again to explain the appearance of shiny black crystals housing 6 Star Tera Raids:
"Tera Raid crystals that get hit by especially strong blasts of this energy are apparently transforming into black crystals. The Tera Pokemon found in these black crystals are incredibly powerful…"
"Even if you find the location of one of these black crystals on your map app, please do not—I repeat—do not take on the Tera Raid there!"
This urgent call from Jacq confirms you‘ve officially unlocked the max-level 6 Star Tera Raids! Now you can freely encounter the elusive black crystals marked on your map.
Strategies for Dominating 6 Star Tera Raids
Here are my expert tips for succeeding in these apex-level Tera Raids once unlocked:
Assemble the Ultimate Team
- Have a robust, type-varied team of Level 80-85+ Pokemon. Aim for base stats totaling 600+ each.
- Make sure Pokemon have ideal Natures, Abilities, EV spreads, IVs, and movesets.
- Give Pokemon hold items that synergize with their roles like Life Orb, Choice Band, Assault Vest etc.
- Have a diverse mix of attacks to provide max coverage. Prioritize STAB and high power moves.
- Teach egg moves like Sucker Punch, Dragon Dance, Recover to further optimize movesets.
Stock Up on Essentials
- Bring plenty of Max Potions, Full Restores, Revives, and PP restoring items
- Equip X Attack, X Defense, X Speed etc. to boost stats in battle
- Have berries like Figy, Wiki, etc. that heal status conditions
- Craft TMs like Protect, Substitute, and Toxic to use strategically in battle
- Buy Vitamins like Calcium to max out key EVs if needed
Battle Carefully and Strategically
- Move cautiously and don‘t get greedy when attacking – these bosses hit extremely hard!
- Use Protect or Substitute to block incoming max move attacks
- Paralyze, burn, or poison bosses to steadily chip away at their HP
- Make the most of co-op by coordinating targetting based on weaknesses
- Try to save your Dynamax until the Tera Pokemon uses theirs for maximum impact
Follow these tips and you‘ll be defeating 6 Star Tera Raids in no time! The rewards are so worth it – these raids drop incredibly rare items for making the most powerful TMs, Vitamins, and more. Plus nothing beats the satisfaction of overcoming the very toughest challenges Scarlet and Violet have to offer.
I hope this guide gives you everything you need to unlock and beat 6 Star Tera Raids yourself! Let me know once you start encountering black crystals, and share your own epic experiences in the comments. Time to start the ultimate endgame challenge – good luck trainers!
