Meowscarada Tera Raid: Weaknesses & Counters

Conquering the formidable 7-Star Tera Raid Meowscarada in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet requires a strategic team capable of exploiting its weaknesses. This powerful boss boasts a unique moveset, demanding careful counter-selection. This guide provides a straightforward approach to victory.

Meowscarada's Strengths and Weaknesses

As a Grass Tera-type, Meowscarada is vulnerable to Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and Bug-type moves. Bug-type attacks are particularly effective, dealing 4x damage. Fire, Ice, Poison, and Flying-type moves inflict 2x damage. Conversely, it resists Electric, Grass, Ground, Psychic, Ghost, and Dark-type attacks (Psychic deals 0x damage due to its Dark typing).

Meowscarada's Moveset

The Mightiest Mark Meowscarada in this Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Tera Raid utilizes the following moves: Acrobatics (Flying), Flower Trick (Grass), Hone Claws (Dark, non-damaging), Night Slash (Dark), Petal Blizzard (Grass), and Play Rough (Fairy). Hone Claws, which boosts Attack and Accuracy, significantly increases its threat level, especially when combined with the guaranteed critical hit of Flower Trick.

Its diverse movepool necessitates a carefully chosen counter strategy. The three best counters are detailed below.

Top 3 Meowscarada Counters

Scizor, Magmortar, and Skarmory stand out due to their inherent resistances to many of Meowscarada's attacks, high Defense to mitigate Hone Claws boosts, and self-sustaining capabilities. While other Bug-types might seem suitable, Meowscarada's Acrobatics often proves fatal. Scizor's Steel typing offers crucial protection.

Optimal Scizor Build

To withstand Meowscarada's onslaught, equip Scizor with:

• Ability: Swarm
• Nature: Adamant
• Tera Type: Bug
• Hold Item: Shell Bell
• EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Def, 4 HP
• Moveset: Bullet Punch, Iron Defense, Swords Dance, X-Scissor

Prioritize Iron Defense for survivability, followed by Swords Dance for attack boosts. X-Scissor, coupled with Shell Bell, provides consistent healing.

Optimal Skarmory Build

Skarmory offers similar defensive prowess and offensive capabilities, with added self-healing. Use this build:

• Ability: Keen Eye
• Nature: Adamant
• Tera Type: Flying
• Hold Item: Shell Bell
• EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Def, 4 HP
• Moveset: Drill Peck, Roost, Swords Dance, Taunt

Taunt prevents Hone Claws buffs, Roost replenishes health, and Drill Peck, supported by Shell Bell, ensures recovery.

Optimal Magmortar Build

Magmortar excels in coordinated special attack strategies. Use this build:

• Ability: Flame Body
• Nature: Modest
• Tera Type: Fire
• Hold Item: Shell Bell
• EVs: 252 Sp. Atk, 252 Def, 4 HP
• Moveset: Acid Spray, Sunny Day, Taunt, Weather Ball

Flame Body inflicts burns, weakening Meowscarada. Acid Spray significantly lowers its Special Defense. Sunny Day, when used with other Fire-type attackers, enhances damage output.

With these counters and their optimal builds, you're well-equipped to conquer the 7-Star Meowscarada. Good luck, Trainer!