The one behind the calamity that is Area Zero is finally here...but that's a discussion for a more casual place. So instead, here's how Terapagos works!
Notable Moves
Aura Sphere
Calm Mind
Dazzling Gleam
Earth Power
Flamethrower
Ice Beam
Meteor Beam
Rapid Spin
Rock Polish
Sleep Talk
Stealth Rock
Stored Power
Substitute
Surf
Tera Starstorm
Thunder
Thunderbolt
Toxic
Rest
Abilities and Moves
Abilities
Tera Shift (Terapagos-Base)
When Terapagos enters a battle, it absorbs the energy around itself and transforms into its Terastal Forme.
Tera Shell (Terapagos-Terastal)
The Pokémon’s shell contains the powers of each type. All damage-dealing moves that hit the Pokémon when its HP is full will not be very effective.
Teraform Zero (Terapagos-Stellar)
When Terapagos changes into its Stellar Form, it uses its hidden powers to eliminate all effects of weather and terrain, reducing them to zero.
Moves
Tera Starstorm
|
| 120 BP | 100% Accuracy | 8 PP
With the power of its crystals, the user bombards and eliminates the target. When used by Terapagos in its Stellar Form, this move damages all opposing Pokémon. Changes type to Stellar when Terapagos is in its Stellar forme.
Exclusive Mechanics
Terapagos will transform into Terapagos-Terastal upon switch-in. Terapagos is locked into Tera Stellar. Terastallizing Terapagos makes it turn into Terapagos-Stellar, gaining a boost in base stats and altering its ability and Tera Starstorm. Terapagos-Terastal's ability makes any hit deal not very effective damage regardless of how it normally interacts with Terapagos, unless it is an immunity. Terapagos-Stellar's ability removes terrain and weather effects upon switch-in or activation, but will not prevent reactivation of said weather or terrain. Tera Stellar Tera Starstorm becomes a spread Stellar typed move. Terapagos-Stellar gains a permanent 2x multiplier on STAB moves much like an Adaptability boost and gains a permanent 1.2x multiplier on non-STAB moves, which includes Stellar-type moves.
I'm sure this explanation is from someone else; I do not remember your name however, so here's an apologetic credit for that!
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Terapagos has a very versatile movepool, amazing stat spread, and has an infinite STAB boost and a 1.2x non-STAB boost on its moves once in Stellar forme.
- Its great bulk and Special Attack makes it a good tank with moves like Calm Mind + Tera Starstorm + coverage moves, with a decent speed stat in 85 to back all of that up.
- Tera Shell allows it to pull off a Calm Mind, Rapid Spin, etc. for free, forging potentially favorable game plans for it.
- While it doesn't have the best matchup into Fighting-types like Iron Valiant and Zamazenta, Tera Shell and its sheer strength in general can help it beat Pokemon its unfavorable into.
- It can clear weather and terrain on switch-in once in Stellar forme, letting it mess with Sun, Rain, and Psychic Terrain teams.
- Did I mention this has a 700 BST and gets infinite power boosts on its moves? If I didn't, now you know.
Cons
- As always, there's an opportunity cost when you choose to invest your Tera into Terapagos. But if you see what happens once you Terastallize it, is it really that bad?
- Its Tera Type is locked to Stellar. Look at the last sentence in the above bullet point though.
- 85 base Speed is mediocre, which may be a concern when trying to pull off a sweep with Terapagos. But surely it doesn't fail to make an impact in a game...
Terastallization Potential
You're locked into the Stellar type, but you literally gain a cracked stat spread, a not too bad ability, an infinite STAB boost and even a little boost to your non-STAB moves, and have a move that you can click pretty freely that also hits opposing Terastallized Pokemon for super effective damage. Don't think much needs to be said about Terapagos when it comes to Terastallization.
Potential Sets
Calm Mind
Terapagos @ Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Tera Shift
Tera Type: Stellar
EVs: 20 HP / 52 Def / 252 SpA / 184 Spe OR 236 HP / 252 SpA / 20 Spe OR 120 HP / 252 SpA / 136 Spe
Modest / Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Tera Starstorm
- Earth Power / Flamethrower
- Rapid Spin / Rock Polish
Terapagos with Calm Mind will most likely be standard due to its insane offensive capabilities. The aforementioned move and Tera Starstorm don't need an explanation on why they fit on the set, though Earth Power lets Terapagos hit Kingambit, Gholdengo, Heatran while Flamethrower prevents Corviknight and Air Balloon Gholdengo from walling Terapagos; though the latter might not like a Terastallization boosted Tera Starstorm. 184 Speed EVs let it outspeed Greninja at +1, 20 HP EVs to give it maximum HP recovery, and the Defense stat being a dump. The second EV spread can be used if Terapagos has Rock Polish, outspeeding Dragapult at +2. Alternatively, if you want to be faster, the last stat spread with 136 Speed EVs and a Timid Nature outspeed Quark Drive Speed Iron Moth at +2.
Bulky Calm Mind
Terapagos @ Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Tera Shift
Tera Type: Stellar
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 Spe OR 252 HP / 172 Def / 84 Spe
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Tera Starstorm / Tri Attack
- Earth Power / Rest / Flamethrower
- Rapid Spin / Rest / Sleep Talk
Pretty much the above set but more focused on Terapagos' defensive qualities. 112 Speed EVs let it outspeed Ogerpon-Wellspring at +1, and 144 Defense maximizes the physical bulk of Terapagos. The other EV spread is recommended if using Rest + Sleep Talk; it creeps uninvested Gliscor and maximizes its physical bulk as well.
Utility
Terapagos @ Leftovers
Ability: Tera Shift
Tera Type: Stellar
EVs: 252 HP / 172 Def / 84 Spe
Bold Nature
- Earth Power / Tera Starstorm
- Ice Beam / Toxic / Rest
- Rapid Spin
- Protect / Sleep Talk
Defensive hazard control, EV spread does the same as the above. ToxTect or RestTalk are both usable options on this set, though ToxTect is more consistent overall. While this doesn't pose much of a threat as the above Calm Mind sets, its still something that can be utilized on bulkier teams.
Terapagos
| Forme | Typing | Ability | HP | Attack | Defense | Special Attack | Special Defense | Speed | BST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Terapagos-Base | 
| Tera Shift | 85 | 65 | 85 | 65 | 85 | 60 | 450 |
Terapagos-Terastal |
| Tera Shell | 95 | 95 | 110 | 105 | 110 | 85 | 600 |
Terapagos-Stellar | 
| Teraform Zero | 160 | 105 | 110 | 130 | 110 | 85 | 700 |
Notable Moves
Aura Sphere
Calm Mind
Dazzling Gleam
Earth Power
Flamethrower
Ice Beam
Meteor Beam
Rapid Spin
Rock Polish
Sleep Talk
Stealth Rock
Stored Power
Substitute
Surf
Tera Starstorm
Thunder
Thunderbolt
Toxic
Rest
Abilities and Moves
Abilities
Tera Shift (Terapagos-Base)
When Terapagos enters a battle, it absorbs the energy around itself and transforms into its Terastal Forme.
Tera Shell (Terapagos-Terastal)
The Pokémon’s shell contains the powers of each type. All damage-dealing moves that hit the Pokémon when its HP is full will not be very effective.
Teraform Zero (Terapagos-Stellar)
When Terapagos changes into its Stellar Form, it uses its hidden powers to eliminate all effects of weather and terrain, reducing them to zero.
Moves
Tera Starstorm
With the power of its crystals, the user bombards and eliminates the target. When used by Terapagos in its Stellar Form, this move damages all opposing Pokémon. Changes type to Stellar when Terapagos is in its Stellar forme.
Exclusive Mechanics
Terapagos will transform into Terapagos-Terastal upon switch-in. Terapagos is locked into Tera Stellar. Terastallizing Terapagos makes it turn into Terapagos-Stellar, gaining a boost in base stats and altering its ability and Tera Starstorm. Terapagos-Terastal's ability makes any hit deal not very effective damage regardless of how it normally interacts with Terapagos, unless it is an immunity. Terapagos-Stellar's ability removes terrain and weather effects upon switch-in or activation, but will not prevent reactivation of said weather or terrain. Tera Stellar Tera Starstorm becomes a spread Stellar typed move. Terapagos-Stellar gains a permanent 2x multiplier on STAB moves much like an Adaptability boost and gains a permanent 1.2x multiplier on non-STAB moves, which includes Stellar-type moves.
I'm sure this explanation is from someone else; I do not remember your name however, so here's an apologetic credit for that!
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Terapagos has a very versatile movepool, amazing stat spread, and has an infinite STAB boost and a 1.2x non-STAB boost on its moves once in Stellar forme.
- Its great bulk and Special Attack makes it a good tank with moves like Calm Mind + Tera Starstorm + coverage moves, with a decent speed stat in 85 to back all of that up.
- Tera Shell allows it to pull off a Calm Mind, Rapid Spin, etc. for free, forging potentially favorable game plans for it.
- While it doesn't have the best matchup into Fighting-types like Iron Valiant and Zamazenta, Tera Shell and its sheer strength in general can help it beat Pokemon its unfavorable into.
- It can clear weather and terrain on switch-in once in Stellar forme, letting it mess with Sun, Rain, and Psychic Terrain teams.
- Did I mention this has a 700 BST and gets infinite power boosts on its moves? If I didn't, now you know.
Cons
- As always, there's an opportunity cost when you choose to invest your Tera into Terapagos. But if you see what happens once you Terastallize it, is it really that bad?
- Its Tera Type is locked to Stellar. Look at the last sentence in the above bullet point though.
- 85 base Speed is mediocre, which may be a concern when trying to pull off a sweep with Terapagos. But surely it doesn't fail to make an impact in a game...
Terastallization Potential
You're locked into the Stellar type, but you literally gain a cracked stat spread, a not too bad ability, an infinite STAB boost and even a little boost to your non-STAB moves, and have a move that you can click pretty freely that also hits opposing Terastallized Pokemon for super effective damage. Don't think much needs to be said about Terapagos when it comes to Terastallization.
Potential Sets
Calm Mind
Terapagos @ Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Tera Shift
Tera Type: Stellar
EVs: 20 HP / 52 Def / 252 SpA / 184 Spe OR 236 HP / 252 SpA / 20 Spe OR 120 HP / 252 SpA / 136 Spe
Modest / Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Tera Starstorm
- Earth Power / Flamethrower
- Rapid Spin / Rock Polish
Terapagos with Calm Mind will most likely be standard due to its insane offensive capabilities. The aforementioned move and Tera Starstorm don't need an explanation on why they fit on the set, though Earth Power lets Terapagos hit Kingambit, Gholdengo, Heatran while Flamethrower prevents Corviknight and Air Balloon Gholdengo from walling Terapagos; though the latter might not like a Terastallization boosted Tera Starstorm. 184 Speed EVs let it outspeed Greninja at +1, 20 HP EVs to give it maximum HP recovery, and the Defense stat being a dump. The second EV spread can be used if Terapagos has Rock Polish, outspeeding Dragapult at +2. Alternatively, if you want to be faster, the last stat spread with 136 Speed EVs and a Timid Nature outspeed Quark Drive Speed Iron Moth at +2.
Bulky Calm Mind
Terapagos @ Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Tera Shift
Tera Type: Stellar
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 Spe OR 252 HP / 172 Def / 84 Spe
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Tera Starstorm / Tri Attack
- Earth Power / Rest / Flamethrower
- Rapid Spin / Rest / Sleep Talk
Pretty much the above set but more focused on Terapagos' defensive qualities. 112 Speed EVs let it outspeed Ogerpon-Wellspring at +1, and 144 Defense maximizes the physical bulk of Terapagos. The other EV spread is recommended if using Rest + Sleep Talk; it creeps uninvested Gliscor and maximizes its physical bulk as well.
Utility
Terapagos @ Leftovers
Ability: Tera Shift
Tera Type: Stellar
EVs: 252 HP / 172 Def / 84 Spe
Bold Nature
- Earth Power / Tera Starstorm
- Ice Beam / Toxic / Rest
- Rapid Spin
- Protect / Sleep Talk
Defensive hazard control, EV spread does the same as the above. ToxTect or RestTalk are both usable options on this set, though ToxTect is more consistent overall. While this doesn't pose much of a threat as the above Calm Mind sets, its still something that can be utilized on bulkier teams.
Conclusion
As I stated in the above explanations, Terapagos has a lot of potential in the new Indigo Disk metagame since it has so much good traits under its belt. In my personal opinion, I think Terapagos is an extremely strong Pokemon and honestly think the Stellar form is a little too much for the tier; imagine having to account for this, Darkrai, and Deoxys-Speed at the same time. It adds a very strong set up sweeper in a tier filled to the brim with set up sweepers, and I think the less you have to prep for egregious cases like Terapagos, the better the metagame will become. But what do you guys think? Will the Tera Titan Turtle live up to all of the hype its been gaining these past few days? We will hopefully see soon!
And y'all should definitely play some NatDex too when DLC comes out :D
By the way, this post will be updated when any reveal about a mechanic comes out; I'll try to keep track of that stuff
As I stated in the above explanations, Terapagos has a lot of potential in the new Indigo Disk metagame since it has so much good traits under its belt. In my personal opinion, I think Terapagos is an extremely strong Pokemon and honestly think the Stellar form is a little too much for the tier; imagine having to account for this, Darkrai, and Deoxys-Speed at the same time. It adds a very strong set up sweeper in a tier filled to the brim with set up sweepers, and I think the less you have to prep for egregious cases like Terapagos, the better the metagame will become. But what do you guys think? Will the Tera Titan Turtle live up to all of the hype its been gaining these past few days? We will hopefully see soon!
And y'all should definitely play some NatDex too when DLC comes out :D
By the way, this post will be updated when any reveal about a mechanic comes out; I'll try to keep track of that stuff
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