The latest 7-Star Tera Raid in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet should be familiar to fans well-versed in old jokes about the series. SInce the 7-Star Tera Raids have been such major events for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet since their inception, every new one feels like a special occasion. This is especially true when the Pokemon in question is a fan favorite, or is notable for some other reason. As an old-school starter, Meganium certainly fits the bill as a Pokemon that is deserving of such an honor. However, a trait unique to Tera raids takes it one step further.
One of the trends for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's event raids has been featuring starters from past generations in 7-Star Tera Raids. Since the starters are invariably among the most iconic Pokemon from every generation, and are frequently scarce outside of their home regions, this is a smart move for nostalgic purposes. The Mightiest Meganium raid is a continuation of this trend, spotlighting one of the franchise's more underrated starters in Meganium from Johto. However, there's an extra aspect to this Tera Raid that makes it particularly distinctive. Better, it's a quality that fans have already been talking about regarding Meganium for years.
Mightiest Meganium Is Every Bit the Wall That Meganium is Memed to Be
Meganium is One of Pokemon's Least Damaging Starters
Even in Gold and Silver, long before players would rediscover Meganium in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, it already had a reputation among fans. Unlike most fully-evolved starters, Meganium is rather defensive, with base 100 in both defensive stats, and no offensive stat over 83. As a result, it struggles quite a bit when it comes to knockout potential. It didn't help that it had a rather middling offensive moveset, with Body Slam being one of its best moves despite not getting STAB on it. While not a hard Pokemon to like from an aesthetic standpoint, Meganium was seen as one of the weaker starters.
Meganium is an Effective Wall in Pokemon
For all of its shortcomings in dealing damage, Meganium did have a hidden talent in being an effective wall in Pokemon battles. It had access to both Reflect and Light Screen, halving damage from physical and special attacks, respectively. It also received Leech Seed as an egg move, letting it drain its enemies' health to give it more longevity. While Meganium may not hit hard, it has plenty of tools that can make the fight much more inconvenient for its opponent. Meganium's passive battle strategy ended up becoming the subject of several memes over the years.
Leech Seed would become a part of the Meganium line's level-up moveset in Generation 9, making it easier to obtain.
Mightiest Meganium Takes Its Famed Stalling Abilities To the Next Level
The developers seem to have deliberately played into the memes about Meganium for its 7-Star Tera Raid. When players fight Mightiest Meganium in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, it has access to both Reflect and Light Screen, both of which it is eager to use. In addition, Mightiest Meganium has a Psychic Tera Type, so the most common wall-breaking moves in Brick Break and Psychic Fangs will deal reduced damage as a result. However, players need to break these walls, or else Mightiest Meganium will be a truly absurd tank of a Pokemon, making it a truly worthy example of a boss battle.
Mightiest Meganium took the reputation of Johto's Grass starter and used it to create a unique raid boss for Scarlet and Violet. Hopefully future raids in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet can hit similar niches, working with the reputations of the Pokemon in question to give them a solid gimmick. The Mightiest Meganium Tera Raid event will run from Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 5 PM PDT to Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 4:59 PM, then from Thursday: April 11, 2024 at 5 PM PDT to Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 4:59 PM.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
- Released
- November 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
The school that you’ve enrolled in as you play Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet hosts a special independent study project. The theme of this assignment is "A Treasure Hunt." Explore the world and seek out your very own treasure!
Three stories will be woven into your adventure while traversing the sprawling Paldea region. Along Victory Road, you will go to Gyms in different locations in order to to achieve Champion Rank. On the Path of Legends, you can join Arven in search of rare ingredients. And in ★ Starfall Street ★, you’ll challenge Team Star, a group of delinquents causing trouble for the school.
These stories are set in an open world, so where you go is all up to you. A world teeming with Pokémon and people to meet is waiting for you—traverse the Paldea region wherever you heart desires.
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Platform(s)
- Switch
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 32 Hours
- Metascore
- 72
