Can you OHKO Ground Torterra 7-star Tera Raid in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are hosting new special Tera Raid events from November 15 to November 17 and then again the following weekend. The creature featured in these upcoming battles is the Grass-type starter from the Sinnoh region, Torterra, sporting a Ground Tera Typing.

Like other 7-star Tera Raids, this encounter is expected to be difficult but worth the effort of completing since trainers have a chance to obtain a level 100 Torterra with near-perfect IVs. Some trainers may want to know if the creature can be defeated with one shot. While there is no discovered way for them to do so, a team of players could work together to deal the maximum amount of damage possible.

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Why is Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Ground Torterra Raid Boss impossible to one-shot?

Ground Torterra will have an incredibly high defense stat (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Unlike many other 7-star Tera Raid Bosses in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Ground Torterra is an incredibly bulky Pocket Monster built around strong defenses. Since it is at max level with potentially maxed out defensive IVs, players will need to spend a few turns buffing themselves and debuffing the creature to even knock it below half-health in one hit.

Given how often Ground Torterra uses Shell Smash and purifies the stat debuffs, players will have very little time to stack buffs as the creature will always be able to do it faster. Since Earthquake and Wood Hammer both have triple-digit base damage values, giving it too many free turns to build up stats can quickly cause trouble.

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How to defeat Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Ground Torterra boss in as few hits as possible

Torterra has a lower Special Defense stat, so players should target that when building their counter (Image via Game Freak)

Tera Raid Battles are meant to be taken on by teams of four players rather than just one person. For trainers wanting to use online allies, it would be optimal to either find a lobby where every player is using Appletun or to make a private lobby with friends.

Appletun's signature move, Apple Acid, always lowers the special defense stat of the target. With four Appletuns on the field, players can deal exponentially more damage against Ground Torterra in the same turn. Consistently using the move against the Pocket Monster also ensures that it keeps debuffs to its special defense stat even after it cleanses itself.

Here is a great build players can use for Appletun in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet:

• Nature: Modest (Special Attack +, Attack -)
• Tera Type: Grass
• Held Item: Shell Bell
• Effort Values: 252 Special Attack, 252 Defense, 4 HP
• Moves: Apple Acid, Recover, Grassy Terrain, Reflect

With four Appletuns spamming Apple Acid, players should be able to take down Ground Torterra within a couple turns or so.

Of course, for the best damage possible, players should invest heavily in their Appletun. Having maximum IVs and a max level will help it deal the most damage it can.