How to solo Normal Dragonite 7-star Tera Raid in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's latest 7-star Black Crystal Tera Raids feature a Normal Tera Type Dragonite. This powerful creature will be found in black crystal raid dens from August 23, 2024 (at 00:00 UTC) to September 1, 2024. While beating this boss is one thing, is it possible for you to do so solo? Fortunately, the answer is yes, provided you use the right Pokemon and build.

By providing the right counter Pokemon with adequate EV training, the right moveset, ability, nature, held item, and Tera Type, you should be able to beat this Pokemon Scarlet and Violet 7-star Dragonite boss without much effort.

NOTE: Parts of this article are subjective and reflect the writer's opinion.

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Normal Dragonite's strengths and weaknesses in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet raids

Dragonite in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Pokedex (Image via The Pokemon Company)

• Tera Type: Normal
• Ability: Inner Focus
• IVs: 31 IVs in every stat
• Usable Moves: Extreme Speed, Scale Shot, Thunder, Dragon Dance, Earthquake, Hurricane, Draco Meteor, Rain Dance

Since Terastallization has converted this Dragonite from a Dragon/Flying-type to a Normal Tera Type, its only weakness will be Fighting-type moves/Pokemon, so you'll want to use these to counter and solo Dragonite's 7-star raids. Moreover, avoid Ghost-type moves, as Dragonite will be immune to them as a Normal-type Pokemon.

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Best counter to solo Normal Dragonite in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet raids

Orthworm is the crux of this particular Pokemon Scarlet and Violet solo raid build (Image via The Pokemon Company)

For this particular Pokemon Scarlet and Violet 7-star raid strategy, the classic Iron Defense + Body Press combo will be used to solo Normal Dragonite as a Tera Raid boss. However, since this creature has access to the move Earthquake, many of the Pokemon that ordinarily use the combo can be taken out easily. As such, Orthworm is the best counter to Normal Dragonite.

The full recommended solo loadout for this raid can be found below. Keep in mind that it is also understood that Orthworm will have maxed out IV stats in all categories:

• Tera Type - Stellar
• Ability - Earth Eater
• Moveset - Iron Defense, Body Press, Mud-Slap, Earthquake
• Nature - Bold
• EV Point Distribution - 252 HP, 252 Def, 4 Spd
• Held Item - Shell Bell

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How to beat 7-star Normal Dragonite in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet raids

Orthworm's Earth Eater ability makes it a huge asset in this Pokemon Scarlet and Violet raid (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Before getting too deep into this Scarlet and Violet raid, it's important to know the attack and behavior patterns of a Normal Dragonite, which can be found below:

• 99% Raid Timer - Dragonite activates Rain Dance
• 98% Raid Timer - Dragonite attacks with Hurricane
• 95% HP - Dragonite attacks with Thunder
• 80% Raid Timer - Player status effects and stat changes are reset
• 70% Raid timer - Dragonite's status effects and stat changes are reset
• 30% HP - Dragonite attacks with Draco Meteor

With that in mind, you can solo Dragonite's 7-star raids with this strategy in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet:

1. For the first three turns, attack with Mud-Slap to reduce Dragonite's attack accuracy.
2. After you've used three Mud-Slaps, utilize Iron Defense repeatedly to keep Orthworm safe until the foe resets the stat changes and status effects of the raid party. This will ensure that your Pokemon isn't defeated before the stat reset. Also, keep in mind that if Orthworm is hit with Earthquake at any point, it will heal thanks to its Earth Eater ability.
3. After the raid party's stats/status effects have been reset, use Iron Defense three more times to maximize Orthworm's Defense stat.
4. After the final use of Iron Defense, your Pokemon should have its Defense stat increased by six stages in total. With that in mind, Terastallize Orthworm into its Stellar Tera Type and begin attacking with Body Press. You should be able to spam Body Press to break any shield that Dragonite has available and then finish it off.

If you utilize the classic Iron Defense and Body Press combo with Orthworm, which is capable of nullifying Dragonite's most dangerous attacks, this Normal Tera Type creature won't last long, so you can spend less time fighting it and more time collecting its rewards, including Herba Mystica.