Pokémon players were initially skeptical of Scarlet and Violet’s Terastallization and Tera Types when they were first introduced. However, after a full season of competitive play, it seems that the Gen IX mechanic has grown on the VGC community, thanks to a significant change implemented this generation.
About a month after the 2023 Pokémon World Championships concluded in Yokohama, Japan, experienced competitor James Baek asked fellow VGC players if their opinions had changed regarding Terastallization now that they had gained more experience with it.
Most players agreed that they now appreciate the Terastallization mechanic much more than when it was initially introduced almost a year ago. However, this newfound appreciation is primarily due to the introduction of the new open teamsheet rule in the Gen IX games.
With open teamsheets at most VGC tournaments, players have full access to their opponent’s team, move sets, items, and Tera Types before each battle. This allows players to make informed decisions at these high-stakes tournaments, reducing the reliance on surprise gimmick teams.
The new open teamsheets rule complements Terastallization perfectly, as it provides players with all the necessary information about their opponent’s Tera Types. Instead of having to guess which of the 18 Tera Types an opposing Pokémon might have, players now know right away thanks to open teamsheets. Without this information, many games would be lost due to the element of chance involved in guessing the opponent’s Tera Types.
Unfortunately, certain circuits, such as those held in Asia and online ranked battles, still use closed teamsheets during Scarlet and Violet’s first VGC season. Players believe that this makes Terastallization less consistent at tournaments. One player mentioned that playing against Terastallization in a closed teamsheet environment is a nightmare, as some games are lost from the start regardless of skill.
However, this assessment is based on just one full VGC season with Terastallization. The 2024 VGC season recently began with the Pittsburgh Regionals, and there are many more tournaments to come in the near future.
As the rules and regulations continue to evolve throughout Scarlet and Violet’s time in the VGC spotlight, opinions regarding the Terastallization mechanic may still change.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
