What is Shining Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?

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To mix the classic creature-collecting-and-battling mechanics up, modern Pokemon entries always include a certain gimmick into the game — from Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, to Gigantamax and now Shining Pokemon — or officially referred to as “Tera Type” in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. We will help explain how this new gimmick works to prepare you before the game launch on Nintendo Switch this November 18.

What are Shining or Tera Type Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet?

Tera Type, The Series’ New Gimmick

Although Shiny Pokemon — the rare, differently-colored Pokemon with a 1/8,192 chance of spawning — has been a staple feature ever since the series added a more varied color palette in Pokemon Gold and Silver, Shining or Tera Type is a completely new feature exclusive to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

Before we get to Shining Pokemon, first, we need to learn what is a Tera Type. To put it in simple terms, Tera Type is a “secondary” Type that will be randomly given to each Pokemon you find in the game. The Tera Type is inactive until the Pokemon “Terastallizes,” at which point its Type will switch to its Tera Type; increasing the Same-Type Attack Bonus for specific moves or completely removing its default Type weaknesses. As an example, you can find an Eevee with a Normal Tera Type, but others might have a Flying Tera Type.

You will be able to Terastallize a Pokemon by using the Tera Orb item. However, once used, it will lose all its Terastal energy. To recharge it, you will need to find Crystals overflowing with Terastal energy or go to a Pokemon Center.

There’s also a new Normal-Type TM move called Tera Blast, which when used by a Terastallized Pokemon, its type will also change into the Pokemon’s Tera Type. You can discern your Pokemon’s Tera Type when you Terastallize them in battle by looking at the crystal shape above their heads:

Crystal flower: Grass Tera Type
Crystal candles: Fire Tera Type
Crystal fountain: Water Tera Type
Crystal balloon: Flying Tera Type
Crystal jewel: Normal Tera Type
Crystal ghost: Ghost Tera Type
And so on

Shining Pokemon Encounter in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Now with the Tera Type explanation out of the way, we can continue on with Shining Pokemon. All over Paldea, you will eventually find a Pokemon that’s shrouded by a glowing light. Once you interact with it, you will then end up fighting a Terastallize Pokemon. Since it starts the battle already Terastallize, Shining Pokemon will be tougher and often utilize attacks not normally seen in the normal version of the same species.

After you deal enough damage to a Shining Pokemon, the Terastallize effect will be removed and you can catch it like any other Pokemon. These weird encounters will let you catch a Pokemon with a completely different Tera Type and movesets compared to the default ones in the wild. You can get a glimpse on how a Shining Pokemon battle works in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet by watching the Jump into a Paldean Journey trailer below.