How to beat Greninja Tera Raid: best builds for Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Zackerie Fairfax
Greninja Pokemon of the Year 2020

If you’re wondering how to defeat the Poison Tera Type Greninja in 7-star Tera Raids, this guide will show you how to build the best Pokemon in Scarlet & Violet to counter Greninja.

Seven-star Tera Raids have made for the bulk of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet’s post-game. Every weekend, players are offered a three-day window to challenge incredibly difficult raid bosses that require a level of skill rarely needed in Pokemon games.

Charizard came first, but cheeky Azumarill and Sylveon builds made quick work of the iconic Gen 1 starter. Then there was Cinderace. A much more challenging fight, but one that players were able to find creative solutions to. Stored Power Slowbro or a Veluza surrounded by Acupressure Qwillfish did the job well.

Now, players are faced with their greatest challenge yet: Poison Tera Type Greninja. With an insanely diverse moveset that hard counters Ground- & Psychic types, players will be tested like never before. But to help you pass, here are the best builds to counter 7-star Greninja Tera Raids.

Contents

Greninja appearing in a Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Tera Raid event

Unrivaled Greninja Moveset & Typing

Unrivaled Greninja, while having a base dual-typing of Water & Dark, is a Poison Tera Type meaning it’s vulnerable to Ground and Psychic moves. But Greninja’s moveset makes Ground and Psychic-type Pokemon vulnerable, meaning players have to get creative.

7-Star Greninja has six moves (two flex, four offensive) that it will use during the raid, but luckily they leave enough room for a few Pokemon to be viable. Here is Greninja’s moveset:

Main Moveset

  • Gunk Shot
  • Hydro Beam
  • Ice Beam
  • Night Slash

Flex Moves

  • Double Team
  • Toxic Spikes

Greninja will use Double Team and Toxic Spikes at the beginning of the match but won’t use them again. Toxic Spikes poison a Pokemon after it’s knocked out and re-enter the battle. Double Team will raise its evasiveness.

Best Clodsire Build for Greninja

This Clodsire is a must-have in Greninja Tera Raids as its moveset allows it to lower Greninja’s accuracy and its Special Defenses. Its ability – Water Absorb – renders it immune to Water-type attacks. If need be, Earth Power can also be used to deal damage.

PokemonLevelMovesetHeld ItemAbilityNatureEVs & IVs
100– Earth Power
– Mud Slap
– Recover
– Acid Spray
Soft SandWater AbsorbCalmHP & Special Attack

Best Clodsire Moveset

  • Earth Power – Learned via TM
  • Mud Slap – Learned via TM
  • Recover – Learned via breeding
  • Acid Spray – Learned via TM

Best Quagsire builds for Greninja

There are two Quagsire builds that players can use against Greninja. The first is an offensive build that utilizes the special defense lowering power of Acid Spray giving it an opening to spam Earth Power. It’s also immune to Water attacks thanks to its ability, and Haze removes the evasion boost Greninja gives itself upfront.

PokemonLevelMovesetHeld ItemAbilityNatureEVs & IVs
Quagsire100– Haze
– Acid Spray
– Earth Power
– Recover
Soft SandWater AbsorbAdamantHP & Attack

Offensive Quasire Moveset

  • Haze – Learned at level 12
  • Acid Spray – Learned via TM
  • Earth Power – Learned via TM
  • Recover – Learned via breeding

The second Quagsire is a support build that pairs well with strong attackers in online play. It functions identically to Clodisre, except it uses Yawn to stall Greninja instead of Earth Power.

PokemonLevelMovesetHeld ItemAbilityNatureEVs & IVs
Quagsire100– Mud Slap
– Acid Spray
– Yawn
– Recover
LeftoversWater AbsorbSassyHP & Special Defense

Support Quagsire Moveset

  • Mud Slap – Learned via TM
  • Acid Spray – Learned via TM
  • Yawn – Learned at level 23
  • Recover – Learned via Breeding

Best Slowbro Build for Greninja

The Stored Power Slowbro build that was so popular in Cinderace Tera Raids is back as a viable option against Greninja. However, with an evasion boost up front, hitting Stored Power requires a bit of luck. While it was a great solo Pokemon to use against Cinderace, Stored Power Slowbro pairs well with Clodsire and Quagsire.

Use Iron Defense for the first three turns, then use Nasty Plot for the next three turns. Once your stats are maxed out, use Stored Power.

PokemonLevelMovesetHeld ItemAbilityNatureEVs & IVs
100– Iron Defense
– Nasty Plot
– Stored Power
– Psychic Terrain
LeftoversObliviousBoldHP & Special Attack

Stored Power Slowbro Moveset

  • Iron Defense – learned via TM
  • Nasty Plot – learned via TM
  • Stored Power – learned via TM
  • Psychic Terrain – learned via TM

Best Gastrodon Build for 7-Star Greninja

Gastrodon’s Storm Drain ability opens up a lot of possibilities for other teammates as it negates damage from all Water-type moves, even ones used on other Pokemon. It also has access to Earth Power to deal damage, Mud Slap to lower accuracy, and Recover to sustain itself in battle.

PokemonLevelMovesetHeld ItemAbilityNatureEVs & IVs
100– Earth Power
– Mud Slap
– Recover
– Acid Armor
Ability ShieldStorm DrainModestHP & Special Attack

Best Gastrodon Moveset

  • Earth Power – learned at level 39
  • Mud Slap – learned at level 1
  • Recover – learned at level 1
  • Acid Armor – learned via breeding

Best Lucario for Greninja Raids

This Lucario build is an offensive powerhouse, but it does require a bit of a setup to maximize damage. Players will want to use Nasty Plot up front to boost their Special Attack. If there isn’t a player using Metal Sound or another Special Defense lowering move, it might be a good idea to use Metal Sound a couple of times to make Greninja more vulnerable.

Psychic can then chip away at Greninja’s health while Leftovers restore your health after every turn. Calm Mind can also be used to help mitigate some of the potential damage.

PokemonLevelMovesetHeld ItemAbilityNatureEVs & IVs
100– Nasty Plot
– Metal Sound
– Psychic
– Calm Mind
LeftoversInner FocusModestHP & Special Attack

Best Lucario Moveset

  • Nasty Plot – Learned via TM
  • Metal Sound – Learned at level 28
  • Psychic – Learned via TM
  • Calm Mind – Learned at level 24

Best Toxicroak build for Greninja Tera Raids

Toxicroak is a heavily offensive Pokemon that utilizes its Dry Skin ability to nullify Water-damage. Swords Dance three times to maximize your Attack stat and follow it up with an Earthquake to deal massive damage. Acid Spray can also be used to lower Greninja’s Special Defense if you have Special Attacker teammates.

PokemonLevelMovesetHeld ItemAbilityNatureEVs & IVs
100– Earthquake
– Swords Dance
– Acid Spray
– Taunt
Ability ShieldDry Skin AdamantHP & Attack

Best Toxicroak Moveset

  • Earthquake – Learned via TM
  • Swords Dance – Learned via TM
  • Acid Spray – Learned via TM
  • Taunt – Learned at level 1

That’s everything you need to know about taking down Unrivaled Greninja in Tera Raids! Check out more Pokemon Scarlet & Violet guides below:

Paldea Pokedex | Best starter Pokemon | How to get Marks in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | Are Pokemon Scarlet & Violet compatible with Pokemon Home? | Unlocking 5 & 6-star Tera Raids in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | How to unlock Rotom Phone cases in Scarlet & Violet | How to change clothes in Scarlet & Violet | How to co-op with friends in Scarlet & Violet | All Shiny forms in Scarlet & Violet | Sandwich recipes in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | Pokemon Scarlet & Violet egg breeding guide | How to get Rare Candy in Scarlet & Violet

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