Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: How to beat 7-Star Dondozo Tera Raid guide

The upcoming 7-Star Tera Raid event for Pokemon Scarlet & Violet will showcase the formidable Water-type creature, Dondozo.

The Pokemon Company revealed that Dondozo equipped with the Mighty Mark will be launched alongside a Mass Outbreak event showcasing the various forms of Tatsugiri.

The latest 7-Star Dondozo Raid continued with Sceptile, which featured the Dragon Tera Type. However, it appears that Dondozo’s Tera Type will be more direct and uncomplicated this time.

Therefore, for those interested in facing and overcoming this formidable Water-type opponent, here is a comprehensive guide on the 7-Star Dondozo Tera Raid, including its start date and the most effective Pokemon to use against it.

When will Dondozo appear in Tera Raids?

The 7-Star Dondozo Tera Raid event for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is scheduled to take place from Friday, July 26, 2024 at 00:00 UTC until Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 23:59 UTC.

It is crucial to keep in mind that you can only capture one Dondozo with its Mightiest Mark per save file. However, you can attempt to defeat it multiple times if you wish.

7-star Dondozo Moves, Tera-Type, and Ability

pokemon scarlet violet dondodzo — The Pokemon Company

At this event, Dondozo with the Mightiest Mark will showcase a Water Tera Type, which is the same as its standard typing in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.

Dondozo base stats

Pokemon	Ability	HP	Attack	Defense	Special Attack	Special Defense	Speed
Water Veil	150	100	115	65	65	35

Dondozo Moves

Currently, the moveset for Dondozo in the Tera Raid event has not been found.

We will revise this guide once the complete moveset is released.

Best Dondozo 7-star Tera Raid counters

These are the top counters to effectively combat Dondozo with the Mightiest Mark in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Tera Raid battles:

Bellibolt

The Bellibolt build has established itself as a must-have for Scarlet & Violet’s Tera Raid community due to its simplicity. Trainers can easily obtain Bellibolt in the base game and no additional preparation is needed besides reaching level 100.

The main strategy of this build centers around the repeated use of Parabolic Charge, a 65 Power move that heals the user for half of the damage inflicted. By equipping the Metronome Held Item, this move will progressively increase in strength with each consecutive use, effectively prolonging Bellibolt’s survival.

Utilizing an Electric Terrain beforehand can further enhance the damage inflicted by Parabolic Charge, while also serving as a safeguard against Sleep.

Undoubtedly, Reflect is a highly beneficial move during Tera Raid battles, providing much-needed protection against physical attacks for the entire team. Additionally, using Acid Spray can effectively reduce Dondozo’s Special Defense by two stages, making it vulnerable to the attacks of Bellibolt and its team.

Pokemon	Level	Moves	Ability	Nature	Held Item	Tera Type
100	– Parabolic Charge– Acid Spray– Reflect– Electric Terrain	Electromorphosis	Modest(+Sp. Atk, -Atk)	Metronome	Electric

Cacturne

Cacturne is also a fantastic choice for the Dondozo Tera Raid due to its kit’s useful tools that allow it to both deal significant damage and remain in the battle.

Cacturne’s Water Absorb Hidden Ability will prove to be extremely beneficial in this Raid by nullifying all of Dondozo’s Water-type attacks and simultaneously restoring Cacturne’s health if hit.

When it comes to its moveset, Cacturne’s top priority will be to use Nasty Plot in order to set up buffs. Furthermore, trainers can support their team by using Sunny Day to weaken Dondozo’s Water-type attacks.

Similarly, the fundamental concept of the Bellibolt strategy can be applied in this situation. Cacturne should focus on using Giga Drain repeatedly to inflict significant damage on Dondozo while simultaneously recovering any damage it has sustained. Additionally, in urgent situations, Spiky Shield can prove to be highly effective in safeguarding against powerful physical attacks.

Similarly, finding a Cacnea or Cacturne in the base game of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet should not pose too much difficulty for trainers, as they are readily available.

Pokemon	Level	Moves	Ability	Nature	Held Item	Tera Type
100	– Giga Drain– Nasty Plot– Spiky Shield– Sunny Day	Water Absorb	Modest(+Sp. Atk, -Atk)	Metronome	Grass

Appletun

Those looking to fulfill a Support/Tank role in this Raid should opt for Appletun as it is the most suitable choice. The base game also offers the pre-evolution of Appletun, Applin, but it can also be obtained in Kitakami through the Teal Mask DLC.

To make the most of Appletun’s high Defensive stats and Special Attack, we will select a Modest nature for this build. In order to keep Appletun in battle, we will equip it with the Shell Bell held item and utilize Grassy Terrain.

Trainers should aim to set up Grassy Terrain, Reflect, and Iron Defense as early as possible to benefit both Appletun and its allies in withstanding strong attacks. Once the team is well-prepared, Appletun can contribute by using Acid Spray on Dondozo to gradually weaken its Special Defense.

Pokemon	Level	Moves	Ability	Nature	Held Item	Tera Type
100	– Apple Acid– Reflect– Iron Defense– Grassy Terrain	Thick Fat	Modest(+Sp. Atk, -Atk)	Shell Bell	Grass

Pokemon Scarlet Violet Dondozo Tera Raid Rewards

Trainers who successfully complete this 7-Star Raid will have the opportunity to catch Dondozo, with a limit of one per save file. As with all other 7-Star Tera Raids, defeating it again will result in receiving the same rewards.

Ability Capsule
Ability Patch
Bottle Cap
Carbos
Comet Shard
Dragon Tera Shard
Exp. Candy L
Exp. Candy XL
Hasty Mint
Nugget
PP Up
Rare Candy
Star Piece
TM 222 (Breaking Swipe)
Spicy Herba Mystica
Salty Herba Mystica
Sour Herba Mystica
Bitter Herba Mystica
Sweet Herba Mystica

Is it possible for the 7-star Tera Raid Dondozo to be Shiny in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet?

Unfortunately, the opportunity to acquire a Shiny gold Dondozo with the Mightiest Mark is not available as this 7-Star boss is unable to be Shiny. This has also been true for past 7-Star Raid bosses.

Nevertheless, those who manage to catch this Dondozo have the opportunity to breed for a Shiny version using the Masuda Method in order to increase their chances.