When Pokemon GO trainers discuss top-tier raid attackers, names like Shadow Mewtwo, Primal Kyogre, and Mega Rayquaza dominate the conversation. However, one Legendary Pokemon has been quietly establishing itself as an indispensable asset across multiple battle formats, despite flying under the radar of many players.
Terrakion, the Cavern Pokemon from Generation 5, has returned to five-star raids from the 14th to the 22nd of July 2025, as part of the Road to Unova event. With an estimated 1 in 20 shiny odds, this raid window is the perfect time to invest in a battle-ready Terrakion in Pokemon GO.
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Terrakion's Impressive Stats and Typing Combination
Terrakion Represents A Balanced Powerhouse with Exceptional Attack
Terrakion's stat distribution places it among the elite tier of Legendary attackers, boasting an impressive 260 Attack stat. This offensive prowess is complemented by 192 Defense and 209 Stamina, creating a well-rounded profile that can survive extended encounters while maintaining consistent damage output. Terrakion's bulk allows it to stay in battle longer, maximizing its damage contribution.
Compared to other Fighting-type Legendaries like Cobalion and Virizion, Terrakion's superior durability in sustained combat scenarios makes it particularly valuable in challenging raid encounters where survivability matters as much as raw damage output.
Terrakion's Rock/Fighting typing provides access to two powerful Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB) move types, effectively giving trainers two specialists in one Pokemon. This dual typing allows Terrakion to serve as both a premier Fighting-type attacker against Normal, Ice, Dark, Steel, and Rock-type raid bosses, while simultaneously functioning as a capable Rock-type attacker against Flying, Fire, Ice, and Bug-types.
However, this typing does come with notable vulnerabilities. Terrakion takes increased damage from Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, Grass, Psychic, and Fairy-type attacks, requiring careful consideration of match-ups. Despite these weaknesses, the offensive advantages and specific resistances often outweigh the defensive drawbacks in practical applications.
The Sacred Sword Gives Terrakion an OP Advantage
Sacred Sword represents one of the most impactful Elite TM investments available to Pokemon GO trainers. This Fighting-type legacy move transforms Terrakion from a solid choice into an exceptional performer. The move's superior energy efficiency and damage output mean it performs significantly better than Terrakion's standard charged move alternatives.
Sacred Sword deals 55 damage for 33 energy, while Close Combat delivers 105 damage for 50 energy. While Close Combat appears more powerful on paper, Sacred Sword's energy efficiency allows for more frequent usage, which translates to a higher sustained DPS throughout a battle. When paired with Double Kick as a fast move, Sacred Sword creates Terrakion's optimal moveset with a total DPS of 19.48.
This combination not only maximizes the Generation 5 Cavern Pokemon's damage output but also provides excellent energy generation, allowing Terrakion to fire charged moves frequently and maintain pressure on opponents. As a Rock-type attacker using Smack Down and Rock Slide, Terrakion achieves a top-tier ranking, making it one of the most accessible high-performance Rock-type options available to most trainers.
While it cannot match the raw DPS of Rampardos or Shadow Tyranitar, Terrakion's superior bulk and Legendary stats create a more reliable and user-friendly experience.
This Rock-type capability proves invaluable against raid bosses like Articuno, Moltres, Zapdos, and Mega Charizard Y, where Terrakion can exploit type advantages while maintaining survivability. The dual-type flexibility means trainers can adapt Terrakion's moveset based on current raid rotations, maximizing their team's effectiveness across diverse encounters.
Why Terrakion Deserves Recognition
Terrakion exemplifies the concept of hidden value in Pokemon GO's competitive landscape. While flashier Legendaries capture headlines, Terrakion quietly delivers exceptional performance across battle scenarios. Its Rock/Fighting typing, impressive 260 Attack stat, and access to Sacred Sword create a unique combination that no other Pokemon can replicate.
The current raid availability through July 22, 2025, represents an optimal opportunity for trainers to add this versatile champion to their rosters. Whether facing challenging raid bosses, Team GO Rocket Leaders, or competitive PvP opponents, Terrakion provides reliable performance that justifies both the initial capture investment and subsequent Elite TM usage. With proper investment and deployment, it can become one of the most reliable performers in any trainer's arsenal.
