Best Azumarill build for Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Tera Raids

Zackerie Fairfax
azumarill shiny pokemon SV

Azumarill, while overlooked by many trainers on their journey, is one of the strongest Pokemon in Scarlet & Violet when it comes to taking on five and six-star Tera Raids. Here’s how to build it.

Tera Raids are Pokemon Scarlet & Violet’s answer to Sword & Shield’s max Raids. And for all intents and purposes, they operate nearly identically, allowing four trainers to take on one super strong Terastalized boss.

But unlike Max Raid Dens, these Tera Raids offer a challenge and reward players with precious items they can’t find anywhere else. Tera Raid bosses can reset the opposing Pokemon’s stats, nullify abilities, and create a sturdy shield drawing out battles until the timer runs out.

As such, players are looking for the most efficient way of taking down five and six-star Tera Raids. The answer: Azumarill. This powerful water rodent can take down the strongest raid bosses in one or two hits by itself, and here is what you need to do to get one.

azumarill locations pokemon scarlet violet

Best Azumarill Tera Raid build

*Please note there is currently a bug with Tera Raids that sometimes prevents this build from working properly! After a Pokemon is knocked out by Play Rough, it will regain a portion of its health.

This Tera Raid build utilizes Azumarill’s Huge Power ability – which doubles its attack stat – and the moves Belly Drum and Play Rough. With this combo, trainers are able to one-shot most Tera Raid bosses, making short work of rather troublesome typings.

What’s unique about this build is that the boosted attack power is often strong enough to take down Pokemon who aren’t weak to Fairy-type moves. This comes in handy when players don’t have a lot of options when stepping into six-star raids, and Azumarill’s line can be found early on in Paldea.

Players will also want to equip their Azumarill with the Ability Shield, as its Hug Power ability is integral to this build. If a Raid Boss nullifies this ability, Azumarill won’t be able to deal the damage required to finish the fight.

PokemonLevelMovesetAbilityHeld ItemNature
Azumarill100Tail Whip
Belly Drum
Liquidation
Play Rough
Huge PowerAbility ShieldAdamant

Azumarill Tera Raid Moveset

  • Belly Drum – learned by holding a Mirror Herb while picnicking with a Pokemon that knows Belly Drum
  • Play Rough – learned at level 25
  • Liquidation – learned via TM
  • Tail Whip – learned at level 1
  • Helping Hand – learned at level 1

Best EVs and IVs for Azumarill

Trainers will want to focus on Azumarill’s HP, Attack, and Defense. These can be EV trained by purchasing Protein, HP Up, and Iron from the Chansey Supply store.

These IVs, along with others if the player has enough Bottle Caps, can be Hyper Trained by the NPC near the Pokecenter in Montenerva. Bottle Caps can be purchased from Delibird Presents for $20,000 after beating the sixth gym.

How to teach Azumarill Belly Drum

Belly Drum is essential to this Azumarill build, but it’s not learned as easily as others. While Play Rough is learned via leveling up and Liquidation is learned via TM, Belly Drum is learned using a new Held Item and a bit of picnicking.

Here is how to teach Azumarill Belly Drum in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet:

  • Catch an Azumarill and either a Zangoose, Hirayama or Iron Hands
  • Teach Zangoose, Hirayama, or Iron Hands the move Belly Drum by leveling up
  • Make sure the Pokemon that knows Belly Drum & Azumarill are the only two Pokemon in your party
  • Delete one of Azumarill’s moves so it only knows three, and one slot is left empty
  • Purchase a Mirror Herb from Delibird Presents in Cascarrafa
  • Give the Mirror Herb to Azumarill to hold
  • With these two Pokemon in your party, host a picnic
  • Wait a few minutes
  • Exit the picnic and check Azumarill’s summary to see if it learned Belly Drum

How to use Azumarill in Tera Raids

It is advised that players use this Azumarill build while raiding solo, as it requires a couple of turns to set up. At the start of the raid, players can either go for Belly Drum at the start or use Tail Whip to lower the boss’ defense. However, players won’t want to use Tail Whip more than twice as the AI Pokemon will start dealing damage and may trigger the Pokemon’s shield.

Regardless, Belly Drum needs to be activated to max out Azumarill’s Attack and HP stats. Follow this up with Play Rough, and the Tera Raid is as good as over. Players can also substitute Play Rough for Liquidation if the Pokemon is weak to Water-type moves.

However, Azumarill may not cover all of your bases. If you’re interested in other super strong Tera Raid builds, check out our guides for Iron Hands and Sylveon.