Metagross is back in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet as the featured boss in a limited-time 7-star Tera Raid Battle event. Trainers will be able to challenge a Steel-Tera Type Metagross appearing at black Tera Raid crystals for one week, giving players another shot at one of the tougher high-end raid encounters in Paldea.
The event runs from Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PDT through Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 4:59 p.m. PDT. As with other 7-star raids, this Metagross arrives with the Mightiest Mark and is built as a premium special encounter rather than a standard raid spawn.
Metagross 7-Star Tera Raid event dates and key details
The returning event centers on Metagross with a Steel Tera Type. It will appear at black Tera Raid crystals during the event window, making it one of the featured limited raid battles available to players who meet the necessary progression requirements.
- Pokémon: Metagross
- Tera Type: Steel
- Raid Level: 7-star
- Special Trait: Mightiest Mark
- Availability: Black Tera Raid crystals
- Start Time: October 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PDT
- End Time: October 22, 2026, at 4:59 p.m. PDT
For players who missed the earlier run or want another chance to battle the boss for raid rewards, this event opens the door again for a limited time. The featured Metagross is positioned as a difficult challenge, and the game encourages players to take it on with friends.
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How to unlock the Metagross raid
Not every player will be able to jump directly into the event on their own save file. To access the Steel-Tera Type Metagross raid independently, trainers need to complete the postgame content that follows the main story. That requirement remains standard for 7-star event raids in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet.
Players who have not reached that point can still participate by joining a raid hosted by someone who has already unlocked access. That means newer or returning players are not fully shut out, as long as they have a host available during the event window.
There is also one additional step required to make sure the event appears properly in-game. Trainers need to download the latest Poké Portal News update before the featured raid Pokémon will show up.
How to update Poké Portal News
If the Metagross raid is not appearing, the first thing to check is whether the latest event news has been downloaded. The process is quick and handled through the in-game menu.
- Open the X menu and select Poké Portal.
- Select Mystery Gift.
- Select Check Poké Portal News.
Once that update is pulled in, the event raid should begin appearing at the designated black Tera Raid crystals during the active event period.
Can you catch Metagross more than once?
The featured Metagross can only be caught one time per save file. That limitation is important for collectors and raid players planning their event schedule, because it means the encounter functions like other marquee 7-star bosses rather than a repeatable capture event.
Even after catching it, players are still free to battle the raid again as many times as they want while the event remains live. Repeat clears can still be worthwhile because the raid continues to pay out valuable resources that help with team building and progression.
What rewards players can earn
Defeating the Metagross raid offers more than just the chance to add a marked Pokémon to a save file. The event also includes a reward pool built around useful progression items, making repeat runs attractive for players who are training competitive or raid-ready teams.
Available rewards include:
- Exp. Candy for leveling Pokémon quickly
- Treasures that can be sold at Pokémon Centers for money
- Stat-improving items to strengthen Pokémon builds
- Steel Tera Shards for changing a Pokémon’s Tera Type
That mix gives the event value beyond the one-time catch. Players farming materials or preparing multiple Pokémon for future raid rotations may find this return run especially useful, particularly if they still need Steel Tera Shards.
Why this Metagross raid stands out
Metagross has long been one of the more popular Steel-type Pokémon, and its presence in a 7-star Tera Raid Battle naturally carries added appeal because of the Mightiest Mark designation. These event raids are typically treated as headline content inside Scarlet and Violet, combining a limited schedule, a stronger-than-normal opponent, and a one-per-save capture rule.
The Steel Tera Type also shapes how players prepare for the fight. Team composition, support choices, survivability, and damage planning all become central in raids at this level, especially against a Pokémon known for power and durability. While the event announcement does not outline a recommended counter strategy, the challenge level alone signals that trainers should expect a serious battle rather than a quick farm for casual story teams.
For players who enjoy endgame cooperative content, this kind of rerun also serves an important purpose. It gives more of the player base time to engage with a notable raid boss, either because they missed the original event, were not far enough in the game to participate, or want another opportunity to farm the reward table.
Where to find the event raid in-game
During the active period, trainers should look for black Tera Raid crystals across the map. Event raids tied to special featured Pokémon are linked to these black crystals, and interacting with one starts the raid battle if the correct event data has been downloaded.
The game also notes the visual cue players often use when scanning the overworld for Tera Raids: a sparkling pillar of light shining from a crystal. Approaching and interacting with the crystal launches the encounter with the Tera Pokémon attached to that raid.
If players are actively searching and still not seeing the event, the most likely causes are either a missing Poké Portal News update or a lack of postgame progression on the save file being used.
Event timing for Scarlet and Violet players
Because the event runs for exactly one week, players will want to plan around the closing time rather than waiting until the final day. The raid begins on the evening of October 15 and ends just before 5:00 p.m. PDT on October 22, leaving a narrow window for players who want both the catch and any follow-up reward farming.
Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet originally launched on November 18, 2022, for Nintendo Switch, and limited raid events like this continue to be a major piece of the games’ live rotation. The returning Metagross battle fits that model closely: a recognizable featured Pokémon, a fixed timetable, and endgame-focused rewards that make the event relevant for both collectors and active raid players.
Extra merchandise tie-in for Metagross fans
Players looking to pair the in-game event with a physical collectible also have a current merchandise option tied to the featured Pokémon. The Metagross Sitting Cuties Plush is listed as available through Pokémon Center during the event period.
That does not affect raid access or rewards, but it does add a small extra note for fans of the species who want something beyond the in-game catch while the event is active.
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