Terastal Phenomenon

The **Terastal phenomenon** (Japanese: **テラスタル** *Terastal*) is a temporary transformation affecting Pokémon. This transformation gives the Pokémon a gem-like appearance along with changing into the exclusive **Tera Type** (Japanese: **テラスタイプ** *Teras-Type*).

In the anime, Kimberly soon predicts that her ability to achieve Tera Power may have something to do with this transformation.

## History

There is a lot of mystery surrounding the Terastal phenomenon and why it only happens in Paldea. Professor Turo was known to be researching this mysterious transformation.

The Terastal phenomenon was first discovered 140 years ago in Area Zero along with Terastallized Pokémon. However, attempts to remove Terastallized Pokémon from the crater caused the light to disappear. Further details of the Terastal phenomenon thus remained unclear for a while.

10 years before the events of the game/series, Turo started to solve the mystery. The Professor discovered the energy emitted from shining crystals in Area Zero is what triggered the Terastal phenomenon. The Tera Orbs were then created by Turo from the Terastal energy located in Area Zero. Clavell helped support the research on it. This allowed people to Terastallize their Pokémon outside of Area Zero. The Tera Orb was then shared to the Paldea League and Uva Academy.

At some point, the Terastal energy was used by the Professor to create a time machine, bringing in Paradox Pokémon from the distant future, including a pair of Miraidon.

The crystalline petals of Glimmora seem to resemble the Tera Jewels that appear during the Terastal phenomenon. It is unknown if there is a connection between Glimmora and the Terastal phenomenon though many of them (along with it’s pre-evolution, Glimmet) can be found in Area Zero the place where the phenomenon originated.

The Violet Book makes cryptic hints that it may be linked to an unknown Pokémon resembling a disk made of layers of overlapping hexagons, but the truth of this has yet to be confirmed. A book in research station 1 further implies its existence and relationship to the phenomenon. The book reads, "We've determined that this energy crystallization is linked to the being we call ██████. The interlocking hexagonal plates that comprise ██████'s shell must somehow cause this phenomenon-which I've dubbed "Terastallizing"."

## Effects

Pokémon Trainers who obtain a Tera Orb are able to use it to Terastallize their Pokémon, which makes a Tera Jewel appear above the Pokémon's head, causes the Pokémon's body to glisten like gems, and changes the Pokémon's type(s) to its Tera Type, removing all other types. Terastallized Pokémon are identified by having "Tera" in front of their name. The phenomenon is only found in Paldea, apparently due to the Terastal energy seeping from the ground of the region.

## Tera Jewels

* The Normal Tera Jewel is based on a diamond ring.
* The Fighting Tera Jewel is based on a large fist.
* The Poison Tera Jewel is based on a skull and crossbones.
* The Ground Tera Jewel is based on a cut-through model of the Earth.
* The Flying Tera Jewel is based on a cluster of balloons.
* The Bug Tera Jewel is based on the wings and antennae of an insect.
* The Rock Tera Jewel is based on the Acropolis of Athens.
* The Ghost Tera Jewel is based on the Generation I sprite of a chost.
* The Steel Tera Jewel is based on a single-bladed axe.
* The Fire Tera Jewel is based on a candelabra or chandelier.
* The Water Tera Jewel is based on a water fountain.
* The Electric Tera Jewel is based on a lightbulb.
* The Grass Tera Jewel is based on a bouquet of flowers.
* The Ice Tera Jewel is based on a snowflake.
* The Psychic Tera Jewel is based on the type's TCG type symbol.
* The Dragon Tera Jewel is based on the head and wings of a dragon.
* The Dark Tera Jewel is based on a face with a mischievous grin.
* The Fairy Tera Jewel is based on a winged heart.

## Trivia

* The Grass-type Tera Jewel being a bouquet of flowers could be a reference to the fact that, in Spanish - the predominant language in the place Paldea is based on - it is known as *Tipo Planta* (Plant-type).