The Pokémon Company confirms Dragon Tera Type Magikarp 7-Star Raid on July 16

The Pokémon Company has officially confirmed a new wave of summer events for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, featuring a 7-Star Tera Raid Battle and various Mass Outbreaks. The centerpiece of the celebration is a Dragon Tera Type Magikarp, which is scheduled to appear in black Tera Raid crystals starting Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.

This surprise event series, focusing on Water-type Pokémon, will run until Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 7:59 PM Eastern Time. While Magikarp is often viewed as one of the weakest species in the franchise, this specific raid encounter is designated as a 7-Star challenge, a tier usually reserved for high-level starter Pokémon and legendary threats. The choice follows a string of early 2026 events that featured “Unrivaled” starters like Hisuian Decidueye and Hisuian Samurott.

Challenging the Dragon Tera Type Magikarp

The primary draw of the summer schedule is the 7-Star Tera Raid Battle featuring Magikarp. This specimen is unique due to its Dragon Tera Type, which shifts its usual weaknesses during the Terastal phenomenon. According to confirmed details, the Magikarp will only know three moves: Splash, Tackle, and Flail. Because these are Normal-type attacks, the encounter is unlikely to pose a significant challenge to experienced trainers.

To effectively counter the fish Pokémon, researchers recommend using dual-type Ghost Pokémon that also carry Fairy, Ice, or Dragon-type moves. Since Ghost types are immune to Normal-type damage like Tackle and Flail, players can bypass Magikarp’s only offensive options while targeting its Dragon Tera Type weaknesses. This raid serves as a lighter entry in the 7-Star series compared to recent powerhouse starters.

Strategy pointers for the Magikarp Tera Raid

Players aiming to conquer the Dragon Tera Type Magikarp should ensure their Pokémon are at a high level, preferably 100, and fully EV and IV trained. Equipping items that boost super-effective moves, such as Choice Specs or Life Orb for special attackers, or Choice Band and Expert Belt for physical attackers, can optimize damage output. Coordinating with teammates in multiplayer raids to apply stat debuffs to Magikarp or stat boosts to your own party can also significantly impact battle efficiency.

Consider bringing a support Pokémon that can inflict status conditions or use abilities like Taunt to prevent Magikarp from using any unexpected maneuvers, though its known moveset keeps things simple. It’s also worth noting that while Magikarp is often underestimated, its 7-Star status means it will have significantly boosted stats, making it more resilient than its base form would suggest. Capturing this Magikarp will grant trainers a specimen with the Mightiest Mark, which it will retain even after evolving into Gyarados.

Mass Outbreaks in Paldea and Casseroya Lake

In addition to the raids, The Pokémon Company is hosting widespread Mass Outbreaks across the Paldea region. These outbreaks serve as an excellent opportunity for “mark hunters,” as every Water-type Pokémon appearing in these events will have an increased chance of bearing a special mark. For trainers who have already explored the November 2026 release of upcoming major titles, these updates provide a reason to return to Paldea’s open world.

Specifically, players will find waves of Tatsugiri, Dondozo, and Veluza appearing across Casseroya Lake. Elsewhere in Paldea, outbreaks of Slowpoke and Psyduck will occur in various spots throughout the region. Trainers looking to maximize their odds of finding a Pokémon with a special mark are encouraged to prepare sandwiches that provide the “Title Power: Water” buff.

Enhancing your chances during Mass Outbreaks

To increase the likelihood of finding a Pokémon with a special mark during these Mass Outbreaks, preparing the right sandwich is key. A sandwich that grants “Title Power: Water” for example, will boost the chances of encountering a Water-type Pokémon with a mark. These marks are cosmetic additions that appear next to a Pokémon’s name, signifying its unique qualities or the circumstances of its capture.

This makes the Water-type Mass Outbreak event particularly appealing for collectors and those who enjoy the “shiny hunting” aspect of Pokémon games. The diversity of Water-type Pokémon available across different regions—Paldea, Kitakami, and the Terarium—means trainers will have multiple targets for their mark-hunting endeavors throughout the event period.

Outbreaks in Kitakami and the Blueberry Terarium

The summer festivities extend to the DLC areas, including the land of Kitakami and the Terarium at Blueberry Academy. In Kitakami, trainers can find outbreaks of Feebas and White-Striped Basculin. These outbreaks are particularly useful for those looking to fill their Pokédex with aquatic variants not found in the base Paldea region.

Among these, the White-Striped Basculin outbreaks are of particular interest. They offer boosted odds of appearing with the “Rampaging Mark,” which is precisely what players need to evolve this Pokémon into the powerful Basculegion. This specific utility adds a strategic layer for trainers looking to acquire a somewhat rarer evolution.

Meanwhile, the Terarium at Blueberry Academy will see Lapras appear more frequently during the event window. This provides a great chance to catch one of the more iconic Water/Ice-type Pokémon. Lapras, known for its strong defensive stats and diverse move pool, can be a valuable addition to any team.

Preparing for the DLC region outbreaks

To access these outbreaks and the 7-Star Magikarp raid, players will need to download the latest Poké Portal News through the Mystery Gift menu. Ensure your game is connected to the internet to get these updates. While 7-Star raids typically require players to complete the post-game story and specific 5-star raids, trainers can still join friends via link codes to participate in the battle.

This means even newer players or those who haven’t fully completed the extensive post-game content can still experience the thrill of a 7-Star raid. However, a well-prepared team and a clear understanding of type matchups will be crucial for success, especially if you’re relying on public lobbies. Players also have until July 16 to secure Hisuian Samurott the Unrivaled from its Tera Raid dens if they haven’t already.

A look back at 2024’s summer events

The Pokémon Company has a history of engaging players with diverse summer events, as evidenced by the four-part series held in 2024 for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. These past events showcased a structured approach to seasonal content, offering unique Pokémon and challenges over several weeks. Remembering these earlier events gives us a sense of how varied and rewarding these summer celebrations can be.

The “Pikachu and Friends” event kicked things off, featuring a Water Tera Type Mightiest Mark Pikachu and outbreaks of various Pichu, Mimikyu, and both Kanto and Alolan Raichu. The Alolan Raichu was a particularly notable inclusion, as it wasn’t normally found in regular gameplay. Then came “Order Up Some Fun with Pokémon!”, where a Mightiest Mark Dondozo appeared alongside Tatsugiri outbreaks in different forms across Paldea, Kitakami, and Blueberry Academy.

The third part, “Celebrate the 2024 World Championships!”, offered Chest Form Gimmighoul raids with a chance for shiny encounters in 5-star battles. Mass Outbreaks included Wattrel, Riolu, and Comfey, all with increased shiny chances and a higher likelihood of carrying the “Pumped-Up Mark.” Finally, “Challenge Powerhouse Pokémon!” concluded the 2024 summer with a Mightiest Mark Dragonite and outbreaks of Larvitar, Bagon, Goomy, Hisuian Sliggoo, and Beldum, many of which had a higher chance of bearing the “Charismatic Mark.”

The broader event landscape and future outlook

While Pokémon Scarlet and Violet focus on the current Water-type summer event, other titles in the franchise are also seeing competitive updates. The fourteenth season of Ranked Battles for Pokémon Legends: Z-A is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. This specific season, titled “Sky Battles,” restricts competition to Flying-type Pokémon only, pushing players to strategize around a narrower but exciting pool of Pokémon. Flying Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution, such as Skarmory, Rayquaza, and Dragonite, are expected to feature heavily in these battles.

This oversight of different types across games provides a busy month for dedicated fans. com/game-news/iem-cologne-major-2026-stickers-na-teams-market-update/”>Valve debuts IEM Cologne Major 2026 stickers and price updates in other eSports, the Nintendo community currently remains fixed on completing their regional dexes and securing rare marks. com/game-news/star-fox-switch-2-day-one-update-details/”>that game isn’t slated for release until sometime in 2027.

This suggests a continued commitment to evolving the Pokémon universe through both new game releases and ongoing live-service content within existing titles. Trainers should stay vigilant for further announcements as The Pokémon Company continues to roll out engaging content across its diverse portfolio.