This is a guide for Mesagoza, before entering the Academy, near the beginning of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.

Mesagoza is the largest city in the Paldea region and so big, it has its own loading zone, separate from the rest of the open world.

You’ll arrive at the south entrance. Nemona will be waiting for you at the academy, which is directly north, where the long flight of stairs are.

Feel free to go touring the city. There are various shops and restaurants, although many are duplicated. Some useful shops include:

• Delibird Presents - Sells useful battle-related items and evolution items.
• Every Wich Way - A sandwich shop where you can learn new recipes as you progress the game.
• Chansey Supply - Sells medicines and battle items, plus mints and ability capsules later on.
• Salon Renancer - If you require a haircut.
• Plus various accessory stores located around the central area.

When you reach the area just before the academy’s staircase, you’ll find somebody being harassed by Team Star. To proceed, offer to lend a hand. Now for the only way to resolve things: via a Pokémon battle!

Team Star Grunt¶

If you’ve done a lot of exploring and catching Pokémon, this can be a very easy fight. Our highest Level was 16 for this fight. But anything close to Level 8 should be fine.

Against Poison types, Psychic and Ground types are most effective. You can catch Drowzee in the ruins far east from Los Platos, while Paldean Wooper can be found around the pond south of Los Platos.

But since Shroodle is fairly weak, you can get by with anything that’s not weak, so no Grass, Fairy or Bug.

Once you’ve defeated the first Grunt, Nemona will catch up with you. She’ll hand you a Tera Orb so you can Terastallize your own Pokémon.

If you’re unsure, it might be easier to just try using Terastallize. Oh, hey, there’s another Team Star Grunt that you can use it on!

Team Star Grunt¶

This is another lonesome, weak Pokémon. Fighting types are super-effective, but at this point, any well-trained Pokémon can handle the job.

After selecting “Battle”, a new “Terastallize” icon will appear to the left of your moves. Try pressing to activate Terastallize. The icon should light up and the list of moves will also appear crystal-like.

Now select a move that matches the Pokémon’s Tera Type. The Tera Type will be listed in the Pokémon’s status screen. If you’ve forgotten, you can also check the Terastallize icon.

During the turn you Terastallize, your Pokémon will Terastallize before any Pokémon use their moves. After that, they will use their move as per the usual order. If their move matches their Tera Type, there will be a short animation just before the move is executed.

Once they realize they don’t stand a chance, the Team Star Grunts will scurry off. Although we have a feeling this won’t be the last you see of them.

When you regain control, you’ll be in front of the academy stairs. You can keep exploring Mesagoza if you want; otherwise, go up the stairs to proceed to Naranja/Uva Academy (depending on your game version).