Ethan Crossfield 
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet players have one final window to obtain a truly limited Pokémon: Hisuian Samurott with the Mightiest Mark. The 7-Star Tera Raid event is ending July 17, making this the last opportunity for anyone who missed prior runs.
What happened in Gen 9’s final Hisuian starter run
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Hisuian starter Tera Raids began on June 25 and will end on July 17. The closing event features Hisuian Samurott with the Mightiest Mark, which will leave the game permanently when the final raid concludes at 3:59 pm PT / 6:59 pm ET on July 17.
This raid series has been running weekly since January, covering starters in the series through the Hisuian forms. Each week’s starter was available as a 7-Star Tera Raid with the Mightiest Mark, and that mark is only obtainable on Pokémon caught during the event. While the event has happened before, it has now been confirmed as the last time it will be hosted—meaning Hisuian Samurott will not return once July 17 passes.
The source also notes a limitation for players coming in late: Hisuian Decidueye and Hisuian Typhlosion are no longer available with their Mightiest Mark. More importantly, the only native way to get Hisuian starters in Scarlet and Violet is through this event; otherwise, players typically have to transfer base forms to Pokémon Legends: Arceus, evolve them there, and transfer them back to Gen 9.
Why it matters for players (and for raid planning)
For anyone focused on completing collections, the Mightiest Mark is the key reason to act now. Because the mark is tied to event captures, players can’t simply grind later or rely on transfers to recreate the same availability in Scarlet and Violet.
The timing also matters strategically. If you still need Hisuian Samurott, the July 17 raid is explicitly the final chance. The source lists several strong counters for the 7-Star encounter, including Miraidon, Meowscarada, and Clodsire. Miraidon can deal high damage with Electric moves and has self-healing. Meowscarada can use Protean to become a pure Grass-type, then set up with Nasty Plot and attack with Giga Drain for damage and recovery. Clodsire is highlighted for Water Absorb, along with Acid Spray to reduce Hisuian Samurott’s Special Defense.
Other options are also viable in the raid, such as Bellibolt, Breloom, and additional team choices. However, the source specifically frames Miraidon as one of the best tools for Tera Raids and even VGC battles in general, reinforcing why raid preparation should prioritize reliable damage and sustain.
What to watch next: more events, but uncertain starter rotation
Even as the Hisuian starter raid series closes, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet isn’t slowing down. The game recently announced Summer 2026 events, including a Tera Raid featuring a special Magikarp and multiple Mass Outbreaks across both the base game and DLCs. That makes July a high-activity month for players who want to return to Gen 9 before the next major generation arrives.
Looking beyond July, the source introduces uncertainty around whether Gen 9 starters will return after Hisuian Samurott. It notes that Meowscarada would logically be next in rotation for a 7-Star appearance, but the arrival of the Magikarp raids this week leaves the schedule unclear.
Finally, this all sits within a broader update cadence. The source says Gen 9 has been in maintenance mode with minimal updates for a while, while Pokémon Winds and Waves were revealed for an undisclosed 2027 release—suggesting Gen 10-era timing could be closer to five years after Gen 9’s November 2022 launch.
Practical takeaways before July 17
- If you still need Hisuian Samurott with the Mightiest Mark, treat July 17 as your final deadline (event ends at 3:59 pm PT / 6:59 pm ET).
- Remember the Mightiest Mark is only available on Pokémon caught during this event, so late substitutes won’t replicate the same reward.
- Plan your raid team around the listed counters—Miraidon, Meowscarada, and Clodsire are specifically called out for strong performance.
- Don’t assume the starter rotation will resume normally; the Magikarp raids may disrupt expectations.
- For returning players, July’s Summer 2026 events (Magikarp Tera Raid and Mass Outbreaks) are a good reason to jump back in now.
Expert View
This is one of those moments where Scarlet and Violet’s long-tail event design directly rewards urgency. By tying the Mightiest Mark to a confirmed final run, the game turns collection completion into a deadline-driven activity—exactly the kind of pressure that can spike raid participation and coordination right before the event disappears. For the studio, it’s also a clean way to close out a chapter of Gen 9 content without needing another round of starters on a predictable schedule.
