No, the Games Aren’t Free—Only the Chesnaught Tera Raid Download Is
Some headlines have confused players into thinking Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet are free to download until April 30. What is actually free is the in‑game Chesnaught Tera Raid event data, not the full games. You must already own Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet to participate, then download the latest Poké Portal News from within the game at no extra cost. Once that’s done, a special Chesnaught with the Mightiest Mark will begin appearing in black crystal Tera Raid Battles. The event runs from April 23, 5:00 p.m. PDT until April 30, 4:59 p.m. PDT, and you can only access it by connecting online and updating the raid news. The full games themselves remain paid titles on Nintendo’s store, separate from this limited-time free raid download. For Malaysian players, this means act fast in-game, not on the eShop.
Event Timing for Malaysia and How to Unlock the Chesnaught Tera Raid
The Chesnaught Tera Raid window is April 23, 5:00 p.m. PDT to April 30, 4:59 p.m. PDT. For Malaysia (MYT, UTC+8), that’s April 24, 8:00 a.m. until April 30, 7:59 p.m. To join in time, first update your Switch system and make sure Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet is patched to the latest version. Next, connect your console to the internet, launch the game, and open the Poké Portal from the main menu. Select “Mystery Gift,” then choose “Get Poké Portal News.” This downloads the current Pokémon Scarlet Violet event data, enabling the Chesnaught Tera Raid to appear. After that, check your map for black crystal Tera Raid dens, or open the Tera Raid Battle board in the Poké Portal to search for online lobbies featuring Chesnaught. You do not need any paid DLC—just the base game and an internet connection.
Best Pokémon Chesnaught Counters and Team Tips for Malaysian Players
Chesnaught is normally a Grass/Fighting-type, but in this special black crystal encounter it appears as a Terastallized boss, so always check its Tera Type icon before locking in your team. As a rule of thumb, strong Flying, Psychic, Fire, Fairy, or Ice attackers are reliable Pokémon Chesnaught counter options against its usual Grass/Fighting coverage. Prioritise high bulk and sustain, since Tera Raid bosses hit hard and you only bring one Pokémon into battle. Support moves such as Reflect, Light Screen, Screech, and Heal Cheer can be game‑changers in the strict raid timer. Coordinate with friends online so at least one player runs a dedicated support build while others focus on damage. Malaysian trainers playing during peak evening hours will find more active lobbies, so consider joining public raids if you lack a full local party or want to clear the event quickly.
Why the Chesnaught Tera Raid Is Worth It and Future Events to Watch
Even if you already have Chesnaught from previous games or trades, this Tera Raid is still worth your time. The featured Chesnaught comes with the exclusive Mightiest Mark, distinguishing it from ordinary specimens and boosting its trading appeal. High‑difficulty black crystal raids also tend to provide strong rewards such as valuable items and high‑IV Pokémon, making them efficient farming spots for competitive teams. Since the event data is a free raid download via Poké Portal News, there is no downside besides the time investment. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet have hosted many similar limited-time Tera Raid events, rotating powerful or rare bosses in and out of the schedule. These windows close quickly, and missed raids can take months to return. To avoid losing out, Malaysian players should regularly check official announcements and refresh Poké Portal News whenever a new Pokémon Scarlet Violet event is teased.