Galar-region Legendary Zacian is returning to Pokemon Go 5-Star Raid battles to introduce its Shiny variation. So, here are the best counters to target its weaknesses and defeat it fast.
Sword & Shield Legendaries – Zacian and Zamazenta – are two of the most difficult Legendary Pokemon to catch in Niantic’s mobile game due to their sporadic appearances.
However, with the Max Out season focused on the Galar region, Zacian is ready for its comeback. The Pokemon Sword mascot will appear in 5-Star Raid battles during the recently announced Legendary Heroes event to debut its Shiny version, so here’s how to take it down.
Zacian weaknesses in Pokemon Go
Zacian in its Hero of Many Battles form is a pure Fairy-type, which means it’s only weak against Poison and Steel-type moves. As a result, trainers should focus on bringing their strongest Pokemon of these types with matching moves.
As for Zacian’s strengths, it is resistant to Dark, Dragon, Bug, and Fighting types, so it’s best to avoid those wherever possible.
Zacian best counters
Here are some of the best counters you can use against Zacian during the battle:
| POKEMON | SPRITE | BEST MOVESET |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Gengar | Shadow Claw & Sludge Bomb | |
| Mega Aggron | Iron Tail & Heavy Slam | |
| Dusk Mane Necrozma | Metal Claw & Sunsteel Strike | |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Metal Claw &Moongeist Beam | |
| Dialga | Metal Claw & Iron Head | |
| Shadow Metagross | Bullet Punch & Meteor Mash | |
| Shadow Excadrill | Metal Claw & Iron Head | |
| Magnezone | Metal Sound & Flash Cannon | |
| Genesect (Douse Drive) | Metal Claw & Gunk Shot | |
| Empoleon | Metal Claw & Flash Cannon |
We’ve included a mix of Megas, Legendaries, Shadow, and more common Pokemon in the table above so there should be something for trainers of all levels. In case you don’t have any of them, focus on your strongest Steel and Poison-type creatures.
Remember that even though the Pokemon listed are very effective against Zacian, they still need to be leveled up and know the proper moves if you want to win the battle.
How to get Zacian in Pokemon Go
As with all Legendaries, the only way to catch Zacian in Pokemon Go is to first defeat it in a 5-Star Raid Battle and then attempt to catch it using the limited amount of Premier Balls given to you at the end of the encounter.
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Zacian will be available in 5-Star Raid Battles from Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 10:00 AM local time until Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 8:00 PM local time thanks to the Legendary Heroes event.
Can Zacian be Shiny?
Yes, Zacian can be Shiny in Pokemon Go. The Legendary Heroes event will finally introduce Shiny Zacian to the game.
Those who challenge Zacian in 5-Star Raid battles during the event will have increased chances of finding its Shiny version, which can be identified by its lighter body fur, and blue braids and tail.
To keep you from being disappointed, remember that the odds of finding a Shiny Pokemon in general are very low and there’s no technique to ensure you’ll find one.
Pokemon Go Zacian 100 IV CP
If you’re heading out to raid Zacian in the hopes of nabbing the elusive 4*, you will want to know exactly the CP Zacian will have when it has Max IVs. So, below are the CP numbers you need to look out for when encountering Zacian that may reward you with a perfect Pokemon:
- Normal encounter – 2188 CP
- Weather-boosted encounter – 2735 CP
Which Mega Pokemon gives Zacian extra Candy?
If you catch a Pokemon with a Mega Pokemon of the same time currently active and Mega Evolved, players have the chance to earn extra candy of any Pokemon of the same type.
As such, if you Mega Evolve the following Fairy-type Pokemon, you have a chance of earning extra Candy when you Raid and catch Zacian, helping you to power it up quickly:
- Altaria
- Diancie
- Gardevoir
That’s all you need to know about Zacian to take it down in Pokemon Go. You can also check out our guides on All the Ultra Beasts available in the game, as well as the Best Mega Evolutions, and keep up with this season’s events with our Max Out season hub.