Galar-region Legendary Zacian is returning to Pokemon Go 5-Star Raid battles to give the Max Out season a proper send-off. Learn the best counters to target its weaknesses if you want to 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 has had two appearances in 5-Star Raid battles. The Sword mascot first came back during the Legendary Heroes event to debut its Shiny version and now is returning for the Max Out Finale.
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 as they won’t be able to deal much damage.
Zacian best counters
Here are some of the best counters you can use against Zacian in Pokemon Go:
| POKEMON | SPRITE | BEST MOVESET |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Gengar | Lick & Sludge Bomb | |
| Mega Beedrill | Poison Jab & Sludge Bomb | |
| Shadow Metagross | Bullet Punch & Meteor Mash | |
| Shadow Excadrill | Metal Claw & Iron Head | |
| Dusk Mane Necrozma | Metal Claw & Sunsteel Strike | |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Metal Claw & Moongeist Beam | |
| Nihilego | Poison Jab & Sludge Bomb | |
| Aggron | Iron Tail & Heavy Slam | |
| Melmetal | Thunder Shock & Double Iron Bash | |
| Roserade | Poison Jab & Sludge Bomb |
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/or 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.
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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.
Zacian will be available in 5-Star Raid Battles from Wednesday, November 27, 2024, until Tuesday, December 3, 2024 thanks to the Max Out Finale event.
Zacian CP in Pokemon Go
As with every Raid Boss in the game, the CP Zacian Hero of Many Battles has during a Raid battle won’t be the same once you manage to catch it after defeating it. Plus, certain types of weather can increase such CP.
| Raid Boss CP | 52,195 |
| CP range once captured | 2100 – 2188 |
| Cloudy weather CP range | 2625 – 2735 |
| Zacian Hero of Many Battles max CP (Level 50) | 4329 |
Can Zacian be Shiny?
Yes, Zacian can be Shiny in Pokemon Go, as – luckily for Shiny hunters – this special variation was recently introduced to the game during the Legendary Heroes event.
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.
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.
