How to take on Zacian in its Hero of Many Battles forme in Pokémon Go - TechnW3
Skipping over the entirety of Gen VII, as well as many other Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, Zacian and Zamazenta are coming to Pokémon Go Raids. Both will be featured during the Ultra Unlock part three: Sword and Shield event, alongside a handful of additional Galarian Pokémon. Although movepools have yet to be confirmed, we've got a list of counters so you can start prepping, and be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go Accessories, so you can be fully equipped for your Pokémon Journey!
Who is Zacian in Pokémon Go?
The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Sword, Zacian is part of a pair of Legendary Pokémon, the Hero Duo. These two are the protectors of the Galar region who battled against Eternatus. The Warrior Pokémon, Zacian is is the mascot of Pokémon Sword and the elder of the duo. Both have two forms: Hero of Many Battles, and Crowned Sword or Crowned Shield. In their Hero of Many Battles forms, Zacian is a pure Fairy type and Zamazenta is a pure Fighting type. Their Crowned forms add a secondary Steel typing.
In terms of Pokémon Go, we'll just be facing the Hero of Many Battles forms for now.
What are the best counters for Zacian in Pokémon Go?
As a pure Fairy type, Zacian's only weaknesses are Poison and Steel. We're not sure what type damage it will be able to deal yet, although in the core games it has access to a wide range of attacks, with Fairy, Steel, Normal, and Fighting making up the bulk of its movepool.
Mega Gengar
At the top of the best counters for Zacian is Mega Gengar. This Poison and Ghost type resist Fairy, Grass, Bug, Poison, Normal, and Fighting type damage, while taking increased damage from Psychic, Dark, Ghost, and Ground type moves. If you can safely coordinate with the rest of your Raid party, Mega Gengar will provide a nice boost to other Poison types on the field. Lick and Sludge Bomb are the best moveset for your Mega Gengar going up against Zacian.
Metagross
While it doesn't do quite as much damage as Mega Gengar, Metagross comes very close and is far more accessible. This Steel and Psychic type pseudo-Legendary resists ten different types, with only Ground, Ghost, Fire, and Dark dealing increased damage. Having been featured in a number of events, including a Steel and Psychic Incense Day and a Community Day, not to mention as a Shadow Pokémon, most players have had plenty of opportunities to add Metagross to their rosters. Pokémon Go has yet to introduce any Mega Steel types, so it won't benefit from a Mega boost, but that also means you don't have to worry about coordinating with your Raid party. Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash are the moves you'll want your Metagross to know, but if you don't have the Community Day exclusive move or the Elite TM to spare, Flash Cannon can also work.
Dialga
The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Diamond and the upcoming Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Dialga makes for a great counter to Zacian. A Steel and Dragon type, its only weaknesses are Ground and Fighting type, while it resists ten different types, meaning it will last a long while in this Raid. Dialga has been featured in Raids multiple times, including during the Ultra Unlock: Time event, so most active players have had the chance to add it to their rosters. If you're bringing Dialga to this fight, you'll want Metal Claw and Iron Head for its moves.
Gengar
Although you can only bring one Mega Gengar to a Raid, you can bring as many Gengar as you want. This Ghost and Poison type from Kanto has the same weaknesses and resistances as its Mega Evolution and is widely available, having been in the game since day one and featured in many events, including every Halloween event and even its own Community Day. You'll want your Gengar to know Lick for the fast move and Sludge Bomb for the charged.
Genesect
A Mythical fossil Pokémon from Unova, Genesect is a great counter for Zacian. Although it is a Mythical Pokémon, Genesect has been available in Raids multiple times on top of its paid Special Research event, A Drive to Investigate, so it's far more readily available than most Mythicals. It's a Steel and Bug type, giving it nine resistances and only one weakness: Fire. Metal Claw and Magnet Bomb is the moveset you're looking for.
Jirachi
Another Mythical Pokémon for the list, Jirachi was originally encountered in the Hoenn region. Unfortunately, like most Mythicals, Jirachi is limited to one per account only obtainable from the Special Research line, A Thousand-Year Slumber. Still, if you've invested the Rare Candy into beefing up your Jirachi, it will perform very well in this Raid with Charge Beam and Doom Desire.
Aggron
Originally discovered in the Hoenn region of gen III, Aggron is another great choice in this Raid. A Steel and Rock type, it resists nine different types, while only taking increased damage from Fighting, Ground, and Water type moves. Its first stage, Aron has been featured in a number of events and is fairly common, so most players have had the opportunity to add Aggron to their team. If you are bringing Aggron to this fight, the moveset you're looking for is Iron Tail and Heavy Slam.
Excadrill
Gen V's Excadrill is another excellent counter for Zacian. As a Steel and Ground type, Excadrill has ten resistances but it takes increased damage from Fighting, Fire, Ground, and Water type moves. It only has two stages and its first stage, Drilbur has been featured in events and is fairly common, so most players have had the chance to catch and evolve it. Metal Claw and Iron Head are the ideal moves for your Excadrill in this Raid.
Mega Beedrill
Although Mega Gengar should be the first pick for a Mega Pokémon in this Raid, Mega Beedrill is a solid choice if you don't have the Mega Gengar Energy. A Bug and Poison type, its weaknesses include Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock, and its stats are sad in comparison to Mega Gengar, but it still performs very well. Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb are the moves you'll want your Mega Beedrill to know and be sure to coordinate with the rest of your Raid party if you can to get the most out of the Poison type Mega Boost.
Roserade
Last, but not least, Gen IV's Roserade is another top counter for Zacian. Although it requires 100 Candy and a Sinnoh Stone to evolve, it was featured in a Community Day and has a baby form, Budew that often hatches from Eggs, so most players have had the chance to add Roserade to their roster. This Poison and Grass type takes increased damage from Psychic, Fire, Ice, and Flying type moves, but it will benefit from the Mega Boost of Mega Gengar or Mega Beedrill. Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb are the best moveset for Roserade in this fight.
Back ups?
Although most players will be able to make a team of the best counters, if you're finding a gap in your team, there are plenty of back ups who work well in larger groups. Just make sure you're dodging and any of the following could be a decent back up:
- Mega Pidgeot with Steel Wing and Brave Bird
- Heatran with Fire Spin and Iron Head
- Mega Venusaur with Vine Whip and Slidge Bomb
- Cobalion with Metal Claw and Iron Head
- Empoleon with Metal Claw and Flash Cannon
- Bisharp with Metal Claw and Iron Head
- Tyranitar with Iron Tail and Stone Edge
- Durant with Metal Claw and Iron Head
- Scizor with Bullet Punch and Iron Head
- Vileplume with Acid and Sludge Bomb
- Skuntank with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
- Ho-Oh with Steel Wing and Brave Bird
- Magnezone with Spark and Flash Cannon
- Kyurem with Steel Wing and Blizzard
- Lucario with Bullet Punch and Flash Cannon
- Machamp with Bullet Punch and Heavy Slam
- Melmetal with Thunder Shock and Flash Cannon
- Muk with Poison Jab and Gunk Shot
- Perrserker with Metal Claw and Iron Head
- Scoliopede with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
Shadow Pokémon?
The rebalance of Shadow Pokémon rescued from Team GO Rocket make them excellent glass cannons. Not only are their stats boosted, but during special events or with Elite TMs, it's possible to change their moves. If you happen to have any of the following Pokémon with the right moveset, they will work very well in this Raid:
- Shadow Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
- Shadow Aggron with Iron Tail and Heavy Slam
- Shadow Tyranitar with Iron Tail and Stone Edge
- Shadow Mewtwo with Confusion and Psystrike
- Shadow Scizor with Bullet Punch and Iron Head
- Shadow Skuntank with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Vileplume with Acid and Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Magnezone with Spark and Flash Cannon
- Shadow Dragonite with Steel Wing and Hurricane
- Shadow Muk with Poison Jab and Gunk Shot
- Shadow Victreebel with Acid and Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Nidoking with Poison Jab and Sludge Wave
- Shadow Venusaur with Vine Whip and Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Machamp with Bullet Punch and Heavy Slam
- Shadow Aerodactyl with Steel Wing and Iron Head
Note: Shadow Metagross outperform every other Pokémon in the best counters list except Mega Gengar. While there are Poison type Mega Pokémon who will boost other Poison types on the field, given Metagross's abundance, a team of Metagross and/or Shadow Metagross is the best you can do without coordinating with your Raid party to focus on Poison types.
How many players does it take to beat Zacian in Pokémon Go?
We won't know how many players it takes to beat Zacian until its movepool and stats are finalized in game.
Weather conditions that can impact this Raid include:
- Cloudy Weather will boost Zacian's Fairy type attacks, as well as your Poison type counters
- Snow will boost your Steel type counters
Questions about taking on Zacian in Pokémon Go?
Do you have any questions about taking on the Hero of Many Battles forme of Zacian in Pokémon Go? Got any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop them in the comments below, and be sure to check out our Complete Pokédex, so you can be the very best like no one ever was!
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