This article is a part of directory: Mastering Pokémon GO. The Ultimate Guide to Catching Them All
Among the most potent and sought-after Pokémon in Pokémon GO, Zacian, the Crowned Sword Pokémon, rules absolutely. Dominating the Master League and with amazing offensive capability, this Legendary Pokémon from the Galar region Including its best PvE and PvP movesets, counter-strategies, Shadow Zacian’s potential, and professional advice to improve your gameplay, this thorough guide offers all you need to maximize Zacian for battle. This is the one-stop guide for learning Zacian.
Zacian Review
Zacian is a Fairy-type in Hero of Many Battles form and a Fairy/Steel-type in Crowned Sword form. This guide concentrates on the Hero of Many Battles form that are now on sale.
- Resistances: Bug, Dark, Dragon (twice resistance), Grass, Rock
- Vulnerabilities: Poison, Iron
- Base Statistics (Hero of Many Battles):
- Attack Number: 254
- Defense: 236
- Stamina: 192
- Attack: 332 Base Stats (Crowned Sword)
- Defense: 240
- Stamina: 192
Consistently ranking among the very best, Zacian (Hero of Many Battles) is a Master League absolute powerhouse. Although in its Hero form it is not the top fairy-type assailant for raids, its Crowned Sword form will be the unquestionably best.
Best Moveset for PvE’s Raids & Gym Battles Zacian
Although Zacian’s Hero form isn’t the perfect Fairy-type attacker, it’s still workable. The present best set is as follows:
Ideal Motion Set
- Metal Claw, or Steel, Fast Movement
- Play Rough (Fairy) Charged Move
- DPS & TDO: Metal Claw has respectable damage and energy. Zacian’s best Fairy-type charged move is Play Rough.
Comparing Chart
| Quick Action | Charged Move | DPS | TDO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Claw | Play Rough | Moderate | Moderate |
| Target Quick Attack | Play Rough | Low | Low |
| Snarl | Play Rough | Low | Low |
| Fire Fang | Play Rough | Low | Low |
Zacian works well against Fighting-, Dark-, and Dragon-, type Pokémon.
Perfect Zacian Moveset for PvP (GO Battle League)
Zacian’s predomance is most evident in the Master League.
Great League; Ultra League; Master League Viability
Zacian just makes sense in the Master League. It underpowers Ultra League and is not qualifying for Great League.
Suggested Moveset
- Fast Move: Snarl (Dark)
- Close combat (fighting) and play rough (fairy) charged motions
Style and Strategy
Zacian performs very nicely as a lead, safe switch, or closer. Snarl produces fast energy generation. Crucially for managing Steel-types that resist Zacian’s Fairy-type attacks, Close Combat provides devastating Fighting-type coverage. Zacian’s main STAB move is Play Rough, which seriously damages a broad spectrum of opponents. Often a good strategy is baiting shields with Close Combat, which lets a later Play Rough land unshielded. A decent counter against Flying and Water types is Wild Charge.
On PvPoke, Zacian (Hero Form) routinely ranks at or close to the very top of the Master League meta. Its coverage, power, and speed make it rather flexible and threatening.
Shadow Zacian: Validity of Worth
Shadow Pokémon take 20% more damage yet get a 20% attack bonus. Shadow Zacian would thus be even more effective in raids, but its increasing fragility could be a disadvantage in PvP.
Shadow Zacian’s Best Moveset
Snarl (Fast), Play Rough and Close Combat (Charged), is Shadow Zacian’s best moveset.
Purifying
Do you want to clean it? Completely NO. PvE would much benefit from the attack boost, thus the standard form is already dominant in PvP. One would have a major downgrading from purifying.
Best Directors for Zacian
Success in the Master League depends on one knowing how to oppose Zacian.
Top Pokémon to Counter Zacian in Raids and PvP
- Metagross, or Bullet Punch/Meteor Mash
- Ho-Oh, sometimes known as Incinerate/Brave Bird
- Dialga, metal claw or iron head
- Reshiram (overheat/fire fangs)
Counter Movement Table
| Counter Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro-based | Bullet Punch | Meteor Mash | Super Effective Meteor Mash resists |
| Ho-Oh | Incinerate | Brave Bird | Neutral, fights against Fairy and Fighting |
| Dialga | Metal Clan | Iron Head | Objects Against |
| Reshiram | Fire Fang | Overheat | Neutral Against Fairy |
Finding Zacian in Pokémon GO
Raid Availability
Mostly, Zacian has been accessible through Legendary Raids. Use official Pokémon GO channels to keep updated on forthcoming events.
Research Tasks
From now on, Zacian has not been reachable via Special Research or Research Breakthroughs.
Trading
Trading is a very advised approach to obtain a Zacian with best IVs for the Master League. For the best possibility at decent stats, team with a friend of high level.
Final Thought
In Pokémon GO’s Master League, Zacian is an absolute meta-defining force—even in its Hero of Many Battles form. Though its Crowned Form outclasses it, Metal Claw and Play Rough is its best PvE moveset. Snarl, Close Combat, and Play Rough forms its best PvP moveset. The best Fairy-type attacker in game is presumably the Crowned Sword Form.
Players serious about competing in the Master League have to find and power a high-IV Zacian. Though it is a large outlay, the payback is great. She also makes a good raid attacker.
