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Pokémon Go Zacian counters, weaknesses and moveset explained

How to catch the legendary warrior Pokémon in Pokémon Go.

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Guide by Lottie Lynn Guides Editor
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Zacian, one of the legendary Pokémon from Gen 8, can be battled in five-star raids in Pokémon Go.

Like it's duo partner Zamazenta, Zacian has two forms - Hero of Many Battles and Crowned Sword. Currently you can only capture Zacian in its Hero of Many Battles form in Pokémon Go, so make sure you know Zacian's counters and weaknesses.

Zacian, like most legendary Pokémon, appears in five-star raids, so you will need to team up with other trainers to ensure its defeat. Thankfully, a Remote Raid pass will allow you to join this battle from afar.

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Cover image for YouTube videoBattling and catching Zacian in Pokémon Go
Battling and catching Gen 8 Legendary Zacian, released August 2021 in Pokémon Go.Watch on YouTube

Zacian counters and weaknesses in Pokémon Go

Below you can find the counters and weaknesses for Zacian in its Hero of Many Battle Forms in Pokémon Go:

  • Zacian type - Fairy-type
  • Zacian is weak against - Poison and steel-types
  • Zacian counters - Beedrill, Victreebel, Roserade, Nihilego and Overqwil for poison-types. Metagross, Dialga, Excadrill and Genesect for steel-types. Gengar and Mewtwo, especially if it knows Psystrike, are both good choices.
  • Other Zacian notes - Try to fill your team with powerful poison-type Pokémon and, if need another Pokémon or they faint, include steel-types. Mewtwo and Gengar will also be useful teammates during this battle.
Zacian and Zamazenta in their Hero of Many Battles forms.

Zacian CP in Pokémon Go

Here are the CP ranges for battling and catching Zacian in five-star raids:

  • Raid Boss CP - 52,195 CP
  • CP range when being caught - 2100 to 2188 CP
  • Weather boosted CP range (Cloudy) when being caught - 2625 to 2735 CP

Thank you to Amiibofan101 from reddit for the help with this information!

Zacian moveset in Pokémon Go

Zacian can use and learn a variety of Fast and Charged moves in Pokémon Go, including:

Fast Moves:

  • Fire Fang (Fire)
  • Metal Claw (Steel)
  • Quick Attack (Normal)
  • Snarl (Dark)

Charged Moves:

  • Close Combat (Fighting)
  • Iron Head (Steel)
  • Play Rough (Fairy)
  • Wild Charge (Electric)

The World of Wonders season has come to Pokémon Go, which has brought the World of Wonders quest. Don't forget to try out Routes, Gift Exchange and Party Play while you're hunting down rare Pokémon, fighting in the Go Battle League or competing in PokéStop Showcases.

Everything we know about Zacian

Together, Zacian and Zamazenta make up the Hero duo from the Galar region, with each one being a mascot for either Pokémon Sword and Shield.

The story of the Hero duo - the pair resting in the Slumbering Weald until Galar's time of need - takes clear inspiration from the tale of how King Arthur may one day return to save the British Isles.

Zacian and Zamazenta in their Crowned forms.

This Arthurian connection is deepened when you consider the possibility that Zacian could be inspired by Excalibur, Arthur's legendary sword.

Cover image for YouTube videoBattling and catching Zamazenta in Pokémon Go
Battling and catching Zamazenta in Pokémon GoWatch on YouTube

In the Pokémon Shield entry for the Crowned Sword version of Zacian, the sword is described as having the ability to cut through anything and referred to as the 'Fairy King's Sword,' which seem to be direct references to the mythical king and his blade.

Good luck catching Zacian in Pokémon Go!

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