Pokemon GO: Guide Best Moveset For Zacian Guide
Pokémon GO has constantly evolved since its release, and one of its most exciting and challenging features is Raid Battles. In these battles, players (called Trainers) take on powerful bosses to earn rewards and add rare Pokémon to their teams. With each new season, these Raid Bosses rotate, bringing fresh challenges to players. One such Raid Boss that has captured the attention of Trainers is Zacian, a Legendary Pokémon from the Galar region.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Zacian in Pokémon GO, including its best movesets, tips for capturing and battling with Zacian, and how to use it effectively in PvP and PvE battles.
What Are Raid Battles in Pokémon GO?
Before we dive into Zacian, let’s briefly touch on what Raid Battles are and why they’re so important in Pokémon GO. Raid Battles are special events where players team up to defeat powerful Pokémon bosses. These battles take place at gyms and come in different difficulty levels, ranging from 1-Star (easier battles) to 5-Star and Mega Raids, which are incredibly challenging.
In Pokémon GO, the Max Out season has introduced new battle types, including Max Battles, further expanding the variety of Raid experiences available. During the Max Out season, Zacian made its return to the game, offering players a chance to capture and use this powerful Legendary Pokémon.
Zacian’s Return to Raids: What You Need to Know
Zacian first appeared in Pokémon GO during the Pokémon Sword and Shield crossover event, and since then, it has become one of the most sought-after Legendary Pokémon. In September 2024, Zacian made its triumphant return as a 5-Star Raid Boss, giving players a chance to battle and capture this Galarian legend once again. But capturing Zacian is only the beginning mastering its use in battle is where things get interesting.
Zacian comes in two forms in Pokémon GO:
- Hero of Many Battles Zacian (its base form)
- Crowned Sword Zacian (a more powerful form with enhanced stats)
Both forms share the Fairy typing, which makes Zacian an excellent choice for players who need a versatile and powerful Pokémon on their team. Whether you’re using Zacian in PvP (Player vs. Player) battles or PvE (Player vs. Environment) battles, knowing its best moveset is key to unlocking its full potential.
Understanding Zacian’s Fairy Typing
As a pure Fairy-type Pokémon, Zacian has some notable advantages and disadvantages in battle. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses is crucial for optimizing its performance:
- Strengths: Zacian’s Fairy typing makes it strong against Dragon, Dark, Fighting, and Bug-type Pokémon. If you’re up against any of these types, Zacian will give you a strong edge.
- Weaknesses: On the flip side, Zacian is vulnerable to Steel and Poison-type moves, so avoid bringing it into battles where these types are prevalent.
Additionally, when battling in Cloudy weather, Zacian receives a power boost, thanks to its Fairy typing. Trainers who pay attention to the in-game weather can use this to their advantage, increasing Zacian’s damage output in battles.
Best Moveset for Hero of Many Battles Zacian
In Pokémon GO, Zacian’s moveset can vary depending on the form and the type of battle you’re participating in. For Hero of Many Battles Zacian, a combination of Metal Claw as its Fast Move and Play Rough as its Charged Move provides the best damage output and type coverage.
Optimal Moveset for Hero of Many Battles Zacian:
- Fast Move: Metal Claw
- Charged Move: Play Rough
With this moveset, Hero of Many Battles Zacian can deal an average of 18.19 damage per second and achieve a total damage output of 655.9 before fainting. This makes Zacian a formidable force, especially in battles where you need a reliable Fairy-type Pokémon.
Additional Moveset Options for Hero of Many Battles Zacian:
If you want to tweak Zacian’s moveset based on your team’s needs or the opponent you’re facing, here are some alternative options:
- Metal Claw + Wild Charge: 17.66 DPS, 636.9 total damage
- Snarl + Play Rough: 16.33 DPS, 588.7 total damage
- Fire Fang + Play Rough: 14.52 DPS, 523.4 total damage
Best Moveset for Crowned Sword Zacian
While Crowned Sword Zacian shares the same Fairy typing as Hero of Many Battles Zacian, it has improved stats, making it even more potent in battle. With a maximum CP of 5629 and higher Attack and Defense stats, Crowned Sword Zacian can deliver more damage per second and sustain fewer hits.
Optimal Moveset for Crowned Sword Zacian:
- Fast Move: Metal Claw
- Charged Move: Play Rough
This combination allows Crowned Sword Zacian to deal an impressive 24.48 damage per second, with a total damage output of 896.7 before fainting. If you’re looking for maximum impact in a battle, this is the moveset you want.
Additional Moveset Options for Crowned Sword Zacian:
Like Hero of Many Battles Zacian, Crowned Sword Zacian can benefit from different movesets based on the situation:
- Metal Claw + Wild Charge: 23.90 DPS, 875.5 total damage
- Metal Claw + Iron Head: 23.21 DPS, 850.4 total damage
- Fire Fang + Play Rough: 18.49 DPS, 677.4 total damage
Zacian in PvP Battles: A Master League Powerhouse
Zacian shines brightest in PvP battles, particularly in the Master League, where its high stats and strong Fairy typing make it a top-tier contender. Even though it faces stiff competition from other Pokémon in the Max Out update, Zacian remains one of the most reliable choices for building an A-B-B team composition (two Fairy-types with a balanced coverage).
One of the reasons Zacian excels in PvP is its ability to consistently handle Dragon-type Pokémon, which are common in the Master League. Thanks to its Fairy typing and solid defensive stats, Zacian can withstand hits while dealing heavy damage to opponents.
If you’re looking to use Zacian in PvP, consider pairing it with moves like Quick Attack (Fast Move) and Wild Charge (Charged Move) for an ideal balance of speed and power.
Zacian in PvE Battles: The Fairy-Type Titan
Zacian isn’t just a PvP champion it’s also highly effective in PvE (Player vs. Environment) battles. With the latest update to move timings, Zacian is now one of the strongest Fairy-type attackers in the game. Although it lacks a Fairy-type Fast Attack, Zacian’s Charged Moves more than make up for it, allowing it to take down tough Raid Bosses and contribute significantly in team battles.
For PvE battles, the best moveset for Zacian is Metal Claw (Fast Move) and Play Rough (Charged Move), which provides consistent damage and effective coverage against a wide range of opponents.
Counters to Zacian: How to Beat the Legendary
As powerful as Zacian is, it does have counters that can exploit its weaknesses. To take down Zacian in Raid Battles or PvP, consider using the following Pokémon:
Best Counters for Zacian:
- Dawn Wings Necrozma: Metal Claw + Sunsteel Strike
- Shadow Metagross: Bullet Punch + Meteor Mash
- Mega Aggron: Iron Tail + Heavy Slam
- Shadow Excadrill: Metal Claw + Iron Head
- Mega Gengar: Lick + Sludge Bomb
These Steel and Poison-type Pokémon can exploit Zacian’s weaknesses, making them excellent choices for taking it down.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can Zacian be shiny in Pokémon GO? A: As of now, shiny Zacian is not available in Pokémon GO.
Q: What weather boosts Zacian’s power? A: Zacian benefits from Cloudy weather, which boosts its Fairy-type moves.
Q: Is Zacian good for PvP? A: Yes, Zacian is one of the top-performing Fairy-type Pokémon in the Master League.
Q: What is Zacian’s best moveset for PvE? A: For PvE battles, the best moveset for Zacian is Metal Claw (Fast Move) and Play Rough (Charged Move).
Q: What are Zacian’s weaknesses? A: Zacian is weak to Steel and Poison-type moves.
In conclusion, Zacian is a must-have Pokémon for Trainers looking to dominate in both PvP and PvE battles. By mastering its movesets and understanding its strengths and weaknesses, you’ll be well-equipped to make the most of this powerful Legendary. Keep an eye on weather conditions, choose the right moveset, and use Zacian strategically in your battles to maximize its potential!
