Zacian’s Counters, Weaknesses, and Optimal Moveset in Pokémon Go

Zacian, the legendary wolf hailing from the Galar region, first made its appearance in Pokémon Go back in August 2021. Much like its companion from the Sword and Shield games, Zamazenta, Zacian has two distinctive forms. The standard “Hero of Many Battles” form is strictly a Fairy-type, but once it evolves into its “Crowned Sword” form, it gains Steel characteristics as well. As of now, the Crowned Sword variation isn’t part of Pokémon Go, so we’ll be focusing on the Hero of Many Battles form until it’s introduced to the game.

For players gearing up for the Max Out Finale event scheduled from November 27 to December 1, 2024, understanding Zacian’s vulnerabilities and how best to tackle them is crucial. As a pure Fairy-type in its Hero form, Zacian is particularly susceptible to Poison and Steel-type attacks. To maximize your chances in battle, prioritize these attack types when assembling your team.

Conversely, Zacian can withstand blows from Bug, Dark, Dragon, and Fighting-type moves, minimizing the damage it takes from these categories. So, it’s wise to avoid using Pokémon that rely on those types in your raid strategy.

When it comes to countering Zacian in Pokémon Go, there are some top contenders to consider. If you’ve accumulated enough Mega Energy, Mega Gengar is an excellent choice, leveraging moves like Lick or Shadow Ball combined with Sludge Bomb. Another strong option is Mega Beedrill with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb, or Mega Aggron using Iron Tail and Heavy Slam.

For those looking to optimize their attacks, keep an eye on the weather. Snowy or cloudy conditions give your Steel and Fairy-type moves a weather boost, respectively, resulting in more damage.

Going into raids and gyms, the optimal moveset for Zacian includes Snarl paired with Play Rough. Although Zacian doesn’t boast a Fairy-type fast move, it still holds its ground as a formidable Fairy attacker. Snarl helps it accumulate energy rapidly, allowing frequent use of the potent Play Rough attack.

In the competitive landscape of the Master League, Zacian is a notable force. It can effectively take down heavyweights like Zekrom, Dragonite, and even Complete Forme Zygarde. Ensure you equip Snarl with Close Combat and Play Rough for versatile coverage. Also, powering up Zacian with XL Candy to the highest possible level is advisable.

Now, is Zacian available in its shiny form in Pokémon Go? The answer is yes. Shiny Zacian made its anticipated debut during the Legendary Heroes event in September 2024. However, as with all shiny Pokémon, the odds of encountering a shiny Zacian are quite low. There are no tricks to increase your chances aside from participating in as many raids as possible and hoping for a stroke of luck. May fortune be on your side!