Zacian Raid Guide How To Beat And Catch Zacian In Pokémon GO

Hey guys! Ready to take down the legendary Zacian in Pokémon GO? This comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to know to successfully raid Zacian, including its weaknesses, best counters, and strategies for victory. With two locals already on board, your chances of catching this powerful Fairy/Steel-type Pokémon are about to skyrocket. Let's dive in!

Understanding Zacian: The Crowned Sword Pokémon

Before you jump into a raid, it's crucial to understand your opponent. Zacian, also known as the Crowned Sword Pokémon, is a Fairy/Steel-type legendary Pokémon. This dual-typing gives it a unique set of strengths and weaknesses that you can exploit. Knowing these aspects is key to building the perfect team and strategy. Let's break it down:

Zacian's Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strengths: Zacian's Fairy/Steel typing grants it resistance to a whopping 10 types of attacks, including Normal, Fairy, Steel, Grass, Ice, Dragon, Dark, Bug, Rock, and Psychic. This makes it a formidable opponent with very few common weaknesses. You'll need to bring your A-game and focus on its vulnerabilities to effectively deal damage. Zacian is especially potent against Dragon-type Pokémon, so be sure to leave your dragons at home for this raid.
• Weaknesses: Zacian's dual-typing also reveals its vulnerabilities. It is weak to Fire and Ground-type attacks. These are your go-to types when building your raid team. Pokémon with powerful Fire or Ground-type moves will be your best bet for dealing significant damage. Keep in mind that weather conditions can also influence the effectiveness of your attacks, so be sure to check the weather in your area before the raid.

Zacian's Moveset

Understanding Zacian's potential moves is critical for dodging and strategizing during the raid. Zacian can have a variety of Fast and Charged moves, each with different damage outputs and types. Here’s a look at some of the moves Zacian might use:

• Fast Moves: Metal Claw (Steel), Fire Fang (Fire), Quick Attack (Normal)
• Charged Moves: Play Rough (Fairy), Iron Head (Steel), Wild Charge (Electric), Close Combat (Fighting)

Knowing these moves allows you to anticipate and dodge effectively, minimizing the damage your Pokémon take. For instance, if Zacian uses Fire Fang, switching to a Fire-resistant Pokémon like a Water or Rock type can mitigate the damage. Similarly, being aware of Charged moves like Play Rough or Iron Head helps you time your dodges perfectly, ensuring your team stays in the fight longer. Additionally, you can prepare your counters based on the possible movesets. For example, if Zacian has Fire Fang, Ground-types will be especially effective due to their resistance to Fire.

Best Counters for Zacian Raids

To successfully defeat Zacian, you’ll need a team of powerful counters that can exploit its weaknesses. Focusing on Fire and Ground-type Pokémon is your best strategy. Here are some top-tier counters to consider:

Top Fire-Type Counters

Fire-type Pokémon are excellent choices against Zacian, dealing super-effective damage with their Fire-type moves. Here are some of the best Fire-type counters:

• Mega Charizard Y: This is arguably the best Fire-type attacker in the game. With moves like Fire Spin and Blast Burn, Mega Charizard Y can dish out massive damage. Its high Attack stat and powerful moves make it a top choice for any Zacian raid. Plus, the Mega Evolution boosts the attack of other Fire-type Pokémon on the field, benefiting your entire team. When using Mega Charizard Y, make sure to maximize its potential by using it early in the raid to boost your team's damage output.
• Reshiram: A legendary Fire/Dragon-type, Reshiram boasts impressive Attack stats and access to powerful Fire-type moves like Fire Fang and Overheat. Its dual-typing also provides some additional resistances, making it a sturdy option. Reshiram’s ability to withstand certain attacks while dealing significant damage makes it a valuable asset in any raid. Just be mindful of its weaknesses, particularly to Ground-type moves, when building your team.
• Heatran: This Fire/Steel-type Pokémon has a unique typing that gives it multiple resistances, including to Fairy and Steel-type moves, which are common in Zacian’s moveset. Heatran can use Fire Spin and Magma Storm to deal consistent damage. Its defensive capabilities combined with its offensive firepower make it a well-rounded choice for the raid.
• Shadow Moltres: Shadow Moltres is a powerhouse Fire-type attacker. Shadow Pokémon deal more damage but also take more damage, making them glass cannons. If you have a Shadow Moltres with Fire Spin and Overheat, it can deal incredible damage to Zacian. However, its frailty means you'll need to be extra cautious about dodging Zacian's attacks.

Top Ground-Type Counters

Ground-type Pokémon are another excellent choice due to Zacian's weakness to Ground-type attacks. Here are some of the best Ground-type counters:

• Groudon: As a pure Ground-type legendary, Groudon is one of the best counters for Zacian. It has high Attack and Defense stats and can use moves like Mud Shot and Earthquake to deal massive damage. Groudon's Ground-type moves are super effective against Zacian, making it a must-have for your raid team. Its bulk also allows it to stay in the fight longer, providing consistent damage output throughout the raid.
• Excadrill: This Ground/Steel-type Pokémon is a strong and readily available counter. Excadrill can use Mud-Slap and Drill Run to effectively damage Zacian. Its dual typing provides some useful resistances as well, making it a reliable choice. Excadrill is also relatively easier to obtain and power up compared to legendary Pokémon, making it a great option for players with limited resources.
• Landorus (Therian Forme): This Ground/Flying-type legendary Pokémon has an incredibly high Attack stat, making it one of the top Ground-type attackers in the game. With moves like Mud Shot and Earthquake, Landorus (Therian Forme) can quickly deplete Zacian’s health. Its speed and power make it a formidable opponent against Zacian, though its Flying-type also introduces weaknesses to Ice, Water, and Electric attacks, so be cautious.
• Shadow Garchomp: Shadow Garchomp, a Ground/Dragon-type, combines power and speed with moves like Mud Shot and Earth Power. While its Dragon typing makes it vulnerable to Zacian’s Fairy-type attacks, its Shadow form’s increased damage output can make it a worthwhile risk. Just be mindful of dodging and potion usage to keep it in the battle.

Raid Strategy and Tips

Now that you have your counters ready, let's discuss some strategies and tips to maximize your chances of success in the Zacian raid. Proper planning and execution are essential for defeating a legendary Pokémon like Zacian.

Building Your Team

• Type Coverage: While focusing on Fire and Ground-type Pokémon is crucial, having a bit of type coverage can help if Zacian has a diverse moveset. For example, a Pokémon that resists Fairy-type moves can be a good addition if Zacian knows Play Rough.
• Weather Boosts: Pay attention to the weather in your area. Sunny weather boosts Fire and Ground-type moves, making your counters even more effective. Clear weather boosts Ground-type moves, and Sunny weather amplifies Fire-type moves. Taking advantage of these weather boosts can significantly increase your damage output and speed up the raid.
• Mega Evolution: If you have a Mega Pokémon that boosts Fire or Ground-type attacks, consider using it. Mega Charizard Y, as mentioned earlier, can boost the attack of other Fire-type Pokémon on the field, making your entire team more powerful. Mega Pokémon also provide additional bonuses, such as increased candy and XP from the raid.

During the Raid

• Dodging: Dodging Charged Moves is crucial to keeping your Pokémon alive longer. Pay attention to the visual cues and dodge accordingly. Successfully dodging can prevent your Pokémon from fainting, allowing them to continue dealing damage. Prioritize dodging moves like Play Rough and Close Combat, which can quickly knock out your team.
• Communication: Coordinate with your fellow trainers. If you’re raiding with friends, discuss your strategies and team compositions beforehand. Communication ensures that everyone is on the same page and can optimize their moves. Call out Zacian's moves if you notice patterns, helping your teammates prepare to dodge or switch Pokémon.
• Re-lobbying: If your team faints, don't hesitate to re-lobby. You can rejoin the raid as long as the timer hasn't expired. Re-lobbying allows you to bring in fresh Pokémon to continue the fight. It's better to re-lobby than to let your timer run out, especially if the raid is close to being defeated.

Utilizing Party Play

Party Play is a fantastic feature in Pokémon GO that allows you to raid with friends in person and gain significant advantages. By raiding together in a party, you can unleash the Party Power attack, which massively boosts your damage output. This can be the deciding factor in defeating tough raid bosses like Zacian. Party Play not only enhances the fun of raiding together but also provides a strategic edge that can make even the most challenging raids manageable. Coordinating with your party members and timing your Party Power attacks can significantly reduce the time it takes to defeat Zacian and increase your chances of success. This feature fosters teamwork and allows you to leverage the combined strength of your party to conquer raids more efficiently.

Finding and Joining Raids

Finding and joining Zacian raids is the first step in catching this legendary Pokémon. There are several ways to participate in raids, each with its own advantages.

In-Person Raids

Participating in raids in person is a classic way to battle and catch Pokémon. Look for gyms with an egg or a raid boss icon on the map. Zacian raids are typically 5-star raids, so keep an eye out for those. Raiding in person allows you to team up with local players, which can make the raid more manageable and enjoyable. Additionally, some raids are exclusive to in-person participation, offering unique opportunities to catch rare Pokémon.

Remote Raids

Remote Raids are a convenient way to join raids from anywhere. Using a Remote Raid Pass, you can join any raid that appears on your in-game map or is shared with you by a friend. This is especially useful if you don't have a gym nearby or if you want to raid with friends who are far away. Remote Raiding expands your reach and allows you to participate in more raids, increasing your chances of catching Zacian. Keep in mind that there may be limits on the number of Remote Raids you can participate in per day, so plan accordingly.

Online Communities and Apps

Many online communities and apps are dedicated to helping trainers find and coordinate raids. Platforms like Reddit, Discord, and specialized raid apps allow you to connect with other players and join raids worldwide. These communities are invaluable for finding raids, sharing friend codes, and strategizing with fellow trainers. Using these resources can significantly enhance your raiding experience and make it easier to find and participate in Zacian raids. Additionally, these communities often share tips and tricks, providing valuable insights that can improve your raid performance.

Catching Zacian

After successfully defeating Zacian, you'll have the chance to catch it. This is where your Golden Razz Berries and excellent throws come into play. Here are some tips to increase your chances of catching Zacian:

Golden Razz Berries

Golden Razz Berries are the most effective berries for increasing your catch rate. Use them on every throw to maximize your chances. These berries significantly boost the likelihood of catching the Pokémon, making them an essential tool for legendary raids. Stock up on Golden Razz Berries by completing raids and research tasks, and always have a supply ready when you face a raid boss.

Excellent Throws

Aim for Excellent Throws. These throws have the highest catch rate bonus. Practice your throws and learn Zacian's throw pattern to consistently hit Excellent Throws. Excellent Throws require precise timing and aim, but the payoff is well worth the effort. Mastering this technique can dramatically increase your chances of catching rare and powerful Pokémon.

Circle Locking Technique

The Circle Locking Technique involves setting the catch circle to a smaller size (ideally Great or Excellent) and timing your throw to hit within that circle. This ensures that you get the catch bonus associated with the circle size. To use this technique, wait for Zacian to attack, and throw your Poké Ball just as it finishes its animation. This method can significantly improve your consistency in landing accurate throws and boosting your catch rate. Practice this technique regularly to become proficient and increase your success in catching legendary Pokémon.

Patience and Persistence

Catching a legendary Pokémon can sometimes take multiple attempts. Don't get discouraged if you don't catch it on your first few throws. Keep using Golden Razz Berries and aiming for Excellent Throws, and eventually, you'll succeed. Patience and persistence are key to catching Zacian. Each attempt provides valuable experience in understanding Zacian's movement patterns and attack animations, allowing you to refine your throws and improve your chances of a successful catch.

Conclusion: Become a Zacian Raid Master

By understanding Zacian's strengths, weaknesses, and moveset, and by utilizing the best counters and strategies, you can become a Zacian raid master. Gather your friends, build your team, and go out there and catch this legendary Pokémon! Remember to communicate, coordinate, and stay persistent. With the right approach, you’ll add Zacian to your collection in no time. Happy raiding, trainers! And hey, with two locals already in the mix, you're off to a fantastic start. Good luck, and may your throws be excellent!