DEXERTOGalar-region Legendary Zacian has two forms in Pokemon Go, with Crowned Sword sitting at the top of the best attacker’s list. So, learn the best counters to target its weaknesses if you want to defeat it fast.
Sword & Shield Legendaries – Zacian and Zamazenta – are two of the most difficult Legendary Pokemon to catch in Niantic’s mobile game, not just due to their sporadic appearances, but also because they have two forms each.
While Zacian Hero of Many Battles debuted in 2021, Crowned Sword Zacian was released during the Go Fest 2025 in-person and Global events. So, check all the details about the two forms and how you can get them.
Zacian weaknesses in Pokemon Go
Zacian, in its Hero of Many Battles form, is a pure Fairy-type, which means it’s only weak against Poison and Steel-type moves. On the other hand, it can resist Dark, Dragon, Bug, and Fighting-type attacks, so avoid them at all costs.
Crowned Sword Zacian is a dual Fairy/Steel-type Pokemon, making it weak to Fire and Ground-type moves and resistant to plenty of types, including Dark, Fairy, Flying, Grass, Ice, Normal, Poison, Psychic, Rock, Bug, and Dragon.
Zacian Hero of Many Battles best counters
Here are some of the best counters you can use against regular Zacian in Pokemon Go:
POKEMON | SPRITE | BEST MOVESET |
|---|---|---|
Mega Gengar |  | Lick & Sludge Bomb |
Mega Beedrill |  | Poison Jab & Sludge Bomb |
Crowned Sword Zacian best counters
Here are some of the best counters you can use against Zacian’s alternate form:
POKEMON | SPRITE | BEST MOVESET |
|---|---|---|
Primal Groudon |  | Mud Shot & Precipice Blades |
Mega Charizard Y |  | Fire Spin & Blast Burn |
In both lists, we’ve included a mix of Megas, Legendaries, Shadow, and more common Pokemon, so there should be something for trainers of all levels. In case you don’t have any of them, focus on your strongest creatures that can target Zacian’s specific weaknesses.
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Remember that even though the Pokemon listed are very effective against Zacian, they still need to be leveled up and know the proper moves if you want to win the battle.
How to get Zacian in Pokemon Go
As with all Legendaries, the only way to catch Zacian in Pokemon Go is to first defeat it in a 5-Star Raid Battle and then attempt to catch it using the limited amount of Premier Balls given to you at the end of the encounter.
During the Dark Skies and Go Fest 2025: Max Finale events, Zacian Hero of Many Battles will be featured in Raid Battles from August 18, 2025, until August 21, 2025. But that’s not all, during that final appearance on August 21, its Crowned Sword form will be featured in a special Raid Hour.
DEXERTOWhen challenging this Legendary, try to use Golden Razz Berries and land Excellent throws and Curve Balls to increase your chances of catching it.
It’s worth noting that once a player catches Crowned Sword Zacian, it will change back to its standard Hero of Many Battles form. For trainers to trigger the secondary form again, they will require a very rare power source called Crowned Sword Energy.
How to turn Zacian into Crowned Sword Zacian
Besides the physical changes, Zacian’s alternate form gives the Legendary the secondary Steel typing, switching its resistances and weaknesses.
To trigger the transformation, players must gather x1,000 Crowned Sword Energy – and Zacian must know the move Iron Head. This Charged Move will then change to Behemoth Blade.
DEXERTOCrowned Energy
Crowned Sword Energy can be obtained by battling Zacian in 5-Star Raids or by completing ticketed Special Research.
After the first transformation, trainers will be able to toggle between Hero of Many Battles and Crowned forms without requiring any more Energy.
Moreover, even though it cannot Dynamax or Gigantamax, Crowned Sword Zacian will be allowed to participate in Max Battles.
Zacian CP in Pokemon Go
As with every Raid Boss in the game, the CP that Zacian has during a Raid battle won’t be the same once you manage to catch it after defeating it. Plus, certain types of weather can increase such CP.
ZACIAN Hero of Many Battles | ZACIAN Crowned Sword | |
|---|---|---|
Raid Boss CP | 52,195 | 67,864 |
CP range once captured | 2100 – 2188 | 2742 – 2845 |
Cloudy weather CP range | 2625 – 2735 | 3428 – 3556 |
Max CP (Level 50) | 4329 | 5629 |
Zacian stats & moves
Zacian has the following stats in both forms:
ATTACK | DEFENSE | STAMINA | CP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hero of Many Battles | 254 | 236 | 192 | 4329 |
Crowned Sword | 332 | 240 | 192 | 5629 |
These are the different movepools each version has:
FAST MOVES | CHARGED MOVES | |
|---|---|---|
Hero of Many Battles | - Quick Attack (Normal) - Metal Claw (Steel) - Fire Fang (Fire) - Snarl (Dark) | - Iron Head (Steel) - Play Rough (Fairy/STAB) - Close Combat (Fighting) - Wild Charge (Electric) |
Crowned Sword | - Metal Claw (Steel/STAB) - Air Slash (Flying) | - Play Rough (Fairy/STAB) - Close Combat (Fighting) - Giga Impact (Normal) - Behemoth Blade (Steel/STAB) |
Can Zacian be Shiny?
Yes, Zacian can be Shiny in both forms in Pokemon Go. While Shiny Hero of Many Battles forms debuted in 2024 during the Legendary Heroes event, Shiny Crowned Sword made its debut during the Go Fest 2025.
In both forms, the differences between regular and Shiny Zacian are subtle, with its body fur getting a little lighter and the usual pink details changing to steel blue.
Remember that the odds of coming across a Shiny Legendary are very slim, and the only way to increase your chances of an encounter is by challenging Zacian to multiple Raid battles.
Of course, those who get a Shiny Zacian Hero of Many Battles can use the Crowned Sword Energy to turn it into Shiny Crowned Sword Zacian.
That’s everything you need to know about Zacian in Pokemon Go. Don’t forget to check out the latest Pokemon Go events, including the current Community Day and Spotlight Hours.
