Zacian Pokémon GO is a Fairy-type Legendary Pokémon from the Galar region and one of the strongest Master League Pokémon available. Its standard Hero of Many Battles form offers varied Charged Attack coverage, while Crowned Sword Zacian becomes a Fairy and Steel-type powerhouse with access to Behemoth Blade.
Both forms share the same Zacian Candy, but they have different stats, typings, weaknesses and battle roles. Players can change an eligible Zacian between Hero of Many Battles and Crowned Sword after collecting enough Crowned Sword Energy.
This Zacian Pokémon GO guide covers its best moveset, shiny availability, raid counters, perfect IV CP, Master League value and how to transform Zacian into its Crowned Sword form.
Zacian Pokémon GO Details
| Zacian details | Information |
|---|---|
| Pokédex number | #0888 |
| Name | Zacian |
| Category | Warrior Pokémon |
| Generation | Generation VIII |
| Region | Galar |
| Standard form | Hero of Many Battles |
| Alternate form | Crowned Sword |
| Standard type | Fairy |
| Crowned Sword type | Fairy and Steel |
| Evolution | Does not evolve |
| Shiny available | Yes |
| Hero maximum CP | 4,329 |
| Form-change cost | 1,000 Crowned Sword Energy |
Zacian is known as the Warrior Pokémon. It is closely associated with Zamazenta and is the mascot Legendary Pokémon of Pokémon Sword.
How to Get Zacian in Pokémon GO
Zacian Pokémon GO is normally obtained by defeating Hero of Many Battles Zacian in five-star Raid Battles whenever it returns to the Legendary raid rotation.
The catch encounter following a standard Zacian raid awards Hero of Many Battles Zacian.
Zacian may also occasionally be available through:
- Special Research
- Timed Research
- GO Battle League encounters
- Pokémon GO Fest raids
- Ticketed Research
- Limited-time event rewards
- Special Trades
As a Legendary Pokémon, Zacian does not normally appear in the wild and cannot be hatched from Eggs.
Players who miss a Zacian raid rotation may need to wait until it returns during another Pokémon GO event.
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Can Zacian Be Shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes, Shiny Zacian is available in Pokémon GO.
Players have a chance of encountering Shiny Zacian after defeating it in an eligible five-star raid.
Shiny Zacian has a noticeably paler appearance than the standard version. Its usual cyan and pink colouring changes to cream, pale blue and gold tones.
A shiny encounter is not guaranteed. Every completed raid provides another independent chance of encountering one.
Shiny Legendary Pokémon encountered after raids are normally guaranteed catches as long as the player lands a successful throw. Players can therefore use a Pinap Berry or Silver Pinap Berry to receive additional Zacian Candy.
A Shiny Hero of Many Battles Zacian remains shiny after being changed into Crowned Sword Zacian.
What Is Hero of Many Battles Zacian?
Hero of Many Battles Zacian is the standard form of Zacian Pokémon GO.
It is a pure Fairy-type Pokémon with access to several different Fast and Charged Attacks.
Hero Zacian is particularly known for its Master League flexibility. Its available moves allow it to threaten Pokémon across several different types, making it difficult for opponents to predict.
Hero of Many Battles Zacian has:
- Pure Fairy typing
- A maximum CP of 4,329
- Weaknesses to Poison and Steel
- Access to Snarl and Quick Attack
- Charged Attacks including Play Rough, Close Combat, Wild Charge and Iron Head
- The ability to change into Crowned Sword Zacian
When a player catches Zacian from a normal five-star raid, this is usually the form they receive.
What Is Crowned Sword Zacian?
Crowned Sword Zacian is the alternate form of Zacian Pokémon GO.
It is a Fairy and Steel-type Pokémon with greater combat power and a different defensive profile from Hero Zacian.
When Zacian changes into its Crowned Sword form, Iron Head becomes Behemoth Blade.
Crowned Sword Zacian has:
- Fairy and Steel typing
- Greater Attack and Defence
- A substantially higher maximum CP
- Weaknesses to Fire and Ground
- Numerous type resistances
- Access to Behemoth Blade
- The ability to participate in Max Battles
Crowned Sword Zacian cannot Dynamax or Gigantamax, but it can enter Max Battles and use Behemoth Blade as a powered-up attack.
How to Change Zacian Into Crowned Sword Form
To transform Hero of Many Battles Zacian into Crowned Sword Zacian, players need:
- 1,000 Crowned Sword Energy
- A Zacian that knows Iron Head
Open the Zacian summary screen and select the form-change option once both requirements are met.
| Crowned Sword requirement | Amount |
|---|---|
| Crowned Sword Energy | 1,000 |
| Required Charged Attack | Iron Head |
| Candy cost | None for the initial transformation |
| Repeat form changes | Free after the first transformation |
Once a specific Zacian has changed form for the first time, that same Zacian can switch between Hero of Many Battles and Crowned Sword without spending more Crowned Sword Energy.
The initial 1,000 Energy requirement applies individually. Transforming one Zacian does not unlock free form changes for every other Zacian in the player’s collection.
How to Get Crowned Sword Energy
Crowned Sword Energy can be obtained through selected Pokémon GO events.
The main sources have included:
- Defeating Crowned Sword Zacian in raids
- Ticketed Special Research
- Pokémon GO Fest rewards
- Limited event Research
- Future event distributions
Crowned Sword Energy is separate from Zacian Candy and Candy XL.
Players cannot currently walk with Zacian as their Buddy to earn Crowned Sword Energy.
Because the resource is limited, players should carefully choose which Zacian they transform first.
A Zacian with high IVs, 15 Attack, shiny status or a Special Background may be the best candidate.
Why Does Zacian Need Iron Head?
A Hero of Many Battles Zacian must know Iron Head before it can transform into Crowned Sword Zacian.
When the form change takes place:
- Iron Head changes into Behemoth Blade
- Crowned Sword Zacian gains Fairy and Steel typing
- Its stats and maximum CP change
- Its weaknesses and resistances change
When Zacian changes back into Hero of Many Battles form, Behemoth Blade changes back into Iron Head.
Players can use a regular Charged TM to teach Iron Head when it is available in Hero Zacian’s normal move pool.
It is usually wise to unlock a second Charged Attack before changing form so Crowned Sword Zacian can use Behemoth Blade alongside another useful move.
Zacian Pokémon GO Best Moveset
The best Zacian Pokémon GO moveset depends on its form and the battle format.
Hero of Many Battles Zacian Best Moveset
For raids:
- Fast Attack: Snarl
- Charged Attack: Play Rough
For the Master League:
- Fast Attack: Snarl or Quick Attack
- Charged Attack: Close Combat
- Charged Attack: Wild Charge or Play Rough
Crowned Sword Zacian Best Moveset
For raids:
- Fast Attack: Metal Claw
- Charged Attack: Behemoth Blade
For the Master League:
- Fast Attack: Metal Claw or Quick Attack
- Charged Attack: Behemoth Blade
- Charged Attack: Close Combat or Play Rough
| Zacian use | Recommended moveset |
|---|---|
| Hero Zacian raids | Snarl and Play Rough |
| Hero Zacian Master League | Snarl, Close Combat and Wild Charge |
| Crowned Zacian raids | Metal Claw and Behemoth Blade |
| Crowned Zacian Master League | Metal Claw, Behemoth Blade and Close Combat |
| Team GO Rocket | Snarl, Close Combat and Play Rough |
The correct PvP combination can depend on the rest of the team and the current Master League meta.
Is Behemoth Blade Good in Pokémon GO?
Yes, Behemoth Blade is the signature move that makes Crowned Sword Zacian exceptionally powerful.
When Hero Zacian changes into Crowned Sword form, Iron Head automatically becomes Behemoth Blade.
Behemoth Blade provides powerful Steel-type damage against:
- Fairy Pokémon
- Ice Pokémon
- Rock Pokémon
It also gives Crowned Sword Zacian an Adventure Effect.
Players can activate Behemoth Blade’s Adventure Effect using:
- 5,000 Stardust
- 5 Zacian Candy
The effect lasts for six minutes and strengthens the player’s Pokémon attacks in raids and Max Battles.
Behemoth Blade can also be levelled like a Max Attack for use when Crowned Sword Zacian enters Max Battles.
Zacian Pokémon GO Weaknesses
The weaknesses of Zacian Pokémon GO depend on its current form.
Hero of Many Battles Zacian Weaknesses
Hero Zacian is weak against:
- Poison
- Steel
Crowned Sword Zacian Weaknesses
Crowned Sword Zacian is weak against:
- Fire
- Ground
Its Fairy and Steel typing removes Hero Zacian’s Poison and Steel weaknesses but creates new vulnerabilities.
Players must therefore check which Zacian form they are battling before selecting raid counters.
Zacian Resistances
Hero of Many Battles Zacian resists:
- Bug
- Dark
- Dragon
- Fighting
Damage taken when Zacian is hit by each type:
Weak to
Resists
Immune to
Based on Fairy typing. Abilities may modify these matchups.
Crowned Sword Zacian has a much larger resistance profile because of its Fairy and Steel typing.
It resists attacks from:
- Bug
- Dark
- Dragon
- Fairy
- Flying
- Grass
- Ice
- Normal
- Poison
- Psychic
- Rock
- Steel
These resistances make Crowned Sword Zacian extremely difficult to damage with neutral attacks.
However, strong Fire and Ground moves can still defeat it quickly.
Best Hero of Many Battles Zacian Raid Counters
The best counters for Hero of Many Battles Zacian use Poison or Steel attacks.
| Pokémon | Recommended moves |
|---|---|
| Necrozma Dusk Mane | Metal Claw and Sunsteel Strike |
| Mega Metagross | Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash |
| Shadow Metagross | Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash |
| Metagross | Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash |
| Dialga | Metal Claw and Iron Head |
| Excadrill | Metal Claw and Iron Head |
| Mega Gengar | Lick and Sludge Bomb |
| Nihilego | Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb |
| Roserade | Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb |
| Shadow Scizor | Bullet Punch and Iron Head |
Steel attackers are normally the safest and strongest options.
Cloudy weather boosts Poison attacks, while snowy weather boosts Steel attacks.
Best Crowned Sword Zacian Raid Counters
Crowned Sword Zacian is weak to Fire and Ground attacks.
| Pokémon | Recommended moves |
|---|---|
| Primal Groudon | Mud Shot and Precipice Blades |
| Shadow Groudon | Mud Shot and Precipice Blades |
| Groudon | Mud Shot and Precipice Blades |
| Mega Garchomp | Mud Shot and Earth Power |
| Mega Charizard Y | Fire Spin and Blast Burn |
| Mega Blaziken | Fire Spin and Blast Burn |
| Reshiram | Fire Fang and Fusion Flare |
| Shadow Heatran | Fire Spin and Magma Storm |
| Therian Landorus | Mud Shot and Sandsear Storm |
| Excadrill | Mud-Slap and Scorching Sands |
Sunny weather boosts both Fire and Ground attacks, making it especially helpful against Crowned Sword Zacian.
How Many Players Are Needed to Beat Zacian?
Hero of Many Battles Zacian can normally be defeated by three or four prepared Trainers using powerful Steel counters.
Crowned Sword Zacian is considerably stronger and may require a larger group.
| Zacian form | Recommended group |
|---|---|
| Hero of Many Battles | Three to five Trainers |
| Crowned Sword | Four to six prepared Trainers |
| Large public raid | Six or more Trainers |
Highly experienced players using elite counters may succeed with fewer Trainers.
The exact difficulty depends on:
- Counter levels
- Friendship bonuses
- Party Power
- Weather
- Raid boss attacks
- Current event bonuses
- Available Mega or Primal boosts
Zacian Pokémon GO Perfect IV CP
A perfect Hero of Many Battles Zacian caught after a standard Level 20 raid has 2,188 CP.
A weather-boosted perfect Zacian caught at Level 25 has 2,735 CP.
| Encounter | Perfect Zacian CP |
|---|---|
| Standard Hero Zacian raid | 2,188 CP |
| Weather-boosted Hero Zacian raid | 2,735 CP |
| Hero Zacian maximum Level 50 CP | 4,329 CP |
| Crowned Sword maximum CP | Higher than Hero Zacian |
Hero of Many Battles Zacian receives a weather boost during cloudy weather.
A perfect Zacian has 15 Attack, 15 Defence and 15 Stamina IVs.
Players planning to build Crowned Sword Zacian should strongly prioritise a 15 Attack IV.
Zacian Pokémon GO Stats
Hero of Many Battles Zacian has a strong and balanced stat distribution.
Its current maximum CP is:
| Level | Maximum CP |
|---|---|
| Level 40 | 3,829 CP |
| Level 50 | 4,329 CP |
Crowned Sword Zacian receives greater offensive and defensive stats when the form change is active.
This makes Crowned Zacian considerably more powerful in raids, Max Battles and unrestricted PvP.
Is Zacian Good in Pokémon GO Raids?
Hero of Many Battles Zacian is usable as a Fairy-type raid attacker but is held back by its lack of a Fairy Fast Attack.
Snarl and Play Rough can still provide Fairy Charged Attack damage, but stronger specialist Fairy attackers may outperform it.
Crowned Sword Zacian is significantly more useful in raids.
Metal Claw and Behemoth Blade provide a complete Steel moveset, allowing Crowned Zacian to threaten Fairy, Ice and Rock raid bosses.
Its high stats and Adventure Effect also give it additional team value.
Zacian Pokémon GO is therefore much more valuable after being changed into Crowned Sword form.
Is Zacian Good in the Master League?
Yes, Zacian Pokémon GO is excellent in the Master League.
Hero of Many Battles Zacian has long been valued for its unpredictable moveset.
Opponents may need to account for:
- Close Combat
- Wild Charge
- Play Rough
- Iron Head
Close Combat threatens Steel, Rock, Dark, Ice and Normal opponents.
Wild Charge punishes Flying and Water Pokémon.
Play Rough provides heavy Fairy damage against Dragons, Dark Pokémon and Fighting types.
Crowned Sword Zacian adds even more power through Behemoth Blade and its improved typing.
Both forms can be useful, but Crowned Sword Zacian generally has the greater raw battle potential.
Hero Zacian vs Crowned Sword Zacian
| Feature | Hero of Many Battles | Crowned Sword |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fairy | Fairy and Steel |
| Maximum CP | 4,329 | Higher |
| Weaknesses | Poison and Steel | Fire and Ground |
| Signature move | None | Behemoth Blade |
| Can enter Max Battles | No | Yes |
| Can Dynamax | No | No |
| Main strength | Flexible PvP coverage | Raw power and resistances |
| Main role | Master League | Raids, Master League and Max Battles |
Hero Zacian remains useful because of its flexible move options.
Crowned Sword Zacian is the stronger overall form but requires 1,000 Crowned Sword Energy for its first transformation.
Once transformed once, that individual Zacian can switch forms freely.
Can Crowned Sword Zacian Be Traded?
Crowned Sword Zacian cannot be traded while it remains in Crowned Sword form.
It also cannot be transferred to Pokémon HOME in that form.
Players may need to change it back into Hero of Many Battles before attempting an eligible trade.
Because the first transformation unlocks free future changes for that specific Zacian, switching it back does not require additional Crowned Sword Energy.
Should You Power Up Zacian?
Yes, Zacian Pokémon GO is worth powering up.
The best investment candidate would ideally have:
- 15 Attack
- Strong overall IVs
- Iron Head
- Enough Crowned Sword Energy
- Shiny or Special Background status
- Enough Candy XL for the Master League
Players focused on Master League should consider powering Zacian to Level 50.
Raid players may also receive substantial value from Crowned Sword Zacian with Behemoth Blade.
Those with limited resources should avoid powering several Hero Zacian before deciding which one will receive the Crowned Sword transformation.
Zacian Pokédex Description
Known as a legendary hero, this Pokémon absorbs metal particles, transforming them into a weapon it uses to battle.
Zacian is known as a legendary hero. It absorbs metal particles and transforms them into a weapon that it uses during battle.
Is Zacian Pokémon GO Worth Getting?
Zacian Pokémon GO is absolutely worth getting.
Hero of Many Battles Zacian is a strong and flexible Master League Pokémon, while Crowned Sword Zacian offers exceptional stats, numerous resistances and access to Behemoth Blade.
Players should prioritise obtaining:
- One strong Hero of Many Battles Zacian
- A Zacian with Iron Head
- 1,000 Crowned Sword Energy
- A 15 Attack Master League candidate
- Shiny Zacian
- A perfect IV Zacian
- Any available Special Background
- Enough Candy XL for Level 50
Zacian Pokémon GO provides value across raids, PvP and Max Battles. Transforming a strong Zacian into Crowned Sword form makes it one of the most powerful and versatile Legendary Pokémon available.
