Can you solo defeat Zacian in Pokemon GO 5-star raids?

Is it possible to solo defeat Zacian in Pokemon GO 5-star raids? This is a question many players will be wondering about as the creature returns to raids in Niantic's mobile game between September 26 and October 4, 2024. Unfortunately, it is impossible to take down Zacian as a solo raider.

Given 2023's Remote Raid changes and the absence of community support that is needed to take down high-tier raids, there has been general discontent among players outside major urban centers. As a result, the potential for low-manning raids piques their interest.

This article discusses why you cannot solo defeat Zacian in Pokemon GO 5-star raids, and the minimum number of participants and conditions that make the raid as easy as possible.

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Why is it impossible to solo defeat Zacian in Pokemon GO 5-star raids?

It is impossible to solo defeat Zacian in Pokemon GO 5-star raids because:

• Zacian is a mono Fairy-type creature with no double weaknesses.
• Alongside a fixed HP pool of 15,000, it boasts an impressive 236 base Defense. This makes it difficult even for powerful super-effective attacks to whittle down the health bar within the 300-second limitation.
• The Pokemon Sword mascot hits quite hard and has a wide range of attacks.

Zacian in the anime (Image via TPC)

Even though creatures like Dusk Mane Necrozma with Sunsteel Strike come close to knocking out Zacian alone within the stipulated time limit, it is not enough.

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Minimum number of trainers needed to take down 5-star Zacian raids in Pokemon GO

While it is impossible to solo defeat Zacian in Pokemon GO, you can take it down using 2-3 trainers, as long as you have the appropriate counters. Irrespective of the raid boss' moveset and prevailing weather conditions, two trainers with maxed-out Dusk Mane Necrozma with Metal Claw and Sunsteel Strike or Shadow Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash can take down 5-star Zacian raids.

When challenging with three trainers but no weather boost, the following level 50 counters can defeat Zacian most easily:

• Mega or Shadow Gengar with Hex and Sludge Bomb
• Shadow Excadrill with Metal Claw and Iron Head
• Melmetal with Thunder Shock and Double Iron Bash
• Mega Rayquaza with Air Slash and Dragon Ascent
• Dawn Wings Necrozma with Shadow Claw and Moongeist Beam
• Mega Beedrill with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb

Shiny Zacian (Image via TPC)

If you wish to take advantage of Cloudy weather, the following level 50 Poison-types can also be considered:

• Nihilego with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
• Naganadel with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
• Mega Vensaur with Vine Whip and Sludge Bomb
• Roserade with Vine Whip and Sludge Bomb

The following creatures can take advantage of Snowy weather when attempting to defeat Zacian in Pokemon GO 5-star raids:

• Mega Aggron with Iron Tail and Heavy Slam
• Origin Forme Dialga with Metal Claw and Iron Head
• Shadow Magnezone with Metal Sound and Flash Cannon

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With such a variety of options available, not being able to solo defeat Zacian in Pokemon GO 5-star raids should not be much of a hurdle in most scenarios.

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Check out our other Pokemon GO guides:

• Ditto disguises
• Buddy Evolution Adventure Together guide
• Best Fast Attacks in Pokemon GO
• Sierra counters
• Cliff counters
• Arlo counters
• Giovanni counters
• Team GO Rocket Grunts

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