Pokemon GO Zacian: Best moveset, counters, and is it any good?

Pokemon GO Zacian's best moveset, counters, and competitive viability will be of interest to players wishing to use it for battles in Niantic's mobile game. It was introduced in August 2021, and since then has only been available one other time before its return as a 5-star raid boss from September 26 to October 4, 2024.

To use the Pokemon Sword mascot effectively in battle, you must equip it with the most optimal moves. This article covers Zacian's best move set and counters and provides an overview of its competitive viability.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.

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Pokemon GO Zacian's best moveset

Zacian in the anime (Image via TPC)

Zacian has different movesets that work for it in different situations:

Pokemon GO Zacian best PvP moveset:

• Fast Attack: Quick Attack
• Charged Attacks: Wild Charge and Play Rough

Pokemon GO Zacian best PvE moveset:

• Fast Attack: Metal Claw
• Charged Attacks: Play Rough

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Is Zacian good in Pokemon GO PvP and PvE?

Zacian in Pokemon GO PvP

Zacian is one of the most consistent Fairy-types in the Master League of GBL. While it has fallen in ranks in the Max Out update as other critters have seen improvement, it is still one of the best picks for A-B-B Fairy teams.

That said, Zacian might need a move update soon, and potentially getting its signature move Behemoth Blade will push it to top meta status

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Zacian in Pokemon GO PvE

With the latest update to move timings in PvE battles, Zacian emerged as the third most powerful Fairy-type attacker in the game. Note that this is even without a Fairy-type Fast Attack.

Unfortunately, Zacian doesn't learn any other Fairy-type attacks in the main series games that could be imported to Pokemon GO as a Fairy-type Fast Attack. Therefore, Zacian is likely to be stuck in this position until there is a massive overhaul to the system.

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Pokemon GO Zacian: All moves and stats

Shiny Zacian (Image via TPC)

Fast Attacks:

• Fire Fang
• Metal Claw
• Quick Attac
• Snarl

Charged Attacks:

• Close Combat
• Iron Head
• Play Rough
• Wild Charge

Base Stats:

• Attack: 254
• Defense: 236
• Stamina: 192
• Max CP: 4,329

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Related: Dynamax made its debut in September 2024. Check out our guides on the different mechanics involved:

• Power Spots: Everything you need to know
• How to get Max Particles in Pokemon GO
• Max Moves: Everything you need to know
• Max Battles: Everything you need to know
• What is the Dynamax Band in Pokemon GO?

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Pokemon GO Zacian: Strengths and weaknesses

Zacian in Pokemon GO resists the following types:

• Dragon (39.1%)
• Fighting (62.5%)
• Dark (62.5%)
• Bu (62.5%)

Zacian has the following weaknesses:

• Poison (160.0%)
• Steel (160.0%)

The types that Zacian can hit with STAB super-effective damage are:

• Fighting
• Dark
• Dragon

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Best counters to Pokemon GO Zacian

Master League counters: Dawn Wings Necrozma, Origin Forme Giratina, Mewtwo, Xerneas, Dialga.

PvE counters:

• Dusk Mane Necrozma with Metal Claw and Sunsteel Strike
• Shadow Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
• Mega Aggron with Iron Tail and Heavy Slam
• Shadow Excadrill with Metal Claw and Iron Head
• Jirachi with Confusion and Doom Desire
• Mega Gengar with Lick and Sludge Bomb
• Mega or Shadow Gengar with Lick and Sludge Bomb
• Mega Beedrill with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
• Nihilego with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
• Naganadel with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb

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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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