Pokemon GO Zacian raid guide: Weaknesses and best counters

A Pokemon GO Zacian raid guide will help players take down the Pokemon Sword mascot as it returns to Niantic's mobile game as a 5-star raid boss. Zacian was first introduced during the Ultra Unlock event for the Gen VIII games in August 2021 and made a second appearance in August 2022.

After a two-year hiatus, Zacian is now available in 5-star Pokemon GO raids from 10 am local time on September 26 to 10 am local time on October 4, 2024.

This Pokemon GO Zacian Raid guide covers everything you need to know about taking down this legendary—from the creature's weaknesses to its best counters.

---

Pokemon GO Zacian raid weaknesses

Zacian in Pokemon GO promo (Image via TPC)

What is super-effective against Zacian?

Being a Fairy-type Pocket Monster, Zacian takes super-effective damage from Steel- and Poison-type attacks. Both of these deal 160% additional damage. Thanks to its elemental typing, Zacian also resists Dragon- Fighting-, Dark-, and Bug-type attacks.

---

Zacian's stat distribution and moveset in Pokemon GO

As a 5-star raid boss in Pokemon GO, Zacian has the following stats:

• Combat Power: 52,195
• Attack: 254
• Defense: 236
• Stamina: 15,000 HP
• Fast Attacks: Fire Fang, Metal Claw, Quick Attack, Snarl
• Charged Attacks: Close Combat, Iron Head, Play Rough, Wild Charge

Zacian raids in Pokemon GO last for 300 seconds once the timer starts. You can either participate in them in person or using Remote Raid Passes.

---

Best counters to Pokemon GO Zacian raids

The best Pokemon to counter Zacian raids in Pokemon GO are Steel- and Poison-type critters that know moves they get same-type attack bonus on.

Best Steel-type counters to Zacian

• 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

You can use the following search string to find the best Steel-type attackers at your disposal:

• Steel&@Steel&cp2000-

Best Poison-type counters to Zacian

• 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

You can use the following search string to find the best Poison-type attackers at your disposal:

• Poison&@Poison&cp2000-

Best neutral counters to Zacian

• Primal or Shadow Groudon with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades
• Primal or Shadow Kyogre with Waterfall and Origin Pulse (as long as the raid boss doesn't use Wild Charge)
• Mega Rayquaza with Air Slash and Dragon Ascent (as long as the raid boss doesn't use Play Rough)
• Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Psystrike

---

Pokemon GO Zacian raid catch CP and shiny availability

Shiny Zacian (Image via TPC)

The Zacian that appears after you defeat the raid boss will feature the following CP ranges depending on the weather conditions and its IV distribution:

• No weather boost: 2,100-2,188 CP at level 20 (10/10/10 - 15/15/15 IVs)
• Weather boosted (Cloudy): 2,625-2,735 CP at level 25 (10/10/10 - 15/15/15 IVs)

---

What are the 100% IVs from Pokemon GO Zacian raids?

The following are the 100% IVs from Pokemon GO Zacian raids:

• No weather boost: 2,188 CP
• Weather boosted (Cloudy): 2,735 CP

---

Can Zacian be shiny in Pokemon GO?

Starting from September 26, 2024, Zacian encounters in Niantic's AR-based game can be shiny. Like other Legendaries, it has a 1-in-20 or 5% chance of being shiny every time you have a chance to capture it. Note that this doesn't guarantee a shiny encounter for every 20 raids you participate in.

---

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

​