Zacian - Hero of Many Battles
PvE Analysis
Zacian - Hero of Many Battles is a good choice for a Fairy-type attacker in raids, having an average dps of somewhere between Togekiss and Gardevoir. It lacks a Fairy-type fast move, however, and Zacian's effectiveness can vary depending on its fast move's type effectiveness. Nonetheless, it is the tankiest option of the three.
It is worth noting that Zacian has a much more powerful forme on the horizon: Crowned Sword Zacian. Boasting one of the highest Attack stats ever and potentially access to its signature move, Behemoth Blade, Zacian-Crowned will almost certainly leave an impact on the PvE meta. There may be hope that, at some point in the future, any of your currently owned Zacian can transform into this overpowered forme through the form change mechanic.
Best PvE Offensive Moveset
Metal Claw + Iron Head | Great |
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(Any) + Play Rough | Situational |
- Metal Claw and Iron Head is the only same-type moveset that Zacian has, though it's a bit awkward without STAB. As a Steel-type attacker. however, it is largely outclassed by many other options.
- Snarl provides high energy gains and solid neutral coverage, making it the move of choice when relying on Charged Moves for SE damage.
- Fire Fang and Quick Attack have niches, but they're less useful.
- Play Rough is the charged move of choice due to its high STAB damage.
- Wild Charge is usable, but also often outclassed.
- Close Combat is the weakest option, and tends to have clashing effectiveness with Snarl.
PvP Analysis
Snarl or Quick Attack + Close Combat and Play Rough or Wild Charge |
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Snarl and Quick Attack are equally viable Fast Attack options due to their energy gains. Snarl provides slightly higher energy gains and can chip away at Giratina and Metagross. Quick Attack has slightly more damage output and provides some pressure against opposing Zacian, Togekiss, and Dark-type Pokemon.
Close Combat is recommended due to its wide Fighting-type coverage, which is especially valuable against Zacian's weakness to common Steel-types. Play Rough benefits from STAB to deal considerable damage, allows Zacian to threaten Giratina, and doesn't self-debuff on use. Wild Charge can threaten Ho-Oh, Kyogre, and Togekiss, all of which can be potentially rough adversaries otherwise. A moveset containing both Play Rough and Wild Charge can be used to threaten both Giratina and Ho-Oh, but sacrificing the ability to break Steel-types is a substantial drawback.
Great League | |
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Zacian's high CP currently prevents it from participating in Great League. If Zacian were to be obtained from Research Breakthrough or Special Research in the future, it will be eligible at level 15. | |
Ultra League | |
Zacian is a mono-Fairy Pokemon with a high offensive stat. Unfortunately due to how the CP formula works this results in poor bulk in the Ultra League which has a cap on CP. Consider other Fairy Pokemon instead. | |
Master League | |
The combination of Fairy typing, solid stats, and the ability to shatter Steel-types has catapulted Zacian to being one of the meta-defining Pokemon in the Master League. Zacian is a powerful corebreaker, simultaneously threatening Dragon- and Dark-types alongside the Steel-types they are often paired with. Its charge moves are seldom resisted, and countering Zacian is often not straightforward, making it a strong safe switch. Its Fairy typing provides it with key resistances to the common Dark-, Fighting-, and especially Dragon-type attacks, providing it with ample opportunities to charge up and snowball out of control. Zacian excels in both pressuring shields in the early game and cleaning up in the lategame, and can fit on a wide array of teams. One flaw that Zacian has is that it may struggle in extended duels due to its costly Play Rough and the self-debuffing nature of Close Combat and Wild Charge, along with its general lack of fast move damage pressure. While Zacian's coverage is wonderful, it is also limited to 2 Charged Attacks, so certain Pokemon can take advantage of whatever Charged Attack it is missing. For instance, Rhyperior is problematic if Zacian is lacking Close Combat, Landorus-T and Zygarde are challenging to non-Play Rough ones, and Ho-Oh walls any non-Wild Charge ones. Did I mention that it has a much scarier, but currently unreleased forme? |