The Crowned King Arrives: Raid Overview
Zacian returns to 5★ raids in its powerful Crowned Sword Forme, wielding devastating Fairy/Steel typing and unprecedented stats. With raid CP reaching 50,835 and access to moves that shred unprepared teams, this is one of Pokémon GO’s most challenging legendary encounters. This guide covers everything you need to topple this royal warrior.
Why Crowned Sword Zacian is a Raid Nightmare
Key Threats
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💥 Double Steel Typing (Fairy/Steel) makes it weak only to Fire and Ground
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⚔️ Sacred Sword Charged Move (Fighting-type) melts Steel counters
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🛡️ High Defense Stat (253) prolongs battles
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⚡ Wild Charge coverage destroys Flying-types
Raid Stats
| Form | CP Range | Boosted CP (Windy) |
|---|---|---|
| Crowned Sword | 2150-2240 | 2688-2800 |
| Hero Forme* | 2011-2098 | 2514-2623 |
| Hero Forme caught after raid |
Top 6 Counters to Obliterate Zacian
Zacian’s unique typing demands specialized counters. Fire-types dominate due to double weakness when Crowned:
🔥 Elite Fire Squad
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move | DPS^ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Blaziken | Fire Spin | Blast Burn | 23.4 |
| Shadow Moltres | Fire Spin | Overheat | 22.8 |
| Shadow Entei | Fire Fang | Overheat | 22.1 |
| Mega Charizard Y | Fire Spin | Blast Burn | 21.9 |
| Reshiram | Fire Fang | Fusion Flare | 21.7 |
| Shadow Chandelure | Fire Spin | Overheat | 21.3 |
| ^Damage Per Second estimates |
⚒️ Ground Alternatives
Use when Fire types faint or against Close Combat Zacian:
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Shadow Garchomp (Mud Shot, Earth Power)
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Therian Landorus (Mud Shot, Sandsear Storm)
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Shadow Excadrill (Mud-Slap, Scorching Sands)
Zacian’s Deadly Movesets
Fast Moves
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Snarl (Dark) – Most common
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Metal Claw (Steel) – Hardest hitting
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Quick Attack (Normal) – Rare
Charged Moves
| Move | Type | Danger Level |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Head | Steel | ★★☆ |
| Close Combat | Fighting | ★★★ (Counters Steel types) |
| Wild Charge | Electric | ★★★ (Counters Flying Fire-types) |
| Play Rough | Fairy | ★★☆ |
Raid Battle Strategy
Team Composition
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Minimum Players: 4-5 high-level trainers (6+ recommended)
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Team Building:
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Lead with Mega Blaziken (boosts Fire damage)
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Follow with Shadow Moltres/Reshiram
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Anchor with Ground-types if Zacian knows Fighting moves
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⏱️ Key Timing Tips
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Dodge first Charged Move at 7 seconds
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Rejoin immediately if team faints – timer is critical
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Use Fire-types ONLY against Iron Head/Play Rough sets
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Switch to Ground if Wild Charge/Close Combat appear
Post-Raid Catch Guide
Catch Mechanics
| Ball Type | Base Catch Rate | Max Catch Chance (Golden Razz) |
|---|---|---|
| Premier | 2% | 15% |
| Excellent Curve | +2.0% per throw | 82% cumulative after 14 throws |
Optimal Throw Strategy
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Golden Razz Berry every throw
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Wait for center attack animation
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Throw Curved Excellent when circle is smallest
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Target 1,900+ CP for weather boost (Windy)
Zacian’s Meta Relevance
PvP Performance
| League | Rank (Crowned) | Key Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Master | #7 | Dialga, Zacian Hero, Xerneas |
| Ultra | #42 | Registeel, Cresselia, Walrein |
PvE Usefulness
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Hero Forme: Top-tier Fairy attacker (#2 overall)
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Crowned Forme: Situational Steel attacker (#5)
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Best Moveset: Snarl + Play Rough/Iron Head
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can Zacian be shiny?
Yes! Shiny Crowned Sword (blue blade) and Hero Forme (golden fur) are available.
❓ Why does my caught Zacian lose its sword?
Only Crowned Sword Forme appears in raids. Caught Zacian defaults to Hero Forme but can evolve using 50 Zacian Candy + Sword item.
❓ What’s the best Fire-type if I lack legendaries?
Shadow Arcanine (Fire Fang, Flamethrower) or Darmanitan (Fire Fang, Overheat) are excellent non-legendary options.
❓ How many Premier Balls will I get?
Typically 14-18 balls with:
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+4 balls for Friendship
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+3 for Gym control
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+3 for damage contribution
Critical Mistakes to Avoid
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⚠️ Using Dragons: Double weakness to Fairy moves = instant KO
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⚠️ Underestimating Movesets: Check Zacian’s moves before relobbying!
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⚠️ Small Raid Groups: <4 players risk timing out
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⚠️ Wasting Mega Slot: Never mega evolve non-Fire types
Conclusion: Claim Your Crown
Defeating Zacian Crowned Sword demands precise counters and coordination, but the reward—a top-tier Fairy/Steel Pokémon—is worth the effort. Prioritize Mega Fire-types, dodge coverage moves like Close Combat, and stack your team with shadow Fire attackers. With 4-6 prepared trainers, this royal warrior will kneel before your raid party.
