Zacian, The Warrior Pokémon. Known as a legendary hero, this Pokémon absorbs metal particles, transforming them into a weapon it uses to battle. This Pokémon has slumbered for many years. Some say it's Zamazenta's elder sister—others say the two Pokémon are rivals. Now armed with a weapon it used in ancient times, this Pokémon needs only a single strike to fell even Gigantamax Pokémon. Able to cut down anything with a single strike, it became known as the Fairy King's Sword, and it inspired awe in friend and foe alike.
Overview
Very few things are capable of walling Zacian and let alone survive its onslaught. It's outstanding stats, great typing and excellent coverage has established Zacian as one of the most threatening wallbreakers. It's signature move Behemoth Blade allows it to punish Dynamaxed Pokemon despite it's inability to Dynamax itself. Thanks to Intrepid Sword's Attack boost, Zacian can deal great amounts of damage and it can even further boosts its already ridiculous Attack stat with Swords Dance. While a crowned Zacian doesn't have a lot of flaws, it does have its limits. Zacian's only struggle comes from four move syndrome because it simply can't hit everything super-effectively without fear of being hinderd. Pokemon like Toxapex, Groudon, Kyogre, Ho-oh, Necrozma Dusk-Mane, Solgaleo and Ferrothorn makes it difficult for Zacian to determine which threats it wants to hit super-effectively from the get-so or which coverage move gets sacrificed for Swords Dance. However, make no mistake, Zacian is one of the most threatening Pokemon on unrestricted formats and you will do well on preparing for it.
Positives
A blazing base 148 Speed makes Zacian extremely fast allowing it to outspeed key threats such as Mewtwo or Marshadow.
It's base 170 Attack not only grants Zacian with the highest Attack stat in the game, but with its expansive movepool and Intrepid Sword already boosting this stat, it makes it a terrifying Pokemon to wall.
It's Steel / Fairy typing not only grants it good opportunities to switch into resisted or immune attacks but also provides it with two solid STABs. Most notably, Behemoth Blade allows Zacian to heavily damage Dynamaxed threats despite the increased bulk gained.
Negatives
It's inability to Dynamax makes it unable to gain additional bulk and Zacian can take heavy damage from threats that it cannot KO on a single blow.
Zacian has four moveslot syndrome since it wishes it can run as many moves as possible to hit most of the threats that can wall its STABs. With Swords Dance, it loses coverage and will need team support.
Despite different stats and typing, there's really no reason to use its Hero of Many Battles form
Movesets
A SONG OF STEEL AND FAIRY
- Behemoth Blade / Swords Dance
- Wild Charge
- Close Combat
- Play Rough / Swords Dance
Item Attached: Rusted Sword
Ability: Intrepid Sword
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
Behemoth Blade's signature mechanic makes for a great primary STAB move, doing more damage than Play Rough does to even Dynamaxed Pokemon that are weak to Fairy. Wild Charge allows Zacian to hit Ho-oh, Lugia, Toxapex and Kyogre for super-effective damage preventing them from walling Zacian. Close Combat is necessary as it allows Zacian to punish Ferrothorn, Dialga and Melmetal. Play Rough is the secondary STAB move allowing Zacian to hit Palkia, Zygarde-Complete and Giratina for super-effective damage while being its best move against Quagsire. It should be mentioned that Zacian can definitely fit Swords Dance to wallbreak defensive teams in a much better fashion, however it will have to decide on which coverage move is worth sacrificing for. It's worth mentioning that at +2 Zacian can OHKO Groudon and Landorus-Therian.
DYNAMAX:
Zacian can't Dynamax
EVs and Items:
Max Attack and Speed allows Zacian to hit as hard as possible while taking advantage of its insane Speed tier. With an Adamant nature, Zacian still outspeeds Mewtwo which allows it to hit an excellent Speed tier. A Jolly nature is also an option, however, the loss in power is noticeable specially when facing defensive threats such as Toxapex. Rusted Sword is the only item that should be considered since it allows Zacian to gain its BST boosts from its crowned form and its Steel typing.
Other Option:
Zacian can also use Crunch or Assurance to hit Necrozma Dusk Mane, Solgaleo or Dusclops harder than any of its other moves.
Zacian can also used Sacred Sword which is a fantastic move to hit a Dynamaxed Dialga that has run away with too many Steelspike boosts.
Partners:
Zacian will only need partners like Dugtrio or Zygarde-Complete to deal with Pokemon like Necrozma Dusk Mane or Solgaleo since these Pokemon are mostly the only ones Zacian can't hit for huge damage without Crunch or Assurance. Dugtrio deserves a mention since it will trap these Pokemon with Arena Trap and it can take advantage from any chip damage that Zacian can deal.
Countering Zacian
Very few Pokemon are capable of stopping Zacian on a sweep while it can carry a potential coverage move for each of its answers. Depending on which coverage move Zacian is not using, Necrozma Dusk Mane is the closest Pokemon that can switch into Zacian since it is unable to hit it super-effectively without Crunch or Assurance. Without Wild Charge, Ho-oh and Toxapex will be able to wall it. If Zacian is not running Play Rough, Zygarde-Complete is an excellent response for it.
Quagsire can switch in thanks to its typing and Unaware. However, if Zacian hits it on the switch with Play Rough, Quagsire is already pressured to recover its lost health and it won't be able to do much in return.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Not in game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Not in game
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Not in game
Colosseum/XD:
Not in game
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Not in game
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Not in game
Black/White:
Not in game
Black 2/White 2:
Not in game
X/Y:
Not in game
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Not in game
Sun/Moon:
Not in game
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Not in game
Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee!:
Not in game
Sword/Shield:
Energy Plant (Sword)
Trade from Sword (Shield)
Anime Appearences
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Zacian has made a few appearances in the anime. In it, one appeared in front of Ash and then came to help Ash stop Eternamax Eternatus. |
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