Physical
Sweeper
660Elite
138Very Fast
BTier

Fairy gives Zacian strong STAB coverage, and its stat spread wastes nothing on the offensive side. It outspeeds nearly everything without investment. Dragon moves can't touch it, and only 2 types hit it super-effectively. Known as the Warrior Pokemon.

Zacian's spread isn't flashy. Speed leads, Sp. Atk trails, 6 stats clear the bar. Very hard to catch and worth 3 Speed EVs, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.

Base Stats
660Legend
HP92
B
Attack120
A
Defense115
B
Sp. Atk80
C
Sp. Def115
B
Speed138
A
Total660
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Zacian yields +3 Spe
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+3
Details
Catch10DifficultSlow1.25M XP2.8m / 9'02"110kg / 242.5 lbs330Base XP
Pokedex Entries

Known as a legendary hero, this Pokémon absorbs metal particles, transforming them into a weapon it uses to battle.

Sword

This Pokémon has slumbered for many years. Some say it’s Zamazenta’s elder sister—others say the two Pokémon are rivals.

Shield

Zacian Weakness

Good

Zacian is weak to Poison and Steel-type moves. On the flip side, it's immune to Dragon-type moves entirely. Zacian's overall bulk (92/115/115) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.

4xCriticali
None
½xResisti
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
2Weak
3Resist
1Immune
Scorei+2
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
Intrepid SwordBoosts Attack in battle.

Zacian is a powerhouse with 660 total stats as a Fairy legendary. Can't breed it, so you're locked to whatever you catch or receive.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Zacian
#888Zacian
Does not evolve
Breeding
Unavailable
Undiscovered egg group

Play Rough is the safe click most turns. Choice Band locks Zacian into it but rewards with raw power at the cost of move flexibility. Adamant nature and max Attack and Speed EVs maximize that first hit. Intrepidsword helps on the margins.

Best Build

Physical Sweeper
Ability
Intrepidsword
Item
Choice BandPOWER
Nature
Adamant+ATK
EVs

Best Zacian Moveset

  • Play RoughSTAB
  • Close Combat
  • CrunchCoverage
  • Fire Fang

The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 12 types means almost nothing walls Zacian cleanly, with Moonblast and Play Rough anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bite
6010025Dark
Lv 1
Howl
40Normal
Lv 1
Metal Claw
509535Steel
Lv 1
Quick Attack+1
4010030Normal
Lv 1
Quick Guard+3
15Fighting
Lv 1
Sacred Sword
9010015Fighting
Lv 11
Slash
7010020Normal
Lv 22
Swords Dance
20Normal
Lv 33
Iron Head
8010015Steel
Lv 44
Noble Roar
10030Normal
Lv 55
Crunch
8010015Dark
Lv 66
Moonblast
9510015Fairy
Lv 77
Close Combat
1201005Fighting
Lv 88
Giga Impact
150905Normal

TM Moves

Src
TM04
Agility
30Psychic
TM65
Air Slash
759515Flying
TM66
Body Slam
8510015Normal
TM58
Brick Break
7510015Fighting
TM167
Close Combat
1201005Fighting
TM108
Crunch
8010015Dark
TM79
Dazzling Gleam
8010010Fairy
TM55
Dig
8010010Ground
TM47
Endure+4
10Normal
TM25
Facade
7010020Normal
TM57
False Swipe
4010040Normal
TM08
Fire Fang
659515Fire
TM93
Flash Cannon
8010010Steel
TM158
Focus Blast
120705Fighting
TM152
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TM130
Helping Hand+5
20Normal
TM163
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM117
Hyper Voice
9010010Normal
TM10
Ice Fang
659515Ice
TM92
Imprison
10Psychic
TM104
Iron Defense
15Steel
TM99
Iron Head
8010015Steel
TM31
Metal Claw
509535Steel
TM139
Misty Terrain
10Fairy
TM127
Play Rough
909010Fairy
TM83
Poison Jab
8010020Poison
TM07
Protect+4
10Normal
TM63
Psychic Fangs
8510010Psychic
TM85
Rest
5Psychic
TM134
Reversal
10015Fighting
TM06
Scary Face
10010Normal
TM70
Sleep Talk
10Normal
TM30
Snarl
559515Dark
TM190
Solar Blade
12510010Grass
TM170
Steel Beam
140955Steel
TM103
Substitute
10Normal
TM32
Swift
6020Normal
TM88
Swords Dance
20Normal
TM01
Take Down
908520Normal
TM171
Tera Blast
8010010Normal
TM09
Thunder Fang
659515Electric
TM20
Trailblaze
5010020Grass
TM147
Wild Charge
9010015Electric

Egg Moves

Zacian doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Zacian can't learn any Tutor moves

Zacian is not available as a wild encounter in this game.

This is an event-exclusive or special distribution.

  • Zacian is a Legendary Pokemon rated B-Tier on our tier list. At 660 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a sweeper. Base 138 Speed is where it shines.

  • Zacian's biggest threats include Gengar (Poison) and Steelix (Steel), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. Zacian has enough bulk to absorb a hit, but don't push the matchup. Pivot to a teammate that resists.

  • Zacian doesn't evolve. As a Legendary Pokemon, it stands on its own without an evolutionary line. It's a Fairy type with 660 BST.

  • Intrepid Sword is the go-to ability for Zacian. It boosts Attack in battle. It's Zacian's only ability.

  • Zacian fills the sweeper role. It's a physical attacker with base 120 Attack. Base 138 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's tanky enough to absorb a few hits.

  • Zacian can be found in Scarlet & Violet and Sword & Shield.

Zacian has appeared in 2 games since Sword & Shield, spanning 2 generations. As a Legendary, it's typically a one-per-save encounter tied to the story or post-game content.

  • Gen IYYellow box art
    Yellow
  • Gen IRB
    Red & Blue box artRed & Blue box art
    Red & Blue
  • Gen IIGS
    Gold & Silver box artGold & Silver box art
    Gold & Silver
  • Gen IICCrystal box art
    Crystal
  • Gen IIIRS
    Ruby & Sapphire box artRuby & Sapphire box art
    Ruby & Sapphire
  • Gen IIIFRLG
    FireRed & LeafGreen box artFireRed & LeafGreen box art
    FireRed & LeafGreen
  • Gen IIIEEmerald box art
    Emerald
  • Gen IVPtPlatinum box art
    Platinum
  • Gen IVHGSS
    HeartGold & SoulSilver box artHeartGold & SoulSilver box art
    HeartGold & SoulSilver
  • Gen IVDP
    Diamond & Pearl box artDiamond & Pearl box art
    Diamond & Pearl
  • Gen VBW
    Black & White box artBlack & White box art
    Black & White
  • Gen VB2W2
    Black 2 & White 2 box artBlack 2 & White 2 box art
    Black 2 & White 2
  • Gen VIXY
    X & Y box artX & Y box art
    X & Y
  • Gen VIORAS
    Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire box artOmega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire box art
    Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
  • Gen VIIUSUM
    Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon box artUltra Sun & Ultra Moon box art
    Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
  • Gen VIISM
    Sun & Moon box artSun & Moon box art
    Sun & Moon
  • Gen VIILGPE
    Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee box artLet's Go Pikachu & Eevee box art
    Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
  • Gen VIIISwSh
    Debut
    Sword & Shield box artSword & Shield box art
    Sword & Shield
  • Gen VIIIPLALegends: Arceus box art
    Legends: Arceus
  • Gen VIIIBDSP
    Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl box artBrilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl box art
    Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
  • Gen IXSV
    Scarlet & Violet box artScarlet & Violet box art
    Scarlet & Violet
  • Gen IXLZALegends: Z-A box art
    Legends: Z-A