In Sword & Shield, Zacian is a Legendary Pokemon rated S-Tier. At 710 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a sweeper. Base 170 Attack is where it shines.

What is Zacian weak to?

In Sword & Shield, 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.

What is the best ability for Zacian?

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

What role does Zacian play in battle?

In Sword & Shield, Zacian fills the sweeper role. It's a physical attacker with base 170 Attack. Base 138 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's tanky enough to absorb a few hits.

What counters Zacian?

In Sword & Shield, the best way to handle Zacian: Priority moves (Mach Punch, Aqua Jet, Ice Shard) bypass its speed. Bulky walls that resist its STAB also shut it down.

Zacian - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Sweeper

STier

138Speed · Extreme

Stats & Training

Zacian's all-in on Attack at the expense of Sp. Atk. The physical lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 3 Speed EVs and follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.

Base Stats

Legend

HP92

Attack170

Defense115

Sp. Atk80

Sp. Def115

Speed138

Total710

Details

Catch Rate

Difficult10 / 255

Growth Rate

Slow1.25M XP

Height2.8 m

Weight110.0 kg

Base XP330

Abilities

Intrepid Sword

Boosts Attack in battle.

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+3

Strong Speed training target

Pokedex Entries

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

Zacian Weakness

Zacian is weak to Poison and Steel. 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.

Zacian Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Poison, Steel
0.5x (Resist)	Fighting, Bug, Dark
0x (Immune)	Dragon

Type ChartGood

2Weak

3Resist

1Immune

Score+2

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Poison Steel

½xResist

Fighting Bug Dark

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Dragon

STAB (3)

Fighting Dragon Dark

How to Beat Zacian in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)

Excadrill GroundSteel	A
Available Moves Moves Smart StrikeTM96 Metal ClawLv. 16 Damage vs Zacian Smart Strike 2x 55-65% Metal Claw 2x 41-48% View Excadrill builds →
Toxapex PoisonWater	A
Available Moves Moves Cross PoisonTM73 VenoshockTM74 Poison StingLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Cross Poison 2x 32-37% Venoshock 2x 25-30% Poison Sting 2x 7-9% View Toxapex builds →
Duraludon SteelDragon	C
Available Move Moves Metal ClawLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Metal Claw 2x 30-35% View Duraludon builds →
Drapion PoisonDark	C
Available Moves Moves Cross PoisonTM73 VenoshockTM74 Poison FangLv. 9 Poison StingLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Cross Poison 2x 39-47% Venoshock 2x 28-34% Poison Fang 2x 30-35% Poison Sting 2x 11-13% View Drapion builds →
Copperajah Steel	C
Available Move Moves Iron HeadLv. 44 Damage vs Zacian Iron Head 2x 61-73% View Copperajah builds →

Sword & Shield Evolution

Zacian is a powerhouse with 710 total stats as a Fairy legendary. Can't breed it, so you're locked to whatever you catch or receive. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution

#888ZacianDoes not evolve

Breeding

Unavailable

Undiscovered egg group

Sword & Shield Zacian Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves

The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 11 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

C6010025Dark

Lv 1

Howl

D——40Normal

Lv 1

Metal Claw

C509535Steel

Lv 1

Quick Attack+1

C4010030Normal

Lv 1

Quick Guard+3

———15Fighting

Lv 1

Sacred Sword

B9010015Fighting

Lv 11

Slash

C7010020Normal

Lv 22

Swords Dance

C——20Normal

Lv 33

Iron Head

B8010015Steel

Lv 44

Laser Focus

———30Normal

Lv 55

Crunch

B8010015Dark

Lv 66

Moonblast

C9510015Fairy

Lv 77

Close Combat

B1201005Fighting

Lv 88

Giga Impact

B150905Normal

TM Moves

TR12

Agility

C——30Psychic

TM95

Air Slash

D759515Flying

TM58

Assurance

—6010010Dark

TM43

Brick Break

B7510015Fighting

TM97

Brutal Swing

C6010020Dark

TR53

Close Combat

B1201005Fighting

TR32

Crunch

B8010015Dark

TM15

Dig

B8010010Ground

TR26

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM39

Facade

C7010020Normal

TM94

False Swipe

C4010040Normal

TM68

Fire Fang

C659515Fire

TR64

Focus Blast

C120705Fighting

TR13

Focus Energy

C——30Normal

TM09

Giga Impact

B150905Normal

TM41

Helping Hand+5

C——20Normal

TM08

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TR42

Hyper Voice

C9010010Normal

TM67

Ice Fang

C659515Ice

TM44

Imprison

D——10Psychic

TR74

Iron Head

B8010015Steel

TR31

Iron Tail

B1007515Steel

TR90

Play Rough

B909010Fairy

TM25

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TR97

Psychic Fangs

B8510010Psychic

TM69

Psycho Cut

C7010020Psychic

TM21

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM79

Retaliate

C701005Normal

TM42

Revenge-4

C6010010Fighting

TR21

Reversal

D—10015Fighting

TM76

Round

D6010015Normal

TM26

Scary Face

——10010Normal

TR27

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM85

Snarl

D559515Dark

TM24

Snore

—5010015Normal

TM12

Solar Blade

B12510010Grass

TR20

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM40

Swift

D60—20Normal

Swords Dance

C——20Normal

TM84

Tail Slap

D258510Normal

TM66

Thunder Fang

C659515Electric

TR86

Wild Charge

B9010015Electric

TR85

Work Up

D——30Normal

Egg Moves

Zacian doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Zacian can't learn any Tutor moves

How to Get Zacian in Sword & Shield

You'll find Zacian at Tower Summit as a set encounter. It's always there at that location, so come prepared for the battle. The location details below cover exact positioning.

Best Locations to Catch Zacian in Sword & Shield

Tower Summit

Interact with Pokemon Lv.70 Landmark

LimitedPost

Story encounter

Zacian Guide

In Sword & Shield, Zacian is a Legendary Pokemon rated S-Tier. At 710 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a sweeper. Base 170 Attack is where it shines.
In Sword & Shield, 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.
Intrepid Sword is the go-to ability for Zacian. It boosts Attack in battle. It's Zacian's only ability.
In Sword & Shield, Zacian fills the sweeper role. It's a physical attacker with base 170 Attack. Base 138 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's tanky enough to absorb a few hits.
In Sword & Shield, the best way to handle Zacian: Priority moves (Mach Punch, Aqua Jet, Ice Shard) bypass its speed. Bulky walls that resist its STAB also shut it down.

Game Availability

Zacian has appeared in 2 games since Sword & Shield, spanning 3 generations. As a Legendary, it's typically a one-per-save encounter tied to the story or post-game content.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Corviknight FlyingSteel	A
Available Move Moves Steel WingLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Steel Wing 2x 45-53% View Corviknight builds →
Weezing Poison	C
Available Moves Moves SludgeLv. 20 Clear SmogLv. 12 SmogLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Sludge 2x 41-49% Clear Smog 2x 30-37% Smog 2x 21-25% View Weezing builds →
Gloom GrassPoison	C
Available Move Moves AcidLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Acid 2x 27-33% View Gloom builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Poison StingLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Poison Sting 2x 10-12% View Roselia builds →
Stunky PoisonDark	D
Available Move Moves Acid SprayLv. 9 Damage vs Zacian Acid Spray 2x 16-21% View Stunky builds →

Corviknight FlyingSteel	A
Available Move Moves Steel WingLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Steel Wing 2x 41-49% View Corviknight builds →
Weezing Poison	C
Available Moves Moves SludgeLv. 20 Clear SmogLv. 12 SmogLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Sludge 2x 39-46% Clear Smog 2x 29-35% Smog 2x 20-25% View Weezing builds →
Gloom GrassPoison	C
Available Move Moves AcidLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Acid 2x 24-28% View Gloom builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Poison StingLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Poison Sting 2x 12-14% View Roselia builds →
Stunky PoisonDark	D
Available Moves Moves VenoshockLv. 21 Acid SprayLv. 9 Damage vs Zacian Venoshock 2x 24-28% Acid Spray 2x 18-21% View Stunky builds →

Corviknight FlyingSteel	A
Available Move Moves Steel WingLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Steel Wing 2x 40-47% View Corviknight builds →
Weezing Poison	C
Available Moves Moves SludgeLv. 20 Clear SmogLv. 12 SmogLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Sludge 2x 37-44% Clear Smog 2x 29-35% Smog 2x 18-22% View Weezing builds →
Gloom GrassPoison	C
Available Move Moves AcidLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Acid 2x 23-28% View Gloom builds →
Pawniard DarkSteel	C
Available Move Moves Metal ClawLv. 10 Damage vs Zacian Metal Claw 2x 29-35% View Pawniard builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Poison StingLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Poison Sting 2x 11-13% View Roselia builds →

Excadrill GroundSteel	A
Available Move Moves Metal ClawLv. 16 Damage vs Zacian Metal Claw 2x 41-49% View Excadrill builds →
Corviknight FlyingSteel	A
TM Move Moves Steel WingTM30 Damage vs Zacian Steel Wing 2x 39-46% View Corviknight builds →
Weezing Poison	C
Available Moves Moves Sludge BombLv. 32 SludgeLv. 20 VenoshockTM74 Clear SmogLv. 12 Damage vs Zacian Sludge Bomb 2x 50-59% Sludge 2x 37-44% Venoshock 2x 37-44% Clear Smog 2x 28-34% View Weezing builds →
Toxicroak PoisonFighting	C
Available Moves Moves Poison JabLv. 32 VenoshockTM74 Poison StingLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Poison Jab 2x 54-63% Venoshock 2x 37-44% Poison Sting 2x 12-15% View Toxicroak builds →
Durant BugSteel	C
Available Move Moves Metal ClawLv. 8 Damage vs Zacian Metal Claw 2x 35-41% View Durant builds →

Excadrill GroundSteel	A
Available Move Moves Metal ClawLv. 16 Damage vs Zacian Metal Claw 2x 41-49% View Excadrill builds →
Corviknight FlyingSteel	A
TM Move Moves Steel WingTM30 Damage vs Zacian Steel Wing 2x 40-47% View Corviknight builds →
Weezing Poison	C
Available Moves Moves Sludge BombLv. 32 SludgeLv. 20 VenoshockTM74 Clear SmogLv. 12 Damage vs Zacian Sludge Bomb 2x 49-58% Sludge 2x 37-44% Venoshock 2x 37-44% Clear Smog 2x 29-35% View Weezing builds →
Toxicroak PoisonFighting	C
Available Moves Moves Poison JabLv. 32 VenoshockTM74 Poison StingLv. 1 Damage vs Zacian Poison Jab 2x 53-63% Venoshock 2x 37-44% Poison Sting 2x 12-14% View Toxicroak builds →
Durant BugSteel	C
Available Move Moves Metal ClawLv. 8 Damage vs Zacian Metal Claw 2x 35-42% View Durant builds →

Klinklang Steel	S
Recommended Build AbilityClearbody ItemAir Balloon NatureAdamant Moves Shift Gear Gear Grind Wild Charge SubstituteUtility Damage vs Zacian Wild Charge 25-29% View Klinklang builds →
Skuntank PoisonDark	A
Recommended Build AbilityAftermath ItemAir Balloon NatureJolly Moves DefogUtility Poison Jab MementoUtility TauntUtility View Skuntank builds →
Scizor BugSteel	A
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves Bullet Punch Knock Off RoostRecovery Swords Dance Damage vs Zacian Bullet Punch 2x 34-40% Knock Off 9-10% View Scizor builds →
Gengar GhostPoison	B
Recommended Build AbilityCursedbody ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves Shadow Ball Sludge Bomb TrickUtility Giga Drain Damage vs Zacian Shadow Ball 36-42% Sludge Bomb 2x 82-96% Giga Drain 22-27% View Gengar builds →