Zacian (Hero) Raid Counters
Best counters and strategies to beat Zacian (Hero) in Pokemon GO raids.
How to Beat Zacian (Hero)
Zacian (Hero) is a 5-Star Raids raid boss in Pokemon GO with fairy typing. The best counter is Mega Lucario (Mega) with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash, dealing 25.600 DPS. Zacian (Hero)'s shiny form is available from raid encounters.
Zacian (Hero) can be defeated by a minimum of 2 trainers using optimal counters at level 40+. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win, especially if your team isn't fully powered up.
Type strategy: Zacian (Hero) is weak to Poison, Steel -type attacks. Avoid using Dragon, Bug, Dark-type moves as Zacian (Hero) resists them. Focus your team on the highest DPS counters from the list below — even budget options without Shadow or Mega forms perform well in larger groups.
Top 3 counters: The strongest lineup against Zacian (Hero) is Mega Lucario (25.600 DPS), Shadow Metagross (25.467 DPS), and Mega Metagross (25.067 DPS). Shadow variants deal 20% more damage but take 20% more — worth it for short-man attempts.
Catching Zacian (Hero): After defeating Zacian (Hero), the catch encounter will have a CP between 2152 and 2243 at level 20. With weather boost, the range is 2678-2790 at level 25. A perfect 100% IV Zacian (Hero) from raids will have exactly 2243 CP — look for that number! Use Golden Razz Berries and Excellent curveball throws to maximize your catch rate.
Quick Stats
Weak To
Best Counters
Budget Counters (No Shadow / No Mega)
Catch CP
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best counters for Zacian (Hero)?
The best counter for Zacian (Hero) is Mega Lucario with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash, dealing 25.600 DPS. Other top options include Shadow Metagross (25.467 DPS) and Mega Metagross (25.067 DPS).
How many trainers to beat Zacian (Hero)?
Zacian (Hero) can be defeated by a minimum of 2 high-level trainers with optimal counters. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win. In public lobbies, 5-6 is a safe number.
What is Zacian (Hero) weak to?
Zacian (Hero) is weak to Poison, Steel-type attacks. It resists Dragon, Bug, Dark, Fighting-type moves, so avoid those.
Can Zacian (Hero) be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Yes! Zacian (Hero)'s shiny form is available from raid encounters. The shiny rate for legendary raids is approximately 1 in 20 (5%). Use a Pinap Berry if you already have a shiny and want extra candy.
What CP is a 100% IV Zacian (Hero) from raids?
A 100% IV (15/15/15) Zacian (Hero) from raids will have 2243 CP at level 20, or 2790 CP at level 25 with weather boost. The minimum CP (10/10/10 IVs) is 2152. If you see 2243 CP in the catch screen, it's a perfect — use a Golden Razz Berry!
Is Zacian (Hero) worth raiding in Pokemon GO?
Zacian (Hero) is a lower-tier raid boss that can be soloed or defeated easily with 1-2 trainers. It's useful for farming candy, earning XP, and potentially getting a high-IV specimen. Worth doing when convenient, but doesn't require spending Premium Passes.
What is the best moveset for Zacian (Hero)?
For the best moveset for Zacian (Hero) itself (when using it as an attacker), check the full Zacian (Hero) stats page which includes optimal fast and charged move combinations for both PvE raids and PvP GO Battle League, along with DPS calculations and PvP rankings.
Can I beat Zacian (Hero) without Shadow or Mega Pokemon?
Yes! While Shadow and Mega Pokemon are the top DPS options, Zacian (Hero) can be defeated using regular (non-Shadow, non-Mega) counters. The best budget options are Deoxys (Attack) (22.645 DPS) and Zacian (Crowned sword) (22.138 DPS). You may need 5-6 trainers instead of the minimum 2 when using budget teams. Check the Budget Counters section above for the full F2P-friendly list.
What weather boosts Zacian (Hero) in raids?
Zacian (Hero) is weather boosted during cloudy weather. When boosted, Zacian (Hero) is harder to defeat (higher CP in the raid) but the catch encounter will be level 25 instead of 20, giving you a higher CP catch (2678-2790 CP) with potentially better IVs. Weather boost is a double-edged sword — harder raid, better reward.