Zygarde Raid Counters
Best counters and strategies to beat Zygarde in Pokemon GO raids.
How to Beat Zygarde
Zygarde is a 5 raid boss in Pokemon GO with Dragon/Ground typing. The best counter is Kyurem (White) with Ice Fang and Blizzard, dealing 37.333 DPS.
Zygarde 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: Zygarde is weak to Ice (double weak!), Dragon, Fairy -type attacks. Avoid using Electric, Fire, Poison-type moves as Zygarde 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 Zygarde is Kyurem (White) (37.333 DPS), Shadow Darmanitan (Galarian standard) (36.571 DPS), and Shadow Weavile (35.333 DPS). Shadow variants deal 20% more damage but take 20% more — worth it for short-man attempts.
Catching Zygarde: After defeating Zygarde, the catch encounter will have a CP between 1912 and 1997 at level 20. With weather boost, the range is 2379-2484 at level 25. A perfect 100% IV Zygarde from raids will have exactly 1997 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 Zygarde?
The best counter for Zygarde is Kyurem (White) with Ice Fang and Blizzard, dealing 37.333 DPS. Other top options include Shadow Darmanitan (Galarian standard) (36.571 DPS) and Shadow Weavile (35.333 DPS).
How many trainers to beat Zygarde?
Zygarde 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 Zygarde weak to?
Zygarde is weak to Ice (double weak), Dragon, Fairy-type attacks. It resists Electric, Fire, Poison, Rock-type moves, so avoid those.
Can Zygarde be shiny in Pokemon GO?
No, Zygarde's shiny form is not currently available in Pokemon GO. It may be released in a future event.
What CP is a 100% IV Zygarde from raids?
A 100% IV (15/15/15) Zygarde from raids will have 1997 CP at level 20, or 2484 CP at level 25 with weather boost. The minimum CP (10/10/10 IVs) is 1912. If you see 1997 CP in the catch screen, it's a perfect — use a Golden Razz Berry!
Is Zygarde worth raiding in Pokemon GO?
Zygarde 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 Zygarde?
For the best moveset for Zygarde itself (when using it as an attacker), check the full Zygarde 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 Zygarde without Shadow or Mega Pokemon?
Yes! While Shadow and Mega Pokemon are the top DPS options, Zygarde can be defeated using regular (non-Shadow, non-Mega) counters. The best budget options are Kyurem (White) (37.333 DPS) and Eternatus (32.345 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 Zygarde in raids?
Weather boost information for Zygarde is not currently available. Dragon-type Pokemon are typically boosted in specific weather conditions. When weather boosted, the raid is harder but the catch encounter is level 25 with higher CP.