How to get Zacian in Pokemon GO, and can it be shiny?

If you want to get your hands on the elusive Zacian in Pokemon GO, then you have two different methods at your disposal. Moreover, Shiny Zacian was absent from the game for a while, but it is finally set to debut with the start of Legendary Heroes on September 26, 2024. Standard Zacian was introduced during Ultra Unlock Part 3: Sword and Shield on August 20, 2021.

Both species have Legendary status, making them strong powerhouses that need to be included in your possession. Zacian and Shiny Zacian can be acquired by defeating 5-star Raid Battles in Pokemon GO. That said, here is a guide that explores everything you need to know about obtaining the creatures.

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How can you get Zacian in Pokemon GO?

Zacian, as seen in the game. (Image via The Pokemon Company)

There are two ways to add Zacian to your collection, and they are as follows:

• Defeat 5-star Raid Battles.
• Win Pokemon encounter reward from the GO Battle League.

1) Defeat 5-star Raid Battles

Zacian is a single Fairy-type Pokemon from the Galar region in Pokemon GO. Therefore, it is 160% weak to Poison- and Steel-type moves. You should use these attacks to defeat the Zacian raids.

Here are the best Steel-type counters for Zacian:

• Dusk Mane Necrozma: Metal Claw and Sunsteel Strike
• Dawn Wings Necrozma: Metal Claw and Moongiest Beam
• Shadow Metagross: Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
• Shadow Excadrill: Metal Claw and Iron Head
• Dialga: Metal Claw and Iron Head
• Mega Aggron: Iron Tail and Heavy Slam

Below are the best Poison-type counters for Zacian in Pokemon GO:

• Mega Gengar: Shadow Claw and Sludge Bomb
• Nihilego: Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
• Overqwil: Poison Sting and Sludge Bomb
• Naganadel: Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
• Shadow Drapion: Poison Sting and Sludge Bomb
• Shadow Muk: Poison Jab and Gunk Shot

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2) Win Pokemon encounter reward from GO Battle League

Every time Zacian has made its appearance in Raid Battles in Niantic’s mobile game, it has also become available to obtain as an encounter reward from the GO Battle League. As such, you have to defeat opponents in this gameplay mode to acquire the creature.

With the start of the Legendary Heroes event, Zacian can be added to your account by securing wins in the GO Battle League.

Also Check: Pokemon GO CP Calculator

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How can you get Shiny Zacian in Pokemon GO?

Shiny Zacian in Pokemon GO (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Standard Zacian and Shiny Zacian can be obtained in similar ways in Pokemon GO. So, the following are the methods to get the latter:

• Defeat Zacian Raid Battles.
• Win Pokemon encounter reward from the GO Battle League.

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Check out our other Pokemon GO guides:

• Ditto disguises
• Buddy Evolution Adventure Together guide
• Best Fast Attacks in Pokemon GO
• Sierra counters
• Cliff counters
• Arlo counters
• Giovanni counters
• Team GO Rocket Grunts