Zacian (Pokémon)

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Zacian (Japanese: ザシアン Zacian) is a Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation VIII.
While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, Zacian has a second activated by giving it a Rusted Sword to hold. Its original form, Hero of Many Battles, will then become the dual-type Crowned Sword.
Zacian is the game mascot of Pokémon Sword, appearing on its boxart in its Crowned Sword form. It is a member of the legendary heroes with .
It is associated with , playing a role in stopping the Darkest Day.
==Biology==
In its Hero of Many Battles form, Zacian is a large cyan lupine with yellow eyes, a tan underside, a lean frame, a pink tail, and pink braids going down the side of its body. Two pink fringes of fur are present on its back. There are battle scars on its shoulders, hips, back, and forehead, which reveal a tan coloration under the blue fur. Half of its left ear is also missing.
It is believed to be either the elder sister or rival of . In the past, Zacian was feared and respected by the people of Galar. 3000 years ago, it worked together with Zamazenta and two young humans to save the region from and the Darkest Day it created, defeating the Gigantic Pokémon and forcing it back into slumber, which also caused pieces of its body imbued with its power to rain down throughout Galar in the form of Wishing Pieces and Wishing Stars. It can also turn itself into a statue and slumber for eons alongside Zamazenta in the Slumbering Weald. Zacian can also cast illusions, including a projection of itself, even while it slumbers. Additionally, it is capable of flying. Even though it is not capable of Dynamaxing, Zacian may still go berserk when bombarded by Galar particles. As years passed, both Zacian and Zamazenta were forgotten by history, however, Professor Sonia proved their existence by writing her first book: "Galar: A History", which details the discovery she and the player had in Stow-on-Side.
Zacian is the only known Pokémon that can have as its Ability.
===Forms===
Zacian has two forms: Hero of Many Battles and Crowned Sword.
Zacian can change into its Crowned Sword form by wielding its Rusted Sword, it then absorbs metal particles in the air and uses them to form a golden armor over its body and transform the Rusted Sword into a longer, golden sword.
In its Crowned Sword form, the fringes of fur on its back become wing-like armor and its braids grow to resemble ribbons. Additionally, its head is covered by a golden helmet, and it carries a golden sword decorated to resemble Zacian's colors; when using the move , the armor on Zacian's back combines with the sword to increase its size and power.
Zacian can sheathe its sword when not in use by wrapping it with its mane. Crowned Sword is Zacian's true form, and it is at its full power in this form. It is capable of cutting down anything in one strike, and its skills inspired awe in both its friends and foes. When together with in their Crowned forms, it can negate the mysterious power of Eternamax , which prevents opposing Pokémon from attacking it.
Zacian attacks with graceful, swift, and captivating movements, which have been compared to a dance. It unleashes quick slashes that cannot be seen by the naked eye; those struck by its sword will be cut down before they can feel the pain. The sword it holds in its mouth can cut through anything, even the thick scales of Pokémon, as if they were paper. According to legends, in this form, it was known as the "Fairy King's Sword", due to its Typing and weapon.
Crowned Sword Zacian is the only known Pokémon capable of using the move . When using Behemoth Blade, it is said to be able to cut the ocean in two.Zacian | Official Website | Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield
	
	
==Game data==
===Pokédex entries===
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===Game locations===
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====In side games====
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====In events====
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===Held items===
===Stats===
====Base stats====
=====Hero of Many Battles=====
======Generation VIII======
======Generation IX======
=====Crowned Sword=====
======Generation VIII======
======Generation IX======
===Type effectiveness===
=====Hero of Many Battles=====
=====Crowned Sword=====
===Learnset===
====By leveling up====
====By TM====
====By ====
====Form change====
If Zacian knows when it enters battle in its Crowned Sword form, Iron Head will become its signature move, , until the battle ends, where it becomes Iron Head again.
===Side game data===
====Hero of Many Battles====
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====Crowned Sword====
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===Form data===
Zacian has two forms, Hero of Many Battles and Crowned Sword, which change its appearance, stats, type, and cry. Zacian will always be in its Hero of Many Battles form outside of . In battle, Zacian will be in its Crowned Sword form if it holds a Rusted Sword. In this form, Zacian gains as a secondary type and has increased and . Additionally, if Zacian knows , the move will be replaced with .
	
===Evolution data===
===Sprites===
==In animation==
===Main series===
====Major appearances====
=====Zacian (anime)=====
Zacian debuted in its Hero of Many Battles form in Sword and Shield, Slumbering Weald!. encountered it in the Slumbering Weald before it disappeared. In Sword and Shield: "From Here to Eternatus!", it led Goh and Sonia to the altar, where they found the Rusted Sword and Shield. In Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken!, Zacian entered its Crowned Sword form and battled with , defeating it. In the intro segment of Getting More Than You Battled For!, it was at the altar of the Slumbering Weald.
====Minor appearances====
====Pokédex entries====
===GOTCHA!===
A Zacian briefly appeared in its Hero of Many Battles form in GOTCHA!.
===Pokémon Evolutions===
A Zacian appeared in a flashback in The Champion, where it entered its Crowned Sword form and battled alongside , Hop, and , putting an end to the Darkest Day.
==In the manga==
===Pokémon Adventures===
Zacian debuted in Ooh Shiny!! Legendary Equipment. Henry and Casey encountered it and in the Slumbering Weald, though their attempt to fight off the two Pokémon revealed they were merely illusions. It reappeared in GRRR!! The Irrepairable Gears to face , only for it to disappear alongside Zamazenta and Eternatus. It reappeared again to resume its fight with Eternatus in PASS41.
===Pokémon Journeys===
Zacian debuted in Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken! (Part 1), playing the same role as it did in the animated series.
==In the TCG==
==Other appearances==
===Super Smash Bros. Ultimate===
Zacian appears as part of the Zacian & Zamazenta .
===Pokémon UNITE===
Zacian is playable through obtaining a Unite License. It is a melee all-rounder that can only be played in its Crowned Sword form due to always holding its Rusted Sword item.
==Trivia==
* Zacian, Zamazenta, and are the only Legendary Pokémon to have their base stats changed in a later generation.
* Zacian shares the same name with its partner . They are both known as the Warrior Pokémon.
* Zacian, Zamazenta, and are the only Pokémon available in Pokémon Sword and Shield that cannot Dynamax.
** Pokémon ed into Zacian, Zamazenta, or Eternatus will also be unable to Dynamax, such as or .
* In Generation VIII, Crowned Sword Zacian has the highest Attack stat of all Fairy-type Pokémon.
* Crowned Sword Zacian has the highest base stat of all and Pokémon.
** Moreover, it is tied with Mega for the highest base stat total of all Fairy-type Pokémon.
* Crowned Sword Zacian is the heaviest Fairy-type Pokémon.
* Despite being a gender unknown species, Zacian is referred to as Zamazenta's older sister in its English, Japanese, and Pokédex entries; other-language versions use a gender-neutral word.
===Origin===
Zacian may be based on 's sword . Its role as a warrior aiding a king may take inspiration on the . In addition, its feminine nature may be a reference to the , the character responsible for giving King Arthur his sword, and its relationship with Zamazenta may allude to the relationship between King Arthur and his sister . It otherwise resembles a , an animal once native to and an important heraldic symbol for noble families during the . Its long, hanging blue fur resembles a , a cloth covering usually worn by warhorses during the .
The story of Zacian and Zamazenta retreating to the Slumbering Weald to recover from their wounds, and their return in the present day to save Galar, parallels the legend of .
Zacian's sword's ability to cut through anything, with Zamazenta's shield resisting any attack, could be an example of an . One of the most famous examples of this in folklore includes the Chinese tale of a peddler selling a spear and a shield with similar properties, only to be asked what would happen if the two items were to be used against one another. Another example tells of the Greek hunting hound , which always caught its prey, being set upon , which could never be caught, and had to be turned into constellations to prevent the paradox.
Additionally, the crescent shapes on its sword while using Behemoth Blade may reference , a wolf that chases after the Moon in Norse mythology.
====Name origin====
Zacian is derived from the cyan.Shea, Brian (November 13, 2019). "Going Big: The behind-the-scenes story of Pokémon’s next evolution". Game Informer (Archived on August 2, 2024).
* The way in which "the" is transformed into "za" may be a reference to the substitution of the /ð/ phoneme ("th") to the /z/ phoneme, which is commonly made by speakers of languages which don't have the /θ/ phoneme originally, including Japanese. The substitution of "e" for "a" may also reflect the possible pronunciation of the "e" in "the" using the /ʌ/ or the /ə/ ("uh") phonemes, which may be represented by the "a" letter in many languages, including in the romanization of Japanese.
==In other languages==
Hero of Many Battles
Crowned Sword
==Related articles==
* Zacian (UNITE)
* List of Pokémon with form differences
* Legendary Pokémon
* Myths and legends involving Legendary and Mythical Pokémon
* Legendary heroes (anime)
* Ancient Galarian kings
* Legendary heroes
* Weaponry in the Pokémon world
==References==
==External links==
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Category:Legendary Pokémon
Category:Galar Legendary Pokémon
Category:Game mascots
Category:Pokémon in the Galar Pokédex
Category:Pokémon whose base stats changed in Generation IX
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