Guide:Zacian Strategies

### Support

Zacian is a strong Pokémon with more DPS than many All-Rounder Pokemon. Aeos Energy can be used to boost all of Zacian's attacks, allowing them to deal greater damage than usual.

**Move Tips**

### Ability

####  Intrepid Sword

The optimal strategy is to consistently accumulate enough Aeos Energy to keep Zacian's Sword charged. Zacian's Sword can be completely charged in just around 10 Aeos Energy. Always strive to get Zacian's Sword fully charged before fighting to get the most damage and power out of it. By doing this, Zacian's attacks become more potent and have more impact.

### Move List 1

####  Slash

Use Slash to capture wild Pokémon with ease. In the early game, capturing or snatching wild Pokemon is made simpler by the move's quick animation and burst damage, especially when enhanced. Use Slash to exert some pressure on adversaries as well. Zacian can provide burst damage to a single target early in the game because to the move's respectable damage output.

####  Metal Claw

Before using Metal Claw, it is preferable to get as near to the target as you can. By doing this, a target can be struck by both the shock wave and the slash. While using Metal Claw, try to attack distance Pokemon. The move is perfect for them since, if they are struck by the shock wave, it can neutralise their strikes. Zacian's attack speed is accelerated if the slash makes contact with an opponent. Use this impact by launching further assaults thereafter.

####  Sacred Sword

Use Zacian's other moves like  Quick Attack, Agility, or  Play Rough to set up Sacred Sword since it doesn't require a target to activate. Zacian's Attack stat rises after using Sacred Sword, and the Pokemon largely ignores its foes' Defense. Use these effects by using Zacian's other moves or attacks thereafter. Moreover, do your best to keep foes within the circle's radius for as long as necessary so that the second slash of the move may activate. All foes inside the circle take a substantial amount of burst damage by doing this.

### Move List 2

####  Quick Attack

Quick Attack may be used to pass past barriers like walls. Simply make sure the maximum distance of the maneuver is bigger than the width of the wall or object. To prepare for Quick Attack, use  Slash. When Zacian uses  Slash, it pounces towards a target, which makes it simpler to strike and stun a victim with Quick Attack.

####  Agility

Move past obstacles or walls with Agility. Make sure Zacian is close enough to the wall or other obstacles for him to get through it. Zacian has a brief improvement in mobility thanks to Agility's increased movement speed. Employ this enhancement to move across the area more quickly, hunt down foes, or escape a lost battle. Zacian receives a shield while using the enhanced version of Agility for a short time.

####  Play Rough

Start fights with Play Rough. The stun effect of the move is an excellent technique to set up the attacks of both Zacian and its allies. You may traverse walls with Play Rough as well. Make sure Zacian is close enough to the wall or other obstruction for him to get through it. Moreover, it is advisable to continue applying pressure to targets after using Play Rough because Zacian suffers decreased damage from enemies struck by it. The damage reduction effect could be just what Zacian needs to succeed.

### Unite Move

####  Sovereign Sword

Aeos Energy should always be available in exactly enough amounts to completely recharge Sovereign Sword before use. A fully charged Sovereign Sword's added damage makes a big impact. To fight or steal boss Pokemon like Rayquaza, use Sovereign Sword. Just be careful to timing it properly so that Zacian delivers the decisive strike. When used against opponents who have received bonuses from their own Unite Move, Sovereign Sword can inflict more damage. Using this effect in a teamfight is optimal. Before to responding with Sovereign Sword, let opponents perform their Unite Moves.

**Strengths / Weaknesses**

* Has cooldown reset mechanics.
* Great scaling.
* Low movement speed.

**Recommended Builds**

### AOE

Every time it performs a move, Razor Claw adds a slow effect to Zacian's strike, extending the time until  Sacred Sword activates by keeping at least one foe inside the circle. Zacian's attacks are enhanced by Muscle Band thanks to faster attack speed and extra damage dependent on health. Muscle Band may be swapped out for Focus Band, which grants Zacian durability and survivability in return for damage. Zacian's sluggish movement speed is made up for by X Speed. It may be used as a flexible tool for pursuit or elude. Also compatible with the build, Full Heal enables Zacian to remove status effects as it pounces on targets.

The loadout for the build's Boost Emblems should be 6 Brown emblems for increased damage and 4 White emblems for increased health. Emblems that boost attack or critical-hit rate can be worn. Sp. Atk., Sp. Def., and Defense can be freely traded for any of the other stats.

Play Rough
Muscle Band
Razor Claw | X Speed | **Positive Stats*** Attack
* Critical-Hit Rate

**Negative Stats**
* Sp. Atk
* Defense
* Sp. Def
* **Critical-Hit Rate**: +2.10%
* **Attack Speed**: +7.50%

### Jungle Build

This is a very mobile build with a focus on using  Metal Claw, Agility, and strikes to eliminate foes one by one. It works well in the jungle where Zacian can swiftly level up and have access to both moves. Muscle Band increases Zacian's attack power and lets it to clear jungle camps more quickly. Scope Lens increases the critical-hit chance and damage of Zacian's attacks, making them more lethal. Zacian has extra mobility to operate with thanks to X Speed in addition to its moves. It has both attacking and defensive use. The build can also make use of X Attack to increase Zacian's total damage output.

The loadout for the build's Boost Emblems should be 6 Brown emblems for increased damage and 4 White emblems for increased health.

Agility
Muscle Band
Scope Lens | X Speed | **Positive Stats*** Attack
* Critical-Hit Rate

**Negative Stats**
* Sp. Atk
* Defense
* Sp. Def
* **Critical-Hit Rate**: +6%
* **Critical-Hit Damage**: +12%
* **Attack Speed**: +7.50%

**Recommended Held Items**

Muscle Band
 Rusted Sword | Zacian usually uses the Rusted Sword as a weapon. It is immovable, reducing Zacian to two held item slots (2).

**Levelling Up**

* On the bottom lane, use  Quick Attack for mobility and damage, then give Indeedees priority to get more experience and obtain more aeos energy.
 5-9
* When you reach Level 7, you can choose  Agility or  Play Rough as your upgraded permanent dash move. By this point, Zacian will be strong enough to hunt down opponents who are undefended and take them down.
* As soon as Regieleki spawns, assist teammates in achieving this goal in the top lane. If not, attempt to capture Regiice, Registeel, or Regirock at the bottom lane. Put Regieleki's defence first in order to have the upper hand in points.
 10+
* To improve your combat performance, obtain  Escavalier and  Accelgor before the decisive battle.
* Assist friends in securing Rayquaza and winning a teamfight. Use the Unite Move, Sovereign Sword as soon as it's available during teamfights to quickly grab Rayquaza.

**Hard Counters**
A list of Pokemon Zacian users should be aware of.

 Slowbro | Danger Level: * Able to stop Zacian in its tracks with  Telekinesis.
* Able to stall or stop enemies from scoring with  Amnesia.
 Alolan Ninetales | Danger Level: * Dazzling Gleam can be annoying to deal with, since it stuns its targets for one second.
* Alolan Ninetales' movesets can either stun or hinder Zacian's combos from a safe range and provide openings for ganking opportunities.