Zacian Guide: Best Builds and Moveset | Pokemon UNITE

The best guide on how to play Zacian in Pokemon UNITE for Nintendo Switch and Mobile. Check here for the best builds, Held and Battle items, movesets, as well as the latest nerfs, buffs, counters, matchups, and more!

Zacian Latest Nerfs & Buffs (06/8)

Version 1.10.1.2 Patch Notes

Zacian Move Changes (June 8)
Intrepid Sword	• Fixed a bug where Zacian sometimes caused consumed Aeos Energy to return if Zacian uses Sovereign Sword immediately after a boosted attack.

Zacian Basic Info

Zacian
	Tier Rating: Role: All-Rounder Attack Type: Melee Damage Type: Physical Difficulty: Intermediate Cost: 15000 / 575
"Conquer the battlefield and strike down your foes with the Fairy King Sword!"

Pokemon Unite Tier List

Zacian Best Lanes

Top	Jungle	Bottom

Tips & Strategies for Every Lane

Zacian Price and Cost

UNITE License: Zacian	15,000 700

As of March 27, 2023, Zacian is now purchasable for 15,000 Aeos Coins or 700 Aeos Gems! This comes after the Adventure in Zacian's Weald Event where the Pokemon used to be obtainable.

Adventure in Zacian's Weald Event

Strengths and Weaknesses

Best Builds for Zacian

Zacian Builds
Sacred Sword Build
Metal Claw Build	-

The Best Build for Zacian is the one with the gold crown!

Sacred Sword Build

Sacred Sword Build
Moveset			Held Items
Sacred Sword Agility			Rusted Sword Muscle Band Attack Weight
Battle Item
X Speed
Item Effects (at Level 30)			Recommended Lane
Attack: +33 Attack Speed: +7.50%			Top Lane Jungle Bot Lane
Emblem Color Combination			Target Emblem Stats
Brown x6 White x4			Positive Stats: • Attack • Critical-Hit Rate Free Negative Stats: • Sp. Atk • Defense • Sp. Def
Note: The emblem color and stats here are suggestions only. The builds are still viable even without the suggested emblems.

Sacred Sword Build Explanation

Sacred Sword Build Damage Test

Since the build takes into account move damage, Zacian's critical-hit damage, and Zacian's basic attack damage, equipping items that will produce the best possible outcome in terms of damage with minimal trade-offs is the ideal item combination.

As the results show, Muscle Band and a fully-stacked Attack Weight will yield the best outcome that takes all three damage output into account. Even if the item combination did not generate the highest damage in terms of move damage and critical-hits, it did produce the highest basic attack damage output.

As for choosing alternatives, replacing Attack Weight with Weakness Policy would be the best option. The damage from all tests is only slighty less than the recommended item combination.

However, should critical-hit rate be a factor, replacing Attack Weight with Scope Lens would be the appropriate choice. Although the item combination does poorly in all three damage tests, having more chances of dealing critical-hits should make up for it.

Metal Claw Build

Metal Claw Build
Moveset			Held Items
Metal Claw Agility			Rusted Sword Muscle Band Scope Lens
Battle Item
X Attack
Item Effects (at Level 30)			Recommended Lane
Attack: +15 Critical-Hit Rate: +6% Critical-Hit Damage: +12% Attack Speed: +7.50%			Jungle
Emblem Color Combination			Target Emblem Stats
Brown x6 White x4			Positive Stats: • Attack • Critical-Hit Rate Free Negative Stats: • Sp. Atk • Defense • Sp. Def
Note: The emblem color and stats here are suggestions only. The builds are still viable even without the suggested emblems.

Metal Claw Build Explanation

Metal Claw Build Damage Test

Since the build is centered on utilizing Metal Claw, equipping items that increases the move's damage and take advantage of its attack speed effect is the ideal item combination.

Although Muscle Band and Scope Lens deal significantly less Metal Claw damage, Muscle Band's HP-based bonus damage coupled with Scope Lens' increased critical-hit rate and damage will benefit greatly from Metal Claw's increased attack speed effect.

As for alternatives, replacing Scope Lens with Razor Claw would be the ideal option due to its increased critical-hit rate and slowing effect. It will also deal more Metal Claw damage.

Zacian Best Items & Moveset

Best Held Items

Item	Explanation
Attack Weight	Attack Weight greatly increases Zacian's overall damage output, especially when fully stacked.
Focus Band	Focus Band gives Zacian the durability and survability it needs to pounce on targets and finish them off.
Scope Lens	Scope Lens makes Zacian deadlier by increasing its critical-hit rate and critical-hit damage.
Muscle Band	Muscle Band improves Zacian's attacks via increased movement speed and a HP-based damage bonus.
Razor Claw	Razor Claw gives Zacian's attacks a slow effect whenever it uses a move. It also synergizes well with Zacian's cooldown reset mechanics.
Rusted Sword	Rusted Sword is a default item used by Zacian. It cannot be removed, limiting Zacian's held item slots to two (2).

List of Held Items

Best Battle Items

Item	Explanation
X Speed	X Speed improves Zacian's mobility, allowing it to either stay on top of its targets or escape from enemy assault.
X Attack	X Attack enhances Zacian's overall damage output and brawling capabilities.

List of Battle Items

Best Moveset

Move	Explanation
Sacred Sword	Sacred Sword deals massive damage in a wide area around Zacian. It's effective for soloing targets or during teamfights.
Agility	Agility allows Zacian to chase down enemies and protect itself with a shield. It's a reliable roaming tool perfect for Zacian's aggressive gameplay.

This moveset is effective for isolating targets and initiating teamfights. It's also easier to execute since the moves have great synergy with each other. Agility gives Zacian an initiation and mobility tool, making it the ideal move to set up Sacred Sword. Sacred Sword deals siginificant area damage thanks to its Defense penetration effect. It also increases Zacian's Attack stat, which can be useful in finishing off targets that are still alive after the move's slashing attack.

Which Moveset Do You Think is Best for Zacian?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

How to Play Zacian

Jump to Section
Stack up on Aeos Energy
Secure the Orange Buff and Push Lanes
Initiate Fights with Dash Moves
Avoid Fighting Enemies with Hard Disables
Unite Move Strategy

Stack up on Aeos Energy

Zacian greatly benefits from stacking up on aeos energy due to its passive skill Intrepid Sword, which requires Zacian to consume 10 aeos energy in order to fill its gauge and unleash a boosted attack on its targets. Utilize the usage of Slash and Quick Attack during early game to secure huge amounts of aeos energy and dominate enemy goal zones.

Slow Down Enemies and Negate Projectile Attacks With Metal Claw

Metal Claw provides Zacian a dash move that is capable of slowing down enemies and negating projectile attacks. When charged, enemies that get hit are slowed down even more, and the shockwave travels further.

Trap and Stun Multiple Enemies with Sacred Sword

Sacred Sword is an AoE move that stuns enemies caught within the move's circle. Use this move when there's multiple enemies along the lane, and let Zacian burst its enemies down.

Secure the Orange Buff and Push Lanes

After choosing a permanent damaging move, Zacian can already stand against enemies alone. Gathering aeos energy and using them to deal boosted attack damage with Intrepid Sword is what makes Zacian a beast in the arena, so make sure to secure the orange buff at the allied camp when available, or steal one from the enemy camp when you can.

Initiate Fights with Dash Moves

Upon reaching level 7, Zacian will be able to learn either Agility or Play Rough. While both moves are great on their own, each has distinct effects that can help you realize your playstyle, regardless of which move you pick.

Utilize Mobility and Remove Hindrances with Agility

Agility allows Zacian to remove any hindrance debuff on itself when used. When boosted, Zacian gains a shield and further increased movement speed. Utilize these effects to quickly traverse lanes and dominate enemy goal zones as quickly as possible, or to disengage from fights that may overwhelm Zacian and its allies.

Leap and Disable Enemies with Play Rough

Play Rough makes Zacian leap in a designated direction and stuns enemies that gets caught when it lands. When boosted, all enemies that get hit during the leap will be damaged and also left unable to act. Use this move to initiate teamfights and stun enemies while taking reduced damage for a short amount of time.

Avoid Fighting Enemies with Hard Disables

While Zacian may be rendered unstoppable due to Intrepid Sword's boosted attack effect, it is very vulnerable to Pokemon with strong hindrance abilities. Avoid getting close to Pokemon that can stun and burst Zacian from a safe distance. Make sure to have at least a supporter ally Pokemon when going against fellow All-Rounders, or Defender Pokemon that have hard disables to aid you.

Immobilize Enemies by Stringing Combos

Zacian has many damaging abilities at its disposal, so brave the frontlines and initiate teamfights. For an aggressive approach, start off with a boosted Play Rough to stun enemies in place, then follow up with Sacred Sword to deal AoE damage. Both moves have high stun capabilities, so it creates openings for both Zacian and its allies to gank and push lanes.

Unite Move Strategy

Charge and Sweep Enemies with Sovereign Sword

Zacian's Unite Move Sovereign Sword, requires aeos energy in order to deal a huge amount of damage to enemy Pokemon. It is best to use Sovereign Sword when Zacian has a huge amount of aeos energy stored in order for the Unite Move to become boosted. This is very useful for cleaving enemies when Rayquaza spawns, as it either takes them down or forces them to back down and leave Rayquaza to your allied team for the taking.

Zacian Progression and Leveling Guide

Top and Bot Guide

Jungle Guide

Zacian Combos

Sacred Sword Combos

These combos focus on setting up Sacred Sword so enemies get hit by the move's second activation.

Royal Judgement

Royal Judgement Combo
(Fullly-charged) ► ► ► ►
Intrepid Sword (Fully-charged) ► Play Rough ► Sacred Sword ► Play Rough ► Sovereign Sword
Start by charging Intrepid Sword by holding down the scoring button. Once fully-charged, initiate with Play Rough to stun targets, then use Sacred Sword immediately upon landing. Use Play Rough one more time before charging Sovereign Sword to finish off targets.

Metal Claw Combos

These combos focus on picking off targets with Metal Claw.

Swift Slashes

Swift Slashes Combo
(Fullly-charged) ► ► ► ►
Intrepid Sword (Fully-charged) ► Metal Claw ► Agility ► Metal Claw ► Standard Attack
Start by charging Intrepid Sword by holding down the scoring button. Once fully-charged, pounce on a target with Metal Claw, then immediately follow up with Agility to stay on top of it. Use Metal Claw again for another burst damage. Utilize the attack speed increase from Metal Claw to finish off the target.

Matchups & Counters for Zacian

Zacian Matchups

Matchup Notes
Hard Counter	Even Matchup	Easy Matchup
1. The chart is based on our own experience playing Zacian. 2. Pokemon within each tier are unordered 3. Any Pokemon not shown here are still under investigation.

Hard Counter with Disables and Burst Damage

Zacian is an All-Rounder that relies on its hard-hitting combos and boosted attacks in order to take down its enemies. While its attacks are powerful, it is still a melee Pokemon that is vulnerabie to getting bursted down by ranged attackers, or getting cornered with combos by its fellow All-Rounders.

Best Counters

Pokemon	Explanation
Wigglytuff	Rating: ★★★★★ • Able to interrupt Zacian's combos with Sing and Rollout. • Able to slow down Zacian's movement with Double Slap and Dazzling Gleam once it's upgraded.
Slowbro	Rating: ★★★★ • Able to stop Zacian in its tracks with Telekinesis. • Able to stall or stop enemies from scoring with Amnesia. • Disables Zacian's movement completely with Slowbeam.
Alolan Ninetales	Rating: ★★★ • Dazzling Gleam can be annoying to deal with, since it stuns its targets for one second. • Alolan's movesets can either stun or hinder Zacian's combos from a safe range and provide openings for ganking opportunities.

Even Matchups for Zacian

Be Wary of Crowd Control

Pokemon with High Defense
How to Beat
• These Pokemon either have a way to disrupt Zacian's string of combos with stuns or shut down its movement completely. It is best that you play it safe and only engage them when they are isolated. Otherwise, have a Supporter or Defender ally back you up to make the fight more manageable. • Only dare to strike when you have a clear shot of your combos and keep pressuring them until they fall.

Avoid Prolonged Fights

All-Rounder Pokemon
How to Beat
• These Pokemon are teamfight initiators, so it will be best for Zacian to tackle them with an ally or two. Utilize dash moves to maneuver around these Pokemon while dealing damage, and avoid getting caught by their moves. • Decide which moves to stick with depending on the enemy composition, and see to it that you get the full amount of damage with your combos. • If there are more of these Pokemon on the opposing team, Zacian should focus on shutting down these Pokemon in order to throw off their early game progression.

Get The First Strike

Speedster Pokemon
How to Beat
• These Pokemon have high mobility, stuns, and have powerful burst attacks. Utilize Zacian's dash moves to get close and hit them with boosted attacks in order to make them play defensively. • Fight close to an allied Goal Zone or with teammates nearby so you can disengage from the fight if the situation gets dangerous.

Utilize the Speed Advantage

Pokemon with Mobility Moves
How to Beat
• These Pokemon are highly mobile, and usually aim to score and dominate goal zones as fast as they can. Zacian can catch up to these Pokemon by utilizing its dash moves, and deal boosted damage with Metal Claw or Sacred Sword.

Easy Matchups for Zacian

Easy matchups are Pokemon that have low durability and low mobility, making it hard for them to stop Zacian's combos and aggressive play.

Fight Them at Close Range

Fragile Ranged Attackers
How to Beat
• These Pokemon often fights from a distance, behind their allies, or inside a goal zone due to their low HP. Get close to melee range by using dash moves, then follow up with boosted attacks to take them down.

Lock Them Down When They Dive

Pokemon that Dives into Fights
How to Beat
• These Pokemon tend to dive in head first during clashes or surprise enemies with their dash attacks. Bait or kite them first to separate them from their allies, then initiate Zacian's combos to take them down.

Stall Enemy Progression

Pokemon with Slow Level Progression
How to Beat
• These Pokemon are Attackers that needs to build up on levels to carry their team during late game. It's best for Zacian to shut them down and prevent them from leveling up by stealing enemy camps. • Thanks to the boosted attacks of Intrepid Sword, using a string of combos is ideal in combatting these Pokemon in order to deal a huge amount of damage. • Depending on the situation, make sure to engage or disengage from a fight with dash moves.

Does Not Pose Any Threats

Supporter Pokemon
How to Beat
• These are Supporter Pokemon that always sticks to their party members, or can be seen scouting near enemy camps. Zacian can take them down easily by locking on them with dash moves, melee combos, or by simply using its Unite Move, Sovereign Sword during clashes.

Best Teammates for Zacian

Pokemon	Explanation
Alolan Ninetales Slowbro Wigglytuff	Pokemon with Strong Disables
	Zacian works well with allies that ere equipped with disabling and hindrance abilities. These ally Pokemon can inflict annoying debuffs, stall enemies, and stun them for a short period of time.
Gardevoir Gengar Mew	Pokemon with High Burst Damage
	Zacian will be able to take down enemies faster if it has allies that have bursty damaging attacks. These ally Pokemon are equipped with powerful attacks that they can unleash from a safe distance and help Zacian in pushing lanes and dominating goal zones.
Trevenant Tsareena Urshifu	Aggressive Frontliners
	Aside from bursty damage dealers, Zacian can also use a helping hand from its fellow lane pushers. These ally Pokemon are equipped with hard-hitting combos that can soak up damage, overwhelm enemies with a few hits, and possibly stun or disable them form setting up their attacks.
Blissey Clefable Mr. Mime	Dedicated Supporters
	While Zacian can stand to fight enemies alone, these supporter allies can buff, heal, or shield Zacian on the go, especially when pushing lanes and swiftly securing objectives.

Looking for teammates to synergize with you? Head over to our Friend Request Board to find other trainers to join you in your grind or just to hang out with!

Friend Request Board

Zacian Moves

Move Slot 1 (R)

Slash (Lv. 1 or 2)	Move Type: Sure-Hit Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 7.5s Total Damage: 669 / Normal: 800, Boosted: 1040
Has the user deal damage to an opposing Pokemon and deal a small amount of damage to nearby opposing Pokemon. When this move is boosted with Aeos energy, its area of effect is increased, it deals increased damage, and it also decreases opposing Pokemon's movement speed for a short time.
Metal Claw (Lv. 5) Upgrade Lv. 11	Move Type: Dash Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 8.5s Total Damage: Shockwave: 655, Attack: 655 / Shockwave: 1214, Attack: 1214
Has the user release a shock wave in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon it hits and decreasing their movement speed. As the shock wave moves forward, it negates projectile attacks from opposing Pokemon it hits. After releasing the shock wave, the user also charges and deals damage to opposing Pokemon. If this charge hits an opposing Pokemon, the user's basic attack speed is increased for a short time. When this move is boosted with Aeos energy, the shock wave's size and travel distance are increased. Also, the movement speed of opposing Pokemon hit by the shock wave is further decreased.
Sacred Sword (Lv. 5) Upgrade Lv. 11	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 8s Total Damage: First Slash: 355 (Normal), 463 (Boosted), Second Slash: 762 (Normal), 991 (Boosted) / First Slash: 662 (Normal) 863 (Boosted), Second Slash: 1437 (Normal), 1867 (Boosted)
Has the user slash around itself as if drawing a circle with the tip of its sword, dealing damage to oppsing Pokemon in the area of effect and decreasing their movement speed. The user then unleashes a slashing attack inside the circle, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon it hits and leaving them unable to act. After this move hits an opposing Pokemon, the user's Attack is increased for a short time and damage dealt by the user's moves and basic attacks partially ignores the opposing Pokemon's Defense. When this move is boosted with Aeos energy, its area of effect is increased, and the time until the slashing attack is unleashed is reduced. Upgrade: Reduces the time until the slashing attack is unleashed.

Move Slot 2 (ZR)

Quick Attack (Lv. 1 or 2)	Move Type: Dash Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 9s Total Damage: 280 / 379
Has the user charge in the designated direction, stop in place when it hits an opposing Pokemon, and deal damage to it. When this move is boosted with Aeos energy, it also leaves opposing Pokemon unable to act for a short time.
Agility (Lv. 7) Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Dash Damage Type: Status Cooldown: 9s
Removes any hindrances applied to the user and greatly increases the user's movement speed. After a short time, the movement speed increase weakens and stays that way for a set amount of time. The effect duration is increased if the user is in combat with Pokemon from the opposing team. When this move is boosted with Aeos energy, the user's movement speed is further increased, and the user is also granted a shield. Upgrade: Further increases movement speed.
Play Rough (Lv. 7) Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Dash Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 9s Total Damage: Normal: 720, Boosted: 938 / Normal: 1183, Boosted: 1542
Has the user leap in the designated direction, dealing damage to an opposing Pokemon it hits and leaving it unable to act. For a short time after the user lands, the user takes reduced damage from the opposing Pokemon it dealt damage to. When this move is boosted with Aeos energy, the user leaps further and will no longer stop in place when hitting an opposing Pokemon, and all opposing Pokemon hit along the leap's path will receive damage and be left unable to act.

Unite Moves (ZL)

Sovereign Sword (Lv. 9)

Move Type: Melee Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 111s Total Damage: Normal: 2184, Boosted: 3928 / Normal: 3189, Boosted: 5735

Has the user ready its giant sword, charge the sword with Aeos energy, and then slash in front of itself. The user becomes immune to hindrances while the Unite Move button is held down and the user is in its ready stance. The longer the user is in this stance, the more Aeos energy is charged into the sword, the more damage this move deals. If a set amount of Aeos energy or more is charged into the sword, the Unite Move becomes boosted, and the slash's area of effect increases. This boosted Unite Move deals increased damage to opposing Pokemon it hits who have been buffed by their own Unite Move. After using Sovereign Sword, the Pokemon gains the following buff(s) for a few seconds: Shield granted. Movement speed increased for a short time. Reducing move cooldowns for a short time.

Standard Attack

Standard Attack

If basic attacks are performed consecutively within a set time, the effects of the second and subsequent basic attack stages will change as described below. (When the Pokemon is using a move, this set time is extended.) Stage two: The user deals damage to opposing Pokemon and decreases their movement speed. Stage three: The user deals damage to opposing Pokemon while restoring its own HP. Stage four: The user quickly draws near an opposing Pokemon and deals damage to it. All of the user's move cooldowns are reduced.

Ability (Passive)

Intrepid Sword

Zacian If the goal scoring button is held down, the Pokemon with this Ability has its sword charged with Aeos energy, and for a short time, its basic attacks become boosted attacks. In addition, during the effect duration, the Pokemon can use a boosted version of one of its moves once. The longer the goal scoring button is held down, the more Aeos energy is charged into the sword, lengthening the duration of the boos effect on basic attacks and moves. This Ability goes on cooldown after it's triggered. Boosted basic attacks have an increased area of effect and deal additional damage proportional to the opposing Pokemon's HP. When this Pokemon knocks out or assists in knocking out a Pokemon on the opposing team, that Pokemon will drop more Aeos energy than it normally would.

Zacian Stats & Evolutions

Zacian Evolutions

Zacian This Pokemon does not evolve.

Zacian Stats

Attack Damage is the damage of the Basic Attack as tested against the Training Dummy.

Zacian In-Game Stat Listings

Offense	Endurance	Mobility	Scoring	Support

Zacian Skins (Holowear)

Holowear
Special Style Zirco Trading: 1050

All Pokemon Skins (Holowear)

Zacian Character Spotlight

Pokemon UNITE Related Guides

List of All Pokemon

All Pokemon Guides and Builds

Best Build for Each Pokemon

Pokemon Roster
Absol	Aegislash	Alolan Ninetales	Azumarill
Blastoise	Blissey	Buzzwole	Chandelure
Charizard	Cinderace	Clefable	Comfey
Cramorant	Crustle	Decidueye	Delphox
Dodrio	Dragapult	Dragonite	Duraludon
Eldegoss	Espeon	Garchomp	Gardevoir
Gengar	Glaceon	Goodra	Greedent
Greninja	Hoopa	Lapras	Leafeon
Lucario	Machamp	Mamoswine	Mew
Mr. Mime	Pikachu	Sableye	Scizor
Slowbro	Snorlax	Sylveon	Talonflame
Trevenant	Tsareena	Tyranitar	Umbreon
Urshifu	Wigglytuff	Venusaur	Zacian
Zeraora	Zoroark	-	-

Upcoming Pokemon

Upcoming Pokemon
Inteleon July 2023

Top 5 Master Rank Picks & Win Rate

Pokemon	Tier	Most Played %	Average Win %
Zacian		22%	75%
Zoroark		17%	73%
Lapras		12%	78%
Glaceon		8%	75%
Slowbro		8%	73%

Top Picked Pokemon Per Role

Attacker	All- Rounder	Supporter	Defender	Speedster
Glaceon	Zacian	Hoopa	Lapras	Zoroark

Master Rank: Top Ranked Win Rates

Pokemon by Role

All Pokemon Roles
Attackers		All-Rounders		Defenders
Speedsters			Supporters

Pokemon by Characteristics

Attack Type
Melee Pokemon	Ranged Pokemon
Physical Pokemon	Special Pokemon
Stat Rankings
HP Ranking	Defense Ranking
Sp. Def. Ranking	Basic Attack Ranking