How to Get Zacian & Zamazenta in Pokémon GO [Crowned Forms Included]
Change your location in Pokemon GO to join remote raids and move near your friends to trade with Zacian & Zamazenta.
Zacian and Zamazenta are back in the conversation because their Crowned forms finally matter in Pokemon GO. If you are chasing Crowned Sword Zacian and Crowned Shield Zamazenta, the real answer is no longer just "win a raid." You need the right Hero form, the right move, and enough Crowned Energy.
Here is the part many players miss: after a Crowned raid, you still encounter Zacian or Zamazenta in the Hero of Many Battles form. The Crowned form comes from changing form afterward. A little annoying, but also very important.
Quick answer
How to get Crowned Sword Zacian in Pokemon GO: catch or use a Hero of Many Battles Zacian that knows Iron Head, collect 1,000 Crowned Sword Energy, then change its form into Crowned Sword Zacian. Iron Head becomes Behemoth Blade.
How to get Crowned Shield Zamazenta: catch or use a Hero of Many Battles Zamazenta that knows Iron Head, collect 1,000 Crowned Shield Energy, then change its form into Crowned Shield Zamazenta. Iron Head becomes Behemoth Bash.
Raid note: Crowned Sword Zacian and Crowned Shield Zamazenta are Tier 5 raid bosses, with both shiny forms available through the post-raid Hero form encounter.
In this article:
Zacian and Zamazenta Forms in Pokemon GO
Zacian and Zamazenta are Legendary Pokemon from the Galar region. In Pokemon GO, both have a Hero of Many Battles form and a Crowned form. The difference is more than cosmetic: the Crowned versions use signature Steel-type attacks and hit a different role in raids and Master League planning.
| Pokemon | Form | Typing in Pokemon GO | How You Usually Get It | Key Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zacian | Hero of Many Battles | Fairy | 5-Star raids, events, trade | Play Rough / Iron Head |
| Zacian | Crowned Sword Zacian | Fairy / Steel | Form change with Crowned Sword Energy | Behemoth Blade |
| Zamazenta | Hero of Many Battles | Fighting | 5-Star raids, events, trade | Close Combat / Iron Head |
| Zamazenta | Crowned Shield Zamazenta | Fighting / Steel | Form change with Crowned Shield Energy | Behemoth Bash |
Zacian does not evolve in Pokemon GO. It changes form. The same is true for Zamazenta. You are collecting energy for a form change, not feeding candy into an evolution line.
How to Get Zacian and Zamazenta in Pokemon GO
Zacian and Zamazenta are not wild spawns. You get them through limited-time raids, research rewards when Niantic offers them, or Special Trades with another trainer. For most players, raids are still the main route.
Method 1 Defeat Them in 5-Star Raids
When Zacian or Zamazenta rotates into Tier 5 raids, beat the raid boss, then use Premier Balls for the catch encounter. For 2026 planning, treat Crowned raids as energy farming first and catch attempts second. The form you catch after the raid is the Hero form, while the Crowned form comes from changing form later.
For Crowned Sword Zacian raids: bring Fire and Ground attackers. Primal Groudon, Mega Charizard Y, Shadow Heatran, Mega Blaziken, and Mega Garchomp are the cleanest names to start with.
For Crowned Shield Zamazenta raids: bring strong Fire, Fighting, and Ground attackers. Mega Lucario, Primal Groudon, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Blaziken, and Shadow Heatran all make sense.
I would raid with 4-6 prepared trainers if your group lacks maxed counters. Smaller clears can happen with ideal teams, weather, and friendship bonuses. For energy farming, I still prefer the boring reliable lobby.
Method 2 Use Event Research When Available
GO Fest and finale-style events may offer branching Special Research tied to Zacian or Zamazenta. If a current event lets you choose a Sword or Shield path, read the rewards carefully before picking. Usually, one path leans toward Crowned Sword Zacian resources, while the other leans toward Crowned Shield Zamazenta resources.
My practical take: if you care about raid damage and Master League pressure, Zacian is usually the more urgent investment. If you prefer defensive bulk and like Zamazenta, the Shield path is still perfectly reasonable. Choose the one you will actually power up.
Method 3 Trade with Friends
You can trade Zacian and Zamazenta as Legendary Pokemon, subject to Special Trade rules. That means one Special Trade per day, friendship requirements, and a high Stardust cost if the Pokemon is not registered in your Pokedex.
- You need at least Good Friends status to trade.
- Unregistered Legendary trades can cost up to 1,000,000 Stardust.
- Best Friends pay much less Stardust than new friends.
- Crowned form trade behavior can depend on Niantic's current event rules, so check in-game before planning a trade around it.
Method 4 Use LocaChange for Raid Access and Local Trading
LocaChange helps when your local area has weak raid activity or your friends are too far away for ordinary trading meetups. It lets you control your phone GPS from a computer, including Bluetooth connection, teleporting, joystick movement, route simulation, cooldown reminders, saved spots, and PoGo Search tools for raids, Pokemon, gyms, routes, and research.
The part I care about most: LocaChange works with the official Pokemon GO app instead of pushing you into a modified Pokemon GO. That can reduce modified-client exposure, though any spoofing behavior still carries account risk and needs careful cooldown discipline.


- Use Bluetooth connection to control your phone GPS from a computer while keeping the official Pokemon GO app.
- Teleport to active raid areas for Zacian and Zamazenta raid windows when your nearby gyms are quiet.
- Joystick, two-spot routes, multi-spot routes, and GPX import help movement look steadier than sudden random jumps.
- Cooldown timer, saved locations, screen mirroring, and multi-device support make repeated raid farming easier to manage.
- PoGo Search tools help you check raids, gyms, PokeStops, research, Gigantamax activity, and routes before moving.

How to Get Crowned Sword Zacian and Crowned Shield Zamazenta
This is the piece that trips people up. Beating a Crowned raid does not place a Crowned form directly in your storage. You get the Hero form encounter, then use Crowned Energy to change form after the catch.
| Crowned Form | Required Pokemon | Required Move | Energy Cost | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crowned Sword Zacian | Hero of Many Battles Zacian | Iron Head | 1,000 Crowned Sword Energy | Iron Head becomes Behemoth Blade |
| Crowned Shield Zamazenta | Hero of Many Battles Zamazenta | Iron Head | 1,000 Crowned Shield Energy | Iron Head becomes Behemoth Bash |
You earn Crowned Sword Energy from Crowned Sword Zacian raids and Crowned Shield Energy from Crowned Shield Zamazenta raids. Ticketed research or event bonuses may add extra energy, but raids are the path you can plan around whenever the bosses are live.
One more thing: check the move before changing form. If your Zacian or Zamazenta does not know Iron Head, use the correct TM route first. The form-change requirement is easy to overlook when you are focused on raid lobbies and shiny checks.
Best Raid Counters for Zacian and Zamazenta
The old generic counter lists are too messy now because Hero forms and Crowned forms have different typings. Use the form you are actually fighting.
Best Counters for Zacian Hero Form
Type: Fairy | Weak to: Steel and Poison
| Counter | Fast Move | Charged Move | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dusk Mane Necrozma | Metal Claw | Sunsteel Strike | Strong Steel pressure with excellent raid value. |
| Shadow Metagross | Bullet Punch | Meteor Mash | Reliable Steel damage if you already built one. |
| Mega Gengar | Lick | Sludge Bomb | High Poison burst, though it needs careful dodging. |
Best Counters for Crowned Sword Zacian
Type: Fairy / Steel | Weak to: Fire and Ground
| Counter | Fast Move | Charged Move | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primal Groudon | Mud Shot | Precipice Blades | The cleanest Ground attacker for this raid. |
| Mega Charizard Y | Fire Spin | Blast Burn | Excellent Fire damage and team pressure. |
| Shadow Heatran | Fire Spin | Magma Storm | Strong Fire output with useful Steel resistance. |
| Mega Blaziken | Fire Spin | Blast Burn | Fast, aggressive, and easy to understand in practice. |
| Mega Garchomp | Mud Shot | Earth Power | Ground damage with enough bulk for longer lobbies. |
Best Counters for Zamazenta Hero Form
Type: Fighting | Weak to: Flying, Psychic, and Fairy
| Counter | Fast Move | Charged Move | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Rayquaza | Air Slash | Dragon Ascent | Huge Flying-type pressure. |
| Shadow Mewtwo | Psycho Cut | Psystrike | Still one of the best Psychic raid attackers. |
| Mega Gardevoir | Confusion | Psychic | Strong Fairy/Psychic utility for Fighting bosses. |
Best Counters for Crowned Shield Zamazenta
Type: Fighting / Steel | Weak to: Fire, Fighting, and Ground
| Counter | Fast Move | Charged Move | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Lucario | Force Palm | Aura Sphere | Top Fighting pressure for this matchup. |
| Primal Groudon | Mud Shot | Precipice Blades | Ground damage with elite raid consistency. |
| Mega Charizard Y | Fire Spin | Blast Burn | Strong Fire damage into the Steel side. |
| Mega Blaziken | Fire Spin | Blast Burn | Good Fire pressure when Charizard is unavailable. |
| Shadow Heatran | Fire Spin | Magma Storm | Sturdy Fire option for repeated raids. |
Can Zacian and Zamazenta Be Shiny?
Yes. Shiny Zacian and Shiny Zamazenta are available in Pokemon GO. The Crowned Sword Zacian and Crowned Shield Zamazenta raid bosses are also shiny-available.
FAQs About Zacian and Zamazenta in Pokemon GO
1. Is Crowned Sword Zacian better than Zacian Hero Pokemon GO?
For most serious PvE and Master League planning, Crowned Sword Zacian is the bigger prize. The Fairy/Steel typing and Behemoth Blade give it a sharper role than Zacian Hero Pokemon GO, especially when you need Steel damage.
2. Is Crowned Shield Zamazenta worth getting?
Yes, especially if you like bulky Legendary Pokemon or need a strong Fighting/Steel option. Zamazenta Pokemon GO has always been more niche than Zacian, but Crowned Shield Zamazenta gives it a cleaner identity and a stronger signature move.
3. Can Zacian and Zamazenta switch between Hero and Crowned forms?
Yes, once you meet the form-change requirements. After you spend the required Crowned Energy and make sure the Pokemon knows Iron Head, you can change into the Crowned form. Check the in-game screen before spending resources because Niantic can adjust event details.
4. Can you trade Zacian and Zamazenta in Pokemon GO?
Yes. Zacian and Zamazenta count as Legendary Special Trades. You need enough Stardust, a daily Special Trade slot, and the required friendship level. For Crowned forms, confirm the current in-game trade rule before promising a friend a trade.
5. What CP should I look for after a Crowned raid?
Pokemon GO Hub lists the post-raid Hero form catch range at 2100-2188 CP at Level 20 and 2625-2735 CP at Level 25 with Cloudy weather boost. The top IV catch is 2188 CP without weather boost or 2735 CP with Cloudy boost.
Conclusion
Pokemon GO Zamazenta and Zacian are no longer just old Galar raid bosses. Their Crowned forms now give you a clear reason to raid, farm energy, and check your best Iron Head candidates before spending resources.
If I had limited time, I would prioritize Crowned Sword Zacian first, then build Crowned Shield Zamazenta if I had enough raid passes and energy. Use LocaChange to make raid access and local trade positioning easier, keep movement believable, and treat cooldowns seriously.
Get the energy. Check Iron Head. Then crown the one you will actually use.
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