Zacian (Crowned Sword) Movesets & Competitive Sets

Zacian-C is a strong Restricted Pokemon in Regulation G, thanks to its superb typing as well as great Attack and Speed stats, which allow it to remove fast metagame threats such as Miraidon, Flutter Mane, and Koraidon. Play Rough threatens Koraidon and common Steel-resistant foes like Raging Bolt, Iron Hands, and Urshifu-R. Swords Dance allows Zacian-C to boost past Incineroar's Intimidate and remain a strong threat on the field. Sacred Sword can be used over either of these to threaten a 2HKO on Pokemon Zacian-C may otherwise struggle to break through, such as Incineroar and Zamazenta-C. Tera Blast can be used in conjunction with Tera Ground to also threaten Incineroar and Zamazenta-C, as well as Tera Electric Miraidon, Tera Fire Koraidon, and Gholdengo. However, Tera Blast can't break through IronPress Zamazenta-C and requires Zacian-C to commit to Terastallizaion. The defensive EVs allow Zacian-C to survive +3 Body Press from Zamazenta-C and avoid the 2HKO from Calyrex-S's Astral Barrage, while the Attack investment provides Zacian-C with the ability to 2HKO bulky Calyrex-S with Behemoth Blade after Intimidate. The Speed EVs allow Zacian-C to outspeed 135 speed foes that have a neutral nature, such as Modest Miraidon. Zacian-C may opt for 108 Attack and 164 Speed with a Jolly nature, to outspeed Base 135s with a boosting nature, like Jolly Chien-Pao. Tera Fairy sheds Zacian-C's weaknesses to Fire- and Ground-type moves such as Chi-Yu's Heat Wave and Ursaluna-B's Earth Power and greatly boosts its damage, allowing Zacian-C to OHKO Kyogre and Terastallized Miraidon. Tera Ground grants Zacian-C incredible coverage and an immunity to Miraidon's Electric-type STAB moves. Alternatively, Tera Dragon provides Zacian-C with valuable resistances to Water-, Electric-, and Fire-type moves, allowing it to take attacks from threats like Urshifu-R, Miraidon, and Chi-Yu significantly better. Zacian-C especially struggles with Incineroar, which weakens it through Intimidate and can further cripple it with Will-O-Wisp or threaten it with Flare Blitz. Zacian-C also struggles to damage Fire- and Steel-types like Ogerpon-H, Tera Fire Calyrex-I, Gholdengo, and Zamazenta-C if not packing coverage. This makes Urshifu-R an excellent partner, as it can threaten all of Zacian-C's checks and appreciates how Zacian-C reliably removes Raging Bolt and Miraidon. Chien-Pao can use Sacred Sword to threaten Zamazenta-C and Incineroar, as well as help Zacian-C break through the above checks with Sword of Ruin. Tailwind from Pokemon like Tornadus and Whimsicott is greatly appreciated, allowing Zacian-C to maintain its Speed advantage against opposing speed control. Amooonguss can be troublesome, as it takes Zacian-C's attacks well and can slow it down with Spore. In the balance mirror matchup, the Calyrex formes can also be troublesome for Zacian-C, as they are faster in their respective forms of speed control and can output more damage than Zacian-C. Umbreon and Chi-Yu are excellent partners for this reason. Umbreon can utilize its Fake Out immunity to shut down Amoonguss and prevent Trick Room with Taunt while also doing huge damage to both Calyrex formes with Foul Play. Chi-Yu can threaten Amoonguss and the Calyrex formes with Heat Wave and Dark Pulse, respectively. The two also provide Snarl utility to further minimize the threat of Calyrex-S.

Set Details Zacian-C has a unique niche in Regulation I thanks to its blistering Speed and excellent typing, allowing Zacian-C to threaten OHKOs on metagame staples like Miraidon, Koraidon, and Grimmsnarl. Swords Dance is in Zacian-C's standard moveset, as it allows Zacian-C to boost its Attack faster than Incineroar's Intimidate would drop it and ensures Zacian-C remains a threat. Sacred Sword can be used instead to score 2HKOs on Zamazenta-C and Incineroar, which Zacian-C otherwise struggles to handle. Substitute is a good alternative, as it provides a superior matchup against Will-O-Wisp Incineroar and maintains momentum by protecting Zacian-C from being flinched by Fake Out. Thanks to Zacian-C's Speed, Substitute can also act as a secondary form of Protect and help Zacian-C scout opposing Protect and Terastallization, such as Tera Fairy Miraidon. The EV spread ensures Zacian-C survives Flare Blitz from Life Orb Koraidon and Guts-boosted Headlong Rush from Ursaluna after Terastallization, as well as surviving Volt Switch from Choice Specs Miraidon and avoiding the 2HKO from Calyrex-S's Astral Barrage. The Speed investment allows Zacian-C to outspeed base 135s like Chien-Pao, Koraidon, and Miraidon. Finally, the Attack investment picks up an OHKO on Grimmsnarl behind Reflect with a Behemoth Blade. Tera Fairy is an incredibly consistent Tera type, ​as it sheds Zacian-C's weaknesses and bolsters its damage output, achieving feats such as OHKOing maximum HP Miraidon with Play Rough at +0 Attack. Teambuilding Zacian-C especially struggles with Incineroar, as it can mitigate Zacian-C's damage output in various ways. Volcarona and Ogerpon-H are other problematic Pokemon, as they redirect and resist Zacian-C's STAB moves; Volcarona possesses the potential to permanently cripple Zacian-C with Flame Body, while Ogerpon-H threatens to OHKO with Tera Fire Ivy Cudgel. Calyrex-S is an issue, as a lot of Zacian-C's viability comes from its Speed tier, so Calyrex-S compositions will have a much easier time supporting Calyrex-S and countering Zacian-C than vice versa. Zamazenta-C is difficult for Zacian-C without Sacred Sword, as Zamazenta-C comfortably wins one-on-one. Kyogre and Urshifu-R are exceptional partners, as they blast all the Fire-types that frustrate Zacian-C. In return, Zacian-C can threaten the problematic Dragon-types like Raging Bolt, Koraidon, and Miraidon. Kyogre helps Zacian-C further by negating its weakness to Fire-type moves through setting up rain. Amoonguss and Incineroar are useful partners, as they can help Zacian-C set up safely. Incineroar can greatly aid with Calyrex-S and Ogerpon-H, pressuring them with its STAB attacks and Parting Shot. Amoonguss makes Zamazenta-C far easier to take on and can shut down Incineroar that aren't holding Safety Goggles with Spore and Rage Powder. Chien-Pao and Landorus form great offensive synergies with Zacian-C. Chien-Pao increases Zacian-C's damage output with Sword of Ruin and pressures Calyrex-S before it can move with Sucker Punch. With Sword of Ruin, Zacian-C can OHKO bulky Kyogre with Tera Fairy Play Rough and almost always 2HKOes Zamazenta-C at neutral Attack. Chien-Pao notably threatens Rillaboom and Amoonguss, meaning it also synergizes with other common Zacian-C partners. Landorus has more direct synergy, as it can threaten OHKOs on Incineroar, Zamazenta-C, and Ogerpon-H and provides a safer Miraidon endgame as a Ground-type. Both Pokemon help force pins on Miraidon and Raging Bolt, as Zacian-C can cover for Tera Fairy.

Zacian-C stands as one of the premier physical sweepers and Gods in the metagame, donating amazing stats all around while also leveraging those stats in tandem with its amazing typing to find opportunities to set up and sweep. With Intrepid Sword granting an immediate Attack boost upon entry, Zacian-C can threaten teams even before setting up. However, when it does find the opportunity to use Swords Dance, its Attack reaches devastating levels capable of shredding even the bulkiest of walls, allowing it to be a consistent threat throughout the game. Behemoth Blade serves as Zacian-C's most consistent STAB move, and Close Combat is an extremely strong Fighting-type option to break through Steel-types such as Iron Treads, Heatran, and Excadrill. Play Rough allows Zacian-C to hit Steel-resistant foes like Rotom-Wash and Zapdos. Alternatively, Wild Charge can be used to hit key targets such as Corviknight, Dondozo, and Ho-Oh for super effective damage, as well as Gholdengo for neutral damage. Tera Fighting synergizes perfectly with Close Combat, which becomes Zacian-C's most powerful move. On the other hand, Tera Fire provides an invaluable burn immunity, helping Zacian-C avoid burns from the likes of Ho-Oh and Skeledirge, while Tera Electric ensures Wild Charge can get the 2HKO on Dondozo and bulky Gholdengo. Zacian-C's key characteristic is being able to donate a sky-high 138 Speed, making it an invaluable teammate for slower but potent attackers like Iron Thorns, Urshifu-S, and Hydrapple, allowing them to outspeed key threats. Zacian-C's solid defensive stats mean it can be used on both offensive and defensive team structures, being able to donate useful bulk to offensive Pokemon like Roaring Moon and Iron Moth in the Defense slot or to defensive staples such as Dondozo in the Special Defense slot. Because Zacian-C should go in the Special Attack slot, Pokemon that still appreciate the minor increase in Attack such as Hisuian Samurott and Meowscarada or ones that don't necessarily need an Attack donation to function, like Ogerpon-W and Mandibuzz, pair well with Zacian-C. Despite its overwhelming power, Zacian-C still appreciates entry hazard support to maximize its sweeping potential. Thus, hazard setters such as Clefable, Ting-Lu, and the aforementioned Hisuian Samurott are appreciated. Also, without Wild Charge, Zacian-C can struggle against physical walls like Dondozo and Skarmory, as well as just always being walled by Skeledirge, so teammates that can beat these like Gholdengo, Darkrai, and the aforementioned Ogerpon-W are welcomed.

Zacian-C is a potent setup sweeper and wallbreaker that leverages its access to Swords Dance and high Speed tier to establish itself as one of the best physical attackers in the tier. Play Rough is a strong STAB option that hits targets like Koraidon, Miraidon, and Ting-Lu. Close Combat is used to OHKO offensive Extreme Killer Arceus while also providing a method to hit Necrozma-DM and Tera Steel or Tera Fire Pokemon like Arceus and Ho-Oh. Alternatively, Zacian-C can use Substitute, which prevents Pokemon like defensive Arceus formes from applying status effects and Ditto's Imposter from activating. Behemoth Blade is Zacian-C's strongest move against targets like Arceus-Fairy and opposing Zacian-C. Wild Charge hits Pokemon like Ho-Oh, Arceus-Water, and Kyogre, OHKOing Ho-Oh and Kyogre after a Swords Dance boost. Tera Electric boosts Wild Charge's damage output, letting Zacian-C OHKO Kyogre and giving it a chance to OHKO defensive Ho-Oh before Swords Dance. After Swords Dance, it also allows Zacian-C to OHKO defensive Arceus-Water. Tera Electric also provides Zacian-C with an immunity to paralysis. Alternatively, Tera Flying, often used with Substitute, provides Zacian-C with an immunity to Arceus-Ground's STAB moves and Glimmora's Mud Shot. Tera Fire grants Zacian-C a resistance to Koraidon's Flare Blitz and Ho-Oh's Sacred Fire as well as an immunity to burns. However, Zacian-C needs to be careful when using Tera Fire against Arceus-Water due to its super effective Judgment. Tera Fighting boosts the power of Close Combat, allowing Zacian-C to OHKO Arceus without Swords Dance and deal significant damage to Bulk Up Tera Fire Arceus and Necrozma-DM. Zacian-C needs to be careful when Terastallizing, as priority users like Arceus and Kingambit find it far easier to revenge kill Zacian-C with Extreme Speed and Sucker Punch, respectively. Zacian-C's EV spread allows it to outspeed Koraidon and Miraidon while giving it a good chance to tank Calyrex-S's Astral Barrage at +1. Zacian-C usually fits on hyper offense and offense teams, where its strong breaking potential and high Speed tier allow it to create holes in opposing teams' defensive structures for other Pokemon to exploit. Zacian-C shares checks such as Ho-Oh, defensive Arceus formes, and Landorus-T with the likes of Kingambit, Arceus, Koraidon, and Dragon Dance Arceus-Ground. Their powerful offenses help overwhelm their shared checks and leave them at low HP, creating openings for other Pokemon to sweep. Furthermore, Zacian-C's Fairy typing grants it an immunity to Koraidon's Scale Shot, allowing it to switch in and prevent a Speed boost that may otherwise cause issues for the hyper offense teams it is used on. Zacian-C's Steel typing grants it a resistance to Arceus's Extreme Speed and Choice Scarf Koraidon's Outrage. However, it is still vulnerable to Koraidon's Flare Blitz. Thus, when paired with Ribombee's Sticky Web or Glimmora, whose Toxic Debris and Rock typing discourage Koraidon from using Flare Blitz, Zacian-C becomes very difficult to revenge kill. Calyrex-S outspeeds and threatens to KO Zacian-C after chip damage. Teammates like Arceus and Kingambit help circumvent this weakness through their defensive typing and bulk, which allow them to mitigate Calyrex-S's damage. Pokemon like Scale Shot Koraidon can also weaken Zacian-C's checks such as Ho-Oh, Arceus-Water, and Landorus-T, allowing Zacian-C to break through these walls much more easily. Ting-Lu is also an excellent partner for Zacian-C on structures apart from hyper offense, as its great special bulk and typing allow it to switch in against Calyrex-S and its entry hazards help chip down Zacian-C's checks. Grimmsnarl is also frequently used alongside Zacian-C, as its screens support helps Zacian-C set up with Swords Dance.

Zacian-C is one of the most dangerous physical threats and a source of immense offensive role compression, as it is able to serve as a cleaner, speed control, and a sweeper. Additionally, after a Swords Dance boost, it can break through some of its sturdier defensive checks such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh after even minor chip damage. Zacian-C's defensive typing provides it with a resistance to priority from Chien-Pao, Yveltal, and Extreme Killer Arceus, which is also greatly appreciated by the hyper offensive structures on which it is a staple. Zacian-C does have a place on balance and bulky offense structures, but its flaws such as a poor stall matchup, Tera reliance, and the lack of power after switching out render it merely good as opposed to a near auto include. Behemoth Blade is Zacian-C's preferred STAB option due to its higher damage, solid neutral coverage, and ability to improve its matchup agaisnt opposing Zacian-C, albeit at the cost of struggling against Ditto. It also benefits from Tera Fairy being common on Pokémon such as support Arceus formes, Eternatus, and Coil Zygarde. Play Rough fits on teams weak to specific Pokemon such as Marshadow and Yveltal and enables Zacian-C to cleave through Dragon-types such as Rayquaza, Mega Salamence, and Zygarde, but it does suffer from accuracy issues. It synergizes best with Tera Blast Ground, as Zacian-C will otherwise be walled by Tera Poison Arceus formes, and the combination of moves hits nearly the entire metagame neutrally. Wild Charge is Zacian-C's best coverage option for Ho-Oh. +1 Wild Charge also comes with the benefit of OHKOing wallbreaker Primal Kyogre and specially offensive Yveltal after one round of Life Orb chip damage. Close Combat provides Zacian-C with solid neutral coverage against Primal Groudon and Necrozma-DM, hits Extreme Killer Arceus and Arceus-Dark super effectively, and is a solid option on any playstyle. Tera Blast Ground is also an option on hyper offense structures to plow through defensive Primal Groudon and Dragon Dance Necrozma-DM but is far more committal in both the teambuilder and in game. Zacian-C's Tera type depends on its coverage option in its last moveslot. Tera Fighting Close Combat is Zacian-C’s strongest move and gives it the slight damage boost it needs to OHKO Extreme Killer Arceus without a Swords Dance boost as well as defensive Primal Groudon after Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes. Alternatively, Tera Blast Ground Zacian-C is capable of ending games on the spot against some structures but is less consistent. Zacian-C rarely has an early-game presence, as it is often reliant on the initial boost from Intrepid Sword to properly wallbreak or clean. Consequently, it must make its initial entry point count; for example, against hyper offense structures, Zacian-C finds entry points to revenge kill Extreme Killer Arceus and Primal Kyogre, while Calm Mind Arceus-Dark and Arceus-Fairy provide safe entry against balance and bulky offense structures. It can also be used aggressively with Tera to set up Swords Dance against attacks that would otherwise OHKO it such as Primal Groudon's Overheat or Zygarde's Thousand Arrows. Zacian-C's efficacy progressively decreases against bulkier teams; even bulky offense structures usually have the means to check it defensively with Primal Groudon and a Ground-immune check such as Ho-Oh or Giratina-O. Accordingly, Zacian-C is readily forced out, sacrificing its Attack boost. Zacian-C’s worst matchup is against stall; despite Giratina and Eternatus being unable to damage it, Dondozo walls it, and Zacian-C is reliant on a teammate to pressure it to use Tera Fairy so it can make progress with Behemoth Blade. Zacian-C is a staple, if not near mandatory, on every hyper offensive archetype due to its high Speed to allow it to clean and the role compression that it provides offensively and defensively. It can prevent Extreme Killer Arceus from sweeping and resists Yveltal's STAB moves; however, it must be cautious of the niche Tera Fire Heat Wave. Due to limited defensive counterplay, Zacian-C draws in Pokemon such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh to wear them down for teammates such as Meteor Beam Eternatus and wallbreaker Primal Kyogre to continue the onslaught or vice versa. On Sticky Web structures, Chi-Yu is an excellent teammate because it helps maintain Sticky Web with a speedy Taunt, breaks past Zacian-C's checks such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh with Black Hole Eclipse, and is a potent stallbreaker. In return, Zacian-C alleviates Chi-Yu's issues with offense, notably its susceptibility to Extreme Killer Arceus. Ultra Necrozma fills a similar role to Chi-Yu on entry hazard stack structures. It appreciates Zacian-C breaking through Arceus-Dark and Yveltal, which would otherwise check it with ease, as well as revenge killing Extreme Killer Arceus, Marshadow, and specially offensive Yveltal. Furthermore, Pokemon such as Ho-Oh, Arceus-Fairy, and Eternatus sometimes opt for Tera Dark to check Ultra Necrozma, but in doing so, they become particularly vulnerable to Zacian-C. In return, boosted Ultra Necrozma notably plows through Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, and Coil Zygarde for Zacian-C. However, both Pokemon struggle with the stall matchup, so some additional help is appreciated such as wallbreaker Primal Kyogre and Meteor Beam Eternatus. Zacian-C is still a solid Pokemon outside of hyper offense structures, but its flaws become more apparent both in the teambuilder and in battle. For example, despite a great defensive typing, Zacian-C often struggles to find safe switch-in opportunities outside of Calm Mind Arceus formes and specially offensive Yveltal. Moreover, Zacian-C's efficacy as an offensive check to common Pokemon on Sticky Web structures such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Chi-Yu, and Primal Kyogre is nullified until the hazard is removed. Offensive Ho-Oh is an excellent partner on bulky offense structures, as its defensive profile enables Zacian-C to more precisely pick and choose its entry points. Ho-Oh's longevity and offensive pressure is appreciated against stall and bulkier structures that easily check Zacian-C. In return, Zacian-C checks offensive Pokemon capable of brute forcing past Ho-Oh such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Meteor Beam Eternatus, and wallbreaker Primal Kyogre. Furthermore, Primal Groudon is a common switch-in to Ho-Oh, so if it takes any attack or Toxic, it struggles to reliably check Zacian-C. Defensive Primal Kyogre is also an excellent teammate due its stellar matchup against stall and pressuring Zacian-C's defensive checks such as Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, and Coil Zygarde.

Zacian-C's stratospheric Attack stat and resistance to Extreme Speed make it a great choice for sweeping late-game. Behemoth Blade: Behemoth Blade's reliability is worth it, even if the coverage isn't that useful. Play Rough: Play Rough is an excellent secondary STAB attack for stabbing Dragon-types like Miraidon and Koraidon, as well as dealing huge damage to Ting-Lu. Quick Attack: Quick Attack may seem weak, but picking off weakened foes, especially Focus Sash users like Chien-Pao and Ursaluna-B, is extremely valuable. Close Combat: Close Combat helps with revenge killing Arceus, having an 87.5% shot of OHKOing it after Stealth Rock damage. Swords Dance: While Zacian-C must sacrifice some coverage to set up, it becomes nearly impossible for opposing teams to wall outside of using Dondozo or Skeledirge, and doing this lessens the risk of wasting the one-time Attack boost from Intrepid Sword. Other Options Wild Charge: Wild Charge does decent chip damage to Dondozo, Zacian-C's archnemesis, especially with Tera Electric. The recoil can be worrying, though. Tera Types Tera Dependency - Medium: Zacian-C has an amazing typing offensively and defensively, but it is vulnerable to Choice Scarf revenge killers such as Koraidon, Chi-Yu, and Miraidon, making Terastallization a good chance to flip the situation on its head. Water: Tera Water is a good shield against revenge killers that use Fire-type attacks, and it allows Tera Blast to do good damage to defensive foes that Zacian-C dislikes, such as Skeledirge and Hippowdon. Ground: Tera Ground protects Zacian-C from Choice Scarf Miraidon's Electro Drift, as well as providing an awesome Tera Blast against Archaludon and Skeledirge. Electric: Tera Electric gives Zacian-C the best chance of dealing serious damage to Dondozo. It won't usually 2HKO Dondozo with Tera Blast or Wild Charge, but the Tera type can be invaluable later in the game when it's cleaning up. Stellar: If Zacian-C is using four attacks, Tera Stellar's one-time boost to any attack can come in handy, though it doesn't help much against revenge killers. Normal: Tera Normal makes sense with Quick Attack, letting Zacian-C not only pick off weakened foes more easily but also block Calyrex-S's Astral Barrage.

Zacian-C's blistering Speed makes it royalty among late-game sweepers, as it's especially difficult to revenge kill if it gets a Speed boost. Behemoth Blade: Behemoth Blade is Zacian-C's most reliable STAB attack, making it the best choice for cleaning. Play Rough: Play Rough is perfect for slicing through Dragon-types like Koraidon and Miraidon. Swords Dance: Swords Dance lessens the punishment of wasting the Attack boost from Intrepid Sword by switching out, though the coverage loss can be irritating. Close Combat: Close Combat scores an OHKO most of the time on maximum HP Arceus after Stealth Rock damage when Zacian-C is using a Jolly nature. Other Options Wild Charge: If Zacian-C is using Tera Electric, Wild Charge can deal over 50% to Dondozo, making the move Zacian-C's best shot at cutting through it. This will likely cause a lot of recoil damage, though, so Tera Blast Electric is still an option to consider. Tera Types Tera Dependency - Medium: Zacian-C has a fantastic typing, but it's a common target of bulky threats that can use Terastallization to win, such as Koraidon and Miraidon, so counter-Terastallization is still useful. Water: Tera Water saves Zacian-C from getting roasted by Koraidon's Flare Blitz and lets it deal good damage to Skeledirge and Hippowdon with Tera Blast. Ground: Tera Ground is an effective response to Miraidon's Electro Drift and offers great coverage against foes like Archaludon and Tera Fire Koraidon with Tera Blast. Electric: Tera Electric's defensive benefit against Miraidon is useful, but its main purpose is letting Zacian-C do huge damage to Dondozo, which otherwise is extremely difficult to break through. Alternate EV Spreads 220 HP / 252 Atk / 36 Spe with Adamant: This bulkier spread enables Zacian-C to take advantage of its excellent typing while still outspeeding Adamant Arceus and Sneasler. The extra power also ensures Close Combat OHKOes maximum HP Arceus after Stealth Rock damage.