How to Get Zacian & Zamazenta in Pokémon GO [Crowned Forms Included]
Change your location in Pokémon GO to join remote raids and move near your friends to trade with Zacian & Zamazenta.

Zacian and Zamazenta are two powerful legendary Pokémon from the Galar region. In Pokémon GO, both of them have become popular due to their strong stats and striking designs. Whether you’re looking for your first catch or chasing their elusive crowned forms, now’s your best chance to add these powerful Pokémon to your team.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to get Zacian and Zamazenta in Pokémon GO, including their Crowned Forms, the best raid counters to defeat them. Let’s get started!
In this article:
What Are Zacian & Zamazenta in Pokémon GO?
Zacian and Zamazenta are powerful Legendary Pokémon from the Galar region, first appearing in Pokémon Sword and Shield on the Nintendo Switch. Known as warrior kings, they symbolize balance in the Galarian storyline.
In Pokémon GO, both were first released in August 2021, and each has two distinct forms:

The Crowned Sword and Shield forms are stronger, offering unique type advantages. Niantic has officially announced that these crowned forms will make their debut during GO Fest 2025. Don’t miss this limited-time opportunity to catch them!
How to Get Zacian & Zamazenta in Pokémon GO?
Zacian and Zamazenta cannot be found in the wild. Here are the best methods to get Zacian & Zamazenta in Pokémon GO:
Method 1 Defeat Them in 5-Star Raid Battles
Zacian and Zamazenta appear as 5-star raid bosses during special events. Here's how to catch them:
1. Join a 5-Star Raid using a Raid Pass or Remote Raid Pass.
2. Team up with other Trainers: These challenging raids typically require 4~6 high-level players to defeat.
3. Attempt the catch using Premier Balls after defeating them.
Note: At GO Fest 2025, Niantic has confirmed that Zacian and Zamazenta will take turns appearing in 5-Star Raids on Saturdays and Sundays.
Method 2 Complete GO Fest 2025 Special Research
If you buy a GO Fest 2025 ticket, you’ll unlock exclusive Special Research. This research offers branching paths, allowing you to choose between the Sword Path (Zacian) or Shield Path (Zamazenta). It’s worth mentioning that ticket-holding trainers can also obtain Volcanion by completing Special Research.
Based on previous events, we anticipate the Special Research may include tasks such as:
- Defeating Team GO Rocket Leaders
- Catching specific Pokémon types
- Completing raid battles
- Evolving certain Pokémon
Once completed, you'll receive a guaranteed encounter with either Zacian or Zamazenta, depending on your chosen path.
1. This Special Research is exclusive to ticket holders.
2. The branching path choice is permanent, please choose carefully!
Method 3 Trade with Friends
Missed the event? Don’t worry! You can still get Zacian or Zamazenta through trading. Both are Legendary Pokémon, so trading them has some restrictions:
- You must be at least Good Friends to trade.
- Special trades like these are limited to one per day.
- The trade can cost up to 1,000,000 Stardust if the Pokémon is not already in your Pokédex.
- The cost reduces with a higher friendship level (Best Friends get the lowest cost).
Method 4 Use Pokémon GO Spoofer
The final method is to use the Pokémon GO Spoofer LocaChange, which allows you to change your location to anywhere to join 5-Star Raids without a Remote Raid Pass. You can also move near your friends to trade with Zacian & Zamazenta.
How to get Zacian Crowned Sword & Zamazenta Crowned Shield?
Method 1 Transform into Crowned Forms During GO Fest 2025
Niantic’s official GO Fest 2025 announcement has revealed a crucial detail:
“Crowned Sword Zacian and Crowned Shield Zamazenta will revert to their Hero of Many Battles forms when encountered after raids.”
This means:
You will first catch Zacian and Zamazenta in their Hero Forms via 5-star raids.
To obtain their Crowned Forms, you’ll need special transformation items.
According to trusted Pokémon GO dataminers and Reddit, the transformation will likely require exclusive items:
- Crowned Sword Energy (for Zacian)
- Crowned Shield Energy (for Zamazenta)
These items may be obtained by completing raids.
Niantic has not yet officially confirmed the full mechanics. Please stay tuned for updates closer to the event.
Method 2 Trade for Crowned Forms
After GO Fest 2025, you may be able to trade Crowned Zacian and Zamazenta with friends, similar to their base forms. However, keep in mind:
- These are Special Trades, limited to one per day.
- If the Crowned Form is not in your Pokédex, it may cost up to 1,000,000 Stardust.
- You may need to wait for Niantic to enable trade eligibility, as new forms are sometimes temporarily locked.
Best Raid Counters for Zacian & Zamazenta [All Forms]
Zacian and Zamazenta present unique challenges in raid battles, with their powerful stats and dual-type variations. Whether you're facing their standard Hero of Many Battles forms or their Crowned Sword/Shield variants, having the right raid counters makes all the difference battles.
Best Counters for Zacian (Hero of Many Battles)
Fairy-type
Weak to: Steel and Poison/Resists: Dragon, Bug, Dark, Fighting
Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Metagross | Bullet Punch | Meteor Mash |
Nihilego | Poison Jab | Sludge Bomb |
Roserade | Poison Jab | Sludge Bomb |
Gengar | Lick | Sludge Bomb |
Dialga (Origin) | Metal Claw | Iron Head |
Best Counters for Zacian (Crowned Sword)
Fairy/Steel-type
Weak to: Ground/Double resists: Dragon, Poison
Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Excadrill | Mud-Slap | Earthquake |
Groudon (Primal) | Mud Shot | Precipice Blades |
Garchomp | Mud Shot | Earth Power |
Rhyperior | Mud Slap | Earthquake |
Landorus (Therian) | Mud Shot | Earth Power |
Best Counters for Zamazenta (Hero of Many Battles)
Fighting-type
Weak to: Flying, Psychic, Fairy/Resists: Bug, Rock, Dark
Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Mewtwo | Psycho Cut | Psystrike |
Lugia | Extrasensory | Aeroblast |
Moltres | Wing Attack | Sky Attack |
Hoopa (Unbound) | Confusion | Psychic |
Alakazam | Confusion | Psychic |
Best Counters for Zamazenta (Crowned Shield)
Fighting/Steel-type
Weak to: Fire, Fighting, Ground/Double resists: Bug, Dragon
Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Reshiram | Fire Fang | Overheat |
Chandelure | Fire Fang | Overheat |
Heatran | Fire Spin | Flamethrower |
Blaziken (Mega) | Fire Spin | Blast Burn |
Lucario | Counter | Aura Sphere |
Can Zacian & Zamazenta Be Shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes! Shiny Zacian and Shiny Zamazenta are available in Pokémon GO, but only in their Hero of Many Battles forms.
As of now, Shiny Crowned Zacian and Zamazenta have not been released. During GO Fest 2025, after defeating them in 5-star raids, you’ll have a chance to encounter a Shiny version of their Hero Forms. The estimated shiny rate is around 1 in 20.
To maximize your chances of getting a Shiny Zacian or Zamazenta, be sure to participate in as many 5-star raids as possible throughout the event.
More FAQs About Zacian & Zamazenta in Pokémon GO
1. Are Zacian & Zamazenta Good for PvP and PvE?
Absolutely!
- Zacian (Hero Form) is a top-tier Fairy-type for Master League PvP due to its wide coverage and bulk.
- Zacian (Crowned Sword) adds Steel typing, improving resistances and giving it a strong presence in PvE raids.
- Zamazenta (Hero Form) is a niche Fighting-type pick, decent for raids and Great League formats.
- Zamazenta (Crowned Shield) is expected to become a PvP tank, potentially rivaling Registeel in defense.
2. Will Zacian & Zamazenta Return After GO Fest?
As for their return after GO Fest 2025, it is highly likely. Niantic often cycles Legendary Pokémon back into raids or special events later in the year. However, the Crowned Forms may remain exclusive for a while, making GO Fest 2025 a rare opportunity.
3. Can You Trade Zacian & Zamazenta in Pokémon GO?
Yes, Zacian and Zamazenta can be traded in Pokémon GO, but like all Legendary Pokémon, they are considered Special Trades. This means you can only trade one per day, and it may cost up to 1,000,000 Stardust if you haven’t registered them in your Pokédex yet. Trading the Crowned Forms (if allowed) will likely follow the same rules.
4. Can Zacian & Zamazenta switch between Hero and Crowned?
No. Currently, you cannot freely switch between Hero and Crowned forms. Based on early leaks and in-game data, players will need specific items like Crowned Sword Energy or Crowned Shield Energy to transform Zacian and Zamazenta from their Hero forms into their Crowned forms. This mechanic is expected to debut during GO Fest 2025, so stay tuned for more official updates.
Conclusion
In this guide, we’ve covered everything you need to know about how to get Zacian and Zamazenta in Pokémon GO, including how to unlock their powerful Crowned Sword and Crowned Shield forms, the best raid counters. These Galarian legends won’t be around forever, so be ready to raid, trade, and evolve while you can.
If you want to explore raids globally or access location-based events more easily, consider using a trusted Pokémon GO spoofer LocaChange. With smart features like the built-in Cooldown Timer, auto-catcher, and more, LocaChange helps you participate in every opportunity without risking a soft ban.
Get ready, Trainers - Zacian and Zamazenta await!
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