Pokemon Unite Zacian Guide and Build

In this Pokemon Unite Guide, we take a closer look at the All-Rounder Pokemon, Zacian, checking out his moveset and recommending some of the best builds for him. Zacian joined the Pokemon franchise in Gen 8 and is known as the Legendary Pokemon you face at the end of the Pokemon Shield game.

Unsurprisingly, as a Legendary Pokemon from the franchise, Zacian is a hugely popular pick in Pokemon Unite, and with good reason. This guide will let you in on a few tricks you can pull with Zacian, as well as which builds to run, to maximize your win rate with this Pokemon. Stick around and find out if Zacian is the character for you!

Is Zacian Good in Pokemon Unite?

Because of his passive skill, Intrepid Sword, which requires Zacian to use 10 Aeos Energy in order to fill his gauge and unleash an enhanced attack on his enemies, Zacian substantially benefits from stockpiling Aeos Energy. In the early stages of the game, play aggressively and with Slash and Quick Attack to gain massive quantities of Aeos Energy and control the goal zones of your opponents.

This ability to gather large quantities of Aeos Energy right from the start, and to use it to inflict increased attack damage with the Intrepid Sword, makes Zacian a real challenge to battle against. Indeed, opponents really struggle to push him back due to moves that allow him to maintain ground by consistently dealing out damage. Taking the orang buff from one of the camps will make him even tougher.

When Zacian reaches level 7, he will have the choice to learn either Agility or Play Rough. Although each move is excellent on its own, they both have unique characteristics which will suit different playstyles.

Although Intrepid Sword’s increased attack effect does make Zacian a beast, it does also leave him very susceptible to Pokemon with potent hindering moves. As such, keep a safe distance away from Pokemon that can stun and burst Zacian. While facing off against other All-Rounders, make sure you have at least one Supporter Pokemon or a Defender Pokemon with a hard disable to help you.

Pokemon Unite Zacian Best Build

Zacian’s passive ability is Intrepid Sword which allows him to charge his sword with collected Aeos Energy. This temporarily transforms basic attacks into charged attacks for extra damage. An upgraded version of one of Zacian’s moves can also be used once during this period. At least 5 Aeos Energy are needed to charge.

To help with this, if Zacian defeats an enemy, he will also cause them to drop 5 Aeos Energy more than normal. This effect is also activated when he assists making a huge difference if you are involved in any big team fights.

When basic attacks are performed consecutively within 2s of each other, additional effects are applied depending on the stage of the consecutive attack. If a Move is used, the time to perform the next consecutive attack is extended. These consecutive attacks go through 4 stages, each stage increasing basic attack damage, with slow at stage 2, self-heal at stage 3, and a dash toward the target at stage 4.

The first move Zacian gains is Slash. When used, this slashes at the target Pokemon, dealing slight damage to adjacent Pokemon in the process. When this move receives an Aeos Energy boost, its area of impact is expanded, it causes more damage, and the affected Pokémon are additionally slowed.

Move 1 Upgrade Options

The first upgrade option for move 1 is Metal Claw. This sends out a shock wave in the chosen direction that damages enemies and slows them down. Projectiles from Pokemon that are not allies are canceled as they hit the shock wave.

After the shock wave, Zacian charges and harms nearby Pokemon. Zacian’s attack speed is increased if the charge makes contact. The magnitude and range of the shock wave, as well as the potency of the slow, all increase when this move is given an Aeos Energy boost.

The other upgrade option for move 1 is Sacred Sword. This move attacks in a circle, damaging foes and slowing them. Zacian temporarily gains invincibility during this move and lessens the damage received. The user then launches a slicing attack inside the circle, damaging any enemy Pokemon it strikes and immobilizing them.

Afterward, the user’s Attack increases, and damage from moves and basic attacks ignore 15% of that Pokemon’s Defense. This move’s area of effect and slashing attack speed, are both improved when it receives an Aeos Energy boost.

Both moves are powerful, but Sacred Sword goes beyond being just “powerful.” Indeed, its ability to damage, take map control, perform crowd control, and distribute buffs and debuffs make for a serious package that few moves in the game can match, so you probably should pick it over Metal Claw.

Move 2 Upgrade Options

Moving on, we have the second move which is Quick Attack. When used, Zacian charges, stopping at the first Pokemon it meets to deal damage to it. When this move is strengthened by Aeos Energy, it also leaves enemy Pokemon stunned.

The first upgrade option for move 2 is Agility. This removes all restrictions placed on the Pokemon and quickens their mobility. Each strike adds one second to the haste duration. The user receives a shield when this move is enhanced by Aeos Energy.

Play Rough is the second upgrade option for Quick Attack. This allows Zacian to leap in the chosen direction and stops at the first Pokemon it hits. The Pokemon that it strikes takes damage and becomes stunned. Zacian then lands close to the Pokemon and damages and stuns any adjacent enemies.

After landing, Zacian’s damage taken is reduced. When charged with Aeos Energy, Zacian jumps further and sweeps through every Pokemon it strikes in its path instead of just the first one.

Agility is sadly MUCH better than Play Rough. The mobility and possible shield make Zacian a scary enemy up close, especially for pokemon with aimed abilities which Zacian can easily run away from and go back in for another attack while still moving extremely fast.

Zacian’s Unite Move

Zacian gains Sovereign Sword at level 9. When used, the user prepares its massive sword, fills it with Aeos Energy, and then slashes it in front of himself. The more Aeos Energy that is charged into the blade throughout this stance’s duration, the more damage this technique causes.

Zacian’s Best Skill Loadout

The best Zacian loadout is pairing Sacred Sword with Agility. This loadout offers the best damage output Zacian can achieve. This also allows Zacian some great mobility that he can use to outmaneuver his opponents.

Best Held Items for Zacian in Pokemon Unite

A combination of Attack Weight and Focus Band is a great way to elevate Zacian’s already respectable damage and survivability to capitalize on this damage before being shut down. Zacian can actually only use two items since one slot is always taken by Rusted Sword which doesn’t give the Pokemon any stats. Check out our Pokemon Unite Item Guide for more details on the best held items to use.

Best Battle Items for Zacian in Pokemon Unite

The best option for Zacian’s battle item in Pokemon Unite is the Eject Button. This allows Zacian to quickly reposition for a better Sovereign Sword or to get out of a sticky situation. Check out our Pokemon Unite Item Guide for more details on the best battle items to use.

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