Zacian - Crowned Sword
Attack
Defense
Stamina
Dynamax
Adventure Effect
5,000Stardust
Best Movesets
Analysis
Behold the Crowned Sword in all of its glory. This absolute monster of a Pokemon spent several years as the projected grand monarch of Steel Types, but eventually those projections fell off a bit due to power-creep. However, Crowned Sword Zacian has pulled through with the absolutely fantastic Behemoth Blade, allowing it to take its rightful place.
This is a must-have Pokemon. While Steel doesn't have the best coverage in terms of Super Effective damage, the raw power on display here makes it absolutely worthwhile, especially given the currently datamined information that its Adventure Effect boosts the team's Attack.
So does Zacian reign supreme atop its Steel Type throne? Well, yes and no.
Zamazenta - Crowned Shield was given a move that actually surpasses Behemoth Blade: Behemoth Bash. While Zacian still stands atop the DPS throne, Zamazenta is very much competitive due to its huge TDO at a relatively small DPS cost. STILL, don't miss Zacian - Crowned Sword's raw power!
Offense
- The raw glory of Metal Claw and Behemoth Blade is the way to go with Zacian - Crowned Sword. This is the moveset that makes it one of the true apex Pokemon of Pokemon Go.
- Pairing Play Rough with Metal Claw or Air Slash (depending on which move is better in a given matchup) can be paired with Play Rough for good Fairy Type damage.
- Close Combat and Giga Impact fall behind.
NOTE: Behemoth Blade cannot be TMed away.
Metal Claw is a fairly average Fast Move in PvP, but its key to victory here is its STAB boost and above-average energy generation. Behemoth Blade has relatively low energy cost and absurd raw power, making it a no-brainer for absolutely tearing the opposition apart. Add to that Close Combat for some fast and powerful Fighting Type nuclear damage and Zacian can inflict VERY, VERY heavy damage in short order.
Air Slash is an objectively weaker Fast Move option when compared to Metal Claw. Play Rough can have a bit of utility, but it's comparatively weak and leaves Zacian walled out by many opposing Steel Types. Giga Impact is a bit underwhelming overall.
Zacian is too glorious for the Great League.
Zacian - Crowned Sword has the semi-unique advantage of acting as a Dynamax Pokemon without being able to actually Dynamax. In this role, it can drop some tremendous damage with its Max Move-analogous version of Behemoth Blade to this surprisingly high bulk and one of the best overall typings in the game defensively speaking, and you've got a Pokemon with a ton of utility and power!
Note that Zacian does not benefit from Eternatus's Dynamax Cannon Adventure Effect, so it may underperform if you're specifically looking for the absolute strongest options to take down certain incredibly tough Max Battles.
Offensive
Defensive
Metal Claw is a 0.5 second Fast Move, meaning it powers up Max Moves at max speed. Pair it with Behemoth Blade and Zacian can absolutely wreck Max Raids with ease.
