Zamazenta is set to make its long-awaited return to raids in Pokémon GO, starting on October 4, 2024. Appearing in line with the app's Galarian Expedition event, you'll have just one week to face off with the Legendary Pokémon and capture one yourself. A hard-hitting Fighting-type Pokémon, Zamazenta is a rare encounter you don't want to miss.

Prior to the its Legendary counterpart, Zacian, were among the most limited species available to catch. The duo made their debut in Sword & Shield of Generation 8 and have since gone on to appear in Pokémon GO only during special events. This time around, you can encounter Zamazenta in 5-Star Raids. Although this is a great time to catch the powerful Fighting-type, you'll need a strong team of Pokémon and the help of of other Trainers to finish the job.

Zamazenta's Weaknesses In Pokémon GO

The Fighting-Type Legendary Is Weak To Three Types

While Zamazenta becomes a dual Fighting/Steel-type Pokémon in its secondary Crowned Shield form, it's a pure Fighting-type in its standard Hero of Many Battles form in Pokémon GO. Luckily, it resists only a fraction of the types it otherwise would in this state. This will give you a better chance to inflict big damage against the Legendary Pokémon, with its biggest weaknesses being Flying, Psychic, and Fairy-type attacks. Each of these three types will deal super-effective damage and resist Fighting-type moves in return, giving you a solid line of defense.

Of course, Zamazenta packs all the power any Legendary Pokémon would, and its Raid Battles are primed to present a challenge. This means putting your best partners forward and prioritizing your strongest moves to counter it. To beat the Raid timer, you should aim to use super-effective attacks whenever possible, a task made easier with the right movesets.

Fairy-type moves are super-effective against Fighting-type Pokémon, but Zamazenta also has access to Steel-type moves, one of just two Fairy-type weaknesses. To prevent putting your Pokémon at a disadvantage in the raids, you should avoid using Fairy-type partners and instead prioritize only moves of this type.

Best Counters For Zamazenta Raids In Pokémon GO

Flying, Psychic, And Fairy-Type Moves Are Best

Many of the best counters for Zamazenta Raid in Pokémon GO remain the same from past events. However, the app has introduced plenty of new Pokémon since the Legendary's last appearance, with viable options like Galarian Articuno set to return at the same time. In all, other Legendaries will make powerful partners in the fight against Zamazenta, with Flying and Psychic-types being the top contenders.

Tried-and-true options include Rayquaza and Mewtwo, bringing strong Flying and Psychic moves to the table. Both Dusk Mane Necrozma and Dawn Wings Necrozma will also make excellent counters in the Zamazenta raids, though obtaining these forms requires Solar and Lunar Fusion Energy in Pokémon GO.

Metagross is a solid alternative to the former if you haven't caught Necrozma yet, boasting the same dual typing and similar Psychic attacks. Apart from these Pokémon, here's a look at our other top picks to counter Zamazenta:

If you don't have the rare Mega or Shadow variations of the Pokémon listed above, their standard forms will still be great options for your team when taking on Zamazenta in Raid Battles.

Is Shiny Zamazenta Available In Pokémon GO?

The Odds Are There, But They're Slim

In a September Legendary Pokémon are exceptionally tough to catch in this form.

Even so, the event in Pokémon GO offers an incredible opportunity to catch Shiny Zamazenta. Like many other Pokémon of Legendary status, it was previously Shiny-locked when it was first introduced in the Gen 8 games. Back then, you could only obtain Sword & Shield's box Legendaries in these rare forms via a limited-time distribution event, barring you from the feat of catching one yourself. All that changes when Zamazenta arrives in Raids this week, so be sure to grab your best partner and other Trainers to prepare for October's Raid Bosses.