Pokémon GO: Best Strategies for Facing the Zamazenta Raid

It has been announced that Zamazenta will return to five-star raid battles in Pokemon Go for a limited time shortly. Along with the return of Pokemon Go’s Pokemon World Championship event comes the long-awaited reappearance of one of the game’s legendary Pokemon. Since its and Zacian’s initial launch a year ago, Zamazenta hasn’t been seen in raids in Pokemon Go, so new players and gamers who may have taken a hiatus are likely eager to take on the Warrior Pokemon and collect it. Those who have served their country can also win Candy and Candy XL to supplement their existing supplies.

• When the Zamazenta Raids Will Occur

Starting at 10 AM local time on August 18, Zamazenta will join its “sibling” Zacian as a five-star raid boss. It will continue in five-star raids until August 31 at the same time. During this time, Zamazenta raids will arise in Gyms all over the world at random; however, you will receive a notification in-game if a raid is about to commence in your area.

Throughout the Raid Hours in which Zamazenta is the featured raid, you have the best chance of finding a raid. Most Gyms hold five-star raids each Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m. local time for Trainers to cooperate and take down. During Zamazenta’s time in raids, there are two raid hours; however, only the second one on August 31 will feature Zamazenta.  To participate in a raid, you’ll need either the free Daily Raid Pass, a Premium Battle Pass, or a Remote Raid Pass.

• Where Might I Find a Shiny Zamazenta?

Even though this is the second time Zamazenta has been featured in five-star raids in Pokemon Go, its shiny form is still unavailable. Some Trainers may choose to wait for its flashy debut in the future, but in the meantime, this is a perfect chance to catch and power up as many Zamazenta as possible by collecting Candy and Candy XL.

• Challenges posed by Zamazenta and Possible Solutions

Zamazenta is a Fighting-type Pokemon. This leaves it vulnerable to attacks of the Psychic, Flying, and Fairy varieties. Some recommended Pokemon include: Mewtwo, Mega Latios, Hoopa, Unbound, and Alakazam are all psychic Pokémon.

Pokemon that can fly: Mega Pidgeot, Moltres, Honchkrow, Staraptor Pokémon that can fly fair: Gardevoir, Togekiss, Sylveon

All Pokemon in the raid gain 10% in attack power from a Mega Evolved Pokemon, and all Pokemon whose attacks share a type with the Mega Evolved Pokemon gain 30% in attack power. Make sure your raid group is in sync with your Megas for maximum damage. Keep in mind that Mega Altaria improves your team’s Fairy-type attacks but doesn’t do much damage itself due to its defensive numbers and absence of a Fairy-type fast move.

Shadow Pokemon do 20% more damage than its non-shadow counterparts, therefore using the shadow forms of any of the listed Pokemon that have them can help you win.

Types to Watch Out For Zamazenta’s Fighting-type strikes, like as Close Combat, will deliver super-effective blows to Dark, Steel, Rock, Ice, and Normal-type Pokemon, and other techniques, such as Crunch, will provide it covering against the Psychic types that are generally strong against it. Fighting-type Pokemon, such as Zamazenta, are immune to the effects of the Dark, Bug, and Rock types. Keep your distance from Pokemon with these traits.

• Usefulness

After adding Zamazenta to your Pokédex, should you go on a raid to catch it? Due to its lack of a Fighting-type quick move, Zamazenta is generally outpaced as a raid attacker by other Fighting-type Pokemon such as Machamp and Lucario, which can consistently deal greater Fighting-type damage. There is another form of Zamazenta called the Crowned Shield form, and it will most likely be introduced to Pokemon Go at some time. This evolution has greater raw numbers, a secondary Steel type, and possibly a more raid-friendly set of moves. Zamazenta isn’t seen often enough at low enough CP to be playable in Great League, and it doesn’t do so hot in Ultra League, but it finds a home in specialized decks in Master League. While not strictly necessary, having a Snarfler can be helpful due to the confusion it can cause with its array of charged moves and large energy creation from Snarl.