Pokémon Go: Hero of Many Battles Zamazenta Raid guide

As the Season of Go continues, Zamazenta is returning to Legendary raids in Pokémon Go. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat it and add this Legendary Pokémon to your roster! And be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go Accessories, so you can be fully equipped for your Pokémon Journey!

Who is Zamazenta in Pokémon Go?

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Shield, Zamazenta is part of a pair of Legendary Pokémon, the Hero Duo. These two are the protectors of the Galar region who battled against Eternatus. The Warrior Pokémon, Zamazenta is is the mascot of Pokémon Shield and the younger of the duo. Both have two forms: Hero of Many Battles, and Crowned Sword or Crowned Shield. In their Hero of Many Battles forms, Zamazenta is a pure Fighting type and Zacian is a pure Fighting type. Their Crowned forms add a secondary Steel typing.

In terms of Pokémon Go, we'll just be facing the Hero of Many Battles form for now. This forme of Zamazenta is just not built for Pokémon Go, but the Crowned Shield forme is expected to be more useful when introduced. As forme changing tends to be expensive, you may want to spend time on this raid to stock up on candy.

Mega Evolution strategies for Zamazenta in Pokémon Go? 

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Zamazenta, focusing on each of its weaknesses: Flying, Psychic, and Fairy. 

If at all possible, Mega Latios is the best Mega Pokémon to bring to this raid. He's a Psychic and Dragon type, so Ice, Fairy, and Dark type moves will all hit for super effective damage, but he resists Fighting type damage, while providing a same type Mega Boost to other Psychic types on the field. Zen Headbutt and Psychic are Latios's best moves for facing Zamazenta.

If you can't afford Mega Latios or want to mount a Flying based offensive, Mega Pidgeot is an excellent choice for this raid. As a Normal and Flying type, Ice type moves will hit for super effective damage and it brings no notable resistances, but it will provide a same type Mega Boost to other Flying types on the field. Gust and Brave Bird are the best moves for your Mega Pidgeot to know here.

Although she doesn't perform as well as her twin, Mega Latias is still an excellent counter for Zamazenta. She's a Psychic and Dragon type, so Ice, Fairy, and Dark type moves will all hit for super effective damage, but she resists Fighting type damage, while providing a same type Mega Boost to other Psychic types on the field. Zen Headbutt and Psychic are also her best moves for this raid.

Mega Gengar also performs exceptionally well against Zamazenta despite not having a type advantage. Its Ghost and Poison typing give it resistances to Fighting, Fairy, and Normal type moves, but it is weak to Dark type moves. Lick and Psychic are the moves you'll want your Mega Gengar to know here, but bear in mind that it will not provide the same type Mega Boost  to Psychic types on the field.

Honorable mentions?

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid: 

• Mega Charizard Y with Wing Attack and Blast Burn
• Mega Slowbro with Confusion and Psychic
• Mega Altaria with Peck and Dazzling Gleam

What are the best counters for Zamazenta in Pokémon Go?

Zamazenta is a pure Fighting type with access to Fighting, Dark, Steel, Normal, Fairy, and Ice type moves. Its weaknesses include Psychic, Flying, and Fairy type moves leaving room for multiple winning strategies.

Beat out only by Shadow Mewtwo, Mewtwo is the top counter for Zamazenta. Gen I's Legendary Psychic type does take increased damage from Dark type moves, but it resists Fighting type damage. Plus it's been available so many times in a number of ways that most players have added at least one or two Mewtwo to their roster. If you are bringing Mewtwo to this raid, you'll want it to know Psycho Cut and Psystrike. If you don't have the Legacy move or an Elite TM to spare, Psychic can also work, but make sure you're not TMing Shadow Ball. It's also a Legacy move and invaluable.

A Mythical Pokémon originally encountered in the Kalos region, Hoopa (Unbound) is an excellent choice for this raid. This Dark and Psychic type takes super effective damage from Fairy type moves. Unfortunately, it's also limited to one per account and only for players who were able to complete the limited Timed Research. It also requires a whopping 50 candy and 10,000 Stardust to change into it's Unbound forme. Still, if you have it, Hoopa should know Confusion and Psychic for this fight.

If you're planning a Flying based offensive to make the most of Mega Pidgeot's Mega Boost, Moltres should definitely be in your team. This Flying and Fire type from Gen I is one of best Flying types in the game and it resists Fighting, Fairy, and Steel type moves as well. Plus, Moltres has been available so many times, in so many ways, that most active players have a few already powered up. If you are bringing Moltres to this fight, you'll want Wing Attack and Sky Attack for its moves.

The Gen VIII regional variant of one of the original Legendary Birds, Galarian Articuno is a great choice for facing Zamazenta. This Flying and Psychic type resists Fighting type damage, but takes super effective damage from Ice and Dark type moves. Unfortunately, Galarian Articuno can only be encountered using the recently released Daily Incense, so most players haven't even seen one, much less caught and powered it up. Still, if you have it, Psycho Cut and Brave Bird are its ideal moveset in this raid.

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Silver, Lugia performs very well against Zamazenta, but one Lugia in particular. An Apex Lugia rescued from Giovanni with Extrasensory and Aeroblast++ is what you're looking for. Unfortunately, this version of Lugia is limited to one per account and only for players who paid for  Pokémon GO Tour: Johto and completed the Masterwork Research. If you have it, this Psychic and Flying type resists Fighting type moves, but is weak to Ice and Dark type damage.

If you don't have your Hoopa already unbound and can't spare the candy, Hoopa (Confined) also performs well against Zamazenta. It's a Psychic and Ghost type, so it resists Fighting and Normal type damage, but Dark type moves will hit for super effective damage. If you're bringing Hoopa (Confined) to this fight, it should know Confusion and Psychic.

Next up is Latios, a Legendary from the Hoenn region of Gen III. This Psychic and Dragon type takes increased damage from Dark, Ice, and Fairy type moves, but it resists Fighting type damage. Latios has been available many, many times, and it is the more useful of the Eon Duo, so most players will have at least one or two they can bring to this fight. Zen Headbutt and Psychic are the moves you'll want your Latios to know here.

Gen III pseudo-Legendary, Metagross is another readily accessible top counter for Zamazenta. Having been featured in many events, including a Steel and Psychic Incense Day and Community Day, not to mention as a Shadow Pokémon, most active players have entire teams of Metagross. As a Steel and Psychic type, it will take increased damage from Dark type moves, but it resists Fairy, Normal, Steel, and Ice type damage. The best moveset for this raid is Zen Headbutt and Psychic.

One of the many "Eeveelutions", Espeon is a great choice here. It's a pure Psychic type, so it resists Fighting type damage, but takes super effective damage from Dark type moves. Having been featured in many events and Community Days, as well as being the evolution of a common Gen I Pokémon, there's no good reason not to have at least one fully powered up. If you are bringing Espeon to this Raid, you'll want it to know Confusion and Psychic.

Gen I's Alakazam is another great counter for Zamazenta. This pure Psychic type is weak to Dark type moves, but resists Fighting type damage. In addition to being a fairly common Gen I Pokémon, it's been featured in multiple events, including Community Day, and benefits from Trade Evolution, leaving tons of Candy to power it up. Confusion and Psychic are the moves you'll want your Alakazam to know for this raid.

Legendary Ultra Beast, Xurkitree is another excellent counter for Zamazenta despite not having a type advantage. As a pure Electric type, it resists Steel type damage and has no relevant weaknesses. Unfortunately, like the rest of the Ultra Beasts, Xurkitree's debut is limited to Pokémon GO Fest 2022, and so many players don't even have one, much less the candy to power it up yet. Still, if you have one, your Xurkitree should know Thunder Shock and Dazzling Gleam.

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Emerald, Rayquaza is another solid choice for a Flying based offensive. As a Dragon and Flying type, it resists Fighting and it has no weaknesses Zamazenta can exploit. Rayquaza has also been featured in raids and Special Research several times, so chances are you've already got a couple powered up and ready to go. If you are bringing Rayquaza to this Raid, you'll want it to know Air Slash and Hurricane.

Ho-Oh,  the Legendary mascot of Pokémon Gold is our final top counter for Zamazenta. As a Fire and Flying type, it resists Fighting, Fairy, and Steel type moves, while having no weaknesses Zamazenta can exploit. Ho-Oh has been featured in raids, Special Research, the Pokémon Go Battle League, and even as one of Giovanni's Shadow Legendaries, so most players have had the chance to catch a few. Hidden Power (Flying) and Brave Bird are the moves you'll want for your Ho-Oh; however, Extrasensory is close in damage if you didn't luck out on the Hidden Power type.

Back ups?

Although most players will be able to make a team of the best counters, if you're finding a gap in your team, there are plenty of back ups who work well in larger groups. Just make sure you're dodging and any of the following could be a decent back up:

• Gardevoir with Confusion and Psychic
• Yveltal with Gust and Psychic
• Tapu Lele with Confusion and Future Sight
• Azelf with Confusion and Future Sight
• Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Drill Peck
• Exeggutor with Confusion and Psychic
• Gallade with Confusion and Psychic
• Zacian (Hero of Many Battles) with Quick Attack and Play Rough
• Braviary with Air Slash and Brave Bird
• Jirachi with Confusion and Psychic
• Victini with Confusion and Psychic
• Tornadus (Incarnate forme) with Air Slash and Hurricane
• Latias with Zen Headbutt and Psychic
• Staraptor with Gust and Brave Bird
• Celebi with Confusion and Psychic
• Delphox with Zen Headbutt and Psychic
• Togekiss with Charm and Dazzling Gleam

Shadow Pokémon?

The rebalance of Shadow Pokémon rescued from Team GO Rocket make them excellent glass cannons. Not only are their stats boosted, but during special events or with Elite TMs, it's possible to change their moves. If you happen to have any of the following Pokémon with the right moveset, they will work very well in this Raid:

• Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Psystrike
• Shadow Moltres with Wing Attack and Sky Attack
• Shadow Metagross with Zen Headbutt and Psychic
• Shadow Alakazam with Confusion and Psychic
• Shadow Lugia with Extrasensory and Aeroblast+
• Shadow Latios with Zen Headbutt and Psychic
• Shadow Ho-Oh with Hidden Power (Flying) and Brave Bird
• Shadow Gardevoir with Confusion and Psychic
• Shadow Gallade with Confusion and Psychic
• Shadow Exeggutor with Confusion and Psychic
• Shadow Staraptor with Wing Attack and Brave Bird
• Shadow Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Drill Peck
• Shadow Latias with Zen Headbutt and Psychic
• Shadow Gallade with Confusion and Psychic
• Shadow Honchkrow with Peck and Sky Attack
• Shadow Granbull with Charm and Play Rough

Note: As to be expected, Shadow Mewtwo outperforms every other Pokémon in the best counters list. 

How many players does it take to beat Zamazenta in Pokémon Go?

Although it should be possible for three top level trainers with the best counters and conditions to take out Zamazenta in its Hero of Many Battles form, if you're lower level, cannot coordinate with your raid party, and/or lacking the best counters, you may need five or more players.

Weather conditions that can impact this Raid include:

• Cloudy/Overcast Weather will boost Zamazenta's Fighting and Fairy type moves, as well as your Fairy type counters
• Fog will boost its Dark type moves
• Partly Cloudy Weather will boost its Normal type move
• Snow will boost its Ice and Steel type moves
• Windy Weather will boost your Flying and Psychic counters

Questions about taking on Zamazenta in Pokémon Go?

Do you have any questions about taking on the Hero of Many Battles forme of Zamazenta in Pokémon Go? Got any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop them in the comments below, and be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!