Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Shadow Zacian
Say it: SHADOW ZAY-see-un
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Shadow Zacian is a Team GO Rocket Shadow. It hits harder and takes more damage than normal Zacian. Same Fairy typing — the same counters still work. Remove Frustration before you power it up.
Say it: SHADOW ZAY-see-un
Shadow Zacian is the Shadow form of Zacian (Fairy) in Pokémon GO. Expect ~20% more damage dealt and taken versus the normal form.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Shadow Zacian is a Shadow Fairy Pokémon in GO. Shadow variants deal extra damage in raids and PvP but take more hits — compare purified vs Shadow before investing.
Where in GO: Team GO Rocket Grunts, Leaders, and Giovanni
Invest tip: Power up after Frustration removal. Prefer Quick Attack + Close Combat / Play Rough.
Type matchups
- Fairy moves hit Fighting, Dragon, and Dark hard.
When Shadow Zacian is your opponent, Poison, Steel hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
Shadow-adjusted from base Game Master row (+20% Attack, −20% Defense).
Inherits stats from Zacian— this costume or form may not have its own Game Master row.
- Attack
- 305
- Defense
- 189
- Stamina
- 192
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Nihilego · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
- 2. Mega Gengar · beats Poison
Lick + Sludge Bomb
- 3. Shadow Gengar · beats Poison
Lick + Sludge Bomb
- 4. Roserade · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
- 5. Toxicroak · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
- 6. Scolipede · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
- 7. Gengar · beats Poison
Lick + Sludge Bomb
- 8. Nidoking · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Wave
- 9. Nidoqueen · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Wave
- 10. Victreebel · beats Poison
Acid + Sludge Bomb
- 11. Dragalge · beats Poison
Acid + Gunk Shot
- 12. Salazzle · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Roserade · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
- 2. Victreebel · beats Poison
Acid + Sludge Bomb
- 3. Toxicroak · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
- 4. Muk · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Gunk Shot
- 5. Weezing · beats Poison
Infestation + Sludge Bomb
- 6. Seviper · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Poison Fang
- 7. Skuntank · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
- 8. Garbodor · beats Poison
Infestation + Gunk Shot
- 9. Ariados · beats Poison
Poison Sting + Cross Poison
- 10. Qwilfish · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Aqua Tail
- 11. Crobat · beats Poison
Air Slash + Sludge Bomb
- 12. Tentacruel · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Wave
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- metal claw
- snarl
- quick attack
- fire fang
Charged
- play rough
- iron head
- wild charge
- close combat
Team GO Rocket
Shadow versions hit ~20% harder and take ~20% more damage. Use Fairy typing weaknesses quickly — they punch above their weight but faint faster than normal.
Defeat the Shadow in battle, then use a Rescue Rocket Radar or standard Rocket battle rewards to catch it. Purify or keep Shadow based on whether you want bulk (purified/normal) or raid DPS (Shadow).
- Team GO Rocket Grunts (Shadow pool rotates)
- Team GO Rocket Leaders — Arlo, Cliff, Sierra (rotation)
- Giovanni (featured Shadow — rotation)
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #147 of 954 · CP 1477
Quick Attack + Wild Charge
- Ultra League · rank #99 of 747 · CP 2461
Quick Attack + Wild Charge
- Master League · rank #12 of 1023 · CP 4329
Quick Attack + Wild Charge
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
Recommended vs these bosses
- Palkia · Water / Dragon
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 3: Current Meta Tier Lists (July 2026)
# Current Meta Tier Lists (July 2026) > Free forever in 3CL TCG. The full guide is never paywalled. Meta snapshots are dated — always verify live data on PvPoke / Pokebattler. ## S…
- Ch. 5: Shadow Pokémon — Complete Guide
Purify vs keep Shadow — decision tree for family raids and PvP.
- Ch. 7: Recommended Movesets
# Recommended Movesets > Free forever in 3CL TCG. The full guide is never paywalled. Meta snapshots are dated — always verify live data on PvPoke / Pokebattler. ## Section 7: Recom…
- Ch. 8: Team Building Strategies
# Team Building Strategies > Free forever in 3CL TCG. The full guide is never paywalled. Meta snapshots are dated — always verify live data on PvPoke / Pokebattler. ## Section 8: T…
- Ch. 12: Raid Counters — 5-Star Legendaries
# Raid Counters — 5-Star Legendaries > Free forever in 3CL TCG. The full guide is never paywalled. Meta snapshots are dated — always verify live data on PvPoke / Pokebattler. ## Se…
- Ch. 13: Raid Counters — Mega, Primal & Ultra Beasts
# Raid Counters — Mega, Primal & Ultra Beasts > Free forever in 3CL TCG. The full guide is never paywalled. Meta snapshots are dated — always verify live data on PvPoke / Pokebattl…
- Ch. 16: Team GO Rocket — Grunt Identification & Counters
Rocket grunt Slot 1–3 pools and type counters before you battle Shadows.
- Ch. 17: Rocket Leaders & Giovanni
Current leader lineups with per-Pokémon counters and movesets.
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.
Related species
Also named in the same guide chapters (text only).