What is a solid counter for Zacian - Crowned?

Question says it all.

Pleaselog inorregisterto add a comment.

First of all, I’ll need to define “counter” here.

Pokémon A counters Pokémon B if Pokémon A can manually switch into Pokémon B and still win every time, even under the worst-case scenario, without factoring in hax.

Source

By the above, we get to know if Pokémon A can switch into Pokémon B, survive a hit, and win against Pokémon B, then Pokémon A is dubbed as a counter to Pokémon B.So now, what Pokémon can switch into a powerhouse like Zacian-Crowned, survive an attack, and win? The list is very short, but I’ll be going through it here.

This was mostly about SS AG, but in NatDex AG, Necrozma-DM would be your best bet to counter Zacian-C.

Hope it helped.

I’ll use this is Gen 8/NatDex AG, but the answer is similar for both.

Necrozma-Dusk ManeOne of Gen 8 and NatDex AG’s best Pokémon. It can take hits from Zacian-C, heal off with morning sun, and hit Zacian hard with a Sunsteel Strike or even an Earthquake (which is used more in Gen 8 AG). However, Zacian-C can break it. If Zacian-C uses swords dance on the switch and swords dance again, it can threaten to OHKO, and the OHKO is guaranteed if NDM has suffered minor chip. However, Zacian-C would have to suffer large damage from Sunsteel Strike/Earthquake, as well as the possibility of Rocky helmet damage, as well as the defense drops. This makes it vulnerable to revenge killing. Another way Zacian-C can break NDM is by use of assurance, which doubles in damage and is super effective if NDM switches in and steps on Rocks/Spikes. Followed that by a close combat and NDM goes down. Sometimes, although rarely, NDM runs Heavy-Duty Boots to counter Assurance.

QuagsireA Pokémon usually used on stall due to Necrozma-Dusk being a better Pokémon in the meta, Quagsire is pretty much the only true Zacian-C counter. With unaware, it can shrug off close combats and play roughs, recover, and hit with Earthquake or try to burn with Scald. However, if the opponent has stacked a lot of hazards, Zacian-C can 2HKO on the switch, so Quagsire occasionally runs Heavy-Duty boots. Other times, it runs Leftovers for more healing or a Rocky Helmet to damage Zacian and other physical attackers more.

Well, these are the two best. Hope this helps!

(Also, I’d like to mentionDitto.It cannot switch in to Zacian, so it’s not a counter, but if Zacian-C faints a Pokémon, it can be brought in. It gets a second Intrepid Sword boost, so it has 2+ attack, plus a Scarf boost. It’s even stronger if the opposing Zacian has used swords dance before. Close Combat from it can break NDM, so you’re almost guaranteed to take out atleast one Pokémon. Ditto-Zacian’s only 100% reliable switchin is Quagsire until it choice locks itself on to a move.)

This might sound like a joke, but I’ve gotten extremely consistent results with Corsola-Galar. With max defense and Eviolite, it can eat 3 Zacian crunches and still live, and tanks Behemoth Blade even better than that.

Using strength sap on Zacians very balanced 170 base attack will almost always heal you back to full hp and consistently weaken the incoming attacks, not to mention using will-o-wisp on it will halve its damage on top of that.

Haze is a really nice option in case they run Swords Dance. As for damage, Night Shade is your best option, since it will outdamage most moves when used with low attacking stats. The only thing you need to really be scared for is Knock Off, since without Eviolite it won’t tank as many hits (though admittedly, it is still rather tanky).

NATIONAL DEX:

In my opinion, the best Pokémon to switch into against Crowned Zacian is Primal Groudon. It resists both Steel and Fairy, and can wreck it with Precipice Blades, especially if Crowned Zacian uses Close Combat, which Primal Groudon can survive.

Ho-ohHo-oh can switch into Zac-C without any fear of taking any real damage from behemoth blade, sacred sword, play rough or fire fang. With sacred fire it can then OHKO or 2HKO Zac-C. Even if Zacian does somehow survive, rocky helmet can chip away at it or leftovers can heal Ho-oh. A better item, however, would be heavy duty boots for stealth rock. With toxic, thunder wave, and/or defog, Ho-oh can be used for utility and with recover and regenerator it can stall brilliantly. Ho-oh is, of course, threatened by any rock type but the only real rock type threats are Landorus and the occasional sand team, which won’t normally come with a Zacian.Ho-oh causes Zac-C a lot of trouble and can pretty much stall forever so I would definitely advise it.

Hope I Helped!