Pokémon Go: Strategy to defeat Zekrom (shiny) in Raid

Zekrom, the powerful Dragon and Electric-type Legendary Pokémon, has been making waves in Pokémon Go, appearing in 5-Star Raids. Whether you’re hoping to add the Shiny version to your collection or just need to defeat this formidable foe, it’s essential to bring the right Pokémon to maximize your chances. In this guide, we'll walk you through the best strategies and Pokémon to help you overcome Zekrom in Raids.

How to Defeat Zekrom?

Zekrom is a challenging opponent in Raids, so it’s essential to bring a strong team to take it down. While forming a group of 4 to 7 trainers is ideal for most, the number of players needed depends on your level and the strength of your Pokémon. If you're at level 40 and have powerful counters, you might even be able to take down Zekrom with just 2-3 trainers.

The key to success lies in exploiting Zekrom’s weaknesses. Zekrom’s dual-typing as Dragon and Electric means that it is vulnerable to Ground, Dragon, Ice, and Fairy-type attacks. Choosing Pokémon that utilize these types will deal the most damage, ensuring you can take it down efficiently.

The Best Pokémon to Counter Zekrom:

Here’s a list of the top Pokémon to bring into your Raid battle against Zekrom, along with their ideal moves:

1. Mega Latios

• Types: Dragon, Psychic
• Ideal Moves: Dragon Breath (Fast), Dragon Claw (Charged)
• Why It’s Great: Mega Latios can hit Zekrom hard with Dragon-type moves. Dragon Breath is a strong fast move, and Dragon Claw can apply consistent pressure.

2. Palkia

• Types: Dragon, Water
• Ideal Moves: Aqua Tail (Fast), Draco Meteor (Charged)
• Why It’s Great: Palkia’s Dragon and Water-typing allows it to deliver devastating Dragon-type moves while Aqua Tail provides coverage for additional damage.

3. Garchomp

• Types: Dragon, Ground
• Ideal Moves: Dragon Tail (Fast), Outrage (Charged)
• Why It’s Great: Garchomp is a powerful Dragon-type Pokémon with great attack stats. Dragon Tail deals significant damage, while Outrage delivers a strong Charged move for max output.

4. Zekrom

• Types: Dragon, Electric
• Ideal Moves: Dragon Breath (Fast), Draco Meteor (Charged)
• Why It’s Great: If you have a Zekrom of your own, it can use Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor to great effect, despite its Electric typing.

5. Mega Charizard X

• Types: Fire, Dragon
• Ideal Moves: Dragon Breath (Fast), Dragon Claw (Charged)
• Why It’s Great: As a Fire and Dragon-type, Mega Charizard X excels with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw, making it a formidable counter to Zekrom.

6. Reshiram

• Types: Dragon, Fire
• Ideal Moves: Dragon Breath (Fast), Draco Meteor (Charged)
• Why It’s Great: Reshiram’s high attack stats and access to Dragon-type moves like Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor make it a strong candidate for any Zekrom Raid.

7. Dialga

• Types: Steel, Dragon
• Ideal Moves: Dragon Breath (Fast), Draco Meteor (Charged)
• Why It’s Great: Dialga’s Steel typing provides extra defense against Electric moves, and its Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor combo hits hard.

8. Rayquaza

• Types: Dragon, Flying
• Ideal Moves: Dragon Tail (Fast), Outrage (Charged)
• Why It’s Great: Rayquaza's Dragon Tail and Outrage provide a powerful one-two punch against Zekrom, making it one of the top Dragon-type counters.

9. Mamoswine

• Types: Ice, Ground
• Ideal Moves: Mud Slap (Fast), Avalanche (Charged)
• Why It’s Great: Although not a Dragon-type, Mamoswine's Ice-type moves are incredibly effective against Dragon-types. Mud Slap and Avalanche together deliver excellent damage output.

Raid Battle Tips for Defeating Zekrom:

• Timing is Key: Coordinate with your team to take down Zekrom before it gets too many charged attacks off. If you're in a group, make sure everyone has the right counters and uses their best Pokémon to maximize damage output.
• Avoid Electric Attacks: As a Dragon and Electric-type Pokémon, Zekrom can unleash strong Electric-type moves like Thunderbolt. Try to avoid using Water- or Flying-types as they will take increased damage from Electric-type moves.
• Use Boosts: Take advantage of in-game boosts like weather boosts (e.g., Wind boosts Dragon-type moves) to give your counters an extra edge. You can also use items like Charged TMs or Rare Candies to ensure your Pokémon have the best moves.
• Shiny Zekrom: If you’re lucky enough to encounter a Shiny Zekrom, be sure to bring your best team to catch it. Shiny Zekrom has a different color palette, making it a highly sought-after prize in Pokémon Go!

Final Thoughts:

Zekrom is a challenging but rewarding boss in Pokémon Go, and defeating it in a 5-Star Raid requires the right team and strategy. By leveraging the power of Dragon, Ground, Ice, and Fairy-type Pokémon, you can maximize your damage and increase your chances of taking down this mighty Legendary Pokémon. Whether you’re after the standard or Shiny Zekrom, assembling the right counters and coordinating with your team will help you achieve victory.

Happy raiding, and good luck catching that Shiny Zekrom!