How to beat Zacian
Zacian has 2 versions in the 2026–27 Standard format, with up to 130 HP as a Metal Pokémon. Here's the maths for Knocking it Out — worked out from every Standard-legal card.
- HP
- 130
- Weakness
- Fire, Metal
- Resistance
- Grass
- Prizes
- 1
- One-hit KOs
- 351
- Fastest KO
- 1 Energy
Game plan
- Hit its Weakness. Zacian is weak to Fire and Metal, so those attacks do double damage. 111 Standard cards can Knock it Out in one hit that way — the fastest needs just 1 Energy.
- Don't over-invest. It only gives up 1 Prize card, so avoid spending a big two-Prize attacker on it if a cheaper Pokémon can do the job.
- Avoid Grass attacks. Zacian resists them, so they do less damage.
- Plan for its big hit. Its strongest printed attack is Slashing Strike for 120 (3 Energy). 555 Standard cards have enough HP to survive one hit — before any Weakness, + or × effects.
- Watch the Retreat Cost. It costs 2 Energy to retreat. If it gets stuck in the Active Spot, that's your chance.
One-hit Knock Outs using Weakness
These Fire/Metal attacks do at least 130 after Weakness. Fastest (fewest Energy) first.
| Pokémon | Type | Attack | Damage | Damage to Zacian | HP | Prizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceruledge Phantasmal Flames | Fire | Infernal Slash R | 220 | 440 | 140 | 1 |
| Centiskorch Surging Sparks | Fire | Billowing Heat Wave R | 130 | 260 | 130 | 1 |
| Tinkaton Mega Evolution | Metal | Windup Swing M | 240- | 240 | 160 | 1 |
| Camerupt Ascended Heroes | Fire | Roasting Burn R | 110 | 220 | 140 | 1 |
| Mega Camerupt ex Mega Evolution | Fire | Roasting Heat R | 80+ | 160 | 340 | 3 |
| Simisear Surging Sparks | Fire | Double Smash R | 70× | 140 | 90 | 1 |
| Blaziken ex Journey Together | Fire | Smolder-sault RC | 200 | 400 | 320 | 2 |
| Centiskorch Temporal Forces | Fire | Charring Breath RR | 180 | 360 | 140 | 1 |
| Chandelure White Flare | Fire | Burn It All Up RR | 180 | 360 | 150 | 1 |
| Flareon ex Prismatic Evolutions | Fire | Burning Charge RC | 130 | 260 | 270 | 2 |
| Rapidash Temporal Forces | Fire | Inferno Onrush RC | 120 | 240 | 110 | 1 |
| Team Rocket's Houndoom Destined Rivals | Fire | Scorching Fire RC | 120 | 240 | 130 | 1 |
One-hit Knock Outs without Weakness
Attacks with a printed 130+ damage (after Resistance).
| Pokémon | Type | Attack | Damage | Damage to Zacian | HP | Prizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palafin ex Prismatic Evolutions | Water | Giga Impact W | 250 | 250 | 340 | 2 |
| Greninja ex Twilight Masquerade | Fighting | Shinobi Blade W | 170 | 170 | 310 | 2 |
| Medicham Ascended Heroes | Fighting | Seventh Kick F | 150 | 150 | 120 | 1 |
| Decidueye Shrouded Fable | Grass | Power Shot G | 170 | 140 | 150 | 1 |
| Diggersby Perfect Order | Colorless | Earthquake C | 140 | 140 | 150 | 1 |
| Annihilape Surging Sparks | Fighting | Tantrum F | 130 | 130 | 140 | 1 |
| Malamar Pitch Black | Darkness | Brain Crush D | 130 | 130 | 120 | 1 |
| Palafin Temporal Forces | Water | Vanguard Punch W | 130 | 130 | 150 | 1 |
| Flygon ex Surging Sparks | Fighting | Reversing Storm F | 130 | 130 | 310 | 2 |
| Mega Lucario ex Ascended Heroes | Fighting | Aura Jab F | 130 | 130 | 340 | 3 |
Pokémon that survive its biggest attack
These can take a printed 120 from Slashing Strike and stay in play (Weakness included). Single-Prize Pokémon first.
| Pokémon | Type | Stage | HP | Weakness | Retreat | Prizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wailord Journey Together | Water | Stage 1 | 240 | Lightning ×2 | 4 | 1 |
| Copperajah Shrouded Fable | Metal | Stage 1 | 200 | Fire ×2 | 4 | 1 |
| Rhyperior Stellar Crown | Fighting | Stage 2 | 200 | Grass ×2 | 4 | 1 |
| Steelix Mega Evolution | Metal | Stage 1 | 200 | Fire ×2 | 4 | 1 |
| Copperajah Journey Together | Metal | Stage 1 | 190 | Fire ×2 | 4 | 1 |
| Tyranitar Journey Together | Darkness | Stage 2 | 190 | Grass ×2 | 3 | 1 |
| Aggron Twilight Masquerade | Metal | Stage 2 | 180 | Fire ×2 | 3 | 1 |
| Alolan Golem Journey Together | Lightning | Stage 2 | 180 | Fighting ×2 | 4 | 1 |
Every Standard Zacian card
| Card | Set | HP | Stage | Attacks (cost · damage) | Retreat | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zacian 106/128 | 30th Celebration J | 130 | Basic | Hardened Blade M 20+ Slashing Strike MMC 120 | 2 | Fire ×2 |
| Zacian 45/94 | Phantasmal Flames I | 130 | Basic | Limit Break PC 50+ | 2 | Metal ×2 |
Damage is the number printed on the card. Attacks marked + or × can do more, and Abilities, Tools and Stadiums can change the maths — always read the card. Energy letters: G Grass, R Fire, W Water, L Lightning, P Psychic, F Fighting, D Darkness, M Metal, N Dragon, C Colorless (any Energy).
Related: all Zacian cards in Standard · how to knock out a 130 HP Pokémon · Fire vs Metal · beating big Pokémon ex · more counter guides
Questions people ask
What is Zacian weak to?
Zacian is weak to Fire and Metal, so those attacks do double damage (×2).
How much HP does Zacian have?
Up to 130 HP in Standard (130 on the 30th Celebration version, 130 on the Phantasmal Flames version).
How many Prize cards does Zacian give up?
1 — it's a regular Pokémon.
What can one-hit KO Zacian?
351 Standard cards can, going by printed damage. The fastest: Ceruledge's Infernal Slash (1 Energy, 440 damage); Centiskorch's Billowing Heat Wave (1 Energy, 260 damage); Palafin ex's Giga Impact (1 Energy, 250 damage).
What is Zacian's strongest attack?
Slashing Strike, which prints 120 damage for 3 Energy.
What does Zacian resist?
Grass — those attacks do less damage to it.
Pully Play is an independent fan guide. It isn't run by The Pokémon Company. Format facts are checked against official announcements; always confirm card legality with the official rules before a tournament.