TL;DR
- Zekrom appears in 5-star raids until July 7 with weekly Raid Hours every Wednesday
- Dragon/Ice dual-type counters deal 2x damage, with Mamoswine and Rayquaza as top choices
- Remote Raid Passes enable participation from anywhere with proper preparation
- Optimal teams require 6 high-level counters with proper move sets for efficiency
- Strategic catching techniques significantly improve your capture success rate
The formidable Deep Black Legendary Pokémon makes its grand entrance into five-star Raid Battles starting June 16, presenting trainers with a limited-time opportunity to secure this powerful addition to their roster. Our comprehensive guide provides battle-tested strategies to ensure your success against this challenging opponent.
Pokémon Go introduces another iconic Legendary creature to its global raid rotation. Zekrom, the signature monster from Pokémon White version, now dominates Gym battles worldwide, marking the inaugural chance to obtain this electric dragon hybrid in the mobile platform. However, this legendary beast departs from the raid cycle on July 7, creating urgency for collectors missing this powerhouse. We’ve compiled advanced tactical advice to optimize your combat effectiveness and capture probability.
Throughout the coming weeks, Zekrom will materialize at Gyms as an elite five-star Raid boss encounter. These high-level engagements operate on dynamic timetables rather than fixed schedules, potentially activating at any moment. Fortunately, the game system provides proactive alerts when raids initiate nearby, minimizing the challenge of locating active battle opportunities.
Niantic schedules dedicated Zekrom Raid Hour events each Wednesday evening during the creature’s availability window. During these concentrated sixty-minute periods, approximately 95% of Gyms simultaneously host Zekrom Raids, dramatically increasing encounter accessibility. Consult the complete Zekrom Raid Hour timetable below:
Remote Raid Passes revolutionize raid participation by eliminating geographical constraints. These innovative items enable engagement with any visible raid on your Nearby interface without physical travel requirements. For detailed guidance on acquiring and utilizing Remote Raid Passes effectively, consult our specialized resource.
Zekrom
Similar to its counterpart Reshiram, Zekrom possesses Dragon typing that creates critical vulnerabilities to Ice, Fairy, and fellow Dragon-type Pokémon. Mamoswine, Weavile, and Glaceon represent premier Ice-type specialists delivering exceptional performance against this legendary foe. Meanwhile, Granbull, Togekiss, and Gardevoir serve as dependable Fairy-type options with consistent damage output. Dragonite, Salamence, and other legendary Dragon Pokémon like Rayquaza provide formidable offensive capabilities, though they risk receiving amplified damage from Zekrom’s Dragon-type assaults.
Understanding type effectiveness mechanics proves crucial for raid success. Zekrom’s dual Electric/Dragon typing creates a complex defensive profile with specific exploitable weaknesses. Ice-type attacks deal 256% increased damage due to double super-effectiveness, making them the optimal choice for maximum efficiency. Dragon-type moves also inflict 160% bonus damage while exposing your team to reciprocal super-effective strikes.
For trainers seeking maximum damage output, shadow variants of recommended counters typically deliver 20% higher DPS at the cost of reduced bulk. Mega Evolutions like Mega Abomasnow provide team-wide damage bonuses while contributing significant personal damage. Proper move set selection proves equally important—ensure your counters utilize their highest damage-dealing fast and charged attacks matching Zekrom’s weaknesses.
Team composition strategy should balance damage output with survivability. While glass cannons like Weavile deliver rapid damage, they require frequent relobbying. Bulkier options like Mamoswine often achieve better results through sustained damage output without requiring multiple team replacements during the battle.
Successful Zekrom raids demand thorough preparation beyond simply selecting type-advantaged Pokémon. Power up your top six counters to at least level 30-35 for optimal performance, with level 40 providing maximum efficiency. Coordinate with local raid groups through Discord or social media to ensure adequate participant numbers—typically 4-6 trainers with proper counters can comfortably defeat Zekrom.
Avoid common mistakes that undermine raid success: failing to dodge charged attacks, using under-leveled Pokémon, or attempting solo battles against this formidable opponent. Zekrom’s diverse move pool includes dangerous Dragon Tail/Outrage and Charge Beam/Wild Charge combinations that can decimate unprepared teams.
Maximize your capture probability by employing the circle lock technique and consistently landing excellent throws. Golden Razz Berries combined with curved excellent throws provide approximately 15% capture chance per attempt. For trainers struggling with timing, smaller great throws offer more reliable success than missed excellent attempts.
Strategic resource management ensures you don’t exhaust valuable items prematurely. Stockpile Premium Battle Passes through research breakthroughs and shop purchases. Coordinate raid hour participation with friends to leverage friendship damage bonuses that significantly reduce battle duration.
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Action Checklist
- Power up 6 optimal counters to level 30+ with proper move sets
- Coordinate with 3-5 trainers through local raid groups
- Practice circle lock technique for consistent excellent throws
- Stockpile Golden Razz Berries and Remote Raid Passes
- Participate in Wednesday Raid Hours for maximum encounter opportunities
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » [Last Chance] Pokemon Go Zekrom Guide: Raids, Weaknesses, Counters, And Battle Tips Master Zekrom raids with expert strategies, optimal counters, and raid hour timing for guaranteed capture success
