How to Get Zamazenta Without Trading in Pokemon Sword/Shield: An Expert‘s Guide
As a long-time Pokemon player and content creator, one of the most common questions I see is "how do I get Zamazenta without trading for it?" Well, lucky for you dear reader, I‘ve compiled this comprehensive guide so you can add the majestic legendary Shield mascot to your Pokemon Sword/Shield adventure!
Overview & Background
While Zacian graces Pokemon Sword‘s coverart, Zamazenta is the exclusive legendary only obtainable in Pokemon Shield. And it‘s no simple task – Game Freak designed it so that the only way to legitimately get Zamazenta is to progress through the post-game story.
But why go through such complexity for what‘s arguably the 2nd most iconic character for Gen 8? Based on the lore and thematics of the sword & shield brothers, having that tension and climatic confrontation builds more weight once you finally have a chance to catch Shield doggo himself.
So let‘s get right into it – here is exactly how to get your Zamazenta!
Diving Into the Post-Game Story
The key to triggering the Zamazenta event is the Slumbering Weald post-game storyline with Hop and the legendaries. Here‘s some backstory first:
The Tale of The Sword & The Shield
The Galar region‘s history and mythology prominently features two royal brothers and their trusted Pokemon partners – the valiant sword Zacian and stalwart shield Zamazenta.
Statues and murals across the land depict these two heroes along with tales of their exploits. Your introduction to the legends themselves comes when a mysterious fog appears during your adventure‘s early hours.
While their role in Galar‘s past proved pivotal, they mysteriously vanished which becomes the catalyst for the post-game arc.
Kickstarting the Endgame Storyline
After becoming champion, the key to progressing further lies in the mysterious Slumbering Weald – the same foggy forest from the start of your journey.
Visit there and Hop starts explaining strange phenomena related to the legendaries. This kicks off a string of events that has you investigating murals, raiding dens, and analyzing strange artifacts.
Ultimately, this quest leads you to realizes Cufant‘s are to blame! Well…at least their ancestors. The mischievous actions of these elephant Pokemon in eras past caused the sword and shield Pokemon to spiral out of control.
And this leads us to the climatic endgame event and your chance to nab Zamazenta!
Time For Reckoning – Facing Zamazenta
After learning this ancient history, Zamazenta and Zacian reappear shrouded in a furious haze. The only way to quell their rage involves defeating them in intense Max Raid confrontations.
The Max Raid Battle
Facing off against Zamazenta kicks the Pokemon battles up a notch. Here‘s what you need to know going in:
Recommended Team & Items
| Pokemon Level | Pokemon | Move 1 | Move 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70+ | Fighting Type | Close Combat | Stone Edge |
| 70+ | Fairy Type | Play Rough | Moonblast |
| 70+ | Steel Type | Iron Head | Flash Cannon |
Additionally, have healing items galore – Max Potions, Full Restores, Revives and the like. The battle essentially serves as a extreme test of your entire journey‘s worth of Pokemon mastery.
Zamazenta‘s Capabilities
As a Fighting-type legendary, Zamazenta hits hard physically. Its movepool includes:
- Behemoth Bash
- Crunch
- Psychic Fangs
- Wild Charge
- Stone Edge
- Close Combat
- Iron Head
It can boost its already high attack and speed with Swords Dance making it incredibly dangerous. Have contingency plans ready!
Ultimately, the showdown serves not for you to catch Zamazenta…yet. Instead, the goal is to quell its fury and end the strange phenomena in Galar.
Catching Zacian/Zamazenta
After defeating Hop and his legend, the next phase starts.
The once enraged duo regain their heroic bearings. Your next opportunity comes when the opposing legend (Zacian for Shield players) appears. This kicks off one final epic battle with a chance to catch the legendary exclusive to your game.
For the best odds, have Timer Balls or Master Balls prepared. And be sure to save right before this encounter!
The Hunt Concludes!
While the steps prove complex, the payoff of having a legendary as iconic as Zamazenta makes it well worth it! You can now proudly rock the Shield mascot and have it as your partner for further adventures.
Hopefully this guide gives you the exact details needed to check off this elusive Pokemon on your Pokedex completion journey! Let me know if you have any other questions – always happy to help out fellow fans and players!
