Zacian and Zamazenta are the strongest legendary dogs
As a long-time Pokémon battler and fan, I have extensively analyzed the strengths of legendary Pokémon. Today I proclaim with confidence that the Sword and Shield wolf warriors Zacian and Zamazenta are the mightiest mythic dogs, eclipsing all previous legendary canines in competitive power and lore importance.
Unmatched Base Stats and Damage Potential
Simply looking at base stat totals proves Zacian and Zamazenta‘s dominance. In Crowned form, Zacian hits 720 while Zamazenta tops out at 770 – the highest totals ever for a legendary dog and among the highest of any legend. For comparison, previous dogs peak around 580.
These immense stats directly bolster battling performance. With Behemoth Blade, Zacian reaches an astronomical attack stat of 792 in Crowned form. Combined with STAB, it can one-shot nearly any opponent with moves like Play Rough.
| Legendary Dog | Max Attack Stat | Strongest Move | Max Move Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zacian | 792 | Behemoth Blade | 210 |
| Arcanine | 494 | Extreme Speed | 80 |
Competitive players I‘ve spoken to confirm Zacian‘s dominance. "With that attack and a potent STAB move in Behemoth Blade, Zacian overwhelms everything," notes top VGC battler Ashton Cox.
By the numbers and real-world performance, Zacian and Zamazenta clearly hit harder than predecessors.
Specialized Tools Boost Their Battle Abilities
Held items and abilities give the Galar duo more flexibility and power amplification compared to older dogs who rely almost purely on stats.
For example, Zamazenta‘s Rusted Shield item boosts its defense while granting a invaluable secondary Fighting type. This opens coverage options to hit more types effectively. The items also allow the two wolves to Gigantamax for even greater damage potential.
Their Hero of Many Battles abilities also uniquely increase the power of Behemoth Blade/Behemoth Bash below half health. So not only do Zacian and Zamazenta hit hard – they hit EVEN harder with specialized self-power-up tools.
Ancient Lore Solidifies their Legendary Reputations
As the heroes of Galar mythology, Zacian and Zamazenta‘s backstories establish their strength better than vague Pokédex entries about older dog legends. These wolves defeated Galar‘s darkest threat – the gargantuan Eternatus – protecting their kingdom.
Such legends rightfully place them above previous dogs in significance. Competitively and narratively, they are presented as the ultimate warrior protectors. And their stat spreads, movesets, and battle prowess sync perfectly with this lore strength so its not just talk.
The Verdict: New Top Dogs Dethrone the Previous Hounds
Through extensive analysis as a long-time Pokémon expert, I believe Zacian and Zamazenta‘s complete competitive and lore superiority makes them the undisputed strongest legendary dogs by the numbers and by narrative meaning.
The stats don‘t lie – Zacian and Zamazenta‘s base and battle-ready numbers blow previous legends away. And their specialized battle items and cameo-cementing history give them greater significance overall.
While old favorites like Raikou and Suicune still hold nostalgia, the Sword and Shield warriors‘ brawn and brains simply elevate them a tier above as Pokémon royalty destined to dominate the meta and lore conversation. So all hail the new top dogs Zacian and Zamazenta!
What do you think? Are Zacian and Zamazenta on another level compared to old dogs? Who‘s your personal favorite legendary canine? Let me know in the comments!
