I’ve been raiding legendary Pokemon since the early days of Pokemon GO, and let me tell you – Zekrom is one of those raids that gets me genuinely excited every time it returns. There’s something absolutely thrilling about facing down this massive Dragon/Electric-type legendary, with its striking black and blue design and the sheer power it brings to battles. Whether you’re a seasoned raider or just starting your legendary collection, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to conquer Zekrom raids and add this powerhouse to your team.
Zekrom isn’t just another legendary Pokemon – it’s one half of the Tao trio from the Unova region, representing the concept of yang and ideals. In Pokemon GO, Zekrom stands as a Tier 5 raid boss that packs a serious punch with its impressive stats and devastating movepool. As a dual Dragon/Electric-type, Zekrom brings unique typing to the table that makes it both valuable in your collection and challenging to defeat in raids.
What makes Zekrom particularly special right now is its role in the current meta. With the introduction of fusion mechanics allowing you to combine Zekrom with Kyurem to create the formidable Black Kyurem, having a good Zekrom has never been more important. Plus, its performance in Master League PvP and as a raid attacker makes it a versatile addition to any trainer’s roster.
I’ll admit it – I have a soft spot for Zekrom raids. There’s something incredibly satisfying about coordinating with a group of trainers to take down this mechanical dragon. My favorite Zekrom raid memory was during a community day event when I joined forces with a group of strangers at a local park. We were down to the wire, with just seconds left on the clock, and managed to pull off the victory with everyone cheering. That’s the magic of Pokemon GO raids – bringing people together to achieve something epic.
What I really appreciate about Zekrom raids is the strategy involved. Unlike some legendaries that you can just power through with brute force, Zekrom requires thoughtful team composition and an understanding of type matchups. The challenge makes each victory feel earned, and the reward of adding this powerful Pokemon to your collection is well worth the effort.
Taking down Zekrom requires preparation, knowledge, and the right team. Let me break down everything you need to know for a successful raid.
First, let’s understand what we’re up against:
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Attack | 275 |
| Defense | 211 |
| Stamina | 205 |
| Max CP | 4565 |
| Raid CP (Level 20) | 2217 – 2307 |
| Weather Boosted CP (Level 25) | 2771 – 2884 |
Zekrom’s dual Dragon/Electric typing gives it some interesting weaknesses and resistances:
Weaknesses (2x damage):
Resistances:
This typing means you’ll want to focus on Ground, Ice, Dragon, and Fairy-type attackers, while avoiding Electric-type Pokemon that will barely scratch Zekrom.
Based on countless simulations and real-world raid experience, here are the absolute best counters to bring against Zekrom:
Mega/Primal Evolutions (Your MVPs):
Shadow Pokemon (If you have them):
Regular Pokemon (Great alternatives):
When building your raid team, I recommend a balanced approach:
Based on my experience and data analysis:
If you’re newer to raiding or don’t have the best counters, I’d recommend waiting for a group of at least 5 trainers to ensure success.
There are several ways to add Zekrom to your collection, each with its own advantages:
The most reliable way to get Zekrom is through 5-star raids. Here’s what you need to know:
Pro Tip: During raid hours, coordinate with local Discord groups or Facebook communities to ensure you have enough trainers for successful raids.
Occasionally, Niantic releases special research tasks that reward Zekrom encounters. These are often tied to major events like the Unova Tour or anniversary celebrations. Keep an eye on official announcements and complete these research tasks when they appear.
Reaching rank 20 in the GO Battle League gives you a small chance to encounter Zekrom as a reward encounter. While this isn’t the most reliable method, it’s a nice bonus for dedicated PvP players.
One of the most exciting aspects of having Zekrom is the ability to fuse it with Kyurem to create Black Kyurem. Here’s everything you need to know about the fusion process:
Each Black Kyurem raid rewards a minimum of 80 Fusion Energy, with bonus energy for faster completion and challenge completion. You’ll need to complete at least 10 Black Kyurem raids to gather enough energy for fusion.
Important Note: The stats of your resulting Black Kyurem depend on the Kyurem you use, not the Zekrom. I recommend fusing your best Kyurem with a weaker Zekrom so you can keep your stronger Zekrom for battles.
After defeating and catching Zekrom, you might wonder if it’s worth powering up. Let me break down Zekrom’s performance across different game modes:
Zekrom shines as an Electric-type attacker, ranking in the top 7 with the moveset Charge Beam + Fusion Bolt. Its Dragon-type performance is decent but not outstanding, ranking around #30. If you need a strong Electric attacker, Zekrom is absolutely worth investing in.
Zekrom’s unique typing gives it great matchups in Master League, particularly against popular Steel and Water types. Its ability to resist Steel moves while hitting back with Electric attacks makes it a valuable addition to any Master League team.
Like most legendary Pokemon, Zekrom cannot be placed in gyms, so don’t bother powering it up specifically for gym defense.
As of March 2026, Zekrom has been appearing in raids during various Unova-themed events. Keep an eye out for:
Current Event: Zekrom is appearing in 5-star raids from December 22-31, 2025, with the legacy move Fusion Bolt available during this period.
Having completed hundreds of legendary raids, I’ve picked up some valuable tips that I’m excited to share with you:
Weather can significantly impact your Zekrom raid experience. Here’s what you need to know:
| Weather | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Rainy | Ground-type moves boosted | Zekrom’s Electric moves boosted, higher CP after catch |
| Windy | Dragon-type moves boosted | Zekrom’s Dragon moves boosted, higher CP after catch |
| Sunny | Ground-type moves boosted | No negative effects |
| Snow | Ice-type moves boosted | No negative effects |
| Cloudy | Fairy-type moves boosted | No negative effects |
My Recommendation: If possible, I prefer raiding Zekrom in Sunny weather – you get the Ground-type boost without boosting Zekrom’s damaging moves.
Zekrom has a 1 in 20 shiny rate in raids, which is standard for most legendary Pokemon in Pokemon GO.
Yes, shiny Zekrom is available in Pokemon GO. The shiny version features a darker black coloration with blue accents instead of the usual gray.
For raids: Charge Beam (Fast) + Fusion Bolt (Charge) For PvP: Dragon Breath (Fast) + Wild Charge/Outrage (Charge)
You can technically duo Zekrom with 2 high-level trainers using optimal counters, but I recommend 3-5 trainers for a comfortable win.
Absolutely! Zekrom is one of the best Electric-type attackers in the game and performs excellently in Master League PvP.
While possible in theory, most shiny Zekrom encounters come from raids rather than research tasks.
Participate in raids, use Pinap Berries when catching, and walk with Zekrom as your buddy. Mega Evolving Dragon or Electric types also gives candy bonuses.
There you have it – everything you need to know to conquer Zekrom raids in Pokemon GO! I’ve shared my personal experiences, strategies, and tips to help you add this incredible Dragon/Electric legendary to your collection. Whether you’re aiming for that perfect IV specimen, saving up for Black Kyurem fusion, or just want to dominate in Master League, Zekrom is definitely worth your time and effort.
Remember, the key to successful raiding is preparation, teamwork, and having fun. Don’t get discouraged if your first few attempts don’t go perfectly – even the most experienced trainers have off days. Keep at it, build up your counter team, and most importantly, enjoy the journey.
I’d love to hear about your Zekrom raid experiences! How many are you planning to catch? Did you get a shiny? Drop your stories and questions in the comments below, and let’s keep the conversation going. Happy raiding, trainers!
