Let's be real for a second. If you’ve been grinding legendary raids in Pokemon Go for any length of time, you know the crushing feeling of seeing that 2D sprite fade in after a battle, only to realize it’s the standard, run-of-the-mill colors. Again. With shiny Zekrom, the stakes feel higher because Zekrom isn't just some dex filler. It’s a powerhouse. But the funny thing about this specific shiny is that if you aren't paying close attention, you might actually miss it.
Zekrom is the Deep Black Pokemon. Its shiny version? Also very black.
The differences are subtle. You’re looking for a slight green tint to the skin and, most importantly, a glowing green tail instead of the standard blue when it attacks. It’s a "blink and you'll miss it" situation that has led to more than a few trainers accidentally clicking away from a prize because they thought it was a regular encounter.
Why the Hunt for Shiny Zekrom is Different
Most people think every legendary shiny has a flat 1-in-20 rate. While Niantic generally keeps to that standard for Tier 5 raids, the "feeling" of the Zekrom hunt is weighted by the fact that Zekrom is actually useful. You aren't just hunting a trophy. You're hunting a functional beast.
The math is simple but the execution is exhausting. At a 5% encounter rate, you have a roughly 64% chance of seeing one after 20 raids. Some people get it on the first try; others are 60 raids deep with nothing but a pile of Golden Razz Berries and a lighter wallet to show for it. It's gambling, basically. We just call it "shiny hunting."
The Visual Cues You Need to Watch For
If you’re raiding in bright sunlight, the green hue on a shiny Zekrom’s head crest is nearly impossible to see. Seriously, don't rely on the skin color. Look at the eyes. The standard Zekrom has red eyes, while the shiny version shifts toward a more electric, piercing blue-green.
Then there’s the tail.
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When Zekrom enters its "overdrive" state during an attack animation, its turbine tail glows. Standard is blue. Shiny is green. If you see green fire coming out of that dragon's backside, you’ve hit the jackpot. Take a breath. Remember that shiny legendaries from raids are a guaranteed catch as long as you land the ball. Don't waste your Golden Razz. Toss a Silver Pinap or a regular Pinap Berry to maximize that precious XL Candy. You're going to need it to hit Level 50.
Breaking Down the Meta: Is it Just a Trophy?
It’s easy to get caught up in the aesthetics, but a shiny Zekrom in Pokemon Go is only as good as its IVs and its moveset.
Zekrom is a dual Dragon/Electric type. This is a massive deal. It resists Electric, Flying, Steel, Fire, and Water moves. In the Master League, it stands as a gatekeeper. It’s one of the few things that can reliably stare down an Origin Forme Kyogre or a Lugia and make them sweat. But here is the nuance: if you catch a shiny with 10/10/10 IVs, it’s arguably worse for your win rate than a non-shiny 15/15/15.
In Master League, those "breakpoints" matter. A Zekrom with a 15 attack stat might deal one extra damage per Dragon Breath against a Dialga. That adds up. Over a long match, that "minor" difference determines who reaches their Charged Attack first.
Fusion Bolt: The Move That Changed Everything
For a long time, Zekrom was "good but not great." Then came Fusion Bolt. This is Zekrom’s signature move. If you are catching a shiny Zekrom during a special event window, it usually comes with this move. If not, you’re looking at burning an Elite Charged TM.
Is it worth the TM?
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Yes.
Fusion Bolt is a 140-damage nuke in PvE. It turns Zekrom into the premier Electric-type attacker, rivaled only by Xurkitree (which is a glass cannon) and Mega Manectric. In PvP, it costs 45 energy and hits for 90 damage. That’s incredible efficiency.
The Logistics of the Grind
You can't just stumble into a Zekrom raid and expect to win with a team of Aggrons. Please, for the love of Arceus, stop using Aggron.
Zekrom is weak to Ground, Ice, Dragon, and Fairy.
If you want to take it down quickly—which you do, because more speed equals more Premier Balls—you need the heavy hitters. Primal Groudon with Precipice Blades is the gold standard here. If you don't have that, Mamoswine with High Horsepower or any high-level Dragon (Rayquaza, Salamence, Palkia) will do the trick. Just keep in mind that Zekrom’s own Dragon-type moves will shred your Dragons right back. It’s a race to the finish.
Remote Raiding vs. In-Person
Ever since Niantic nerfed remote raid passes and put a daily cap on them, the hunt for shiny Zekrom has become a logistical headache. You’ve only got five remote attempts a day. If you’re a hardcore hunter, you have to get out of the house.
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Host raids using apps like PokeGenie or LeekDuck if your local community is a ghost town. It’s the only way to ensure you actually get enough bodies in the lobby to take down a 53,000 CP boss.
What Most Trainers Get Wrong About the "100% Shiny"
There is a persistent myth that if you see a shiny Zekrom, its stats are boosted. This is total nonsense. Shiny status and IVs (Individual Values) are completely independent rolls of the RNG.
You can absolutely catch a "Shundo"—a shiny 100% IV Zekrom. The odds of that happening in a raid are 1 in 4,320 (that's the 1/20 shiny rate multiplied by the 1/216 chance of a 15/15/15). If you get one, you’ve essentially beaten the game. Most of us will settle for a "93% shiny" and call it a career.
Don't be the person who transfers a 100% non-shiny just because you're obsessed with the sparkle. A "hundo" Zekrom is a top-tier asset for raids. Use it.
Preparation for the Next Rotation
If Zekrom isn't currently in the raid rotation, you need to be prepping now. This means hoarding PokeCoins from gyms and stocking up on Revives. Zekrom hits like a freight train, especially if it has Wild Charge or Outrage. You will go through your stash of Max Revives faster than you think.
- Check your counters: Do you have at least six Pokemon at Level 40 that deal super-effective damage?
- Save your ETMs: Don't waste them on random projects if you plan on maxing out a Zekrom later.
- Find a trade partner: If you fail to catch the shiny, find a Best Friend in-game. A "Lucky Trade" for a shiny Zekrom is the best way to ensure it has high IVs and costs less Stardust to power up.
The hunt for a shiny Zekrom is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about the thrill of that green glow in the tail and the knowledge that you’ve secured one of the most powerful legendaries in the history of the franchise.
Next Steps for the Savvy Trainer
Start by auditing your Ground and Dragon-type teams. If you aren't sitting on a solid squad of Excadrill, Garchomp, or Mamoswine, spend your current Stardust there. When the raid weekend finally drops, aim for at least three in-person raids to take advantage of the extra Candy XL bonuses. This is the only reliable way to get a Zekrom to Level 50, which is where it truly starts to dominate the Master League meta. Stick to the 15-attack minimum rule for any Zekrom you plan to invest heavily in—shiny or not.