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While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, Zamazenta has a second form activated by giving it a Rusted Shield to hold. Its original form, Hero of Many Battles, will then become the dual-type Fighting/SteelCrowned Shield.
In its Hero of Many Battles form, Zamazenta is a large magenta lupine Pokémon with yellow eyes, a bulky frame, and a ponytail on its head. Its tail and ponytail are a deep blue; it also has deep blue accents on its neck and forelimbs. Its body is covered in battle scars and part of its right ear is missing. Its head and neck have thick fur resembling a shield. The Crowned Shield form causes Zamazenta to generate a set of golden armor covering the front of its body like a shield; while the side portion normally covers its forelimbs, it can slide forward to allow Zamazenta to use Behemoth Bash or protect itself from frontal attacks more effectively. Its ponytail also grows to cover most of its backside.
By absorbing metal particles, Zamazenta can change to its other form in battle. In the past, Zamazenta was feared and respected by people of Galar, and it worked together with a king to save the region. In legends, it was known as the Fighting Master's Shield due to its ability to deflect any attacks. By becoming a statue, it can rest for eons; even while asleep, it can cast illusions including a projection of itself. Zamazenta is capable of flying. It is variously believed to be the younger sibling or the rival of Zacian. When together with Zacian, it cancels out the power of Eternatus, even in its powerful Eternamax form.
Zamazenta's regal and majestic movements enable it to overwhelm opponents who face off against it. Zamazenta uses its golden shield to fend off attacks and as a weapon. The shield has tremendous strength, capable of withstanding scratches from the sharp claws of Dragon-type Pokémon, and attacks from Dynamax Pokémon. Its resolve does not falter in any battlefield, and it will charge at its enemies head on. By bashing with its full might, it is said that Zamazenta's power can cause cracks in the land, and that the resulting shockwaves can knock out hundreds of enemies.
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Zamazenta
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zamazenta
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Zamazenta
Form change
If Zamazenta knows Iron Head when it enters battle in its Crowned Shield form, Iron Head will become its signature move, Behemoth Bash, until the battle ends, where it becomes Iron Head again.
Crowned Shield Zamazenta is the heaviest Fighting-type Pokémon.
Origin
Zamazenta may be based on King Arthur's shield, known as Wynebgwrthucher or Pridwen. It may also be based on the Knights of the Round Table, characters under Arthur's order said to work with him to protect the British kingdom. Its relationship with Zacian may reference the relationship between King Arthur and his sister Morgan le Fay. It otherwise resembles a wolf, an animal once native to Great Britain and an important heraldic symbol for noble families during the Middle Ages. It also resembles the Iron Wolf of ancient Lithuanian mythology. The armored plating on Zamazenta is similar to that of a barding, a form of body armor worn by warhorses during the Late Middle Ages.
The story of Zacian and Zamazenta retreating to the Slumbering Weald to recover from their wounds, and their return in the present day to save Galar, parallels the legend of King Arthur's messianic return.
Zamazenta's shield's ability to resist any attack, with Zacian's sword being able to cut through anything, could be an example of an irresistible force paradox. One of the most famous examples of this in folklore includes the Chinese tale of a peddler selling a spear and a shield with similar properties, only to be asked what would happen if the two items were to be used against one another. Another example tells of the Greek hunting hound Laelaps, which always caught its prey, being set upon Teumessian fox, which could never be caught, and had to be turned into constellations to prevent the paradox.
Collectively, Zacian and Zamazenta may also be based on Sirius, a binary star colloquially known as the "Dog Star". Specifically, Zamazenta may represent Sirius B, the fainter one. This star has a mass 2.1 times that of the Sun, which corresponds to Zamazenta's weight of 210 kg.
Additionally, the shape of its shining shield while using Behemoth Bash may reference Sköll, a wolf that chases after the Sun in Norse mythology.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.