NationalDex
zapdos
#145

Zapdos

Electric Pokémon

ElectricFlying

A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.

Base Stats

HP 90
Attack 90
Defense 85
Sp. Atk 125
Sp. Def 90
Speed 100
Total 580

Type Effectiveness

Abilities

Pressure Static (Hidden)

Evolution Chain

Moves

Details

Category Electric Pokémon
Height 1.6 m
Weight 52.6 kg
Base Exp 261
Growth Rate Slow
Capture Rate 3
Base Happiness 35
Gender Genderless
Habitat Rare
Egg Groups No Eggs
Legendary Pokémon

Sprites

zapdos Front Front
zapdos Back Back
zapdos Front Shiny Front Shiny
zapdos Back Shiny Back Shiny
zapdos Official Art Official Art
zapdos Official Art (Shiny) Official Art (Shiny)

Competitive

Special Attacker
Moves
Thunderbolt / Discharge
Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Grass
Detect / Tailwind
Item
Sitrus Berry / Charti Berry / Yache Berry
Nature
Modest
EVs
HP 140
SpA 252
Spe 116

Strategy Overview

Zapdos's excellent typing and bulk allows it to check a multitude of common physical attackers such as Metagross and Garchomp. However, Zapdos distinguishes itself from other bulky Pokemon with its excellent offensive prowess; it features good Speed, high Special Attack, and excellent coverage. Although it might at first seem outclassed by Thundurus, Zapdos's greater bulk and access to Tailwind and Heat Wave keep it distinct from the genie. Unfortunately, Zapdos is weak to common spread attacks, such as Rock Slide and Blizzard, and it's also slower than several common threats, such as Latios, Weavile, and Terrakion. Overall, thanks to its bulk and power, Zapdos works well as part of a DisQuake duo, a rain attacker, a check to rain teams, or on a goodstuff team.

Competitive data from Smogon University via data.pkmn.cc