NationalDex
zapdos
#145

Zapdos

Electric Pokémon

ElectricFlying

A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear from clouds while dropping enormous 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

Locations

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

Defensive
Moves
Thunderbolt / Volt Switch / Discharge
Toxic / Hidden Power Ice
Item
Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
Ability
Static / Pressure
Nature
Bold
EVs
HP 252
Def 252
SpA 4

Strategy Overview

While Zapdos may not have the offensive prowess of its Electric / Flying relative Thundurus, Zapdos is capable of using its typing defensively, boasting respectable 90 / 85 / 90 bulk, solid recovery in Roost, an immunity to paralysis that allows it to check Thunder Wave users such as Klefki with ease, and the abilities Static and Pressure, all of which rare and useful for a defensive Pokemon in Battle Spot Singles. While its defenses aren't on par with those of walls such as Porygon2, Suicune, and Cresselia and its typing can be exploited by common Ice- and Rock-type moves, Zapdos boasts a respectable base 125 Special Attack and access to moves such as Heat Wave and Toxic. This allows Zapdos to function as an effective check to Pokemon such as Excadrill, Salamence, Lopunny, Azumarill, Talonflame, and Gyarados, carving a solid role for itself in Battle Spot Singles and fitting easily onto teams requiring a flexible defensive Pokemon to handle these threats.

Most Used Moves

Roost
86.8%
Heat Wave
76.8%
Toxic
54.7%

Most Used Items

Leftovers
18.7%

Competitive data from Smogon University via data.pkmn.cc