NationalDex
zapdos
#145

Zapdos

Electric Pokémon

ElectricFlying

This legendary bird Pokémon is said to appear when the sky turns dark and lightning showers down.

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
Volt Switch / Thunderbolt / Discharge
Item
Rocky Helmet / Wiki Berry / Leftovers
Ability
Static / Pressure
Nature
Bold
EVs
HP 244
Def 244
Spe 20

Strategy Overview

Unlike other Electric-types, such as Tapu Koko and Thundurus-T, Zapdos has the ability to run defensive sets to take on dangerous attackers, including Mega Salamence, Mega Gyarados, and Mega Lucario. Zapdos is one of the few Electric-types with access to reliable recovery in the form of Roost, which helps it stay healthy and perform its defensive role. In addition, Zapdos has a unique niche with its access to Heat Wave, allowing it to threaten Steel-types, particularly Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn, making it a good fit in a variety of team archetypes.

However, Zapdos's defensive capability is sometimes hindered by Stealth Rock; furthermore, Zapdos's defensive stats are not stellar, so it is reliant on its typing to effectively function as a wall.

Most Used Moves

Roost
75.3%
Heat Wave
61.5%
Toxic
39.9%
Discharge
37.3%

Most Used Items

Leftovers
13.9%

Competitive data from Smogon University via data.pkmn.cc