Zapdos

Electric

Zapdos's decent bulk and Flying typing allow it to function as one of the best defensive Pokemon available to Electric. Its part Flying typing grants Zapdos a very important immunity to Ground, allowing it to freely switch into Ground-type attacks for the team. Its bulk and good defensive typing enable Zapdos to switch into a plethora of attackers such as Scizor and Excadrill. Zapdos's access to Defog allows it to function as the premier hazard remover for Electric teams, and Roost grants it longevity throughout a battle. Zapdos also commonly utilizes Heat Wave, allowing it to take on troublesome Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, which otherwise walls the majority of most Electric teams. It is able to provide paralysis support for its teammates through its ability Static as well as with Discharge. Zapdos is also able to function as a pivot for its teammates with Volt Switch in order to safely bring in teammates against faster foes. Even though its Flying typing grants it an immunity to Ground, it also provides weaknesses to Ice and Rock, both of which are very prevalent coverage options in the metagame, leaving it threatened by Pokemon such as Kyurem-B and Terrakion.

Flying

Zapdos finds itself as one of the most useful Pokemon a Flying-type team can use, as its Electric typing allows it to take attacks from the likes of Tapu Koko under Electric Terrain, and it is able to provide support for its team via Defog. Its bulk also allows it to take hits from opposing offensive Pokemon such as Gengar and Latios. With Pressure as its ability, Zapdos is able to waste opposing Stealth Rock PP quickly and successfully stall out Pokemon that use the move repeatedly, as well as waste the PP of other opposing moves that threaten its teammates. Zapdos's access to Roost and Toxic allows it to be an effective user of Pressure stall and force out opposing walls and offensive Pokemon with ease; alternatively, it can also use Defog to become a fast specially defensive pivot able to outspeed the likes of Heatran and Diggersby. Zapdos can work effectively as a pivot as well thanks to its access to Volt Switch, which allows it to make a good pivoting core with teammates like Landorus-T and Tornadus-T. Zapdos effectively spreads status to the opposing team with Discharge and Toxic, allowing it to become a useful asset in wearing down opposing Pokemon for its teammates. However, because of this passive playstyle, Zapdos is susceptible to Taunt, which can be problematic if it is trying to Defog hazards, heal itself with Roost, or wear down a threat with Toxic. Also, despite being a great wall, Zapdos can still be KOed by a lot of physical attackers like Mega Aerodactyl due to its slightly lackluster offensive presence and lack of physical bulk.