Zapdos

Flying

Due to its good defensive Electric / Flying typing coupled with its decent defensive stats, Zapdos can act as an excellent specially defensive wall for Flying-type teams. Zapdos also has a great Special Attack stat, which, even when it is running a defensive set, allows it to not be passive and deal respectable damage to its foes. Its STAB Discharge lets it spread paralysis. It also provides crucial entry hazard removal in the form of Defog, which allows it and its teammates to switch in and out more often. Due to its typing, Zapdos is able to take Electric-type attacks that would otherwise threaten Flying teams, as it only takes neutral damage. It is also the only Electric / Flying type that has access to reliable recovery, which it gets in the form of Roost. However, Zapdos's somewhat lacking Defense stat can leave it weak to many physical attackers when running a specially defensive set, which should be taken into consideration when putting it into your team.

Electric

Zapdos acts as a special wall on Electric teams because of its reliable recovery, solid defensive typing, good bulk, and Defog. Thanks to its Ground immunity, Zapdos can situationally switch into Choice-locked Excadrill and wall Hippowdon and Landorus, assuming the latter doesn't have Gravity or Rock Slide. Its resistance to Fighting lets Zapdos tank hits from Mega Gallade and function as a situational switch-in to Heracross. Zapdos can also sponge special attacks from the likes of Latios, Gengar, and Hydreigon and spread status with Discharge and Toxic.