Mixed
Sweeper
100Speed · Fast

Is Zapdos Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Power Plant legendary. AbilityPressure doubles PP consumption. Electric/Flying with massive Special Attack handles Lorelei, Lance's Gyarados, and most of Blue's team. Available before the E4 at level 50. The legendary bird most players actually bring to the Championship.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadESESGGGESGGGGBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8ZapdosCatchableLoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Even

Zapdos trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Even
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Strong

Zapdos resists most of Misty's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
Easy KO
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Even

Zapdos trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
Even
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Even
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Strong

Zapdos resists most of Erika's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Easy KO
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Easy KO
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Good

Zapdos has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Good

Zapdos has the type edge here and should clean up Sabrina's team.

You Win
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
Easy KO
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Even
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

Zapdos has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

You Win
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
You Win
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Even

Zapdos trades roughly evenly with Giovanni's team.

Even
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
You Win
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
Even
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Even
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Even
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Strong

Zapdos resists most of Lorelei's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
Easy KO
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
Easy KO
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
You Win
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
You Win
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Zapdos has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Even
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
Easy KO
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
Easy KO
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
Even
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
You Win
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

Zapdos has the type edge here and should clean up Agatha's team.

You Win
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
You Win
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
You Win
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
Even
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Good

Zapdos has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.

Easy KO
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
Even
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Good

Zapdos has the type edge here and should clean up Terry's team.

Easy KO
Pidgeot
Lv 59
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
Aerial AceFeather DanceSand AttackWhirlwind
Even
Alakazam
Lv 57
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicFuture SightRecoverReflect
Even
Rhydon
Lv 59
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownEarthquakeRock TombScary Face
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 59
Fire
Intimidate
Extreme SpeedFlamethrowerRoarBite
You Win
Exeggutor
Lv 61
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Giga DrainEgg BombSleep PowderLight Screen
You Win
Blastoise
Lv 63
Water
Torrent
Hydro PumpRain DanceSkull BashBite
Catchable
Available after Badge 8
Type
ElectricFlying
Tier
S

Catch Zapdos on Power Plant (interact, Lv 50, limited). Power Plant back room. Static encounter at the back of the Power Plant

View Zapdos locations

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 50)
    • LV 50FlyingDrill Peck120100%20
  • After Lt. Surge
    • HM02FlyingFly13595%15
    • TM34ElectricShock Wave90100%20
  • After Erika
    • TM24ElectricThunderbolt135100%15
    • TM40FlyingAerial Ace90100%20
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • Post-Game
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20
    • LV 85ElectricThunder16570%10

How to Get Zapdos in FireRed & LeafGreen

Static encounter at level 50 at the back of the Power Plant, both versions. Same brutal catch rate of 3 as the other birds. One shot, gone if knocked out.

1 location to catch Zapdos

Badge 8

Zapdos Weakness

Ice and Rock moves hit Zapdos for super-effective damage. The upside? Ground-type moves can't touch it at all. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. With 90 HP and balanced defenses, Zapdos can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.

Zapdos Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ice, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Fighting, Flying, Bug, Steel
0x (Immune)Ground
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Zapdos Weak Against

Excellent
2Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score+4
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Zapdos Strong Against

5Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+4
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Zapdos

Zapdos Evolutions

A Electric/Flying-type legendary, Zapdos doesn't evolve or breed. At 580 total stats, it's meant to stand on its own. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Zapdos
#145Zapdos
Does not evolve

Breeding

Unavailable
Undiscovered egg group

FRLG Zapdos Best Moveset

125 Sp. Atk at 100 Speed fires MoveThunderbolt for Electric TermStab at elite special power. AbilityPressure drains opponent PP at double rate. Electric/Flying provides a Ground immunity. The moveset dominates as a fast special attacker with MoveHidden Power for coverage and MoveRest for sustain. One of the format's most reliable threats.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Attacker
Ability
Pressure
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Zapdos
Timid+SPE

Zapdos best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Attacker Moveset

  • ThunderboltSTAB
  • Hidden Power Grass
  • Baton Pass
  • Thunder WaveSTAB

Moves List

Level-up moves are just the starting point for Zapdos. TMs unlock Normal and Fighting coverage and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Thunder and Fly into something with actual range.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Peck
D5210035Flying
Lv 1
Thunder Shock
6010030Electric
Lv 13
Thunder Wave
A10020Electric
Lv 25
Agility
C30Psychic
Lv 37
Detect+4
5Fighting
Lv 49
Drill Peck
C12010020Flying
Lv 61
Charge
D20Electric
Lv 73
Light Screen
C30Psychic
Lv 85
Thunder
B1807010Electric

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
C9020Flying
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
HM05
Flash
7020Normal
HM02
Fly
C1059515Flying
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TM16
Light Screen
C30Psychic
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6
A20Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
D2010015Fighting
TM37
Sandstorm
D10Rock
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM34
Shock Wave
C9020Electric
TM47
Steel Wing
D709025Steel
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM25
Thunder
B1807010Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
B14210015Electric
TM06
Toxic
A8510Poison

Egg Moves

Zapdos doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Substitute
A10Normal
Tutor
Thunder Wave
A10020Electric

Base Stats

Base Stats
Pseudo
HP90
B
Attack90
B
Defense85
C
Sp. Atk125
A
Sp. Def90
B
Speed100
B
Total580
Details
Catch Rate
Legendary3 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.6 m
Weight52.6 kg
Base XP290
Abilities
Pressure
Increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+3SpDSpe
Strong Special Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

One of the legendary bird POKéMON. While it is flying, it makes crackling and snapping sounds.

A legendary bird POKéMON that is said to appear from clouds while dropping enormous lightning bolts.

Zapdos FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Zapdos is a static encounter at Power Plant in FireRed & LeafGreen. Zapdos appears at level 50. Prerequisite: Power Plant back room. Save before the encounter. These one-shot Pokemon don't respawn if you knock them out or run out of Poke Balls.

Game Availability

First obtainable in Red & Blue, Zapdos has been featured in 20 titles across 10 generations. Legendary status means a single encounter per playthrough in most games.

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