The Deep Black Pokemon. Zekrom is a Dragon/Electric legendary with Teravolt ignoring abilities. Bolt Strike is its signature 130-power Electric move with paralysis chance.
Ability 1TeravoltAbility 1Bypasses targets' abilities if they could hinder or prevent moves.
680HP100Attack150Defense120Speed90Sp.Def100Sp.Atk120
Weak to
Physical
Wallbreaker
STier
90Speed · Above Avg

Zekrom Best Moveset

150 Attack on Dragon/Electric with AbilityTeravolt ignoring abilities. Held ItemLife Orb with NatureAdamant fires the hardest-hitting physical Dragon and Electric damage in the game. MoveBolt Strike at 130 power ignores AbilityLightning Rod and AbilityVolt Absorb through Teravolt. The moveset overwhelms from the physical side. 90 Speed is adequate. S-Tier through unstoppable power.

SABCDEFSSSSSBlack & White / B2W2VBW/B2W2PEAKX & Y / ORASVIXY/ORASSun & Moon / USUMVIISM/USUMSword & Shield / BDSPVIIISS/BDSPScarlet & Violet / Legends Z-AIXSV/LZACURRENT
Consistently S-Tier across all generations
★Gen V — Black & White / B2W2S

Electric/Dragon with 150 Attack and Bolt Strike in Gen V (Black & White). Physical Electric STAB with 130 power. Teravolt ignored abilities. Banned from standard play.

Hidden Abilities became available

Best Moves

SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 100
Bolt Strike
Electric130COMMONSTAB
Lv 85
Outrage
Dragon120COMMONSTAB
TM72
Volt Switch
Electric70COMMONSTAB
Lv 54
Dragon Claw
Dragon80COMMONSTAB
Tutor
Draco Meteor
Dragon130RARESTAB
Zekrom Black & White MovesZekrom Black 2 & White 2 Moves

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Revenge Killer
Ability
Teravolt
Item
Choice ScarfSPEED
Best Nature for Zekrom
Jolly+SPE

Zekrom best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Revenge Killer Moveset

  • Bolt StrikeSTAB
  • OutrageSTAB
  • Volt SwitchSTAB
  • Dragon ClawSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Kyogre
KyogreDecent
Groudon
GroudonDecent
Genesect
GenesectDecent
→Gen VI — X & Y / ORASS

Bolt Strike paralyzed 20% of the time in Gen VI (X & Y). 150 Attack physical Electric damage was unique among Dragons. Two gens in the restricted format.

Fairy type added to the gameMega Evolution became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 100
Bolt Strike
Electric130COMMONSTAB
Tutor
Draco Meteor
Dragon130COMMONSTAB
Lv 85
Outrage
Dragon120RARESTAB
Lv 54
Dragon Claw
Dragon80RARESTAB
Lv 50
Fusion Bolt
Electric100RARESTAB
TM72
Volt Switch
Electric70RARESTAB
Zekrom X & Y MovesZekrom ORAS Moves
Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Teravolt
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Zekrom
Naughty+ATK
EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • Bolt StrikeSTAB
  • Draco MeteorSTAB
  • OutrageSTAB
  • Dragon ClawSTAB
→Gen VII — Sun & Moon / USUMS

Three gens restricted in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Dragon Dance turned Zekrom from a wallbreaker into a sweeper. One boost and 150 Attack swept restricted-format teams.

Z-Moves became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 100
Bolt Strike
Electric130COMMONSTAB
Lv 85
Outrage
Dragon120COMMONSTAB
Lv 54
Dragon Claw
Dragon80RARESTAB
Lv 50
Fusion Bolt
Electric100RARESTAB
Tutor
Draco Meteor
Dragon130RARESTAB
Zekrom Sun & Moon MovesZekrom Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Moves
Experimental
Utility
Ability
Teravolt
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Zekrom
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Bolt StrikeSTAB
  • OutrageSTAB
  • Dragon ClawSTAB
  • Fusion BoltSTAB
→Gen VIII — Sword & Shield / BDSPS

Four gens in the restricted format in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Max Lightning set Electric Terrain while hitting from 150 Attack. Dynamax complemented Dragon Dance perfectly.

Gigantamax became availableDynamax became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 88
Bolt Strike
Electric130COMMONSTAB
TR51
Dragon Dance
Dragon—COMMONSTAB
Lv 32
Dragon Claw
Dragon80COMMONSTAB
Xfer
Roost
Flying—RARERecovery
Zekrom Sword & Shield Moves
Experimental
Physical Setup Sweeper
Ability
Teravolt
Item
Life OrbPOWER
Best Nature for Zekrom
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • Bolt StrikeSTAB
  • Dragon DanceSTAB
  • Dragon ClawSTAB
  • RoostRecovery

Recommended Teammates

Yveltal
YveltalGood
Necrozma-Dusk-Mane
Necrozma-Dusk-ManeDecent
Calyrex-Shadow
Calyrex-ShadowDecent
→Gen IX — Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-AS

Five gens restricted in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Dragon Dance plus 150 Attack plus Bolt Strike. The physical Electric Dragon remained a top restricted-format threat.

Terastallization became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 88
Bolt Strike
Electric130COMMONSTAB
Lv 88
Bolt Strike
Electric130COMMONSTAB
TM100
Dragon Dance
Dragon—COMMONSTAB
TM100
Dragon Dance
Dragon—COMMONSTAB
Lv 32
Dragon Claw
Dragon80COMMONSTAB
Lv 48
Fusion Bolt
Electric100COMMONSTAB
Lv 48
Fusion Bolt
Electric100RARESTAB
Lv 32
Dragon Claw
Dragon80COMMONSTAB
Lv 80
Outrage
Dragon120RARESTAB
Lv 80
Outrage
Dragon120RARESTAB
Zekrom Scarlet & Violet Moves
Experimental
Physical Setup Sweeper
Ability
Teravolt
Item
Life OrbPOWER
Best Nature for Zekrom
Adamant+ATK
EVs

Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • Bolt StrikeSTAB
  • Bolt StrikeSTAB
  • Dragon DanceSTAB
  • Dragon DanceSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Zacian-Crowned
Zacian-CrownedDecent
Groudon-Primal
Groudon-PrimalDecent
Marshadow
MarshadowDecent

Zekrom Weakness

Zekrom is weak to Ice, Ground, Dragon, and Fairy. It resists 6 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Zekrom's overall bulk (100/120/100) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.

Zekrom Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ice, Ground, Dragon, Fairy
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Grass, Flying, Steel
0.25x (Resist)Electric

What is Zekrom Weak Against

Avg
4Weak
6Resist
0Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
IceGroundDragonFairy
½xResist
FireWaterGrassFlyingSteel
¼xResist
Electric
0xImmune
None

What is Zekrom Strong Against

3Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+3
2xStrong
WaterFlyingDragon
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Zekrom

Ho-Oh
Ho-Oh
S
Ho-Oh
Ho-Oh
S
Alomomola
Alomomola
A
Corviknight
Corviknight
B
Toxapex
Toxapex
B

Evolution

Zekrom is a powerhouse with 680 total stats as a Dragon/Electric legendary. Can't breed it, so you're locked to whatever you catch or receive. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Zekrom
#644ZekromDoes not evolve

Breeding

Unavailable
Undiscovered egg group

Shiny Zekrom

Black dragon stays black. Zekrom and Reshiram share the dubious honor of having the most disappointing legendary shinies in franchise history. Two of the coolest designs, two of the worst shinies.

Normal vs Shiny
Normal ZekromNormal
Shiny Zekrom Shiny
Color ShiftBlack
Shiny TierD Tier Shiny

Shiny Zekrom Evolution

Does Not Evolve
Zekrom does not evolve
Single-stage PokemonView Full Evolution Chart

Shiny Zekrom Odds & Hunting Methods

8 of 8 Verified
GameBest MethodOddsDifficulty
GameSword & Shield
MethodDynamax Adventure (Max Lair)Max LairBest odds require Crown Tundra DLC
Odds1/100
Difficulty
GameOmega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
MethodSoft Reset
Odds1/1365
Difficulty
GameUltra Sun & Ultra Moon
MethodSoft Reset
Odds1/1365
Difficulty
Shiny via transfer only
Not obtainable here — bring a shiny in from a game where it can be caught or bred.
GameX & Y
Method—
Odds—
Difficulty—
GameSun & Moon
Method—
Odds—
Difficulty—
No shiny in these games
This Pokemon has no obtainable shiny form here.
GameBlack & White
MethodShiny locked
Odds—
Difficulty—
GameBlack 2 & White 2
MethodShiny locked
Odds—
Difficulty—
GameScarlet & Violet
MethodShiny locked
Odds—
Difficulty—
More dots = harder hunt1/200 Green = best verified rate
How do we research these odds?

We check every game where a shiny is possible, then rank each one by the best method available in that game, so the row at the top is the fastest route overall.

Odds marked verified are cross-checked against multiple independent sources before we publish them. Where a rate is not yet confirmed we mark the row pending rather than guess a number.

Read our full methodology

How to Get Zekrom

All 8 games

No wild encounters for Zekrom in Scarlet & Violet. It can be transferred in from Sword & Shield.

Zekrom is not available as a wild encounter in this game.

Also Obtainable In:

Black & WhiteSpecial encounter · Dragonspiral TowerBlack 2 & White 2Special encounter · Dragonspiral Tower · Requires Dark StoneOmega Ruby & Alpha SapphireSpecial encounter · Mirage Spots · Requires Fabled Cave via Soaring near Mauville City; Level 100 PokemonUltra Sun & Ultra MoonSpecial encounter · Ultra Space WildsSword & ShieldDynamax adventure · Max Lair · Dynamax Adventure final boss (Shield exclusive)

Pokemon transfers only go forward through generations, never backward. Direct cross-gen trades aren't supported.

Base Stats

Nothing fancy in Zekrom's spread. It leans physical with Attack out front. And you'll get 3 Attack EVs per KO for it. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.

Base Stats
Legend
HP100
B
Attack150
S
Defense120
A
Sp. Atk120
A
Sp. Def100
B
Speed90
B
Total680
Details
Catch Rate
Legendary3 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height2.9 m
9'06"Tall
Weight345.0 kg
760.6 lbsColossal
Base XP306
Elite Yield
Abilities
Teravolt
Bypasses targets' abilities if they could hinder or prevent moves.
EV Yield
HPAtk+3DefSpASpDSpe
Strong Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

Mythology tells us that if people lose the righteousness in their hearts, their kingdoms will be razed by Zekrom’s lightning.

Pokemon Shield

Zekrom Event Distributions

Zekrom has been distributed through a modest set of Mystery Gift events.

ZekromMar 2012BlackWhiteBlack 2White 2Not shiny
Lv 100 OT: PRI2012 Cherish Ball Wishing Ribbon
Moves: Bolt Strike, Fusion Bolt, Haze, Outrage
from Mar 2012
Lotte elettrizzanti con ZekromSunNot shiny
Lv 60 OT: Leggende2018 Cherish Ball Classic Ribbon 3 guaranteed max IVs
Moves: Slash, Zen Headbutt, Fusion Bolt, Dragon Claw
Deep Black Pokemon Zekrom Gift!Ultra SunNot shiny
Lv 100 OT: 코리안리그 Cherish Ball Classic Ribbon 3 guaranteed max IVs
Moves: Fusion Bolt, Bolt Strike, Outrage, Stone Edge
Original name: 흑음포켓몬 제크로무 선물!

Zekrom Guide

  • Zekrom plays as a wallbreaker. Speed is middling, so pick your spots carefully.

  • Zekrom pairs best with Zacian Crowned, Groudon Primal, and Marshadow. Zacian Crowned has Decent synergy and covers what Zekrom can't handle on its own.

  • Adamant is the go-to nature for Zekrom. That's +Attack / -Sp. Atk. Pair it with 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe EVs. Fits the wallbreaker role.

Game Availability

Since Black & White, Zekrom has appeared in 8 games. Legendary Pokemon like Zekrom are usually found through story events or special post-game areas rather than random encounters.

Click a game to view version-specific details

Explore

Where to go next after Zekrom.

Next stepPokedexBrowse the full Pokedex for every gameSee Pokedex
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