For the Emerald meta, At 580 BST, Zapdos is built different. We rank it S-Tier. As a Legendary Pokemon, the raw stats back up the reputation. Best used as a sweeper. Thunderbolt with Leftovers is the standard set.

What is Zapdos weak to?

In Emerald, watch for Cloyster (Ice) and Golem (Rock) when using Zapdos. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

What is the best ability for Zapdos?

Pressure increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one. That's the one you want on Zapdos. Static is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.

What role does Zapdos play in battle?

Base 100 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Zapdos is a mixed attacker with base 90 Attack and 125 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.

What counters Zapdos?

For Emerald, Zapdos has answers, but so do you. Priority moves (Mach Punch, Aqua Jet, Ice Shard) bypass its speed. Bulky walls that resist its STAB also shut it down.

Zapdos - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Mixed

Sweeper

STier

100Speed · Fast

Stats & Training

The stat budget goes to damage. Sp. Atk and Speed carry the offense, Defense doesn't even come close. An Electric Pokemon on a slow 1.25M XP grind, worth 3 Sp. Atk EVs per KO.

Base Stats

Pseudo

HP90

Attack90

Defense85

Sp. Atk125

Sp. Def90

Speed100

Total580

Details

Catch Rate

Legendary3 / 255

Growth Rate

Slow1.25M XP

Height1.6 m

Weight52.6 kg

Base XP290

Abilities

PressureTop Pick

Increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one.

StaticHANot in game

Has a 30% chance of paralyzing attacking Pokémon on contact.

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpA+3SpDSpe

Strong Special Attack training target

Pokedex Entries

ZAPDOS is a legendary bird POKéMON that has the ability to control electricity. It usually lives in thunderclouds. It gains power if it is stricken by lightning bolts.

Emerald

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
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Ice, Rock
0.5x (Resist)	Grass, Fighting, Flying, Bug, Steel
0x (Immune)	Ground

Type ChartExcellent

2Weak

5Resist

1Immune

Score+4

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

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Ice Rock

½xResist

Grass Fighting Flying Bug Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Ground

STAB (5)

Water Flying Grass Fighting Bug

How to Beat Zapdos in Emerald (Best Counters)

In Emerald, Wailord's Ice Beam hits Zapdos for 57-68%. Qwilfish deals 49-58% with Self-Destruct.

SkarmoryResists Flying, wears down with Toxic, sturdy guarantees survival SteelFlying	A
Recommended Build AbilityKeeneye ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves SpikesHazard RoarUtility ToxicUtility ProtectPriority View Skarmory builds →
WailordThreatens with Ice Beam Water	C
Recommended Build AbilityWaterveil ItemLeftovers NatureMild Moves Self Destruct Ice Beam Water Spout Hydro Pump Damage vs Zapdos Self Destruct 47-55% Ice Beam 2x 57-68% Hydro Pump 52-61% View Wailord builds →
QwilfishDrops Attack via Intimidate WaterPoison	C
Recommended Build AbilityPoison Point ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves SpikesHazard Self Destruct Sludge Bomb Destiny Bond Damage vs Zapdos Self Destruct 49-58% Sludge Bomb 33-39% View Qwilfish builds →
PrimeapeThreatens with Rock Slide Fighting	C
Recommended Build AbilityVitalspirit ItemScopelens NatureJolly Moves Cross Chop Rock Slide Earthquake Aerial Ace Damage vs Zapdos Rock Slide 2x 51-60% View Primeape builds →
KinglerWears down with Toxic, walls physical sets Water	C
Recommended Build AbilityShellarmor ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves RestRecovery Hidden Power Fighting Knock Off Swords Dance Damage vs Zapdos Knock Off 8-10% View Kingler builds →

Emerald Evolution

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

#145ZapdosDoes not evolve

Breeding

Unavailable

Undiscovered egg group

Emerald Zapdos Best Moveset

The build revolves around Baton Pass for safe pivoting. Pressure and Leftovers support Zapdos's hit-and-run approach, with max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs making sure each pivot actually threatens. The remaining moves adds versatility.

Best Build

Highly recommended

Special Attacker

Ability

Pressure

Item

LeftoversSUSTAIN

Best Nature for Zapdos

Timid+SPE

Zapdos best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

SpA

Spe

Special Attacker Moveset

ThunderboltSTAB
Hidden Power Grass
Baton Pass
Thunder WaveSTAB

Recommended Teammates

TyranitarGood

SwampertDecent

MetagrossDecent

Moves

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

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Peck

—3510035Flying

Lv 1

Thunder Shock

—4010030Electric

Lv 13

Thunder Wave

A—10020Electric

Lv 25

Agility

D——30Psychic

Lv 37

Detect+4

———5Fighting

Lv 49

Drill Peck

C8010020Flying

Lv 61

Charge

———20Electric

Lv 73

Light Screen

C——30Psychic

Lv 85

Thunder

B1207010Electric

TM Moves

TM40

Aerial Ace

C60—20Flying

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM42

Facade

C7010020Normal

HM05

Flash

——7020Normal

HM02

Fly

—709515Flying

TM21

Frustration

——10020Normal

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM15

Hyper Beam

B150905Normal

TM16

Light Screen

C——30Psychic

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM05

Roar-6

A——20Normal

HM06

Rock Smash

—2010015Fighting

TM37

Sandstorm

———10Rock

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM34

Shock Wave

—60—20Electric

TM47

Steel Wing

D709025Steel

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM25

Thunder

B1207010Electric

TM24

Thunderbolt

S9510015Electric

TM06

Toxic

B—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Zapdos doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Tutor

Endure+4

D——10Normal

Tutor

Mimic

———10Normal

Tutor

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Tutor

Sleep Talk

D——10Normal

Tutor

Snore

—4010015Normal

Tutor

Substitute

B——10Normal

Tutor

Swagger

——9015Normal

Tutor

Swift

—60—20Normal

Tutor

Thunder Wave

A—10020Electric

How to Get Zapdos in Emerald

Zapdos can't be caught in Emerald. Bring it over from Red, Yellow, or Let's Go Pikachu instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.

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

Special encounter in:

FireRedSpecial encounter · Power Plant

Then trade to Emerald.

Also found in:

Red Yellow Platinum HeartGold X Ultra Sun

Zapdos Guide

For the Emerald meta, At 580 BST, Zapdos is built different. We rank it S-Tier. As a Legendary Pokemon, the raw stats back up the reputation. Best used as a sweeper. Thunderbolt with Leftovers is the standard set.
In Emerald, watch for Cloyster (Ice) and Golem (Rock) when using Zapdos. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Pressure increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one. That's the one you want on Zapdos. Static is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Base 100 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Zapdos is a mixed attacker with base 90 Attack and 125 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.
For Emerald, Zapdos has answers, but so do you. Priority moves (Mach Punch, Aqua Jet, Ice Shard) bypass its speed. Bulky walls that resist its STAB also shut it down.

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.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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