Special
Sweeper
580Very High
100Fast
BTier

Ground moves don't affect Zapdos at all — that's the advantage of Electric/Flying typing. It clears the crowded base-100 Speed benchmark. The stat spread leans into special offense. An original Gen 1 pick.

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
580Pseudo
HP90
B
Attack90
B
Defense85
C
Sp. Atk125
A
Sp. Def90
B
Speed100
B
Total580
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Zapdos yields +3 SpA
HPAtkDefSpA+3SpDSpe
Details
Catch3Legendary•Slow1.25M XP•1.6m / 5'03"•52.6kg / 116 lbs•290Base XP
Pokedex Entries

This legendary bird Pokémon is said to appear when the sky turns dark and lightning showers down.

Lets Go Pikachu / Lets Go Eevee

Zapdos Weakness

Excellent

Ice and Rock-type 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.

4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
IceRock
½xResisti
GrassFightingFlyingBugSteel
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
Ground
STAB (5)i
WaterFlyingGrassFightingBug
2Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Scorei+4
Stealth Rock25% on switch
Abilities
PressureIncreases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one.
StaticHAHas a 30% chance of paralyzing attacking Pokémon on contact.

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

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Zapdos
#145ZapdosDoes not evolve
Breeding
Unavailable
Undiscovered egg group

Zapdos's built to absorb hits. Calm nature leans into special wall duty, Leftovers gives it passive recovery each turn, and Roost handles sustain. Static and a spread EV build EVs tie the defensive profile together.

Best Build

Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.

Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.

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

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Peck
3510035Flying
Lv 1
Thunder Shock
4010030Electric
Lv 8
Thunder Wave
—9020Electric
Lv 16
Leer
—10030Normal
Lv 24
Drill Peck
8010020Flying
Lv 32
Thunderbolt
9010015Electric
Lv 40
Agility
——30Psychic
Lv 48
Light Screen
——30Psychic
Lv 56
Roost
——10Flying
Lv 64
Thunder
1107010Electric
Lv 72
Sky Attack
200905Flying

TM Moves

Src
TM12
Facade
7010020Normal
TM14
Fly
909515Flying
TM01
Headbutt
7010015Normal
TM48
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM06
Light Screen
——30Psychic
TM07
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM09
Reflect
——20Psychic
TM05
Rest
——10Psychic
TM50
Roost
——10Flying
TM08
Substitute
——10Normal
TM38
Thunder
1107010Electric
TM16
Thunder Wave
—9020Electric
TM36
Thunderbolt
9010015Electric
TM27
Toxic
—9010Poison
TM18
U-turn
7010020Bug

Egg Moves

Zapdos doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Zapdos can't learn any Tutor moves

Zapdos is a fixed encounter, not a random spawn. Walk up to it, interact, and the battle starts immediately. Head to Power Plant when your team is ready for the fight.

Best Locations

Power Plant
Let's Go PikachuInteract with PokemonLv.50PostPower-plant
Power Plant
Let's Go EeveeInteract with PokemonLv.50PostPower-plant

  • At 580 BST, Zapdos is built different. We rank it B-Tier. As a Legendary Pokemon, the raw stats back up the reputation. Best used as a sweeper.

  • 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.

  • Zapdos doesn't evolve. As a Legendary Pokemon, it stands on its own without an evolutionary line. It's a Electric/Flying type with 580 BST.

  • 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 special attacker with base 125 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.

  • Zapdos appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.

First obtainable in Red & Blue, Zapdos has been featured in 20 titles across 9 generations. Legendary status means a single encounter per playthrough in most games.