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.
This legendary Pokémon is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
This legendary Pokémon is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ice, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting, Flying, Bug, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
 Mamoswine IceGround | A | |
Ice is super effective against ZapdosView Mamoswine → | ||
 Terrakion RockFighting | B | |
Rock is super effective against ZapdosView Terrakion → | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | B | |
Ice is super effective against ZapdosView Weavile → | ||
 Rhyperior GroundRock | B | |
Rock is super effective against ZapdosView Rhyperior → | ||
 Scizor BugSteel | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch16-19% Superpower32-38% U Turn28-33% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Pelipper builds →Hurricane18-21% Scald27-31% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityEmergencyexit ItemSitrus Berry NatureBrave Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Golisopod builds →Liquidation44-52% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Mantine builds →Scald16-20% | ||
Sun & Moon 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
Breeding
Sun & Moon Zapdos Best Moveset
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 spread EVs tie the defensive profile together.
Best Build
Zapdos best EVs are HP and Sp. Atk
Doubles Support Moveset
- Heat Wave
- Tailwind
- Thunderbolt
- Roost
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Roost
- Heat Wave
- Volt Switch
- Defog
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Leveling does the heavy lifting. Zapdos picks up Thunder and Zap Cannon along the way, building toward a complete offensive set. TMs add coverage across 8 types, but the foundation's already strong by then.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Zapdos in Sun & Moon
Zapdos can't be caught in Sun & Moon. 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:
Then trade to Sun & Moon.
Also found in:
Zapdos Guide
For the Sun & Moon meta, At 580 BST, Zapdos is built different. We rank it A-Tier. As a Legendary Pokemon, the raw stats back up the reputation. Best used as a support. Heat Wave with Leftovers is the standard set.
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 support.
For Sun & Moon, Zapdos has answers, but so do you. Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Ice and Rock-type attackers hit hardest.
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
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShGalarian
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves