Zapdos brings Electric/Flying-type attacks to Let's Go, with Thunderbolt tearing through the Water and Flying types that fill Kanto.
580HP90Attack90Defense85Speed100Sp.Def90Sp.Atk125
Weak to
Immune to
Special
Support
ATier
100Speed · Fast

Is Zapdos Good in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee Playthrough?

Zapdos from the Power Plant is the strongest Electric-type outside the partner Pokemon. Electric/Flying handles Lorelei, Lance's Gyarados and Charizard, and most Water-types along the way. Available before the eighth gym, so it gets real story time.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTSESSGGESGGGGBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6ZapdosCatchableBlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TraceChamp*
Brock
Gym 1

Not available yet. You cannot get Zapdos before this fight.

Geodude
Lv 11
RockGround
Tackle
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
HeadbuttBindRock Throw
Pokemon you can catch and use for Gym 1
Misty
Gym 2

Not available yet. You cannot get Zapdos before this fight.

Psyduck
Lv 18
Water
Water GunConfusion
Starmie
Lv 19
WaterPsychic
ScaldPsywaveSwift
Pokemon you can catch and use for Gym 2
Lt. Surge
Gym 3

Not available yet. You cannot get Zapdos before this fight.

Voltorb
Lv 25
Electric
ThunderboltSwiftLight Screen
Magnemite
Lv 25
ElectricSteel
ThunderboltSonic Boom
Raichu
Lv 26
Electric
ThunderboltQuick AttackDouble Kick
Pokemon you can catch and use for Gym 3
Erika
Gym 4

Not available yet. You cannot get Zapdos before this fight.

Tangela
Lv 33
Grass
Mega DrainSleep PowderBind
Weepinbell
Lv 33
GrassPoison
Mega DrainPoison Jab
Vileplume
Lv 34
GrassPoison
Mega DrainMoonblast
Pokemon you can catch and use for Gym 4
Koga
Gym 5

Not available yet. You cannot get Zapdos before this fight.

Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
ToxicProtectSludge BombExplosion
Muk
Lv 43
Poison
ToxicProtectSludge BombMoonblast
Golbat
Lv 43
PoisonFlying
ToxicProtectFlyLeech Life
Venomoth
Lv 44
BugPoison
Sludge BombProtectPsychicBug Buzz
Pokemon you can catch and use for Gym 5
Sabrina
Gym 6

Not available yet. You cannot get Zapdos before this fight.

Mr Mime
Lv 43
PsychicFairy
PsychicReflectLight ScreenDouble Slap
Slowbro
Lv 43
WaterPsychic
PsychicYawnSurfCalm Mind
Jynx
Lv 43
IcePsychic
PsychicLovely KissIce Punch
Alakazam
Lv 44
Psychic
PsychicNight Shade
Pokemon you can catch and use for Gym 6
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

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

You Win
Magmar
Lv 47
Fire
FlamethrowerLow KickConfuse Ray
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 47
Fire
Flare BlitzQuick AttackFury Attack
You Win
Ninetales
Lv 47
Fire
Fire BlastQuick Attack
Even
Arcanine
Lv 48
Fire
Flare BlitzOutrageCrunch
Other strong Pokemon you can catch and use for Gym 7
Giovanni
Gym 8
Even

Zapdos trades roughly evenly with Giovanni's team.

Even
Dugtrio
Lv 49
Ground
EarthquakeSucker PunchSlash
Even
Nidoqueen
Lv 49
PoisonGround
EarthquakeSuper FangCrunch
Even
Nidoking
Lv 49
PoisonGround
EarthquakeHorn DrillMegahornPoison Jab
Risky
Rhydon
Lv 50
GroundRock
EarthquakeRock SlideMegahorn
Also good Pokemon you can catch and use for Gym 8
Lorelei
Elite Four
Strong

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

Easy KO
Dewgong
Lv 51
WaterIce
Aqua JetIce ShardWaterfall
You Win
Jynx
Lv 51
IcePsychic
Lovely KissBlizzardPsychic
Easy KO
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Ice BeamSpike CannonHydro Pump
Easy KO
Slowbro
Lv 51
WaterPsychic
PsychicSurfFlamethrower
Easy KO
Lapras
Lv 52
WaterIce
Hydro PumpBlizzardDragon Pulse
Other strong Pokemon you can catch and use for Elite Four
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

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

Risky
Onix
Lv 52
RockGround
Iron TailStealth RockEarthquake
You Win
Hitmonlee
Lv 52
Fighting
Brick BreakFeintRock Slide
You Win
Hitmonchan
Lv 52
Fighting
Ice PunchThunder PunchFire Punch
Easy KO
Poliwrath
Lv 52
WaterFighting
SuperpowerWaterfallBody Slam
You Win
Machamp
Lv 53
Fighting
EarthquakeSuperpowerRock Slide
Other strong Pokemon you can catch and use for Elite Four
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Arbok
Lv 53
Poison
GlareCrunchPoison Jab
Even
Gengar
Lv 53
GhostPoison
Will O WispShadow BallSludge Bomb
Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 53
PoisonFlying
Air SlashCrunchQuick Attack
You Win
Weezing
Lv 53
Poison
Sludge BombShadow BallThunderbolt
Even
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
Dazzling GleamShadow BallSludge Bomb
Other strong Pokemon you can catch and use for Elite Four
Lance
Elite Four
Good

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

Easy KO
Seadra
Lv 54
Water
Hydro PumpDragon PulseHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 54
RockFlying
Rock SlideEarthquakeHyper Beam
Easy KO
Gyarados
Lv 54
WaterFlying
WaterfallIron TailHyper Beam
You Win
Charizard
Lv 54
FireFlying
Air SlashDragon PulseHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 55
DragonFlying
OutrageFire PunchHyper Beam
Other strong Pokemon you can catch and use for Elite Four
Trace
Champion
Good

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

Easy KO
Pidgeot
Lv 56
NormalFlying
Quick AttackAir SlashHeat Wave
You Win
Vileplume
Lv 56
GrassPoison
Solar BeamReflectSludge Bomb
Even
Marowak
Lv 56
Ground
Fire PunchBonemerangBrick Break
Even
Rapidash
Lv 56
Fire
Flare BlitzQuick AttackPoison Jab
Easy KO
Slowbro
Lv 56
WaterPsychic
PsychicSurfLight Screen
Risky
Jolteon
Lv 57
Electric
ThunderQuick AttackPin Missile

This is the Let's Go Pikachu team. In Let's Go Eevee, Trace brings Raichu Lv 57 in place of Jolteon Lv 57.

Other strong Pokemon you can catch and use for Champion

Catchable

Available after Badge 6
Type
ElectricFlying
Tier
A

Catch Zapdos in Power Plant (interact, Lv 50). Battle Zapdos inside the Power Plant.

View Zapdos locations

Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee Zapdos Locations

Zapdos waits inside the Power Plant at Lv 50. To get there, use Sea Skim on the water next to the Route 10 Pokemon Center and follow the river south to the plant. After your Hall of Fame entry, once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught, it can also show up rarely in the sky on many routes.

24 locations to catch Zapdos

Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8
Post-Game

Best Locations to Catch Zapdos in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee

Zapdos won't take long. 26 special and fixed spots from Lv. 50+ with solid rates across most of them. The top locations at each game stage are listed first.

Power Plant
Lv.50Interact with Pokemon
Route 1
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 10
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 11
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 12
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 13
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 14
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 15
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 16
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 17
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 18
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 19
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 2 - Area 1
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 2 - Area 2
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 20 - West
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 20 - East
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 21
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 22
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 23
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 24
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 25
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 3
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 4
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 7
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 8
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught
Route 9
In the sky, after you become Champion
Rare
Post-game
Shows up rarely in the sky, but only after your Hall of Fame entry and once Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all caught

How to Get Shiny Zapdos in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee

In Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, the strongest route to a Shiny Zapdos is Catch Combo, which reaches about 1 in 274 at full boosts. Pick a method and tune your setup below to see live odds. Compare Shiny Zapdos odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Zapdos in Let's Go Pikachu & EeveeNormal
Shiny Zapdos in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee Shiny
Color ShiftYellow
Shiny TierC Tier Shiny

Shiny Zapdos Evolution

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

Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee Shiny Zapdos Calculator

2 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Catch Combo at full boosts, about 1 in 274 on each try. Tune it below.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee

Catch Combo: Catch one species back-to-back. A Lure stacks on top of a 31-plus combo.

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Step 2 · Boost Your Oddstap to add
+2 rolls
+1 roll
00

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 274Catch Combo
Chance By Now50.1%at 190 catchesAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncounters
10%lucky few29
25%one in four79
50%coin flip190
90%very likely630
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Curious how fast a hunt could go? Work out your Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee shiny odds for Zapdos.

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

What is Zapdos Weak Against

Excellent
2Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score+4
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
IceRock
½xResist
GrassFightingFlyingBugSteel
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
Ground

What is Zapdos Strong Against

5Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+4
2xStrong
WaterGrassFightingFlyingBug
½xResisted
Electric
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Zapdos

Jynx
Jynx
IcePsychic
C
Rhydon
Rhydon
GroundRock
C
Articuno
Articuno
IceFlying
B
Lapras
Lapras
WaterIce
C
Aerodactyl
Aerodactyl
RockFlying
B

Zapdos Evolutions

No evolution chain here. Zapdos is a standalone Electric/Flying type with 580 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Zapdos
#145ZapdosDoes not evolve
Breeding is not available in this game

Let's Go Zapdos Best Moveset

No ability needed. 125 Sp. Atk at 100 Speed on Electric/Flying TermStab carries everything on raw stats and typing alone. MoveThunderbolt carries the special side, with MoveDrill Peck adding Flying TermStab off its 90 Attack. The strongest overall package for any non-Mega Pokemon in this format.

Best Build

Zapdos 3D model in Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee
Let's Go 3D modelZapdosZapdos as a 3D model in Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee
Best Nature for Zapdos
Mild+SPA
Madam Celadon Colors
Blue, then Yellow
Species Candy
Zapdos Candy
Stat Candy
Smart Candy+SPA

Mild raises Sp. Atk and lowers Defense. Madam Celadon sets this nature when you pick Blue, then Yellow. It costs 10,000 Pokedollars and lasts for the rest of the day.

Candy for Zapdos

Zapdos Candy raises every stat, but only Zapdos can eat it. The stat candy that goes with Zapdos is Smart Candy (Sp. Atk), and any Pokemon can eat it; Smart Candy L needs level 30 and Smart Candy XL needs level 60 or higher.

Let's Go Guides

Moves List

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
D5210035Flying
Lv 1
Thunder Shock
—6010030Electric
Lv 8
Thunder Wave
C—9020Electric
Lv 16
Leer
——10030Normal
Lv 24
Drill Peck
C12010020Flying
Lv 32
Thunderbolt
B13510015Electric
Lv 40
Agility
C——30Psychic
Lv 48
Light Screen
C——30Psychic
Lv 56
Roost
B——10Flying
Lv 64
Thunder
B1657010Electric
Lv 72
Sky Attack
B300905Flying

TM Moves

All 15 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM12
FacadeDefeat Coach Trainer Alpesh on Route 7badge 3
C7010020Normal
TM14
FlyFrom a girl in the house at the north end of Route 16badge 4
C1359515Flying
TM01
HeadbuttFrom Brock after defeating himbadge 1
C7010015Normal
TM48
Hyper BeamCeladon Department Store 2F TM Shopbadge 3
B150905Normal
TM06
Light ScreenGive a Fresh Water to the girl on the Celadon Dept. Store rooftopbadge 3
C——30Psychic
TM07
Protect+4Give a Lemonade to the girl on the Celadon Dept. Store rooftopbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM09
ReflectGive a Soda Pop to the girl on the Celadon Dept. Store rooftopbadge 3
C——20Psychic
TM05
RestIn the tile puzzle area on B2F of the Rocket Hideoutbadge 3
C——10Psychic
TM50
RoostFrom a girl upstairs in the Route 12 Gatebadge 3
B——10Flying
TM08
SubstituteShow a Clefairy to the Copycat girl in Saffron Citybadge 4
C——10Normal
TM38
ThunderIn the southern part of the Power Plant near oil drumsbadge 6
B1657010Electric
TM16
Thunder WaveBehind a Chop Down tree towards the end of Route 25badge 2
C—9020Electric
TM36
ThunderboltFrom Lt. Surge after defeating himbadge 3
B13510015Electric
TM27
ToxicFrom Koga after defeating himbadge 5
C—9010Poison
TM18
U-turnCeladon Department Store 2F TM Shopbadge 3
C7010020Bug

Tutor Moves

Zapdos can't learn any Tutor moves

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
5'03"Average
Weight52.6 kg
116.0 lbsStandard
Base XP261
High Yield
Pokedex Entry

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

Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu / Pokemon Let's Go Eevee

Game Availability

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.

Click a game to view version-specific details

Explore

Where to go next after Zapdos.

Keep playing · Let's Go Pikachu & EeveeLet's Go Pikachu & Eevee Tier ListThe best Pokemon ranked tier by tierSee Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee Tier List
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