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 bird Pokémon causes savage thunderstorms by flapping its glittering wings.
This legendary bird Pokémon is said to appear only when a thundercloud parts into two halves.
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 |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Stone Edge 2x44-53% Rock Tomb 2x27-33% Rock Throw 2x23-27% | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Lapras builds →Blizzard 2x74-87% Ice Beam 2x60-71% Avalanche 2x43-51% Ice Shard 2x29-35% | ||
 Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 2x60-71% Rock Tomb 2x49-58% Rock Throw 2x41-49% | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Graveler builds →Stone Edge 2x77-91% Rock Tomb 2x46-55% Rock Throw 2x40-47% Rollout 2x24-29% | ||
 Piloswine IceGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Piloswine builds →Blizzard 2x57-67% Ice Beam 2x46-55% Ice Fang 2x52-62% Ancient Power 2x21-25% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x34-41% Rock Throw 2x29-36% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 2x47-56% Rock Throw 2x37-46% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x31-38% Rock Throw 2x28-33% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 2x46-54% Rock Throw 2x39-46% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Lapras builds →Blizzard 2x81-96% Ice Beam 2x67-79% Ice Shard 2x35-42% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x32-38% Rock Throw 2x25-31% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 2x44-52% Rock Throw 2x38-45% Rollout 2x23-28% Rock Blast 2x20-24% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Tomb 2x52-62% Rock Throw 2x44-52% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Lapras builds →Blizzard 2x78-93% Ice Beam 2x64-76% Ice Shard 2x32-38% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Graveler builds →Rock Tomb 2x48-57% Rock Throw 2x41-48% Rollout 2x26-31% Rock Blast 2x21-25% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x28-34% Rock Throw 2x24-28% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Tomb 2x50-59% Rock Throw 2x41-48% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Lapras builds →Blizzard 2x75-88% Ice Beam 2x62-74% Ice Shard 2x31-37% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Graveler builds →Rock Tomb 2x47-56% Rock Throw 2x41-48% Rollout 2x25-31% Rock Blast 2x21-25% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x30-36% Rock Throw 2x25-31% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 2x62-74% Rock Tomb 2x49-58% Rock Throw 2x43-51% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Lapras builds →Blizzard 2x75-89% Ice Beam 2x62-74% Ice Shard 2x30-36% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Graveler builds →Rock Tomb 2x46-55% Rock Throw 2x39-47% Rollout 2x24-29% Rock Blast 2x22-26% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x29-34% Rock Throw 2x24-29% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 2x59-70% Rock Tomb 2x49-57% Rock Throw 2x42-50% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Lapras builds →Blizzard 2x73-86% Ice Beam 2x59-70% Ice Shard 2x30-37% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Graveler builds →Rock Tomb 2x47-56% Rock Throw 2x40-47% Rollout 2x25-29% Rock Blast 2x21-25% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x28-34% Rock Throw 2x25-29% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 2x60-72% Rock Tomb 2x49-58% Rock Throw 2x42-49% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Lapras builds →Blizzard 2x74-87% Ice Beam 2x60-72% Avalanche 2x43-51% Ice Shard 2x30-36% | ||
 Swinub IceGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Swinub builds →Blizzard 2x38-45% Ice Beam 2x30-36% Rock Tomb 2x20-24% Icy Wind 2x21-25% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityKeeneye ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemBlack Sludge NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Crobat builds →U Turn6-8% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityLiquidooze ItemBlack Sludge NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Tentacruel builds →Rapid Spin5-6% Surf23-27% Sludge Bomb23-27% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Blastoise builds →Rapid Spin6-7% Ice Beam 2x33-39% Surf25-29% Hydro Pump30-35% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLum Berry NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Feraligatr builds →Waterfall27-31% Aqua Jet14-16% | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver 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
HeartGold & SoulSilver Zapdos Best Moveset
Zapdos's built to absorb hits. Bold nature leans into physical wall duty, Leftovers gives it passive recovery each turn, and Roost handles sustain. Pressure and max HP and Defense EVs tie the defensive profile together.
Best Build
Zapdos best EVs are HP and Defense
Wall Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Roost
- Hidden Power Ice
- Heat Wave
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Zapdos. TMs unlock coverage across 9 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Sky Attack and Thunder into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Zapdos in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Zapdos waits at a fixed spot in this game. Head to Route 10 for a one-time encounter. No random spawns or encounter rates involved — it's a set battle at a known location.
Best Locations to Catch Zapdos in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Zapdos Guide
For the HeartGold & SoulSilver 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. Thunderbolt 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 HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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