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.
One of the legendary bird POKéMON. While it is flying, it makes crackling and snapping sounds.
A legendary bird POKéMON that is said to appear from clouds while dropping enormous 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 |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x27-33% Rock Throw 2x23-27% | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodSilph Co Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Lapras builds →Blizzard 2x74-87% Ice Beam 2x60-71% | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Graveler builds →Rock Tomb 2x46-55% Rock Throw 2x40-47% Rollout 2x24-29% Rock Blast 2x21-25% | ||
 Rhydon GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Rhydon builds →Blizzard 2x31-36% Ice Beam 2x25-30% Rock Tomb 2x60-71% Rock Blast 2x26-31% | ||
 Magcargo FireRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Magcargo builds →Rock Slide 2x37-44% Rock Tomb 2x29-35% Rock Throw 2x24-29% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 2x47-56% Rock Throw 2x37-46% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 2x47-56% Rock Throw 2x37-46% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x28-33% Rock Throw 2x25-30% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 2x40-48% Rock Throw 2x35-42% Rollout 2x22-27% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x29-35% Rock Throw 2x25-29% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 2x43-51% Rock Throw 2x36-43% Rollout 2x22-27% Rock Blast 2x20-24% | ||
 Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Rhyhorn builds →Ice Beam 2x21-25% Rock Tomb 2x46-54% Rock Blast 2x20-24% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x29-35% Rock Throw 2x25-29% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 2x43-51% Rock Throw 2x36-43% Rollout 2x22-27% Rock Blast 2x20-24% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Rhyhorn builds →Ice Beam 2x21-25% Rock Tomb 2x46-54% Rock Blast 2x20-24% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodSilph Co Gift | ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | A | |
Obtain MethodCinnabar Island Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Aerodactyl builds →Ancient Power 2x49-58% Rock Tomb 2x49-58% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x26-31% Rock Throw 2x22-27% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 2x39-46% Rock Throw 2x33-38% Rollout 2x21-25% Rock Blast 2x18-21% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Rhyhorn builds →Blizzard 2x22-27% Ice Beam 2x19-23% Rock Tomb 2x42-50% Rock Blast 2x19-23% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodSilph Co Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Lapras builds →Blizzard 2x70-83% Ice Beam 2x58-69% | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | A | |
Obtain MethodCinnabar Island Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Aerodactyl builds →Ancient Power 2x51-60% Rock Tomb 2x51-60% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x27-33% Rock Throw 2x23-27% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 2x41-49% Rock Throw 2x34-40% Rollout 2x21-25% Rock Blast 2x18-22% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Rhyhorn builds →Blizzard 2x24-29% Ice Beam 2x21-24% Rock Tomb 2x43-51% Rock Blast 2x20-24% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodSilph Co Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Lapras builds →Blizzard 2x74-87% Ice Beam 2x60-71% | ||
In FireRed & LeafGreen, Wailord's Ice Beam hits Zapdos for 57-68%. Qwilfish deals 49-58% with Self-Destruct.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityKeeneye ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterveil ItemLeftovers NatureMild Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Wailord builds →Self Destruct47-55% Ice Beam 2x57-68% Hydro Pump52-61% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityPoison Point ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Qwilfish builds →Self Destruct49-58% Sludge Bomb33-39% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityVitalspirit ItemScopelens NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Primeape builds →Rock Slide 2x51-60% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityShellarmor ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Kingler builds →Knock Off8-10% | ||
FireRed & LeafGreen 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
FireRed & LeafGreen 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
Zapdos best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Attacker Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Grass
- Baton Pass
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Zapdos. TMs unlock Normal and Fighting coverage and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Thunder and Fly into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Zapdos in FireRed & LeafGreen
You'll find Zapdos at Power Plant as a set encounter. It's always there at that location, so come prepared for the battle. The location details below cover exact positioning.
Best Locations to Catch Zapdos in FireRed & LeafGreen
Zapdos Guide
For the FireRed & LeafGreen 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.
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 FireRed & LeafGreen, 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
- 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