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.
A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear from clouds while dropping enormous lightning bolts.
A legendary Pokémon that 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 |
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Stone Edge 2x44-53% Rock Slide 2x34-40% Rock Tomb 2x27-33% Rock Throw 2x23-27% | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Graveler builds →Stone Edge 2x77-91% Rock Slide 2x58-69% Rock Tomb 2x46-55% Rock Throw 2x40-47% | ||
 Tyrantrum RockDragon | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tyrunt (Ambrette Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Tyrantrum builds →Head Smash 2x139-164%KO Stone Edge 2x94-111%KO Rock Slide 2x71-84% Ancient Power 2x35-42% | ||
 Cradily RockGrass | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Lileep (Ambrette Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Cradily builds →Stone Edge 2x68-80% Rock Slide 2x51-60% Ancient Power 2x40-47% Rock Tomb 2x41-49% | ||
 Pupitar RockGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Pupitar builds →Stone Edge 2x69-82% Rock Slide 2x52-62% Rock Tomb 2x43-51% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x31-38% Rock Throw 2x28-33% | ||
 Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
 Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Lunatone builds →Rock Tomb 2x35-42% Rock Throw 2x31-38% | ||
 Tyrunt RockDragon | D | |
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift | ||
 Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x28-33% Rock Throw 2x23-28% Smack Down 2x23-28% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Rhyhorn builds →Rock Tomb 2x41-50% Rock Blast 2x20-25% | ||
 Carbink RockFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Carbink builds →Ancient Power 2x28-33% Rock Tomb 2x30-36% Rock Throw 2x26-30% Smack Down 2x26-30% | ||
Tyrunt RockDragon | D | |
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Tyrunt builds →Ancient Power 2x28-33% Rock Tomb 2x44-52% | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x28-33% Rock Throw 2x23-28% Smack Down 2x23-28% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Rhyhorn builds →Rock Tomb 2x41-50% Rock Blast 2x20-25% | ||
Carbink RockFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Carbink builds →Ancient Power 2x28-33% Rock Tomb 2x30-36% Rock Throw 2x26-30% Smack Down 2x26-30% | ||
Tyrunt RockDragon | D | |
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Tyrunt builds →Ancient Power 2x28-33% Rock Tomb 2x44-52% | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x28-33% Rock Throw 2x23-28% Smack Down 2x23-28% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Rhyhorn builds →Rock Tomb 2x41-50% Rock Blast 2x20-25% | ||
Carbink RockFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Carbink builds →Ancient Power 2x28-33% Rock Tomb 2x30-36% Rock Throw 2x26-30% Smack Down 2x26-30% | ||
Tyrunt RockDragon | D | |
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Tyrunt builds →Ancient Power 2x28-33% Rock Tomb 2x44-52% | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Rock Slide 2x34-40% Rock Tomb 2x27-33% Rock Throw 2x23-28% Smack Down 2x23-28% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Rhyhorn builds →Rock Tomb 2x44-52% Rock Blast 2x20-23% | ||
Carbink RockFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Carbink builds →Ancient Power 2x27-33% Rock Tomb 2x30-35% Rock Throw 2x26-30% Smack Down 2x26-30% | ||
Tyrunt RockDragon | D | |
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Tyrunt builds →Ancient Power 2x27-33% Rock Tomb 2x45-54% | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Stone Edge 2x46-54% Rock Slide 2x34-40% Rock Tomb 2x28-34% Rock Throw 2x25-29% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Rhyhorn builds →Stone Edge 2x72-85% Rock Tomb 2x43-51% Rock Blast 2x21-25% | ||
Carbink RockFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Carbink builds →Stone Edge 2x49-58% Ancient Power 2x28-34% Rock Tomb 2x30-36% Rock Throw 2x26-31% | ||
Tyrunt RockDragon | D | |
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Tyrunt builds →Stone Edge 2x74-87% Ancient Power 2x26-31% Rock Tomb 2x46-54% | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Graveler builds →Stone Edge 2x77-91% Rock Slide 2x58-69% Rock Tomb 2x46-55% Rock Throw 2x40-47% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Onix builds →Stone Edge 2x44-53% Rock Slide 2x34-40% Rock Tomb 2x27-33% Rock Throw 2x23-27% | ||
 Piloswine IceGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Piloswine builds →Blizzard 2x57-67% Stone Edge 2x53-63% Ice Beam 2x46-55% Rock Slide 2x40-47% | ||
Pupitar RockGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Pupitar builds →Stone Edge 2x69-82% Rock Slide 2x52-62% Rock Tomb 2x43-51% | ||
Tyrunt RockDragon | D | |
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Tyrunt builds →Stone Edge 2x72-85% Rock Slide 2x55-65% Ancient Power 2x26-31% Rock Tomb 2x44-53% | ||
In X & Y, Scizor deals 35-41% with Knock Off.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 Scizor BugSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch16-19% U Turn28-33% Superpower32-37% Knock Off35-41% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemRocky Helmet NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Tangrowth builds →Knock Off14-17% Giga Drain12-15% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemLeftovers NatureBrave Moves
Damage vs Zapdos View Forretress builds →Rapid Spin14-17% | ||
X & Y 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
X & Y Zapdos Best Moveset
The recommended build leans into Zapdos's strengths as a special attacker. Sitrus Berry provides a one-time health recovery at low HP, and spread EVs back that up. Static rounds out the package.
Best Build
Zapdos best EVs are Defense and Sp. Def
Doubles Support Moveset
- Heat Wave
- Tailwind
- Thunderbolt
- Roost
Wall Moveset
- Roost
- Heat Wave
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power Ice
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Leveling does the heavy lifting. Zapdos picks up Zap Cannon and Thunder 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
X & Y Zapdos Locations
Zapdos tops out at low spawn rates across 4 locations in endgame routes. The encounters below are sorted by rate so you can see exactly what you're working with.
Best Locations to Catch Zapdos in X & Y
You can catch Zapdos through 4 walking and fixed encounters from Lv. 70+, but availability differs between X and Y. Some spots are exclusive to one version.
Zapdos Guide
For the X & Y 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 Sitrus Berry 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 X & Y, 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