poke.study

No. 0145

Zapdos

Electric Pokémon

Zapdos
Official art
ElectricFlying
Height
1.6 m 5′03″
Weight
52.6 kg 116.0 lbs
Base stat total
580 top 9%
Introduced
Gen I
Abilities
Legendary
Pokédex entryShield
Zapdos is a legendary bird Pokémon. It’s said that when Zapdos rubs its feathers together, lightning will fall immediately after.
See all 11 entries

Base stats

HP90150–197290–384
Atk9085–156166–306
Def8581–150157–295
SpA125117–194229–383
SpD9085–156166–306
Spe10094–167184–328
Total580Higher than 91% of all Pokémon
HP90Atk90Def85Spe100SpD90SpA125

Ranges: 0 IV/EV with a hindering nature to 31 IV/252 EV with a helpful nature. EV yield: 3 SpA.

Stat calculatorChampions Stat Points & Stat Alignment, or EVs, IVs & nature

Speed tiers

Speed at Lv 50 in Pokémon Champions (base 100). Scarf and Tailwind use the Max+ value.

Max+167Max152No SP120Min108Scarf250Tailwind334

At max Speed, Zapdos outspeeds 18 of the 30 most used Pokémon in Champions VGC, and ties 2.

  1. 203Mega Garchomp ZModest · 32 SP · #21 in usage
  2. 200Mega GengarTimid · 32 SP · #26 in usage
  3. 190Mega Raichu YTimid · 23 SP · #13 in usage
  4. 189Mega SalamenceTimid · 32 SP · #4 in usage
  5. 184WhimsicottTimid · 32 SP · #23 in usage
  6. 178Mega MetagrossJolly · 32 SP · #28 in usage
  7. 178Mega StaraptorJolly · 32 SP · #29 in usage
  8. 172SneaslerAdamant · 32 SP · #2 in usage
  9. 169Mega FloetteTimid · 32 SP · #17 in usage
  10. 169GarchompJolly · 32 SP · #19 in usage
  11. 167Zapdos · Max+32 SP, Speed-raising alignment
  12. 167Mega Charizard YTimid · 32 SP · #14 in usage
  13. 167Mega GardevoirTimid · 32 SP · #20 in usage
  14. 161IndeedeeTimid · 32 SP · #30 in usage
  15. 156Hisuian ArcanineJolly · 32 SP · #16 in usage
  16. 152Zapdos · Max32 SP, neutral alignment
  17. 150ArchaludonTimid · 32 SP · #9 in usage
  18. 149GholdengoTimid · 32 SP · #8 in usage
  19. 143BasculegionJolly · 32 SP · #6 in usage
  20. 128PelipperTimid · 32 SP · #12 in usage
  21. 120Zapdos · No SP0 SP, neutral alignment
  22. 120VolcaronaBold · 0 SP · #25 in usage
  23. 105RillaboomAdamant · 0 SP · #1 in usage
  24. 101MiloticCalm · 0 SP · #15 in usage
  25. 95SylveonModest · 15 SP · #18 in usage
  26. 94Female IndeedeeRelaxed · 0 SP · #7 in usage
  27. 90PolitoedCalm · 0 SP · #22 in usage
  28. 90SinistchaBold · 0 SP · #24 in usage
  29. 85ArmarougeQuiet · 0 SP · #27 in usage
  30. 80IncineroarCareful · 0 SP · #3 in usage
  31. 80FarigirafBold · 0 SP · #11 in usage
  32. 70KingambitAdamant · 0 SP · #5 in usage
  33. 60Mega GolisopodAdamant · 0 SP · #10 in usage

Others at their most common Speed investment in Champions VGC (Reg M-C · Doubles, Sep 2026); Pokémon holding a Mega Stone are shown as their Mega.

Type matchups

Weak to

Ice2×Rock2×

Resists

Bug½×Fighting½×Flying½×Grass½×Steel½×

Immune to

Ground0×
Takes normal damage from 10 types
NormalPoisonGhostFireWaterElectricPsychicDragonDarkFairy

Abilities

  • Pressure

    Increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one.

  • StaticHidden ability

    Has a 30% chance of paralyzing attacking Pokémon on contact.

Competitive

SV SinglesOUSV Doubles(DUU)National DexOU

13.56% of teams · rank #8 · Singles, all Pokémon · 1630+ rating · 426,601 battles · Sep 2026

Most common build

Item
Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability
Static
Nature
Bold
EVs
248 HP / 188 Def / 72 Spe
  1. Roost
  2. Volt Switch
  3. Hurricane
  4. Heat Wave

Each part is the most used on its own, so not every team runs this exact set.

Usage by rating

  • All players9.23%
  • Rated 1500+12.33%
  • Rated 1630+13.56%
  • Rated 1760+12.67%

Usage by month

Oct 202513.56%

Moves

  • Roost87.2%
  • Volt Switch85%
  • Hurricane79.2%
  • Heat Wave53%
  • Defog44.2%
  • Thunderbolt12.3%
  • Hidden Power Ice10.5%
  • Discharge7.4%
  • U-turn5.9%
  • Weather Ball5.6%

Items

  • Heavy-Duty Boots73%
  • Flyinium Z11.8%
  • Choice Specs6.7%
  • Rocky Helmet2.8%
  • Choice Scarf2.6%
  • Life Orb1.6%

Abilities

  • 98.4%
  • 1.6%

EV spreads

  • Bold 248 HP / 188 Def / 72 Spe16.8%
  • Bold 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD15.2%
  • Timid 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe10.9%
  • Timid 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe8.8%
  • Bold 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA5.3%

Common teammates

Checks & counters

Evolution

Zapdos does not evolve.

Moves

Level up 16

1PeckInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.FlyingPhys35100%35
1Thunder WaveParalyzes the target.ElectricStatus—90%20
5Thunder ShockHas a 10% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec40100%30
10Light ScreenReduces damage from special attacks by 50% for five turns.PsychicStatus——30
15PluckIf target has a berry, inflicts double damage and uses the berry.FlyingPhys60100%20
20AgilityRaises the user’s Speed by two stages.PsychicStatus——30
25Ancient PowerHas a 10% chance to raise all of the user’s stats by one stage.RockSpec60100%5
30ChargeRaises the user’s Special Defense by one stage. User’s Electric moves have doubled power next turn.ElectricStatus——20
35Drill PeckInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.FlyingPhys80100%20
40RoostHeals the user by half its max HP.FlyingStatus——5
45DischargeHas a 30% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec80100%15
50Rain DanceChanges the weather to rain for five turns.WaterStatus——5
55ThunderHas a 30% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec11070%10
60DetectPrevents any moves from hitting the user this turn.FightingStatus——5
65Magnetic FluxRaises the Defense and Special Defense of all friendly Pokémon with Plus or Minus by one stage.ElectricStatus——20
70Zap CannonHas a 100% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec12050%5

TM / HM / TR 40

TM01Take DownUser receives 1/4 the damage it inflicts in recoil.NormalPhys9085%20
TM04AgilityRaises the user’s Speed by two stages.PsychicStatus——30
TM07ProtectPrevents any moves from hitting the user this turn.NormalStatus——10
TM14AcrobaticsHas double power if the user has no held item.FlyingPhys55100%15
TM25FacadePower doubles if user is burned, paralyzed, or poisoned.NormalPhys70100%20
TM27Aerial AceNever misses.FlyingPhys60—20
TM32SwiftNever misses.NormalSpec60—20
TM40Air CutterHas an increased chance for a critical hit.FlyingSpec6095%25
TM47EndurePrevents the user’s HP from lowering below 1 this turn.NormalStatus——10
TM48Volt SwitchUser must switch out after attacking.ElectricSpec70100%20
TM49Sunny DayChanges the weather to sunny for five turns.FireStatus——5
TM50Rain DanceChanges the weather to rain for five turns.WaterStatus——5
TM51SandstormChanges the weather to a sandstorm for five turns.RockStatus——10
TM60U-turnUser must switch out after attacking.BugPhys70100%20
TM70Sleep TalkRandomly uses one of the user’s other three moves. Only works if the user is sleeping.NormalStatus——10
TM72Electro BallPower is higher when the user has greater Speed than the target, up to a maximum of 150.ElectricSpec—100%10
TM75Light ScreenReduces damage from special attacks by 50% for five turns.PsychicStatus——30
TM82Thunder WaveParalyzes the target.ElectricStatus—90%20
TM85RestUser sleeps for two turns, completely healing itself.PsychicStatus——5
TM96Eerie ImpulseLowers the target’s Special Attack by two stages.ElectricStatus—100%15
TM97FlyUser flies high into the air, dodging all attacks, and hits next turn.FlyingPhys9095%15
TM103SubstituteTransfers 1/4 of the user’s max HP into a doll, protecting the user from further damage or status changes until it breaks.NormalStatus——10
TM113TailwindFor three turns, friendly Pokémon have doubled Speed.FlyingStatus——15
TM118Heat WaveHas a 10% chance to burn the target.FireSpec9590%10
TM126ThunderboltHas a 10% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec90100%15
TM130Helping HandAlly’s next move inflicts half more damage.NormalStatus——20
TM132Baton PassAllows the trainer to switch out the user and pass effects along to its replacement.NormalStatus——40
TM136Electric TerrainFor five turns, prevents all Pokémon on the ground from sleeping and strengthens their Electric moves to 1.5× their power.ElectricStatus——10
TM147Wild ChargeUser receives 1/4 the damage it inflicts in recoil.ElectricPhys90100%15
TM152Giga ImpactUser foregoes its next turn to recharge.NormalPhys15090%5
TM160HurricaneHas a 30% chance to confuse the target.FlyingSpec11070%10
TM163Hyper BeamUser foregoes its next turn to recharge.NormalSpec15090%5
TM164Brave BirdUser receives 1/3 the damage inflicted in recoil.FlyingPhys120100%15
TM166ThunderHas a 30% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec11070%10
TM171Tera BlastIf the user has Terastallized, it unleashes energy of its Tera Type. This move inflicts damage using the Attack or Sp. Atk stat—whichever is higher for the user.NormalSpec80100%10
TM173ChargeRaises the user’s Special Defense by one stage. User’s Electric moves have doubled power next turn.ElectricStatus——20
TM193Weather BallIf there be weather, this move has doubled power and the weather’s type.NormalSpec50100%10
TM197Dual WingbeatHits twice in one turn.FlyingPhys4090%10
TM210Supercell SlamThe user electrifies its body and drops onto the target to inflict damage. If this move misses, the user takes damage instead.ElectricPhys10095%15
TM223Metal SoundLowers the target’s Special Defense by two stages.SteelStatus—85%40

Pokédex entries

Category
Electric Pokémon
Debut
Kanto · Red & Green (JP)
Color
Yellow
Shape
Habitat
Rare
Pal Park area
Mountain
Kanto#145Original Johto#236Updated Johto#241Coastal Kalos#152Let’s Go Kanto#145Crown Tundra#203

  1. Zapdos is a legendary bird Pokémon. It’s said that when Zapdos rubs its feathers together, lightning will fall immediately after.

    Shield

  2. This Pokémon has complete control over electricity. There are tales of Zapdos nesting in the dark depths of pitch-black thunderclouds.

    Sword

  3. A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.

    Diamond · Pearl · Platinum · Black · White · Black 2 · White 2 · Y

  4. One of the legendary bird Pokémon. While it is flying, it makes crackling and snapping sounds.

    FireRed

  5. ZAPDOS is a legendary bird Pokémon that has the ability to control electricity. It usually lives in thunderclouds. It gains power if it is stricken by lightning bolts.

    Emerald

  6. ZAPDOS is a legendary bird Pokémon that has the ability to control electricity. It usually lives in thunderclouds. The Pokémon gains power if it is stricken by lightning bolts.

    Ruby · Sapphire · Omega Ruby · Alpha Sapphire

  7. Legendary bird Pokémon. They say lightning caused by the flapping of its wings causes summer storms.

    Crystal

  8. This legendary bird Pokémon is said to appear only when a thundercloud parts into two halves.

    Silver · SoulSilver

  9. This legendary bird Pokémon causes savage thunderstorms by flapping its glittering wings.

    Gold · HeartGold

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

    Yellow · Let’s Go, Pikachu! · Let’s Go, Eevee!

  11. A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear from clouds while dropping enormous lightning bolts.

    Red · Blue · LeafGreen · X

Names around the world

Japanese
サンダー
Japanese (romaji)
Thunder
Korean
썬더
Chinese (Traditional)
閃電鳥
Chinese (Simplified)
闪电鸟
French
Électhor
German
Zapdos
Spanish
Zapdos
Italian
Zapdos

Sprites

Tap any sprite to show it on the Pokédex above. ▶ marks official animations; Gen VIII–IX models are large, so they load only when you tap them.

Official artwork

3D models

Generation I

Generation II

Generation III

Generation IV

Generation V

Generation VI

Generation VII

Generation VIII · animated models

Generation IX · animated models

Training

EV yield
3 SpA
Catch rate
3 ≈0.4% with a Poké Ball at full HP
Base friendship
35
Base experience
261
Growth rate
Slow

Breeding

Egg groups
Undiscovered
Gender
Genderless
Hatch time
80 egg cycles ≈20,655 steps (Gen IV–VII)

Where to find

Shield: The Crown Tundra 1 area
  • Max LairCapture during a Dynamax Adventure. · Lv 70
Green 1 area
  • Power PlantStatic encounter · Lv 50
Red 1 area
  • Power PlantStatic encounter · Lv 50
Sword: The Crown Tundra 1 area
  • Max LairCapture during a Dynamax Adventure. · Lv 70
Let’s Go, Eevee! 26 areas
  • Power PlantStatic encounter · Lv 50
  • Road 1Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 10Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 11Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 12Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 13Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 14Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 15Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 16Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 17Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 18Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 19Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 2 (north, towards Pewter City)Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 2 (south, towards Viridian City)Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 20Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 21Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 22Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 23Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 24Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 25Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 3Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 4Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 6Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 7Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 8Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 9Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
Let’s Go, Pikachu! 26 areas
  • Power PlantStatic encounter · Lv 50
  • Road 1Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 10Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 11Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 12Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 13Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 14Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 15Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 16Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 17Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 18Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 19Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 2 (north, towards Pewter City)Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 2 (south, towards Viridian City)Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 20Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 21Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 22Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 23Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 24Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 25Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 3Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 4Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 6Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 7Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 8Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
  • Road 9Rare spawn in the sky with lure or catch combo · Lv 3–56
Ultra Moon 2 areas
  • Ultra Space WildsStatic encounter · Lv 60
  • Ultra Space Wilds Cliff WorldStatic encounter · Lv 60
Ultra Sun 2 areas
  • Ultra Space WildsStatic encounter · Lv 60
  • Ultra Space Wilds Cliff WorldStatic encounter · Lv 60
Y 2 areas
  • Roaming KalosStatic encounter · Lv 70
  • Sea Spirit’s DenStatic encounter · Lv 70
X 2 areas
  • Roaming KalosStatic encounter · Lv 70
  • Sea Spirit’s DenStatic encounter · Lv 70
XD 1 area
  • Citadark Isle Dome 2FSnagging a Pokemon from a trainer in Pokemon Colosseum or Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness. · Lv 50
SoulSilver 1 area
  • Road 10Static encounter · Lv 50
HeartGold 1 area
  • Road 10Static encounter · Lv 50
Platinum 1 area
  • Roaming SinnohOn any overworld patch of grass, On any overworld water tile · Lv 60
LeafGreen 1 area
  • Power PlantStatic encounter · Lv 50
FireRed 1 area
  • Power PlantStatic encounter · Lv 50
Yellow 1 area
  • Power PlantStatic encounter · Lv 50
Blue 1 area
  • Power PlantStatic encounter · Lv 50
Red 1 area
  • Power PlantStatic encounter · Lv 50