Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Zapdos
Say it: ZAP-dohss
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Zapdos is the Electric Pokémon — Electric and Flying Legendary bird. In Pokémon GO it is an Electric/Flying attacker with Charge Beam + Thunderbolt / Thunder / Zap Cannon / Ancient Power / Drill Peck / Heat Wave. Electric helps against Water and Flying; Rock hits it for 4×. Thunder Shock is a legacy fast move when available. Galarian Zapdos is Fighting / Flying — see that form. Catch from Legendary raids and events.
Say it: ZAP-dohss
Zapdos (#145) is an Electric / Flying Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Trainers use it as an Electric/Flying raid attacker with Charge Beam / Thunder Shock + Thunderbolt / Thunder / Zap Cannon / Ancient Power / Drill Peck / Heat Wave. Against Zapdos, lead with Rock (best), or Ice or Electric. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Zapdos is a Electric / Flying-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0145. Legendaries shine in Master League and 5-star raids when IVs and moves align.
Where in GO: Legendary raids, research breakthroughs, and GO Tour events
Invest tip: Thunder Shock + Thunderbolt / Drill Peck is the premier kit when Thunder Shock is available (legacy — confirm live). Charge Beam + Thunderbolt is the default GM kit. Shadow Zapdos is elite Electric DPS — remove Frustration before investing. Galarian Zapdos is a separate Fighting/Flying form.
Type matchups
- Electric moves hit Water and Flying hard.
- Flying moves hit Grass, Fighting, and Bug hard.
When Zapdos is your opponent, Ice, Rock hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 253
- Defense
- 185
- Stamina
- 207
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Baxcalibur · beats Ice
Ice Fang + Avalanche
- 2. Shadow Mamoswine · beats Ice
Powder Snow + Avalanche
- 3. Mega Glalie · beats Ice
Frost Breath + Avalanche
- 4. Shadow Weavile · beats Ice
Ice Shard + Avalanche
- 5. Mamoswine · beats Ice
Powder Snow + Avalanche
- 6. Cetitan · beats Ice
Powder Snow + Avalanche
- 7. Glaceon · beats Ice
Frost Breath + Avalanche
- 8. Shadow Articuno · beats Ice
Frost Breath + Ice Beam
- 9. Weavile · beats Ice
Ice Shard + Avalanche
- 10. Aurorus · beats Ice
Powder Snow + Weather Ball
- 11. Jynx · beats Ice
Frost Breath + Avalanche
- 12. Vanilluxe · beats Ice
Frost Breath + Blizzard
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Glaceon · beats Ice
Frost Breath + Avalanche
- 2. Mamoswine · beats Ice
Powder Snow + Avalanche
- 3. Weavile · beats Ice
Ice Shard + Avalanche
- 4. Cloyster · beats Ice
Frost Breath + Avalanche
- 5. Beartic · beats Ice
Powder Snow + Ice Punch
- 6. Abomasnow · beats Ice
Powder Snow + Weather Ball
- 7. Avalugg · beats Ice
Ice Fang + Avalanche
- 8. Froslass · beats Ice
Powder Snow + Avalanche
- 9. Walrein · beats Ice
Powder Snow + Icicle Spear
- 10. Glalie · beats Ice
Frost Breath + Avalanche
- 11. Dewgong · beats Ice
Frost Breath + Icy Wind
- 12. Piloswine · beats Ice
Powder Snow + Avalanche
Recommended moves
Game Master “moves in GO” lists the always-available TM pool. Thunder Shock and Drill Peck are legacy/event moves — confirm on your copy or use Elite TMs if you missed older windows.
Fast
- Thunder Shock · Community Day / Elite TM
Legacy fast — best Electric energy
- Charge Beam · Standard
Electric STAB / GM default
Charged
- Thunderbolt · Standard
Electric nuke
- Thunder · Standard
Electric heavy
- Zap Cannon · Standard
Electric alternate
- Drill Peck · Community Day / Elite TM
Flying coverage / legacy
- Ancient Power · Standard
Rock coverage / legacy
- Heat Wave · Standard
Fire coverage / legacy
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- charge beam
Charged
- zap cannon
- thunderbolt
- thunder
- ancient power
- drill peck
- heat wave
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #647 of 954 · CP 1461
Charge Beam + Zap Cannon
- Ultra League · rank #437 of 747 · CP 2468
Charge Beam + Zap Cannon
- Master League · rank #127 of 1023 · CP 3987
Charge Beam + Zap Cannon
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
Raid attacker roles
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.