Zapdos in Pokemon GO – Stats, Moves, PvP Tips & More

Zapdos is a popular Electric/Flying-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 3,527, Zapdos is a solid choice for Ultra League battles and various raid encounters.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Zapdos in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Zapdos Base Stats & Overview

Zapdos (#145) is a Electric/Flying-type Pokemon from Generation 1. As a Legendary Pokemon, Zapdos is extremely rare and powerful, typically only available through special raid events or research breakthroughs.

Base Stats
Attack	253
Defense	185
Stamina	207
Total Stats	645
Max CP	3,527
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 253 Attack, 185 Defense, and 207 Stamina, Zapdos has a total stat product of 645. Its exceptionally high Attack stat makes it a premier choice for dealing massive damage in raids and gym battles.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Zapdos

Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Zapdos’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Zapdos for raids, gym battles, or PvP.

Best Raid & Gym Moveset

For PvE content like raids and gym battles, you want moves that maximize DPS (Damage Per Second). The best Electric/Flying-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.

Best PvP Moveset

In PvP battles, energy generation and coverage moves become more important. You’ll want a fast move that charges energy quickly and charged moves that provide good type coverage.

🎯 Zapdos Type Effectiveness

Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Zapdos effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Electric/Flying-type Pokemon, Zapdos has specific strengths and weaknesses.

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

Zapdos is weak to: Electric, Ice, Rock-type moves. When battling against Zapdos, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.

• Electric – Deals increased damage
• Ice – Deals increased damage
• Rock – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Zapdos resists: Electric, Flying, Steel, Grass, Fighting, Bug, Ground-type moves. This means Zapdos takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.

• Electric – Reduced damage
• Flying – Reduced damage
• Steel – Reduced damage
• Grass – Reduced damage
• Fighting – Reduced damage
• Bug – Reduced damage
• Ground – Reduced damage

🏆 Zapdos PvP Analysis

Zapdos can be used in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League PvP battles. Here’s how it performs in each league:

Great League (1500 CP Limit)

With a max CP of 3,527, Zapdos would need to be under-leveled for Great League. Check if the stats at 1500 CP are competitive before investing resources.

Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)

Zapdos can be used in Ultra League but won’t reach its full stat potential due to the 2500 CP cap.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Zapdos can hold its own in Master League with proper support, though it may struggle against the top-tier threats like Dialga, Giratina, and Mewtwo.

⚔️ Zapdos Raid Guide

Zapdos appears as a Tier 5 Legendary raid boss during special events. Here’s what you need to know to defeat and catch it:

Raid Boss Stats

• Tier: 5 (Legendary)
• Recommended Trainers: 4-6 with optimal counters
• Boss CP: ~50,000+
• Catch CP Range: 2,000 – 2,500 (weather boosted: 2,500 – 2,800)

Tips for Defeating Zapdos

1. Use Pokemon with moves that exploit Zapdos’s weaknesses
2. Dodge charged moves when possible to preserve your Pokemon
3. Coordinate with your raid group for maximum efficiency
4. Use a weather boost when possible for stronger attackers

🎯 Best Counters for Zapdos

Whether you’re battling Zapdos in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Zapdos:

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Zapdos’s weaknesses to Electric, Ice, Rock-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Zekrom	Dragon/Electric	Top Electric DPS in the game
Electivire	Electric	Thunder Shock + Wild Charge deals high damage
Raikou	Electric	Consistent Electric damage dealer
Mamoswine	Ice/Ground	Best Ice attacker with Powder Snow + Avalanche
Glaceon	Ice	Accessible Ice attacker with high damage
Weavile	Dark/Ice	Fast Ice damage dealer

Counter Strategy Tips

1. Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Zapdos
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Zapdos may have moves that counter its own counters
4. Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks

📍 How to Get Zapdos in Pokemon GO

Zapdos is a Legendary Pokemon and can be obtained through:

• Tier 5 Raids: Zapdos appears in 5-star raids during special events
• GO Battle League: Occasionally available as a reward at Rank 20+
• Special Research: May be featured in special research storylines
• Trading: Trade with friends who have a spare Zapdos

Keep an eye on official Pokemon GO announcements for when Zapdos will be available!

Zapdos Evolution

Check the Pokédex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Zapdos

Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Zapdos’s potential in Pokemon GO:

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Zapdos with high Attack IVs (15 Attack is ideal). The Attack stat contributes most to damage output in PvE content.

For PvP battles, the ideal IVs depend on the league:

• Great League: Look for low Attack, high Defense and HP (0/15/15 is often ideal)
• Ultra League: Similar to Great League, optimize for stat product under 2500 CP
• Master League: Perfect 15/15/15 IVs are best since there’s no CP cap

2. Power Up Priority

Before investing Stardust and Candy into Zapdos, consider:

• Do you have enough resources? (Powering to level 50 costs 296,000 Stardust and 296 Candy)
• Will this Pokemon fill a gap in your battle team?
• Are there better alternatives for the same role?
• Do you have the optimal moveset or need Elite TMs?

3. Team Composition

Zapdos works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Electric/Flying type weak to Electric, Ice, consider adding team members that resist these types.

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

• When catching: Weather-boosted Zapdos spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
• When battling: Weather that boosts Electric moves increases your damage output
• When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather

📚 Zapdos in the Pokemon Franchise

Zapdos first appeared in Generation 1 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Zapdos’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Zapdos was introduced as part of the Generation 1 Pokemon rollout. Being a Generation 1 Pokemon, Zapdos has been available since the game’s launch in July 2016.

📊 How Zapdos Compares

Let’s see how Zapdos stacks up against other Electric-type Pokemon:

Stat	Zapdos	Type Average	Rating
Attack	253	~180	⭐⭐⭐
Defense	185	~160	⭐⭐
Stamina	207	~170	⭐⭐⭐
Max CP	3,527	~2,500	⭐⭐⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Zapdos is a powerful Electric/Flying-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 3,527 and solid base stats (253/185/207), it stands as one of the premier options for high-level content including Master League PvP and Legendary raids.

Remember to:

• Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
• Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
• Build a team that covers Zapdos’s weaknesses
• Take advantage of weather boosts when possible

For more Pokemon guides and the complete Pokedex, visit our Pokemon GO Database. Check out our PvP Rankings for the current meta and Raid Guides for battle strategies.

Last updated: January 2026. Information based on the latest Pokemon GO game data.

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