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Zapdos

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{{#vardefine:$type|Electric}}{{#vardefine:$type2|Flying}}

Zapdos (サンダー, Sandaa) is an Electric/Flying-type Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation I. It is part of the Kanto Legendary Birds, along with Articuno and Moltres. In Generation VIII, exclusive to The Crown Tundra, Zapdos has a Galarian Form that is a Fighting/Flying type.

Biology[]

Physiology[]

Kantonian[]

Zapdos is an avian Pokémon with predominantly yellow plumage. Black rings encircle its eyes, and it has a long, thin, light orange beak. Its wings and tail are a mass of spiky feathers, with black feathers covering the back of its wings and inner tail feathers. A large crest of spiked feathers surrounds its head. Its thighs are a khaki color, and it has anisodactyl feet ending in talons.

Galarian[]

Galarian Zapdos is an avian Pokémon with predominantly orange plumage. It has long legs, strong “zygodactyl” feet (possessing two toes in front and two toes in yellow), and a large dark bill. Its wings and tail are a mass of spiky feathers, with black feathers covering the back of its wings and inner tail feathers. A large crest of spiked feathers surrounds its head, its thighs are a black color.

Behavior[]

Kantonian[]

When Zapdos flaps its glittering wings, it releases electricity that can potentially cause thunderstorms. It produces massive crackling and snapping sounds when it flies; these are attributed to the lightning bolts it sheds when airborne. When stricken by lightning, it gains power. Zapdos reportedly appears only during thunderstorms, and is said to live among thunderclouds. However, it is rarely seen.

Galarian[]

Once every several decades, this migratory Pokémon appears in the Crown Tundra. For a long time, it was thought to be the same Legendary Pokémon as the Zapdos previously discovered in other regions. This belligerent, battle-hungry Pokémon seems unable to resist challenging Pokémon it senses may be stronger than itself.

Natural Abilities[]

Kantonian[]

This Pokémon can control storms and lightning at its own will, which can subsequently change the weather drastically. This causes people to worship it as the God of Thunder.

Galarian[]

In battle, this Pokémon overwhelms opponents with speedy movements and ferocious kicks using its naturally mighty legs. When it leaps down cliffs and rocky mountainsides in ultra-high-speed zigzag movements, it is said to resemble a bolt of lightning. However, its wings seem to have atrophied, and it appears to be a poor flier.

Game info[]

Game locations[]

Locations
Version(s) Area(s) Rarity
Red and Blue Power Plant One
Yellow Power Plant One
Gold and Silver Trade None
Crystal Trade None
Ruby and Sapphire Trade None
FireRed and LeafGreen Power Plant One
Emerald Trade None
Diamond and Pearl Trade None
Platinum Roaming Sinnoh One
HeartGold and SoulSilver Route 10 One
Black and White Trade None
Black 2 and White 2 Trade None
X and Y Roaming Kalos (With Fennekin as a Starter Pokémon)
Sea Spirit's Den 		One
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Trade None
Sun and Moon Transfer None
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Ultra Space Wilds (Cliff World) One
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! Power Plant One
Sword and Shield Trade None
SWSH
The Crown Tundra 		Kantonian Form: Dynamax Adventures
Galarian Form: Roaming Wild Area 		One
One


Side game locations[]

Locations
Game(s) Area(s)
Pokémon Snap Tunnel
Pokémon Trozei! Random Agent Cards, Mr. Who's Den
Red Rescue Team & Blue Rescue Team Mt. Thunder Peak (3P)
Explorers of Time & Explorers of Darkness Amp Plains (7F) (with Mystery Part or Secret Slab in the bag)


Pokédex entries[]

  • Red and Blue

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

  • Yellow

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

  • Gold

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

  • Silver

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

  • Crystal

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

  • Ruby

    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.

  • Sapphire

    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.

  • FireRed

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

  • LeafGreen

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

  • Emerald

    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.

  • Diamond

    A legendary Pokémon that is said to live inside thunder clouds. It can freely control thunder.

  • Pearl

    A legendary Pokémon that is said to live inside thunder clouds. It can freely control thunder.

  • Platinum

    A legendary Pokémon that is said to live inside thunder clouds. It can freely control thunder.

  • HeartGold

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

  • SoulSilver

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

  • Black

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

  • White

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

  • Black 2

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

  • White 2

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

  • X

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

  • Y

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

  • Omega Ruby

    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.

  • Alpha Sapphire

    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.

  • Let's Go, Pikachu!

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

  • Let's Go, Eevee!

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

  • Sword

    Kantonian Form: This Pokémon has complete control over electricity. There are tales of Zapdos nesting in the dark depths of pitch-black thunderclouds.
    Galarian Form: When its feathers rub together, they produce a crackling sound like the zapping of electricity. That's why this Pokémon is called Zapdos.

  • Shield

    Kantonian Form: Zapdos is a legendary bird Pokémon. It's said that when Zapdos rubs its feathers together, lightning will fall immediately after.
    Galarian Form: One kick from its powerful legs will pulverize a dump truck. Supposedly, this Pokémon runs through the mountains at over 180 mph.

Stats[]

Kantonian Form[]

Base Stats
HP
90
Attack
90
Defense
85
Sp. Atk
125
Sp. Def
90
Speed
100
Total
580

Galarian Form[]

Base Stats
HP
90
Attack
125
Defense
90
Sp. Atk
85
Sp. Def
90
Speed
100
Total
580

Learnset[]

Leveling[]

Leveling Generation VII
Level Move Power Acc. PP Type Cat.
1 Peck 35 100% 35 Flying Physical
1 Thunder Shock 40 100% 30 Electric Special
8 Thunder Wave — 90% 20 Electric Status
15 Detect — —% 5 Fighting Status
22 Pluck 60 100% 20 Flying Physical
29 Ancient Power 60 100% 5 Rock Special
36 Charge — —% 20 Electric Status
43 Agility — —% 30 Psychic Status
50 Discharge 80 100% 15 Electric Special
57 Rain Dance — —% 5 Water Status
64 Light Screen — —% 30 Psychic Status
71 Drill Peck 80 100% 20 Flying Physical
78 Thunder 110 70% 10 Electric Special
85 Roost — —% 10 Flying Status
92 Magnetic Flux — —% 20 Electric Status
99 Zap Cannon 120 50% 5 Electric Special
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Leveling Generation VI
Level Move Power Acc. PP Type Cat. Contest Cat. Appeal Jam
1 Roost — —% 10 Flying Status Clever 4 ♥ 0 ♥
1 Zap Cannon 120 50% 5 Electric Special Cool 2 ♥ 1 ♥
1 Drill Peck 80 100% 20 Flying Physical Cool 3 ♥ 0 ♥
1 Peck 35 100% 35 Flying Physical Cool 4 ♥ 0 ♥
1 Thunder Shock 40 100% 30 Electric Special Cool 4 ♥ 0 ♥
8 Thunder Wave — 100% 20 Electric Status Cool 1 ♥ 3 ♥
15 Detect — —% 5 Fighting Status Cool 1 ♥ 0 ♥
22 Pluck 60 100% 20 Flying Physical Cute 3 ♥ 0 ♥
29 Ancient Power 60 100% 5 Rock Special Tough 1 ♥ 0 ♥
36 Charge — —% 20 Electric Status Clever 1 ♥ 0 ♥
43 Agility — —% 30 Psychic Status Cool 3 ♥ 0 ♥
50 Discharge 80 100% 15 Electric Special Beautiful 2 ♥ 2 ♥
57 Rain Dance — —% 5 Water Status Beautiful 1 ♥ 0 ♥
64 Light Screen — —% 30 Psychic Status Beautiful 2 ♥ 0 ♥
71 Drill Peck 80 100% 20 Flying Physical Cool 3 ♥ 0 ♥
78 Thunder 110 70% 10 Electric Special Cool 1 ♥ 0 ♥
85 Roost — —% 10 Flying Status Clever 4 ♥ 0 ♥
92 Zap Cannon 120 50% 5 Electric Special Cool 2 ♥ 1 ♥
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Leveling Generation V
Level Move Power Acc. PP Type Cat.
1(BW)
1(BW2) 		Peck 35 100% 35 Flying Physical
1(BW)
1(BW2) 		ThunderShock 40 100% 30 Electric Special
8(BW)
8(BW2) 		Thunder Wave — 100% 20 Electric Status
15(BW)
15(BW2) 		Detect — —% 5 Fighting Status
22(BW)
22(BW2) 		Pluck 60 100% 20 Flying Physical
29(BW)
29(BW2) 		AncientPower 60 100% 5 Rock Special
36(BW)
36(BW2) 		Charge — —% 20 Electric Status
43(BW)
43(BW2) 		Agility — —% 30 Psychic Status
50(BW)
50(BW2) 		Discharge 80 100% 15 Electric Special
57(BW)
57(BW2) 		Roost — —% 10 Flying Status
64(BW)
64(BW2) 		Light Screen — —% 30 Psychic Status
71(BW)
71(BW2) 		Drill Peck 80 100% 20 Flying Physical
78(BW)
78(BW2) 		Thunder 120 70% 10 Electric Special
85(BW)
85(BW2) 		Rain Dance — —% 5 Water Status
N/A(BW)
92(BW2) 		Zap Cannon 120 50% 5 Electric Special
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Leveling Generation IV
Level Move Power Acc. PP Type Cat. Contest Cat. Appeal
1 Peck 35 100% 35 Flying Physical Cool 3 ♥
1 ThunderShock 40 100% 30 Electric Special Cool 3 ♥
8 Thunder Wave — 100% 20 Electric Status Cool 2 ♥
15 Detect — —% 5 Fighting Status Cool 0 ♥
22 Pluck 60 100% 20 Flying Physical Cute 0 ♥
29 AncientPower 60 100% 5 Rock Special Tough 2 ♥
36 Charge — —% 20 Electric Status Smart 0 ♥
43 Agility — —% 30 Psychic Status Cool 2 ♥
50 Discharge 80 100% 15 Electric Special Cool 2 ♥
57 Roost — —% 10 Flying Status Cool 0 ♥
64 Light Screen — —% 30 Psychic Status Beauty 2 ♥
71 Drill Peck 80 100% 20 Flying Physical Cool 3 ♥
78 Thunder 120 70% 10 Electric Special Cool 2 ♥
85 Rain Dance — —% 5 Water Status Tough 2 ♥
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Leveling Generation III
Level Move Power Acc. PP Type Contest Cat. Appeal Jam
1 Peck 35 100% 35 Flying Cool 4 ♥ 0 ♥
1 ThunderShock 40 100% 30 Electric Cool 4 ♥ 0 ♥
13 Thunder Wave — —% 20 Electric Cool 2 ♥ 1 ♥
25 Agility — —% 30 Psychic Cool 3 ♥ 0 ♥
37 Detect — —% 5 Fighting Cool 2 ♥ 0 ♥
49 Drill Peck 80 100% 20 Flying Cool 4 ♥ 0 ♥
61 Charge — —% 20 Electric Smart 2 ♥ 0 ♥
73 Light Screen — —% 30 Psychic Beauty 1 ♥ 0 ♥
85 Thunder 120 70% 10 Electric Cool 2 ♥ 2 ♥
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

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TM/HM[]

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Breeding[]

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Tutoring[]

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Sprites[]

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Appearances[]

Anime[]

Zapdos first appears in the anime in the episode Island of the Giant Pokémon. Its first major role was in the second movie.

Zapdos was also the driving cause of Ash's Noivern’s evolution.

A Zapdos is set to appear in PJ040 where Ash and Goh will battle it in a raid battle.

  • Zapdos (GS126)
  • Zapdos (XY110)
  • Zapdos (MS002)
  • Red's Zapdos
  • Mirage Zapdos
  • Zapdos (PJ040)

Mystery Dungeon[]

In Red and Blue Rescue Team and Rescue Team DX, Zapdos is the first legendary to appear in the original Pokémon Mystery Dungeon game, when it kidnaps Shiftry in Silent Chasm, and is fought against on Mt. Thunder. It can be recruited after the credits.

Trivia[]

  • Zapdos, as depicted in an ancient legend, is the titan of lightning.
  • Zapdos appears to have two sets of wings, stating it has a black part and a yellow part.
  • Of all Legendary Pokémon with fixed in-game locations, Zapdos can be obtained with the fewest number of Badges: 3. In the Generation I games and their remakes, the player character can catch Zapdos with only the Boulder Badge, Cascade Badge, and Soul Badge.
  • Zapdos shares its category with Elekid and Electabuzz. They are all known as the Electric Pokémon.
  • Zapdos and Jolteon's Japanese names are almost exactly the same as each other's, with a final "s" being the only difference.
  • Zapdos possesses a type advantage over all other members of its trio, as well as its trio master, Lugia.
    • Conversely, its Galarian form has a type disadvantage to the rest of its trio.
  • In the anime episode The Bridge Bike Gang, Chopper's bike was decorated to look like a Zapdos.
  • In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Zapdos is one of the Pokémon that can be freed from Poké Balls. During this time, it uses the move Thunder Shock.
    • It is briefly seen in Prism Tower's stage for the 3Ds version.
    • The description breaks the fourth wall by mentioning The Power of One movie.
    • Zapdos, alongside Articuno and Moltres, is one of the collectable spirits in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
  • It's Shiny Galarian Form has it's Kantonian form's color scheme.

Origin[]

Zapdos may be based on the Native American or South African legend of the thunderbird. The thunderbird was known for being the spirit of thunder, lightning, and rain in the form of a giant bird. The beating of the wings was said to create thunder and was usually depicted in a pose similar to Zapdos' pose in many artworks. It may also have been based on the lightning bird, a bird created from wherever lightning hits the earth. Aesthetically it may also be based of hummingbirds, due to the long beak, the rather simple wings and described violent behaviour. It may also be based on Zeus/Jupiter, the Greek/Roman god of lightning, who was symbolized by an eagle.

Galarian Zapdos is based on a roadrunner. Although it's capable of flight, it prefers to spend most of its time on the ground. It could also be based on Macha, an avian Irish goddess associated with war and sovereignty. Alongside Nemain and Badb, it was also represented as a triple goddess named Morrigan. It may also be based on a Chocobo, a fictional ground-dwelling bird species from the Final Fantasy series that is typically yellow.

Physically, Galarian Zapdos resembles a ratite bird, and its design resembles that of a Kiwi.

Etymology[]

It is likely that the last part of each birds name are puns, because the last syllable of each of the Legendary Birds is a number in Spanish (ex. Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres). Zapdos would then be the second Legendary Bird of the trio.

Gallery[]

Kantonian Form[]

Galarian Form[]

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