In-battle formes
| Type | |
|---|---|
| Abilities | |
| Tier |
| HP: | 90 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attack: | 90 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Defense: | 85 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sp. Atk: | 125 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sp. Def: | 90 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Speed: | 100 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Strategies
- en
Overview
Zapdos is a great defensive check to several threats thanks to a few traits. The first is reliable recovery in the form of Roost, allowing it to stay healthy throughout the match, unlike many other Electric-types. The second is its solid bulk, which, coupled with a good defensive typing, allows Zapdos to check some of the tier's most dangerous threats, such as Mega Pinsir, Mega Scizor, and Tornadus-T. The third is its ability to pressure offensive teams with the combination of its decent power, rather good coverage, and Roost stalling. Finally, Zapdos has access to Defog and the ability to beat Bisharp, something no other Defogger can do besides Mandibuzz. Unfortunately, Zapdos is held back by a Stealth Rock weakness, which is an especially large issue for a Defog user, and does not have the sheer bulk that some other defensive Pokemon possess. Furthermore, the Thundurus formes, both of which boast much more useful offensive abilities and Nasty Plot to help muscle through walls, outclass Zapdos offensively. When using Zapdos, be mindful of its limitations and play to its strengths, and it will be very effective.
Physically Defensive
| Move 1 |
| ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Move 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Move 4 |
|
| Item | |
|---|---|
| Ability | |
| Nature |
|
| EVs |
|
Moves
Volt Switch is the primary STAB option for Zapdos, hitting Water- and Flying-types like Keldeo, Slowbro, and Tornadus-T hard and creating momentum. Volt Switch is especially valuable if Zapdos is on a more offensive or balanced team, as it allows Zapdos to pivot into offensive threats while damaging the foe. Discharge can be useful for slowing down faster threats, reducing the effectiveness of dangerous sweepers, and crippling opposing Zapdos checks like Clefable. Additionally, Discharge can guarantee a knockout on Mega Pinsir, especially when combined with Rocky Helmet. Since Mega Pinsir is a major threat to many teams, having a reliable way to remove it is a huge benefit. Heat Wave hits Steel- and Grass-types like Excadrill, Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Serperior, which take on Volt Switch rather comfortably. Hidden Power Ice allows Zapdos to check Dragon-types while also allowing Zapdos to hit Ground-types like Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Gliscor hard. Roost is mandatory to increase longevity. Lastly, Defog provides Zapdos utility by keeping entry hazards off of the field.
Set Details
Maximum HP EVs with 228 Defense EVs and a Bold nature allow Zapdos to survive Diamond Storm from Mega Diancie and Icicle Crash from Choice Band Weavile from full HP. 32 Speed EVs ensure that Zapdos always outpaces Adamant Bisharp and Jolly Tyranitar. Alternatively, 108 Speed EVs can be used to ensure Zapdos outspeeds Jolly Bisharp and Adamant Gyarados. Leftovers is the preferred to provide Zapdos longevity especially as a Defogger. It also allows Zapdos to be a better check to Serperior. On the other hand, Rocky Helmet offers immediate utility on more aggressive or faster-paced teams. It is important to note that Static and Defog are not compatible.
Usage Tips
Zapdos's main tasks are to revenge kill the likes of Bisharp, Mega Pinsir, and Mega Scizor; remove entry hazards with Defog; and generate momentum with Volt Switch. Keeping Zapdos healthy throughout the game by using Roost allows it to consistently check Pokemon that it is supposed to such as Serperior, Ferrothorn, and Talonflame. Zapdos's plays slightly differently depending on its ability of choice. Static allows Zapdos to cripple contact attackers such as Mega Metagross and Mega Lopunny with potential paralysis while Pressure can help PP stall low PP moves such as Leaf Storm from Serperior. Additionally, Pressure allows Zapdos to PP stall Stealth Rock. While other Defog users struggle with PP management against other Stealth Rock setters, Zapdos can continuously clear hazards since with Pressure, Defog has more PP than Stealth Rock, thus making Zapdos a valuable entry hazard remover.
Team Options
Zapdos fits on a lot of archetypes ranging from bulky offense to stall thanks to its ability to check many notable threats like Serperior, Mega Scizor, and Mega Pinsir coupled with its general lack of passivity. Water-, Fighting-, and Steel-types are good teammates for Zapdos, as they can scare away Weavile and Kyurem, both of which threaten Zapdos with super effective Ice-type STAB. Keldeo, Bisharp, and Mega Scizor are particularly partners since they resist the Ice-type attacks that Zapdos is weak to. Strong wallbreakers such as Mega Medicham, Weavile, Crawdaunt, and Azumarill are great teammates for Zapdos, as they can remove its checks such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Chansey. Furthermore, Volcarona checks, like Garchomp, Chansey, and Mega Lopunny make great partners since Zapdos affords it a free turn to Quiver Dance. Quagsire is another great choice because it can check setup sweepers like Mega Charizard X, Mega Altaria, and Dragonite who otherwise can freely set-up on Zapdos.
Specially Defensive
| Move 1 |
| ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Move 3 |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Move 4 |
| Item | |
|---|---|
| Ability | |
| Nature |
|
| EVs |
|
Moves
Thunderbolt is Zapdos's best STAB option, hitting decently hard. Volt Switch, while significantly weaker, is useful to gain switch initiative and momentum, although it isn't effective if Stealth Rock is on the field, as it forces Zapdos to incur damage from the hazard for a second time. Roost keeps Zapdos healthy to take on opposing threats repeatedly. Hidden Power Ice is for Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Dragonite. Defog is generally preferred in the last slot to remove Stealth Rock and other entry hazards, although if you already have a form of hazard removal, Heat Wave is a solid option to hit Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, Scizor, Bisharp, and Excadrill.
Set Details
The given EVs maximize Zapdos's special bulk, allowing it to check powerful special threats, such as Keldeo and Gengar, as well as survive a +2 Return from Mega Pinsir after Stealth Rock damage and one round of Leftovers recovery while outpacing Adamant Bisharp. Leftovers is crucial to survive +2 Return from Mega Pinsir after Stealth Rock damage and increases Zapdos's overall longevity.
Usage Tips
Stealth Rock is a huge issue for Zapdos, so make sure to use Defog before switching out. If Stealth Rock is up, don't use Zapdos to take on Pokemon such as Scizor that will most likely just U-turn out, because it just wears Zapdos down. In general, try to keep Zapdos at decent health so that it can take on the likes of Mega Pinsir.
Team Options
Having a cleric Pokemon such as Clefable or Chansey is fantastic for removing crippling status from Zapdos. Good physical walls like Hippowdon and Gliscor that handle powerful physical setup sweepers, such as Swords Dance Excadrill and Mega Charizard X, support Zapdos, as Zapdos is setup fodder for them. Finally, a Pokemon to handle Mega Altaria, such as Clefable, bulky Talonflame, Mega Venusaur, or Jirachi, is crucial.
Other Options
Zapdos has several other options for sets. SubToxic can be pretty effective on Zapdos, but it has issues with common Steel-types and is difficult to fit with the number of options that Zapdos wants to fit in. Roar is a good move for racking up entry hazard damage and phazing out boosting sweepers. Discharge is another STAB option with a nice chance to paralyze, but it lacks the power of Thunderbolt; for example, it can't OHKO Mega Pinsir. U-turn is an option over Volt Switch if you don't want to be stopped by Ground-type Pokemon before switching out.
Checks and Counters
Stealth Rock: Making sure Stealth Rock stays on the field is the easiest way to deal with Zapdos. Good Stealth Rock users include Terrakion, Tyranitar, and Landorus-T, since all of them can force Zapdos out.
Special Walls: Zapdos doesn't have the firepower to get past dedicated special walls such as Chansey and Mega Venusaur. Tyranitar and Hippowdon can handle Zapdos if it lacks Toxic, and the former even threatens it with a Rock-type STAB.
Dragon-types: Many Dragon-types, such as Dragonite, Kyurem-B, Mega Charizard X, and Latios can set up on or do major damage to Zapdos.
Setup Sweepers: If Zapdos doesn't have Toxic, it becomes setup bait for Mega Charizard X, Mega Altaria, Clefable, and other common setup sweepers.
Neutral STAB Attacks: Even fully invested, Zapdos doesn't have the raw bulk to take strong, neutral STAB attacks from the likes of Latios, Talonflame, and Mega Lopunny.
Rock- and Ice-types: Pokemon such as Kyurem-B, Mamoswine, Terrakion, and Tyranitar can all take Zapdos out with relative ease.
Credits
- Written by heritage and Bored Pikachu
- Quality checked by henry, Alpha1013, aim, Paprikaflow, and craing ;_;
- Grammar checked by Lumari, Kiwi, GatoDelFuego, and autumn
