Zapdos (Pokémon)

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Zapdos サンダー Thunder #145
Artwork from FR/LG
Type Electric Flying Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Electric Pokémon
Ability Pressure Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #145 Johto #236 Hoenn #300 Sinnoh Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 5'3" Imperial 1.6 m Metric 5'3"/1.6 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 116 lbs. Imperial 52.6 kg Metric 116 lbs./52.6 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Yellow	Catch rate 3 (0.4%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown Gender unknown
Breeding No eggs group 1 cycles (255 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 216 Battle Exp.: 2161*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Zapdos (Japanese: サンダー Thunder) is an Electric/Flying-type Pokémon. It's found in the Kanto Region at abandoned power plant. Zapdos appeared in the movie The Power of One.

Biology

Physiology

Zapdos is a large, yellow bird with spiky wings that make it look like it's been struck by lightning. Zapdos has a long, skinny, orange beak and almond shaped eyes with black rings on them. Zapdos's thighs are light-brown and it has orange feet.

Gender differences

Zapdos is a genderless species.

Special abilities

When Zapdos flaps its glittering wings, it unleashes electric bolts.

Habitat

Zapdos is said to live in thunderclouds. It also appears in abandoned power plants, possibly to power itself with the electricity. Since Zapdos has been labeled as a Legendary Pokémon, it is very hard to come across.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

Zapdos made its first true appearance in The Power of One. Jirarudan wanted to capture the three Kanto Legendary Birds as well as Lugia.

The Thunderbird Pokémon made another appearance in As Clear As Crystal. When Team Rocket made an attempt to steal a crystal that gave a lake the ability to heal Electric-type Pokémon, they were side-tracked when Zapdos showed up and changed their objective to capture Zapdos instead.

Other appearances

Super Smash Brothers Melee

When released from a Pokéball, Zapdos uses a powerful Thundershock that hits opponents several times to produce a substantial amount of damage.

Game data

NPC appearances

• Zapdos is the first legendary Pokémon encountered in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. After it kidnaps Shiftry, the player must fight it at the top of Mt. Thunder. It is possible to recruit Zapdos by returning for another fight after the credits.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear from clouds while dropping enormous lightning bolts. Blue Yellow This legendary bird Pokémon is said to appear when the sky turns dark and lightning showers down. Stadium A legendary bird pokémon that appears with a gigantic thunderstorm. It flies with the buzz and crack of electricity.
Generation II 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. Stadium 2 This legendary bird Pokémon cause savage thunderstorms by flapping its glittering wings.
Generation III 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. 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. 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.
Generation IV 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 {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold {{{heartgolddex}}} SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue One Power Plant Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow One Power Plant
Generation II Gold Silver None Trade Crystal None Trade
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen One Power Plant Colosseum None Trade XD One Citadark Isle (Shadow)
Generation IV Diamond Pearl None Pal Park Platinum None Trade HeartGold SoulSilver None Trade Pal Park None Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Trozei!	Random Agent Cards Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon	Mt. Thunder Peak (3F)

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 90		150 - 197	290 - 384
Attack: 90		85 - 156	166 - 306
Defense: 85		81 - 150	157 - 295
Sp. Atk: 125		117 - 194	229 - 383
Sp. Def: 90		85 - 156	166 - 306
Speed: 100		94 - 167	184 - 328
Total: 580	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 125.

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying ½× Poison 1× Ground 0× Rock 2× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying ½× Poison 1× Ground 0× Rock 2× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying ½× Poison 1× Ground 0× Rock 2× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying ½× Poison 1× Ground 0× Rock 2× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Note: If Zapdos is given the Black Steel Orb, the effectiveness of Ground-type attacks becomes 200.

Learnset

By leveling up

	Generation I	Generation II	Generation III	Generation IV
Start	Thundershock Drill Peck	Peck Thundershock	Peck Thundershock	Peck Thundershock
8				Thunder Wave
13		Thunder Wave	Thunder Wave
15				Detect
22				Pluck
25		Agility	Agility
29				Ancientpower
36				Charge
37		Detect	Detect
43				Agility
49		Drill Peck	Drill Peck
50				Discharge
51	Thunder
55	Agility
57				Roost
60	Light Screen
61		Light Screen	Charge
64				Light Screen
71				Drill Peck
73		Thunder	Light Screen
78				Thunder
85			Thunder	Rain Dance

By TM/HM

Number	Generation I	Generation II	Generation III	Generation IV
TM02	Razor Wind
TM03		Curse
TM04	Whirlwind
TM05			Roar	Roar
TM06	Toxic	Toxic	Toxic	Toxic
TM07		Zap Cannon
TM08		Rock Smash
TM09	Take Down
TM10	Double Edge	Hidden Power	Hidden Power	Hidden Power
TM11		Sunny Day	Sunny Day	Sunny Day
TM13		Snore
TM15	Hyper Beam	Hyper Beam	Hyper Beam	Hyper Beam
TM16			Light Screen	Light Screen
TM17		Protect	Protect	Protect
TM18		Rain Dance	Rain Dance	Rain Dance
TM20	Rage	Endure
TM21		Frustration	Frustration	Frustration
TM24	Thunderbolt		Thunderbolt	Thunderbolt
TM25	Thunder	Thunder	Thunder	Thunder
TM27		Return	Return	Return
TM31	Mimic	Mud Slap
TM32	Double Team	Double Team	Double Team	Double Team
TM33	Reflect
TM34	Bide	Swagger	Shock Wave	Shock Wave
TM35		Sleep Talk
TM37		Sandstorm	Sandstorm	Sandstorm
TM39	Swift	Swift
TM40			Aerial Ace	Aerial Ace
TM42			Facade	Facade
TM43	Sky Attack	Detect	Secret Power	Secret Power
TM44	Rest	Rest	Rest	Rest
TM45	Thunder Wave
TM47		Steel Wing	Steel Wing	Steel Wing
TM50	Substitute
TM51				Roost
TM57				Charge Beam
TM58				Endure
TM68				Giga Impact
TM70				Flash
TM73				Thunder Wave
TM82				Sleep Talk
TM83				Natural Gift
TM87				Swagger
TM88				Pluck
TM89				U-turn
TM90				Substitute
HM02	Fly	Fly	Fly	Fly
HM05	Flash	Flash	Flash	Defog
HM06			Rock Smash	Rock Smash

Special moves

In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, Zapdos knows Shadow Bolt, Shadow Rush, Shadow Shed and Shadow Sky as a Shadow Pokémon, and learns Baton Pass, Metal Sound and Extrasensory after being purified.

Trivia

Origin

Zapdos is based on the Native American 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.

Name origin

Zapdos's name is a combination of the word zap and the Spanish word for two, dos, indicating that it is the second in the series of Kanto legendary birds. Its Japanese name is simply Thunder.

In other languages

• German: Zapdos
• French: Electhor - A combination of electric and Thor, the Norse God of thunder.

• Korean: 썬더 Sseonda

External links

• Article on Wikipedia
• Thunderstruck, the fanlisting for Zapdos at The Anime Fanlistings Network

Legendary Pokémon

Generation I

Generation II

Generation III

Generation IV

Generation V

Generation VI

Generation VII

Generation VIII

Generation IX

See also: Mythical Pokémon

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Pokémon

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This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.