Zapdos (Pokémon)

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This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Zapdos (disambiguation).

Zapdos サンダー Thunder #145
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Electric Flying Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Electric Pokémon
Abilities Pressure Blue-Striped ----- Lightningrod Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #145 Johto #241 Hoenn #300 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia R-299
Height 5'03" Imperial 1.6 m Metric 5'03"/1.6 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 116.0 lbs. Imperial 52.6 kg Metric 116.0 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 Undiscovered group 81 cycles (20655 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 3 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 a dual-type Electric/Flying legendary Pokémon.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

It is, along with Articuno and Moltres, one of the three legendary birds of Kanto.

Biology

Physiology

Zapdos has the form of a large bird with black and yellow plumage. Its spiky feathers make it look like it is made of lightning. Its tail feathers stick out in several directions, furthering this illusion. A large crest of feathers decorates its head, and distinctive black rings encircle its eyes. Its beak is very long and thin. While Zapdos is the smallest and lightest of the legendary birds, it is still a fairly large Pokémon.

Gender differences

Zapdos is a genderless species.

Special abilities

When Zapdos flaps its glittering wings, it releases electricity, potentially causing thunderstorms.

Behavior

Zapdos is one of the legendary birds of Kanto. It is a poorly understood species, believed by many to be pure myth. It is always seen in conjunction with thunderstorms, leading many to believe that it gathers energy from the electricity in the atmosphere. It is also reported to cause massive crackling and snapping sounds when it flies; these are attributed to the lightning bolts it is said to shed when airborne.

Habitat

File:Rare.gif

Rare Pokémon

When Zapdos is sighted, which is not often, it is almost always during electrical storms. It appears to live in thunderclouds, but one is said to live in or near a power plant in Kanto. It may be attracted by the electricity the plant produces.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

File:Zapdos movie 2.png

Zapdos in the anime

Major appearances

Zapdos (movie 2)

Zapdos made its first true appearance in The Power of One. Lawrence III wanted to capture the three legendary birds as well as their master Lugia.

Other

The Electric 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 they changed their objective to capture Zapdos instead.

Minor appearances

The first time Zapdos was seen was in Island of the Giant Pokémon. However, it wasn't a real Zapdos, just a machine.

A Zapdos made an appearance in the credits of Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea. Jackie had captured it with a Capture Styler and flew away on it.

A Zapdos made a cameo appearance in Doc Brock!. This may have been taken from Pokémon Platinum, where in this version, there is a Zapdos roaming Sinnoh. It made another cameo in Dealing With a Fierce Double Ditto Drama!, this time in a flashback.

A Zapdos made a cameo in the intro of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP242 Zapdos Ash's Pokédex Zapdos, the Electric Pokémon. Zapdos has both electric and flying elements and the flappage of its wings can create lightning.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Having captured this legendary bird in the abandoned Power Plant as in the games, Lt. Surge appears with Zapdos in his team during the events of Volume 3, using it as a neverending power source for his Electric-types, allowing them to continually shock Red at full force, a strategy that turns against him when Red uses Saur's Razor Leaf to cut the supply cords and his insulating underwear with them. After having been merged with Articuno and Moltres into an undiscovered Pokémon, the three Pallet Town trainers are able to defeat the combined monster, so it leaves his team, and Team Rocket afterwards to go back to the wild.

Green later captures Zapdos before the Gold, Silver, & Crystal arc and uses it against Will and Karen, having caught it and its legendary bird companions on her personal training journey to overcome her fear of birds. During this battle, it is lent to Blue when things get rough. Once returned, it is put back in its Poké Ball and isn't seen again, meaning it has either been deposited into her box or released.

In the TCG

Main article: Zapdos (TCG)

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. Melee

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

Trophy information

Zapdos flaps its wings, and summer storms appear, throwing lightning every which way. It's said that you can hear this legendary Pokémon coming, as its wings make a very distinctive popping sound as it flies. In addition to electrical moves like the dreaded Thunder, it also wields a vicious move called Drill Peck.

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 causes 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 {{{sapphiredex}}} 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 {{{pearldex}}} Platinum A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts. 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.
Generation V Black A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts. 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) One Power Plant Yellow One Power Plant
Generation II Gold Silver None Time Capsule Crystal None Time Capsule
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 Trade Platinum One Roaming Sinnoh HeartGold SoulSilver One Route 10 (16 Badges required) Pal Park Mountain Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Poké Transfer Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Snap	Tunnel
Pokémon Pinball	Lavender Town
Pokémon Trozei!	Random Agent Cards Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Mt. Thunder Peak (3F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Amp Plains (7F)*
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs	Layuda Island
Pokémon Rumble	Eternal Tower

Held Items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	BrightPowder (100%)
Yellow*

Stats

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.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 5/5 ★★★★★	Power 3/5 ★★★☆☆
Skill 4/5 ★★★★☆	Stamina 2/3 ★★☆
Jump 5/5 ★★★★★	Total 19/23 ★★★☆

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

Notes: If Gravity is in effect, this Pokémon is given an Iron Ball or a Ring Target, or it is affected by Smack Down or Ingrain, the effectiveness of  Ground-type  moves is 2×. If this Pokémon has Lightningrod, the effectiveness of  Electric-type  moves is 0×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Peck Flying Physical 03535 100100% 35 00Start ThunderShock Electric Special 04040 100100% 30 088 Thunder Wave Electric Status 0000— 100100% 20 1515 Detect Fighting Status 0000— ——% 5 2222 Pluck Flying Physical 06060 100100% 20 2929 AncientPower Rock Special 06060 100100% 5 3636 Charge Electric Status 0000— ——% 20 4343 Agility Psychic Status 0000— ——% 30 5050 Discharge Electric Special 08080 100100% 15 5757 Roost Flying Status 0000— ——% 10 6464 Light Screen Psychic Status 0000— ——% 30 7171 Drill Peck Flying Physical 08080 100100% 20 7878 Thunder Electric Special 120120 07070% 10 8585 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— ——% 5

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zapdos Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Zapdos Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM05	Roar	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM11	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM15	Hyper Beam	Normal	Special	150150	090}}90%	5
	TM16	Light Screen	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	30
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM24	Thunderbolt	Electric	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	TM25	Thunder	Electric	Special	120120	070}}70%	10
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM37	Sandstorm	Rock	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM40	Aerial Ace	Flying	Physical	06060	—}}—%	20
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM48	Round	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM57	Charge Beam	Electric	Special	05050	090}}90%	10
	TM58	Sky Drop	Flying	Physical	06060	100}}100%	10
	TM68	Giga Impact	Normal	Physical	150150	090}}90%	5
	TM70	Flash	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM72	Volt Switch	Electric	Special	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM73	Thunder Wave	Electric	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM88	Pluck	Flying	Physical	06060	100}}100%	20
	TM89	U-turn	Bug	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM93	Wild Charge	Electric	Physical	09090	100}}100%	15
	TM94	Rock Smash	Fighting	Physical	04040	100}}100%	15
	HM02	Fly	Flying	Physical	09090	095}}95%	15
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zapdos Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Zapdos Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Game				Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Zapdos can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Zapdos cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zapdos Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Zapdos Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Special moves

Shadow moves	<span style="color:#{{{2}}};">Level 50+	Purified moves
Shadow Bolt	File:Box xd 145.png	Baton Pass	Normal
Shadow Rush		Metal Sound	Steel
Shadow Shed		Extrasensory	Psychic
Shadow Sky		Thunderbolt	Electric

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball     Acquisition: Catch		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 4 Recruit rate: 30% Friend Area: Legendary Island Phrases 51%-100% HP I represent the power of lightning! 26%-50% HP I am troubled... My health is down by half already... 1%-25% HP I fear the worst... Even my thunderbolts grow weak... Level up I've leveled! My lightning grows more powerful! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I've leveled! My lightning grows more powerful!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 2 Recruit rate: 10% IQ group: C
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Electric  ( Electric ) Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   It creates thunderbolts in the air and discharges electricity.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Does not evolve Zapdos  Electric  Flying

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Zapdos images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• 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, one can catch Zapdos with only the Boulder Badge, Cascade Badge, and Soul Badge although it is far too strong for most trainers at that stage, at level 50.
• In Generation I, Zapdos was the only dual-type Electric Pokémon, as Magnemite and Magneton did not gain a secondary type until Steel was introduced in Generation II.
• Zapdos shares the same species name with Elekid and Electabuzz. They are all known as Electric Pokémon.
• Zapdos and Jolteon have almost the same Japanese name, a final s being the only difference.
• Zapdos is the only one of the legendary birds to not have a double weakness to Rock (or for that matter, any double weakness).
• Zapdos shares its cry with 'M.
• In Yellow onwards, Zapdos was given an additional toe pointing forward on each foot giving it three. However, Pokémon Stadium 2 shares the same 3-D model for Zapdos as its Generation I 3-D games, Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Snap, so in that game, it still only has two.
• In the anime episode The Bridge Bike Gang, Chopper's bike was decorated to look like a Zapdos.

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. It may also have been based on the Lightning Bird, a bird created from wherever lightning hits the earth. It may also have been based on the Impundulu, a bird of witchcraft said to summon thunder and lightning with its wings and talons.

Name origin

Zapdos 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, Thunder, is simply thunder.

In other languages

Language Name Name Origin German Zapdos French Electhor A combination of électrique and Thor, the Norse god of thunder. Korean 썬더 Sseondeo A transliteration of Thunder. Chinese (Mandarin) 閃電鳥 / 闪电鸟 Shǎndiànniǎo Literally "Lightning bird". Chinese (Cantonese) 雷鳥 Lèuihníuh Literally "Thunder bird". May be a reference to the thunderbird in Native American mythology.

Related articles

• Legendary birds
• Zapdos (The Power of One)

Notes

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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