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Zapdos (サンダー, Thunder) is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a dual-type Electric/Flying legendary Pokémon that made its first appearance in the first generation games Red and Blue. In Galar, it is Fighting and Flying.

It is one of the Legendary birds, along with Articuno and Moltres.

Physiology and Behaviour[]

Zapdos is a large, avian Pokémon with predominantly yellow plumage. It has small, triangular eyes with black around them and a long, thin, light orange beak. Its wings and tail are a mass of spiky feathers and there are black feathers covering the back of its wings and inner tail feathers. A large crest of spiked feathers surrounds its head. Its thighs are tan, and it has thin, light orange legs. It has feet with three forward-facing toes and one backward-facing toe; each toe has a short talon.

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. Zapdos reportedly appears only during thunderstorms and gains power when struck by lightning. It is said to live among thunderclouds, but it is rarely seen.

Galarian Zapdos[]

In Galar, Zapdos has a different appearance. The main body is red-orange with black plumage. Its head features yellow eyes with more pronounced, mask-like black coloration around them, a shorter black beak, and a longer, more visible neck. Its legs are black, longer, and more muscular, its thigh feathers are also black, and its talons are yellow with red rings at their bases. Its red-orange wings are smaller, with small black markings that appear to be remnants of its Kantonian counterpart's black plumage. Finally, it has a row of spiky feathers along its chest, and a similar row of black feathers on its back.

Belligerent by nature and ever thirsting for battle, Galarian Zapdos seeks out opponents stronger than itself so it could test its might. Its powerful legs allow it to perform devastating kicks capable of destroying a dump truck, and it can run across mountains at up to 180 mph. Its wings have atrophied to the point that it can barely fly, but its movements are so swift that they have been compared to a lightning strike. This Pokémon earned the name of its Kantonian counterpart due to the electric-like crackling sounds that come from its feathers rubbing together. It is constantly migrating around the world but can be found in the Crown Tundra once every few decades congregating with the other birds at the Dyna Tree to eat its fruits.

Appearances[]

Main Pokémon games[]

Other Pokémon games[]

Zapdos is the first Legendary Pokémon encountered in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team. 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.

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Zapdos is summoned from a Poké Ball where it uses its powerful thundershock to hit players who come in contact. It was removed after Melee.

A Zapdos appears in the background of the Prism Tower stage in the 3DS iteration.

Trophy descriptions[]

Super Smash Bros. Melee

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.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Gazing up at dark storm clouds gathering in the sky, many children must have once wondered if the Pokémon they saw in the second Pokémon movie was in the clouds. An innocent and childish dream, perhaps... but even today as adults, the sound of thunder might just bring back memories of this Legendary bird Pokémon.

In the anime[]

Zapdos M02

Zapdos in The Power of One

Zapdos made its first actual appearance in the second movie, The Power of One, alongside the other Legendary birds and their master, Lugia.

Origin and inspiration[]

In-game information[]

Pokédex entries[]

Title Entry
First Pokémon generation
Pokémon Red and Blue A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear from clouds while dropping enormous lightning bolts.
Pokémon Yellow This legendary bird Pokémon is said to appear when the sky turns dark and lightning showers down.
Pokémon Stadium A legendary bird Pokémon that appears with a gigantic thunder storm. It flies with the buzz and crack of electricity.
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold This legendary bird Pokémon causes savage thunderstorms by flapping its glittering wings.
Pokémon Silver This legendary bird Pokémon is said to appear only when a thundercloud parts into two halves.
Pokémon Crystal Legendary bird Pokémon. They say lightning caused by the flapping of its wings causes summer storms.
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon 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.
Pokémon 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.
Pokémon 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.
Pokémon FireRed One of the legendary bird Pokémon. While it is flying, it makes crackling and snapping sounds.
Pokémon LeafGreen A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear from clouds while dropping enormous lightning bolts.
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond A legendary Pokémon that is said to live inside thunder clouds. It can freely control thunder.
Pokémon Pearl A legendary Pokémon that is said to live inside thunder clouds. It can freely control thunder.
Pokémon Platinum A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
Pokémon HeartGold This legendary bird Pokémon cause savage thunderstorms by flapping its glittering wings.
Pokémon SoulSilver This legendary bird Pokémon is said to appear only when a thundercloud parts into two halves.
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
Pokémon White A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
Pokémon Black 2 A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
Pokémon White 2 A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear from clouds while dropping enormous lightning bolts.
Pokémon Y A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
Pokémon 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.
Pokémon 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.
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Let's Go
Pikachu
This legendary bird Pokémon is said to appear when the sky turns dark and lightning showers down.
Pokémon Let's Go
Eevee
This legendary bird Pokémon is said to appear when the sky turns dark and lightning showers down.
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword This Pokémon has complete control over electricity. There are tales of Zapdos nesting in the dark depths of pitch-black thunderclouds.
Pokémon Shield Zapdos is a legendary bird Pokémon. It's said that when Zapdos rubs its feathers together, lightning will fall immediately after.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond This legendary Pokémon is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
Pokémon Shining Pearl This legendary Pokémon is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.


Game locations[]

Title Location(s)
First Pokémon generation
Pokémon Red and Blue
Power Plant
Pokémon Yellow
Power Plant
Pokémon FireRed
Power Plant
Pokémon LeafGreen
Power Plant
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Platinum
Roaming Sinnoh
Pokémon HeartGold
Route 10
Pokémon SoulSilver
Route 10
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X
Sea Spirit's Den (If player chooses Fennekin)
Pokémon Y
Sea Spirit's Den (If player chooses Fennekin)
Ninth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Scarlet
South Province: Area One
Pokémon Violet
South Province: Area One


Base Stats[]

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

Galarian[]

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

Moveset[]

Main article: Zapdos/moveset

Gallery[]

Sprites[]

Sprites
Red Green
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Red Blue
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Yellow
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Gold
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Silver
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Crystal
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Ruby Sapphire
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Emerald
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Fire Leaf
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Diamond Pearl
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Platinum
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Heart Soul
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Black White
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Black 2 White 2
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X Y
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Pikachu Eevee
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Sword Shield
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Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
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Scarlet Violet
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Renders
Sword Shield
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Scarlet Violet
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