Zapdos (Pokémon)

From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.

Zapdos サンダー Thunder
Artwork from FR/LG
National Dex	#145
Johto Dex	#236
Hoenn Dex	#300
Sinnoh Dex	#—
Fiore Browser	R—
Almia Browser	R—
Type	Electric / Flying
Species	Electric Pokémon
Height	5′03″ (1.6m)
Weight	116.0 lbs. (52.6kg)
Ability	Pressure
Egg group	No eggs
Time to hatch	20,480 steps
Effort yield	3 SpA
Exp. yield	216 base exp.
Lv100 at	1,250,000 exp.
Gender	—
Pokédex color	Yellow
Catch rate	3
On Legendary Pokémon Pokédex: Generation III Generation IV On Pokémon Palace Network Pokédex (Gen. I-III) On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV On Eevee's Pokédex (Gen. I-IV) On Psypoke Pokédex On Pokecharms Pokédex (Gen. III-IV) On Marriland Pokédex (Gen. IV) On Serebii's Pokédex: Generation I/II Generation III Generation IV On Azure Heights Pokédex (Gen. I) On Pokémon Dungeon Pokédex (Gen. I-II) On Ultimate Pokémon Center Pokédex (Gen. I-IV) 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 the abandoned power plant. Zapdos appeared in the movie The Power of One.

Biology

Physiology

Zapdos takes the form of a large bird with black and yellow plumage. Its spiky feathers make it look like it's made of, or struck by lightning. Its tail feathers stick out in several directions, furthering this illusion. It has a large crest of feathers around its head, and distinctive black rings around its eyes. Its beak is very long and thin, and is the same orange color as its legs. 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 thunder storms.

Behavior

Zapdos is one of the legendary birds of Kanto. They are a poorly understood species, believed by many to be pure myth. It is always seen in conjunction with thunderstorms. It is believed 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 contributed to the lightning bolts it is said to shed when it flies.

Habitat

Rare Pokémon

Zapdos is usually always seen during electrical storms, and appears to live in thunderclouds. One is said to live in an abandoned power plant in Kanto. It can be construed that it is attracted by the electricity of the plant. They are extremely rare, possibly one-of-a-kind.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

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

Later, in The Bike Bridge Gang, the gang's leader rode a Zapdos-like bike.

Zapdos made its first true appearance in The Power of One. Lawrence III 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.

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

In the manga

In the Pokémon Special manga

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. It leaves his team, and Team Rocket, once he and Sabrina are defeated.

Blue later captures Zapdos and uses it against Will and Karen, having caught it on her personal training journey to overcome her fear of birds.

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

Gen	Game	Pokédex entry
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.
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.
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.
IV	Diamond	A Legendary Pokémon that is said to live inside thunder clouds. It can freely control thunder.
IV	Pearl	A Legendary Pokémon that is said to live inside thunder clouds. It can freely control thunder.

Game locations

Gen	Game	Rarity	Location
I	Pokémon Red and Blue	One	Power Plant
I	Pokémon Yellow	One	Power Plant
II	Pokémon Gold and Silver	None	Trade
II	Pokémon Crystal	None	Trade
III	Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire	None	Trade
	Pokémon Emerald	None	Trade
	Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen	One	Power Plant
	Pokémon Colosseum	None	Trade
	Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness	One	Citadark Isle (Shadow)
IV	Pokémon Diamond and Pearl	None	Pal Park
	Pokémon Platinum		Unknown
	Pal Park		Mountain

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Snap	Tunnel
Pokémon Trozei!	Random Agent Cards Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon	Mt. Thunder Peak (3F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon 2	Amp Plains (7F)

Base stats

HP:	90
Attack:	90
Defense:	85
Special:	125
SpAtk:	125
SpDef:	90
Speed:	100

The Special stat was used only in Generation I; it was later split into Special Attack and Special Defense.

Type effectiveness

Weakness	Resistance
Rock: 2× Ice: 2×	Fighting: ½× Flying: ½× Ground: 0× Bug: ½× Steel: ½× Grass: ½×	Normal: 1× Poison: 1× Ghost: 1× Fire: 1× Water: 1× Electric: 1× Psychic: 1× Dragon: 1× Dark: 1×

Note: If Zapdos is given the Iron Ball, the effectiveness of Ground-type attacks becomes 2×.

Learnset

Zapdos is capable of learning the following moves.
Moves in bold are damage moves to which STAB apply.

By leveling up

Generation I
Level	Move	Type
Start	Drill Peck
Start	ThunderShock
51	Thunder
55	Agility
60	Light Screen

Generation II
Level	Move	Type
Start	Peck
Start	ThunderShock
13	Thunder Wave
25	Agility
37	Detect
49	Drill Peck
61	Light Screen
73	Thunder

Generation III
Level	Move	Type
Start	Peck
Start	ThunderShock
13	Thunder Wave
25	Agility
37	Detect
49	Drill Peck
61	Charge
73	Light Screen
85	Thunder

Generation IV
Level	Move	Type	Cat.
Start	Peck
Start	ThunderShock
8	Thunder Wave
15	Detect
22	Pluck
29	AncientPower
36	Charge
43	Agility
50	Discharge
57	Roost
64	Light Screen
71	Drill Peck
78	Thunder
85	Rain Dance

By TM/HM

Generation I
#	Move	Type
TM02	Razor Wind
TM04	Whirlwind
TM06	Toxic
TM09	Take Down
TM10	Double-Edge
TM15	Hyper Beam
TM20	Rage
TM24	Thunderbolt
TM25	Thunder
TM31	Mimic
TM32	Double Team
TM33	Reflect
TM34	Bide
TM39	Swift
TM43	Sky Attack
TM44	Rest
TM45	Thunder Wave
TM50	Substitute
HM02	Fly
HM05	Flash

Generation II
#	Move	Type
TM03	Curse
TM06	Toxic
TM07	Zap Cannon
TM08	Rock Smash
TM10	Hidden Power
TM11	Sunny Day
TM13	Snore
TM15	Hyper Beam
TM17	Protect
TM18	Rain Dance
TM20	Endure
TM21	Frustration
TM25	Thunder
TM27	Return
TM31	Mud-Slap
TM32	Double Team
TM34	Swagger
TM35	Sleep Talk
TM37	Sandstorm
TM39	Swift
TM43	Detect
TM44	Rest
TM47	Steel Wing
HM02	Fly
HM05	Flash

Generation III
#	Move	Type
TM05	Roar
TM06	Toxic
TM10	Hidden Power
TM11	Sunny Day
TM15	Hyper Beam
TM16	Light Screen
TM17	Protect
TM18	Rain Dance
TM21	Frustration
TM24	Thunderbolt
TM25	Thunder
TM27	Return
TM32	Double Team
TM34	Shock Wave
TM37	Sandstorm
TM40	Aerial Ace
TM42	Facade
TM43	Secret Power
TM44	Rest
TM47	Steel Wing
HM02	Fly
HM05	Flash
HM06	Rock Smash

Generation IV
#	Move	Type	Cat.
TM05	Roar
TM06	Toxic
TM10	Hidden Power
TM11	Sunny Day
TM15	Hyper Beam
TM16	Light Screen
TM17	Protect
TM18	Rain Dance
TM21	Frustration
TM24	Thunderbolt
TM25	Thunder
TM27	Return
TM32	Double Team
TM34	Shock Wave
TM37	Sandstorm
TM40	Aerial Ace
TM42	Facade
TM43	Secret Power
TM44	Rest
TM47	Steel Wing
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
HM05	Defog
HM06	Rock Smash

By breeding

As a Legendary Pokémon, Zapdos cannot breed.

By tutoring

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.

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
	Acquisition: Catch
Pokémon Trozei!
	Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
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!

Evolution

Basic

Zapdos

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow	Red (Ja)	Green	Back
I
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal			Back
			Image:Spr 2c 145.gif
			Image:Spr 2c 145 s.gif			Image:Spr b g2 145 s.png
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald	FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
	Image:Spr 3r 145.png			Image:Spr 3f 145.png
	Image:Spr 3r 145 s.png		Image:Spr 3e 145 s.gif	Image:Spr 3f 145 s.png		Image:Spr b g3 145 s.png
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum			Back
	Image:Spr 4d 145.png		Image:Spr 4p 145.png			Image:Spr b g4 145.png
			Image:Spr 4p 145 s.png			Image:Spr b g4 145 s.png

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

Trivia

No other Pokémon shares the same type combination as Zapdos.
In the Red and Blue sprites, Zapdos is shown as having two toes on the front of its feet. Starting in Pokémon Yellow, there are three.
Although Legendaries can not be bred, in Pokémon Snap Zapdos and the other birds are in eggs, which shows that they were bred in some type of way.

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

Legendary birds

External links

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

Legendary Pokémon
	Before the Elite Four							After the Elite Four		Event Pokémon
	Legendary trios			Version mascots				After the Elite Four		Cute		Über
Kanto	Articuno	Zapdos	Moltres					Mewtwo		Mew
Johto	Raikou	Entei	Suicune	Lugia		Ho-Oh				Celebi
Hoenn	Regirock	Regice	Registeel	Kyogre	Groudon		Rayquaza	Latias	Latios	Jirachi		Deoxys
Sinnoh	Uxie	Mesprit	Azelf	Dialga	Palkia		Giratina	Heatran	Regigigas	Phione	Manaphy	Darkrai
Sinnoh	Uxie	Mesprit	Azelf	Dialga	Palkia		Giratina	Cresselia		Shaymin		Arceus

Super Smash Bros. series
Games:	Super Smash Bros. \| Super Smash Bros. Melee \| Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Characters:	Pikachu \| Jigglypuff \| Mewtwo \| Pichu \| Pokémon Trainer (Squirtle \| Ivysaur \| Charizard) \| Lucario
Stages:	Saffron City \| Pokémon Stadium \| Poké Floats \| Pokémon Stadium 2 \| Spear Pillar
Poké Ball:	Articuno \| Beedrill \| Bellossom \| Blastoise \| Bonsly \| Celebi \| Chansey \| Charizard \| Chikorita \| Clefairy \| Cyndaquil \| Deoxys Electrode \| Entei \| Gardevoir \| Goldeen \| Groudon \| Gulpin \| Hitmonlee \| Ho-Oh \| Jirachi \| Koffing \| Kyogre \| Latias and Latios Lugia \| Manaphy \| Marill \| Meowth \| Mew \| Metagross \| Moltres \| Munchlax \| Onix \| Piplup \| Porygon2 \| Raikou \| Scizor Snorlax \| Staryu \| Starmie \| Suicune \| Togepi \| Torchic \| Unown \| Venusaur \| Weavile \| Weezing \| Wobbuffet \| Zapdos
Stickers & Trophies:	Melee Trophy list \| Brawl Sticker list \| Brawl Trophy list
Misc:	The Subspace Emissary \| My Music \| Final Smash \| Pokémon Change \| Brawl cameos

← Articuno | Pokémon | Moltres →

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

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