Zapdos (Japanese: サンダー Thunder) is a dual-type Electric/Flying Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.
In Galar, Zapdos has a Fighting/Flying regional form, set to debut in The Crown Tundra expansion of the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass.
Along with Articuno and Moltres, it is one of the three Legendary birds of Kanto.
Biology
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.
In Galar, Zapdos has a much different appearance. The main body is colored orange with black plumage. The tail is orange and black resembling its Kanotian counterpart. The heads remain the same but orange, a small black like mask surrounding the yellow eyes and a shorter black beak. The feet become black and longer with four yellow claws with red circle on each talon. There is also black feathers shaped like the letter m located on the legs and smaller orange wings. Its now has a black crest feathers shaped like spikes on its back.
Belligerent by nature and always on the hunt for strong opponents, its powerful legs allow it to perform devastating kicks and run at high speed. 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. It can make a sound similar to lightning by rubbing its feathers together. Zapdos legs are powerful enough to destroy a dump truck. It is believed Zapdos can travel up to 180 mph when traveling the mountains. It is migratory and appears in the Crown Tundra once every few decades at Dyna Tree Hill.[1]
Galarian Zapdos is the only Pokémon that can learn the move Thunderous Kick.
In the anime
In the main series
Major appearances
In The Power of One, Lawrence III sought a Zapdos, the other two Legendary birds, and their master Lugia for his own personal collection.
Other
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 sidetracked when a Zapdos showed up. As a result, they changed their objective to capture Zapdos instead.
In The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon, the Mirage Master briefly used a Mirage Zapdos.
In An Electrifying Rage!, Ash and his friends witnessed a Zapdos flying across the sky. Team Rocket later made an attempt to capture the Zapdos, which infuriated it, forcing Ash to battle it with Talonflame, Hawlucha, and the newly-evolved Noivern. When Team Rocket continued their attempt, Noivern and Pikachu helped save Zapdos and calm it down.
In JN040, a Zapdos caused power outages in Vermilion City. Ash and Goh encountered it at the Kanto Power Plant and had a Raid Battle against it with the assistance of Team Rocket. Goh was able to weaken it with his Raboot and Flygon, but he wasn't able to catch it like he had hoped.
Minor appearances
A Zapdos appeared in Team Rocket's fantasy in An EGG-sighting Adventure!.
In the ending credits of Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, Jackie captured a Zapdos with his Capture Styler and flew away on its back.
In Doc Brock!, a Zapdos roamed around Sinnoh.
In a flashback in Dealing With a Fierce Double Ditto Drama!, Narissa's Ditto transformed into a Zapdos, intimidating a potential opponent.
A Zapdos appeared in the opening sequence of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
In the opening sequence of The Rise of Darkrai, a Zapdos was flying across the sky.
A Zapdos appeared in the opening sequence of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
A Zapdos appeared in I Choose You!.
Pokédex entries
In Pokémon Origins
In File 4: Charizard, Red caught a Zapdos in the Power Plant.
In Pokémon Generations
In The Adventure, a wild Zapdos briefly flew by during a battle between Red's Pikachu and a wild Caterpie.
In the GOTCHA! music video
A Zapdos briefly appeared as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.
In the manga
In the movie adaptations
- Main article: Zapdos (M02)
Zapdos appeared in the manga adaptation of The Power of One.
Zapdos also appeared in the graphic novel adaptation of the same movie.
In the Pocket Monsters DP manga
A Zapdos appeared in PMDP11.
In the Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure manga
A Zapdos appeared as a silhouette in JBA5.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
- Main article: Zapdos (Adventures)
Team Rocket Commander Lt. Surge caught Zapdos at the abandoned Power Plant in Holy Moltres. He later used it as an infinite source of electricity for his Pokémon while battling Red at Silph Co. Red managed to defeat Surge by using Saur's Razor Leaf to cut his insulation suit, causing Zapdos to unintentionally shock him unconcious. Zapdos was later merged with Articuno and Moltres into a combination Pokémon that was defeated by Red, Blue, and Green, causing it to split up again and freeing the Legendary birds
Green later caught Zapdos before the Gold, Silver & Crystal arc as a part of overcoming her fear of birds. She used it and the other Legendary birds to battle Lugia and Ho-Oh in Ilex Forest.
|
Spoilers end here.
|
|
In the Pokémon Battrio: Aim to be Battrio Master! manga
A Zapdos appeared in ABM01.
In the Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All manga
A Zapdos appeared in GDZ74.
In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team manga
A Zapdos appeared in I Want to be Human Again!. It reappeared in a flashback in Why I Became a Pokémon. The Answer Finally Revealed!!.
In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga
Zapdos debuted in Regain the Deserted Power Plant!.
A Zapdos appeared in Get Lugia!.
In the Pokémon Zensho manga
A silhouette of a Zapdos appeared in PZ07.
In the TCG
- Main article: Zapdos (TCG)
Other appearances
When released from a Poké Ball, Zapdos uses a powerful Thunder Shock 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.
Zapdos appears in the background of the Prism Tower stage in the 3DS version of the game.
Trophy information
NA: 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.
PAL: Gazing up at dark storm clouds gathering in the sky, many children must once have wondered if the Pokémon they just saw in the latest movie was lurking somewhere in their depths. 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.
Zapdos appears as a Spirit alongside Articuno and Moltres.
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
Generation I
|
|
|
Kanto #145
|
Red(ENG)
|
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 thunder storm. It flies with the buzz and crack of electricity.
|
|
|
Generation II
|
|
|
Johto #236
|
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
|
|
Hoenn #—
|
|
Kanto #145
|
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
|
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
|
|
Sinnoh #—
|
|
Johto #241
|
Diamond
|
A legendary Pokémon that is said to live inside thunder clouds. It can freely control thunder.
|
Pearl
|
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
|
|
|
Unova #—
|
Black
|
A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
|
White
|
Black 2
|
A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
|
White 2
|
|
|
Generation VI
|
|
Kalos Coastal #152
|
|
Hoenn #—
|
X
|
A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear from clouds while dropping enormous lightning bolts.
|
Y
|
A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
|
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.
|
Alpha Sapphire
|
|
|
|
Generation VIII
|
|
|
Galar Crown Tundra #203
|
Kantonian Zapdos
|
Sword
|
This Pokémon has complete control over electricity. There are tales of Zapdos nesting in the dark depths of pitch-black thunderclouds.
|
Shield
|
Zapdos is a legendary bird Pokémon. It’s said that when Zapdos rubs its feathers together, lightning will fall immediately after.
|
Galarian Zapdos
|
Sword
|
When its feathers rub together,they produce a crackling sound like the zapping of electricity. That's why this Pokemon is called Zapdos.
|
Shield
|
One kick from its powerful legs will pulverize a dump truck. Supposedly, this Pokémon runs through the mountains at over 180 mph.
|
|
|
Game locations
|
|
|
|
|
|
Generation VII
|
|
Sun
|
Moon
|
|
Ultra Sun
|
Ultra Moon
|
|
Let's Go Pikachu
|
Let's Go Eevee
|
Power Plant (Only one) Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25
|
|
|
|
|
In side games
|
Generation II
|
|
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In events
Held Items
Stats
Base stats
Zapdos
Stat
|
Range
|
At Lv. 50
|
At Lv. 100
|
90
|
|
150 - 197
|
290 - 384
|
90
|
|
85 - 156
|
166 - 306
|
85
|
|
81 - 150
|
157 - 295
|
125
|
|
117 - 194
|
229 - 383
|
90
|
|
85 - 156
|
166 - 306
|
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.
|
Galarian Zapdos
Stat
|
Range
|
At Lv. 50
|
At Lv. 100
|
90
|
|
150 - 197
|
290 - 384
|
125
|
|
117 - 194
|
229 - 383
|
90
|
|
85 - 156
|
166 - 306
|
85
|
|
81 - 150
|
157 - 295
|
90
|
|
85 - 156
|
166 - 306
|
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.
|
Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Zapdos
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Galarian Zapdos
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Learnset
Zapdos
|
|
- 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
|
Galarian Zapdos
|
|
- 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
|
Zapdos
|
|
- 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
|
Galarian Zapdos
|
|
- 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
|
Zapdos
|
|
- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Zapdos in Generation VIII
- Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
- Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Zapdos 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 Egg moves from other generations
|
Galarian Zapdos
|
|
- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Zapdos in Generation VIII
- Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
- Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Zapdos 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
|
Zapdos
|
|
- 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
|
Galarian Zapdos
|
|
- 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
|
Side game data
Evolution
Zapdos
Galarian Zapdos
Sprites
Trivia
Origin
Zapdos may be based on the Native American legend of the thunderbird, a spirit of thunder, lightning, and rain that took 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. Aesthetically, it may be based on hummingbirds, due to the long beak, the rather simple wings, and described violent behavior.
Galarian Zapdos appears to be based on ratite birds, with kiwis in particular matching its brown feathers and long beak.
Name origin
Zapdos is a combination of zap and dos (Spanish for two, indicating that it is the second in the series of Kanto Legendary birds).
Thunder is literally thunder.
In other languages
Language
|
Title
|
Meaning
|
Japanese
|
サンダー Thunder
|
From thunder
|
French
|
Électhor
|
A combination of électrique and Thor, the Norse god of thunder
|
Spanish
|
Zapdos
|
Same as English name
|
German
|
Zapdos
|
Same as English name
|
Italian
|
Zapdos
|
Same as English name
|
Korean
|
썬더 Sseondeo
|
Transliteration of Japanese name
|
Mandarin Chinese
|
閃電鳥 / 闪电鸟 Shǎndiànniǎo
|
Literally "Lightning bird"
|
Cantonese Chinese
|
雷鳥 Lèuihníuh
|
Literally "Thunder bird"
|
|
|
More languages
|
Hindi
|
ज़ॅपडोस Zapdos
|
Transcription of English name
|
Russian
|
Запдос Zapdos
|
Transcription of English name
|
Thai
|
ธันเดอร์ Thunder
|
Transcription of trademarked Japanese name
|
|
|
Related articles
Notes
External links