Zapdos (Japanese: サンダー Thunder) is a dual-type Electric/Flying Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
In Galar, Zapdos has a dual-type Fighting/Flying regional form, introduced in The Crown Tundra expansion. Neither Kantonian Zapdos nor Galarian Zapdos are known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.
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. Zapdos loves Zapdos Treats made by Snacksworth, who once saw it fly right by him in the past.
Shadow Zapdos is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Shadow Bolt.
Forms
Zapdos has a regional form: Galarian Zapdos.
In Galar, Zapdos has a different appearance. Its 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 (300 km/h). 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.[1]
Galarian Zapdos is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Thunderous Kick.
Galarian Zapdos running up a steep mountain
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
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Kanto #145
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Red(JPN)
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(This entry was originally untranslated in English until it was reused in Pokémon FireRed.)
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Green
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Red(ENG)
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A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear from clouds while dropping enormous lightning bolts.
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Blue
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Yellow
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This legendary bird Pokémon is said to appear when the sky turns dark and lightning showers down.
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Stadium
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A legendary bird Pokémon that appears with a gigantic thunder storm. It flies with the buzz and crack of electricity.
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Generation II
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Johto #236
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Gold
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This legendary bird Pokémon causes savage thunderstorms by flapping its glittering wings.
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Silver
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This legendary bird Pokémon is said to appear only when a thundercloud parts into two halves.
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Crystal
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Legendary bird Pokémon. They say lightning caused by the flapping of its wings causes summer storms.
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Stadium 2
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This legendary bird Pokémon causes savage thunderstorms by flapping its glittering wings. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted) This legendary bird Pokémon is said to appear only when a thundercloud parts into two halves. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
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Generation III
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Hoenn #—
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Kanto #145
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Ruby
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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.
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Sapphire
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Emerald
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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.
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FireRed
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One of the legendary bird Pokémon. While it is flying, it makes crackling and snapping sounds.
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LeafGreen
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A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear from clouds while dropping enormous lightning bolts.
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Generation IV
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Sinnoh #—
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Johto #241
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Diamond
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A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
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Pearl
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Platinum
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HeartGold
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This legendary bird Pokémon causes savage thunderstorms by flapping its glittering wings.
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SoulSilver
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This legendary bird Pokémon is said to appear only when a thundercloud parts into two halves.
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Generation V
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Unova #—
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Black
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A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
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White
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Black 2
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A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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Kalos Coastal #152
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Hoenn #—
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X
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A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear from clouds while dropping enormous lightning bolts.
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Y
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A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
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Omega Ruby
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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.
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Alpha Sapphire
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Generation VIII
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Galar Crown Tundra #203
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Sinnoh #—
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Hisui #—
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This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Legends: Arceus.
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Sword
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This Pokémon has complete control over electricity. There are tales of Zapdos nesting in the dark depths of pitch-black thunderclouds.
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Shield
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Zapdos is a legendary bird Pokémon. It's said that when Zapdos rubs its feathers together, lightning will fall immediately after.
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Brilliant Diamond
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This legendary Pokémon is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.
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Shining Pearl
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Galarian Zapdos
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Sword
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When its feathers rub together, they produce a crackling sound like the zapping of electricity. That's why this Pokémon is called Zapdos.
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Shield
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One kick from its powerful legs will pulverize a dump truck. Supposedly, this Pokémon runs through the mountains at over 180 mph.
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Game locations
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Generation VII
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Sun
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Moon
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Ultra Sun
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Ultra Moon
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Let's Go Pikachu
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Let's Go Eevee
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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
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In side games
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Generation II
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This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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In events
Zapdos
Galarian Zapdos
Held Items
Stats
Base stats
Zapdos
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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90
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150 - 197
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290 - 384
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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85
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81 - 150
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157 - 295
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125
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117 - 194
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229 - 383
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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100
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94 - 167
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184 - 328
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Total: 580
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- 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.
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Galarian Zapdos
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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90
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150 - 197
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290 - 384
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125
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117 - 194
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229 - 383
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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85
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81 - 150
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157 - 295
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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100
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94 - 167
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184 - 328
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Total: 580
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- 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.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Zapdos
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Galarian Zapdos
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
Zapdos
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- 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
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Galarian Zapdos
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- 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
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Zapdos
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zapdos
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution or an alternate form of Zapdos
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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Galarian Zapdos
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zapdos
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution or an alternate form of Zapdos
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Zapdos
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto 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 Egg moves from other generations
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Galarian Zapdos
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto 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 Egg moves from other generations
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
Zapdos
Galarian Zapdos
Evolution data
Zapdos
Galarian Zapdos
Sprites
In the anime
Main series
Major appearances
Zapdos debuted in The Power of One, where Lawrence III sought it, along with the other two legendary birds and their leader, Lugia, for his own personal collection.
Other
Zapdos made its physical main series debut in As Clear As Crystal, where it intercepted Team Rocket in their attempt to steal a crystal that gave a lake the ability to heal Electric-type Pokémon. 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 A Crackling Raid Battle!, 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
Zapdos made its main series debut 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 saw a Zapdos flying by and had her two Ditto transform into it, 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!.
A silhouetted Zapdos appeared in a fantasy in Healing the Healer!.
A shadowed Zapdos appeared in This Could be the Start of Something Big!.
Pokédex entries
Pokémon Origins
A Zapdos briefly appeared in File 3: Giovanni, as part of the explanation of the Master Ball's capabilities.
In File 4: Charizard, Red caught a Zapdos in the Power Plant.
Pokémon Generations
In The Adventure, a wild Zapdos briefly flew by during a battle between Red's Pikachu and a wild Caterpie.
GOTCHA!
A Zapdos briefly appeared as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.
Pokémon: Twilight Wings
In The Gathering of Stars, a Galarian Zapdos was seen in the Crown Tundra.
In the manga
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.
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
A Zapdos appeared in A Crackling Raid Battle!.
Pocket Monsters DP
A Zapdos appeared in PMDP11.
Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure
A Zapdos appeared as a silhouette in JBA5.
Pokémon Adventures
- Main article: Zapdos (Adventures)
In Holy Moltres, Team Rocket Commander Lt. Surge caught Zapdos at the abandoned Power Plant. 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 unconscious. 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.
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Spoilers end here.
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A Galarian Zapdos first appeared in PASS36.
Pokémon Battrio: Aim to be Battrio Master!
A Zapdos appeared in ABM01.
Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!
A Zapdos appeared in GDZ74.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team
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!!.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
Zapdos debuted in Regain the Deserted Power Plant!.
A Zapdos appeared in Get Lugia!.
Pokémon Zensho
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.
Zapdos trophy in
Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
Zapdos also appears as a trophy in the 3DS 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.
Along with returning in the background of Prism Tower, Zapdos appears as a Spirit alongside Articuno and Moltres.
Music
This is a list of music associated with Zapdos in the Pokémon games.
Trivia
- In English, the category "Electric Pokémon" is shared by Elekid, Electabuzz, and Kantonian Zapdos.
- In Japanese, Elekid has the category でんきポケモン Denki Pokémon (Electric Pokémon), while the other two Pokémon share the category でんげきポケモン Dengeki Pokémon (Electric Shock Pokémon).
- Out of all the Legendary Pokémon with fixed in-game locations, Zapdos can be obtained with the fewest number of Badges: two. The player can catch Zapdos with only the Boulder Badge and either the Cascade BadgePE or the Soul BadgeRBY.
- Zapdos and Jolteon's Japanese names are almost exactly the same as each other's, with a final ~ス ~s being the only difference.
- Kantonian Zapdos possesses a type advantage over all of the other members of its trio, as well as Lugia, often viewed as the leader of the trio.
- This is reversed for the trio's regional forms, with Galarian Zapdos possessing a type disadvantage against the other members and Lugia.
- In The Bridge Bike Gang, Chopper's bike is decorated to resemble a Zapdos.
- Zapdos's cry in Pokémon Journeys: The Series is the same as Lunala's, as seen in A Crackling Raid Battle!.
- Zapdos's English name was suggested by Bill Giese, who assisted in the naming of many Generation I Pokémon.[2]
- Zapdos and the other two legendary birds had Australian beetle species named after them: Binburrum articuno, Binburrum zapdos, and Binburrum moltres. The three species were first described in 2020, and were collectively named after the Legendary birds to reflect their rarity.[3][4]
Origin
Zapdos seems to 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.
As suggested by the Pokédex entries, the three legendary birds appear to be embodiments of seasons, Zapdos represents summer, while Articuno and Moltres represent winter and spring, respectively. Autumn is however unrepresented.
Galarian Zapdos appears to be based on ratites, with kiwis in particular matching its brown feathers and long beak. Due to its speed, it may also be based on a roadrunner. Its powerful kicks might also draw influence from the secretarybird, a mostly terrestrial bird that hunts by stomping and kicking its prey. Its legs could also be derived from the English Pouter, a pigeon breed known for such. Its Shiny coloration is similar to Kantonian Zapdos's regular coloration.
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).[2][5]
Thunder is literally thunder.
In other languages
Language
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Title
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Meaning
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Japanese
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サンダー Thunder
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From thunder
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French
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Électhor
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From électrique and the Norse god of thunder Thor
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Spanish
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Zapdos
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Same as English name
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German
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Zapdos
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Same as English name
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Italian
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Zapdos
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Same as English name
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Korean
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썬더 Sunder
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Mandarin Chinese
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閃電鳥 / 闪电鸟 Shǎndiànniǎo
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From 閃電 / 闪电 shǎndiàn and 鳥 / 鸟 niǎo
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Cantonese Chinese
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閃電鳥 Símdihnníuh* 雷鳥 Lèuihníuh*
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From 閃電 símdihn and 鳥 níuh From 雷 lèuih and 鳥 níuh
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More languages
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Hindi
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ज़ैपडोस Zapdos
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Transcription of English name
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Russian
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Запдос Zapdos
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Transcription of English name
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Thai
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ธันเดอร์ Thandoe
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Transcription of Japanese name
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See also
References
External links