Zapdos (Pokémon)
Zapdos (Japanese: サンダー Thunder) is a dual-type Electric/Flying Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
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Gender ratio
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Height
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Base experience yield
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Footprint
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Pokédex color
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Base friendship
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It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.
In Galar, Zapdos has a dual-type Fighting/Flying regional form, introduced 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 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 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
Main series

Zapdos (M02)
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 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
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!.
A silhouetted Zapdos appeared in a fantasy in Healing the Healer!.
Pokédex entries
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Pokémon Origins

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 JNM12.
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 chapter 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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Pokémon Battrio: Aim to be Battrio Master!
A Zapdos appeared in ABM01.
Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All
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.
Other appearances
Super Smash Bros. Melee
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.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Zapdos appears in the background of the Prism Tower stage in the 3DS version of the game.

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.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Along with returning in the background of Prism Tower, 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
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Zapdos
| Games | Event | Language/Region | Location | Level | Distribution period |
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| GSC | Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! Zapdos | English | United States | 50 |
November 30 to December 20, 2001; February 15 to 21, 2002 |
| RSEFRLG | Journey Across America Zapdos | English | United States | 70 | February 25 to July 23, 2006 |
| RSEFRLG | Party of the Decade Zapdos | English | United States | 70 | August 8, 2006 |
| XYORAS | Pokémon Scrap Zapdos | Japanese region | Online | 70 | March 1 to August 31, 2016 |
| XYORAS | Aldora Zapdos | PAL region | Online | 70 | March 11 to September 30, 2016 |
| ORAS | Movie Zapdos | Korean region | Online | 70 | May 2 to July 31, 2016 |
| XYORAS | Aldora Zapdos | American region | Online | 70 | May 3 to August 31, 2016 |
Galarian Zapdos
| Games | Event | Language/Region | Location | Level | Distribution period |
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| SwSh | Shiny Galarian Zapdos | All | Online | 70 |
March 14, 2022 |
Zapdos
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HP: 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 | ||
Galarian Zapdos
| Stat | Range | ||
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| At Lv. 50 | At Lv. 100 | ||
HP: 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 |
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Learnset
Zapdos is available in Sword and Shield Version 1.3.0+ and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Zapdos
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Galarian Zapdos
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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" (Electric Pokémon), while the other two Pokémon share the category "でんげきポケモン" (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 s being the only difference.
- Kantonian Zapdos possesses a type advantage over all of the other members of its trio, as well as its trio master Lugia.
- 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, alongside the other two Legendary birds, had an Australian Beetle named after it, named Binburrum zapdos.
- Zapdos's cry in Pokémon Journeys: The Series is the same as Lunala's, as seen in A Crackling Raid Battle!.
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.
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.
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
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Related articles
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This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species. |






















































