Competitive Information for Zapdos [Ruby/Sapphire]


Electric / Flying
Abilities:
If this Pokemon is the target of a move, that move loses one additional PP.


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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Zapdos? These builds are optimized for Ruby/Sapphire Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Ruby/Sapphire metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Meet Zapdos, a dazzling Pokémon ready to dominate with its Electric and Flying typing! It's to see Zapdos show up as a Ruby/Sapphire opponent. Its only type-related weaknesses are Ice and Rock. Uncover the best movesets for Zapdos below and optimize your gameplay!
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Thunderbolt
- Baton Pass
- Thunder Wave
- Toxic
Ready for single battles? Zapdos is a epic Special Sweeper. This moveset is designed to crush rivals using brute special power. Don't forget back before Generation IV, a move's damage category was determined by its type. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Zapdos last longer regaining it's vitality every turn. With Pressure, if Zapdos is the target of a move that move loses one additional pp.
◆ Baton Pass is a status move (Zapdos switches, passing stat changes and more).
◆ Thunder Wave is a status move (paralyzes the target).
◆ Toxic is a status move (badly poisons the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/caa91
Item: Magnet
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 12 Hp / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Thunderbolt / Thunder Shock
- Extrasensory
- Thunder Wave
- Light Screen
Zapdos thrives as a remarkable Special Sweeper perfect for single battles. It's meant to take down the opponent's team with lethal special attacks. Remember before Generation IV, a move's damage category was determined by its type. With Pressure, if Zapdos is the target of a move that move loses one additional pp. With a Magnet equipped to it, Zapdos's electric-type attacks have 1.1x power.
◆ Thunder Shock is a special STAB-boosted 40-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Extrasensory is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Thunder Wave is a status move (paralyzes the target).
◆ Light Screen is a status move (for 5 turns, special damage to allies is halved).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/cba91
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Zapdos? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Ruby/Sapphire Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the Ruby/Sapphire metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Item: Magnet
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 12 Hp / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Thunderbolt / Thunder Shock
- Extrasensory
- Thunder Wave
- Light Screen
Zapdos is a illustrious Special Sweeper to use for double battles. It's goal is to crush rivals using brute special attacks. In the old days prior to Generation IV, a move's damage category was determined by its type. With Pressure, if Zapdos is the target of a move that move loses one additional pp. With a Magnet equipped to it, Zapdos's electric-type attacks have 1.1x power.
◆ Thunder Shock is a special STAB-boosted 40-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Extrasensory is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Thunder Wave is a status move (paralyzes the target).
◆ Light Screen is a status move (for 5 turns, special damage to allies is halved).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/daa91
Movepool
Want to know what moves Zapdos can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Zapdos.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Zapdos can perform in Ruby/Sapphire. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive RS Move and Ability Combos for Zapdos
- Moves: Rain dance + Thunder
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Detect, Endure, Protect
- Moves that inflict status: Thunder Wave, Toxic
Moves that boost Zapdos's stats
- Agility
- Charge
- Steel Wing
Most notable and possible best moves for Zapdos
- Agility
- Baton Pass
- Drill Peck
- Hidden Power Grass
- Hidden Power Ice
- Light Screen
- Protect
- Rest
- Roar
- Substitute
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Zapdos in Ruby and Sapphire
- Timid Nature ( 0/0/0/252/4/252/ )
- Timid Nature ( 4/0/0/252/0/252/ )
- Optimize Zapdos's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.

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Here are the best movesets for Zapdos. Top rated Zapdos Ruby/Sapphire movesets. You can find Zapdos builds Ruby/Sapphire. Zapdos movesets Ruby/Sapphire are listed here. VGC Zapdos Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Zapdos in Ruby/Sapphire along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution