Competitive Information for Zapdos [Sun/Moon]
Electric / Flying
Abilities:
If this Pokemon is the target of a foe's move, that move loses one additional PP.
30% chance a Pokemon making contact with this Pokemon will be paralyzed.
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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Zapdos? These builds are optimized for Sun/Moon Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sun/Moon metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
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Unveil the power of Zapdos, a marvelous Pokémon known for its Electric and Flying typing! It's to see Zapdos show up as a Sun/Moon opponent. Its only type-related weaknesses are Ice and Rock. Ready to elevate your game with Zapdos's movesets? They're right below!
Item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
Ability: Static
Nature: Bold (+Def, -Atk)
EVs: 248 Hp / 240 Def / 20 Spe
Moveset:
- Heat Wave
- Discharge / Volt Switch
- Defog
- Roost
Prepare for single battles with Zapdos as a mythical Physical Wall. It's primary goal is to take a substantial amount of physical hits while dealing some decent damage. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Zapdos last longer regaining it's HP every turn. With Static, 30% chance a pokemon making contact with Zapdos will be paralyzed. With a Rocky Helmet equipped to it, if Zapdos is hit by a contact move, the attacker loses 1/6 of its max hp.
◆ Discharge is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Electric-type move (30% chance to paralyze adjacent pokemon).
◆ Volt Switch is a special STAB-boosted 70-base power Electric-type move (Zapdos switches out after damaging the target).
◆ Defog is a status move (-1 evasion; clears Zapdos and target side's hazards).
◆ Roost is a status move (heals 50% hp. Flying-type removed until turn ends).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kaa91
Item: Electrium Z / Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 12 Hp / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Thunderbolt / Discharge
- Air Cutter
- Heat Wave
- Extrasensory
Ready for single battles? Zapdos is a exalted Special Sweeper. This moveset focuses to overwhelm foes with formidable special moves. Life Orb boosts the power of Zapdos's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Pressure, if Zapdos is the target of a foe's move that move loses one additional pp. With a Electrium Z equipped to it, if Zapdos has an electric move, this item allows it to use an electric z-move.
◆ Discharge is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Electric-type move (30% chance to paralyze adjacent pokemon).
◆ Air Cutter is a special STAB-boosted 60-base power Flying-type move (high critical hit ratio. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Heat Wave is a special 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
◆ Extrasensory is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to make the target flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kba91
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 100 Def / 56 SpA / 100 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Roost
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power
- Thunderbolt
Prepare for single battles with Zapdos as a prominent Special Sweeper. It's meant to crush rivals using forceful special moves. Life Orb boosts the power of Zapdos's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Pressure, if Zapdos is the target of a foe's move that move loses one additional pp.
◆ Heat Wave is a special 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
◆ Hidden Power is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (varies in type based on your Zapdos's ivs).
◆ Thunderbolt is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kca91
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Zapdos? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sun/Moon 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 Sun/Moon metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
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Item: Flyinium Z / Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 12 Hp / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Air Cutter
- Discharge / Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Razor Wind
Prepare for double battles with Zapdos as a prestigious Special Sweeper. It's meant to crush rivals using destructive special attacks. Life Orb boosts the power of Zapdos's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Pressure, if Zapdos is the target of a foe's move that move loses one additional pp. With a Flyinium Z equipped to it, if Zapdos has a flying move, this item allows it to use a flying z-move.
◆ Discharge is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Electric-type move (30% chance to paralyze adjacent pokemon).
◆ Thunderbolt is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Heat Wave is a special 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
◆ Razor Wind is a special 80-base power Normal-type move (charges, then hits foes turn 2. High crit ratio).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/laa91
Movepool
Want to know what moves Zapdos can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sun/Moon 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 Sun/Moon. 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 SM 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
- Item: Blunder Policy + Move: Zap Cannon
- Moves with Priority: Bide, Detect, Endure, Protect
- Moves that Break Screens: Defog
- Moves that inflict status: Thunder Wave, Toxic
Moves that boost Zapdos's stats
- Agility
- Ancient Power
- Charge
- Charge Beam
- Curse
- Ominous Wind
- Rage
- Steel Wing
Most notable and possible best moves for Zapdos
- Baton Pass
- Defog
- Discharge
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power
- Hidden Power Ice
- Light Screen
- Protect
- Reflect
- Rest
- Roost
- Toxic
- U-turn
- Volt Switch
Common Effort Values for Zapdos in Sun and Moon
- Bold Nature ( 248/0/240/0/0/20/ )
- Bold Nature ( 248/0/252/4/0/0/ )
- Optimize Zapdos's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Sun and Moon
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 Sun/Moon movesets. You can find Zapdos builds Sun/Moon. Zapdos movesets Sun/Moon are listed here. VGC Zapdos Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Zapdos in Sun/Moon along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution