Competitive Information for Zapdos [Sword/Shield]
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.
Disclaimer: All videos and opinions are owned by their respective creators and may not reflect our views.
Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Zapdos? These builds are optimized for Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sword/Shield metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Tapu FiniPorygon2UrshifuIncineroarGrimmsnarlRillaboomHeatranTyranitarKartanaCresselia
Say hello to Zapdos, an exceptional Pokémon that excels with Electric and Flying typing! It's a sight to see Zapdos out in the 8th generation battlefield. Its only type-related weaknesses are Ice and Rock. Discover how Zapdos excels in battles with the movesets provided below.
Item: Life Orb / Sharp Beak
Ability: Static
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Hurricane
- Heat Wave
- Thunderbolt / Volt Switch
- Detect
For those intense single battles, Zapdos is a noteworthy Special Sweeper. It tries to crush rivals using overwhelming special power. 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 Static, 30% chance a pokemon making contact with Zapdos will be paralyzed. With a Sharp Beak equipped to it, Zapdos's flying-type attacks have 1.2x power.
◆ Heat Wave is a special 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
◆ Thunderbolt is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Volt Switch is a special STAB-boosted 70-base power Electric-type move (Zapdos switches out after damaging the target).
◆ Detect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Zapdos this turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/maa91
Item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
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
Zapdos makes an a famous Special Sweeper in single battles. It is designed to crush rivals using forceful special moves. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Zapdos's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. 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.
◆ 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/mba91
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Zapdos? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sword/Shield 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 Sword/Shield metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Tapu FiniPorygon2UrshifuIncineroarGrimmsnarlRillaboomHeatranTyranitarKartanaCresselia
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Static
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 28 Hp / 4 Def / 220 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Thunderbolt
- Hurricane
- Weather Ball
- Eerie Impulse
Zapdos thrives as a remarkable Special Sweeper perfect for double battles. This build had its heyday in previous tourneys. This moveset focuses to crush rivals using forceful special power. 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 Static, 30% chance a pokemon making contact with Zapdos will be paralyzed.
◆ Hurricane is a special STAB-boosted 110-base power Flying-type move (30% chance to confuse target. Can't miss in rain).
◆ Weather Ball is a special 50-base power Normal-type move (power doubles and type varies in each weather).
◆ Eerie Impulse is a status move (lowers the target's special attack by 2 stages).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/naa91
Item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
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
- Extrasensory
When it comes to double battles, Zapdos shines as a acclaimed Special Sweeper. This strategy is built to overwhelm foes with intense special attacks. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Zapdos's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. 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.
◆ 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).
◆ 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/nba91
Movepool
Want to know what moves Zapdos can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sword/Shield 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 Sword/Shield. 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 SS 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: 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
- Steel Wing
Most notable and possible best moves for Zapdos
- Baton Pass
- Detect
- Heat Wave
- Hurricane
- Light Screen
- Protect
- Reflect
- Rest
- Rising Voltage
- Roost
- Thunderbolt
- Toxic
- U-turn
- Volt Switch
Common Effort Values for Zapdos in Sword and Shield
- Timid Nature ( 0/0/0/252/4/252 )
- Timid Nature ( 4/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Optimize Zapdos's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
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.
THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Some builds on this page have been hidden, click here to display them
Here are the best movesets for Zapdos. Top rated Zapdos Sword/Shield movesets. You can find Zapdos builds Sword/Shield. Zapdos movesets Sword/Shield are listed here. VGC Zapdos Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Zapdos in Sword/Shield along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution