[SET]
name: Defensive (Electric)
move 1: Volt Switch / Discharge
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Roost
move 4: Defog
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Pressure / Static
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Zapdos is one of the best defensive Pokemon for Electric teams due to its ability to deal with Ground- and Grass-types like Excadrill, Landorus-T, Rillaboom, and Tapu Bulu with its Flying typing, provide Defog support to remove entry hazards, and keep itself healthy with Roost. Volt Switch is used to pivot teammates in, whereas Discharge is used to spread paralysis on Pokemon like Latias and Mega Venusaur, which are threats to Electric teams. Heat Wave is required for Zapdos to damage common Steel- and Grass-types like Ferrothorn, Excadrill, Rillaboom, and Mega Scizor. Pressure allows Zapdos to stall out defensive Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Toxapex, and Mew, and Static allows it to potentially paralyze Pokemon that tend to use contact moves like Victini, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Lopunny. 80 Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Zapdos to outpace Pokemon like Diggersby, Tapu Bulu, and Bisharp, while 252 HP and 176 Defense EVs allow it to take on physical attackers like Rock Slide Excadrill and Waterfall Mega Swampert.
All of Zapdos's teammates appreciate its utility in removing entry hazards thanks to Defog and its ability to check Steel- and Grass-types like Excadrill, Ferrothorn, and Rillaboom with Heat Wave. Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu form a great offensive core, and because of their high Speed, they can check faster threats like Hydreigon and Mega Diancie. In return, Zapdos pivots them in safely with Volt Switch. Tapu Koko can notably defeat Dragon-types like Mega Altaria and Kommo-o with Dazzling Gleam, while Alolan Raichu can beat Poison-types like Mega Venusaur and Nihilego with Psychic. Magnezone can get rid of Ice-types that threaten Zapdos, like Kyurem and Weavile, with Flash Cannon while in return, Zapdos can switch into Fighting-types like Mega Gallade and Hawlucha. Alolan Golem also helps Zapdos with Ice-types like Alolan Ninetales and Weavile with its Rock-type STAB attacks. Rotom-W forms a defensive core with Zapdos and provides Will-O-Wisp support to cripple physical attackers, while both pivot teammates in with Volt Switch. Rotom-W can also switch into threatening Fire- and Water-types like Victini, Greninja, and Urshifu-R. Zeraora and Thundurus help with bulky Pokemon that Zapdos cannot harm like Blissey and Porygon2 and Dark-, Ice-, and Rock-types such as Tyranitar, Piloswine, and Nihilego while Zapdos's Volt Switch brings them in safely. Rotom-C is a nice special attacker that deals with Ground / Water Pokemon like Gastrodon and Seismitoad that Zapdos has a hard time getting rid of. Regieleki is a powerful wallbreaker with Choice Specs that can outspeed threats like Latios and Volcarona, and is a beast in Electric Terrain. Both Rotom-W and Rotom-C provide a secondary Ground immunity but aren't reliable checks to Mold Breaker Excadrill.
name: SubToxic (Electric)
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Discharge
move 3: Roost
move 4: Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Zapdos's unique Speed tier and decent bulk allow it to function well with a SubToxic set while also being a crucial Ground-type immunity thanks to its Flying typing. Substitute allows Zapdos to avoid being affected by status ailments like poison and burn from Pokemon like Mega Sableye and Ferrothorn while also coordinating well with Pressure and recovering with Roost to increase longevity. Discharge is Zapdos's primary STAB attack and it's used over Thunderbolt to increase odds of paralysis on Poison- and Steel-types like Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn that aren't affected by Toxic while also making it harder for Pokemon to revenge kill it. Toxic is required to beat Ground-type Pokemon like Hippowdon, Seismitoad, and Gastrodon along with opposing walls and bulky Pokemon Mega Latias and Porygon2. Heavy-Duty Boots negates Stealth Rock damage, while Leftovers helps Zapdos recover behind Substitute. Pressure helps stall out moves with low PP like Stone Edge, Diamond Storm, and Hydro Pump. Maximum EVs in Speed with a Timid nature allow Zapdos to outpace Pokemon like Urshifu-S and Tapu Lele, while 248 HP EVs are used over 252 HP EVs to allow it to set up Substitute four times and increase its overall bulk.
Alolan Golem helps with Ice-types that threaten Zapdos like Kyurem and Alolan Ninetales with its Rock-type STAB attacks and Stealth Rock, while in return Zapdos's part Flying typing helps it switch into Ground- and Fighting-types like Gastrodon, Excadrill, Mega Gallade, and Hawlucha. Tapu Koko helps with Fighting-, Dragon-, and Dark-types like Urshifu-S, Kommo-o, and Hydreigon with Dazzling Gleam, and with Alolan Raichu, they both help Zapdos with faster threats it cannot deal with like Terrakion and Zarude. Magnezone traps and eliminates Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Jirachi with Hidden Power Fire and Body Press that Zapdos cannot damage, while also hitting Ice- and Fairy-type Pokemon like Mamoswine and Tapu Bulu with Flash Cannon. Zeraora and Thundurus help with Dark-, Ice-, and Rock-types like Weavile, Mamoswine, and Tyranitar and notable defensive Normal-types like Blissey and Porygon2 with Close Combat and Superpower, respectively. Zeraora can also get rid of troubling Grass-types like Mega Venusaur and Tapu Bulu with Z-Bounce. Zapdos appreciates Rotom-W pivoting it in safely with Volt Switch, spreading status with Will-O-Wisp and Toxic, hitting Ground- and Rock-types like Nidoking, Landorus-T, and Alolan Golem with Hydro Pump, and providing an additional Ground immunity thanks to Levitate. Its also able to switch into Fire- and Water-types like Cinderace and Greninja.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs (Electric)
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Thunderbolt
move 4: Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
item: Choice Specs
ability: Pressure / Static
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Zapdos is a great offensive option on Electric teams because of its high Special Attack enhanced by Choice Specs, which allows it to serve as an effective wallbreaker and offensive pivot. Hurricane is amazing because it gives Electric a way to effectively hit bulky Grass-types like Mega Venusaur, Rillaboom, and Cradily, which can be an overall difficult matchup. It's also useful against Dragon-types like Latias and Mega Altaria. Heat Wave allows it to take on Ice-, Steel-, and Grass-types such as Glastrier, Excadrill, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn. Hidden Power Ice allows Zapdos to hit Dragon- and Ground-types like Dragonite, Garchomp, and Landorus super effectively. Thunderbolt is an option for a stronger Electric STAB, though it is hard to justify using it over Hidden Power Ice. Volt Switch allows Zapdos to pivot into its teammates to gain momentum throughout the match. Thunderbolt can also be run if Hidden Power Ice is being used in the third slot, but pivoting with Volt Switch is generally more useful. Choice Specs increases Zapdos's wallbreaking potential, and 252 Speed EVs let it outspeed Jolly Heatran and Urshifu-S.
Choice Specs Zapdos doesn't run Roost normally, so using Rotom-W as an entry hazard remover with Defog over Pain Split is more favorable. Rotom-W acts as an Ice-type resist, forms a Ground-immune core with Zapdos, and notably helps with Fire- and Ground-types like Heatran and Mamoswine with Hydro Pump. Alolan Golem sets Stealth Rock and helps with Ice-types like Kyurem and Alolan Ninetales that threaten Zapdos with its Rock-type attacks, and in return Zapdos can get rid of Grass- and Ground-types like Breloom, Rillaboom, and Mega Garchomp that can KO Alolan Golem. Magnezone is a nice Fairy resist that deals with Ice- and Rock-types like Mamoswine, Kyurem, and Mega Diancie that threaten Zapdos with Flash Cannon. Zeraora and Thundurus can check Normal-, Dark-, Ice-, and Rock-types like Porygon2, Blissey, Weavile, Mamoswine, and Tyranitar with their respective Fighting-type attacks. Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu are great offensive options and because of their high Speed, they can check faster threats like Mega Diancie and Zarude, while Zapdos can generate momentum and bring them in with Volt Switch. Tapu Koko deals with Dragon-, Fighting-, and Dark-types such as Kommo-o, Mega Latios, Terrakion, and Hydreigon thanks to Dazzling Gleam, and Alolan Raichu deals with Poison-types like Mega Venusaur and Nihilego.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Heat Wave can be used over Toxic on Zapdos's SubToxic set as it allows Zapdos to hit Grass- and Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Rillaboom, and Mega Scizor. Hurricane is an option over Defog on its Support set to hit Mega Venusaur to improve the Grass matchup. Roost is an option on its Choice Specs set to give Zapdos more longevity throughout the match. The downside of this is losing momentum wasting a turn recovering and being Choice-locked into a passive move.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-type Pokemon like Latios and Mega Altaria resist Zapdos's Discharge and Heat Wave and can recover the damage off with Recover or Roost. However, they do not like dealing with Hurricane from Choice Specs Zapdos.
**Walls**: Defensive Pokemon like Blissey, Porygon2, and Mega Venusaur can recover with Soft-Boiled, Recover, and Synthesis, respectively, which makes them hard for Zapdos to get rid of.
**Stallbreakers**: Zapdos is unable to recover with Roost, get rid of entry hazards, or use Toxic if it gets taunted by Pokemon like Hydreigon, Mew, and Gliscor.
**Status**: Toxic heavily cripples Zapdos by putting it on a timer, while Will-O-Wisp negates its Leftovers recovery.
**Super Effective Attacks**: Ice-type STAB attacks from Pokemon like Weavile and Kyurem and Rock-type STAB attacks from Mega Diancie and Terrakion can KO Zapdos.
**Wallbreakers**: Choice Band Urshifu-S, Choice Band Victini, and Choice Specs Hydreigon have no problem dealing with Zapdos.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Roxiee, 481576]]
- Electric analysis by: [[Roxiee, 481576]]
- Quality checked by: [[Maple, 473171], [Rotten, 491896]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Bandkrook, 301217]]
name: Defensive (Electric)
move 1: Volt Switch / Discharge
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Roost
move 4: Defog
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Pressure / Static
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Zapdos is one of the best defensive Pokemon for Electric teams due to its ability to deal with Ground- and Grass-types like Excadrill, Landorus-T, Rillaboom, and Tapu Bulu with its Flying typing, provide Defog support to remove entry hazards, and keep itself healthy with Roost. Volt Switch is used to pivot teammates in, whereas Discharge is used to spread paralysis on Pokemon like Latias and Mega Venusaur, which are threats to Electric teams. Heat Wave is required for Zapdos to damage common Steel- and Grass-types like Ferrothorn, Excadrill, Rillaboom, and Mega Scizor. Pressure allows Zapdos to stall out defensive Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Toxapex, and Mew, and Static allows it to potentially paralyze Pokemon that tend to use contact moves like Victini, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Lopunny. 80 Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Zapdos to outpace Pokemon like Diggersby, Tapu Bulu, and Bisharp, while 252 HP and 176 Defense EVs allow it to take on physical attackers like Rock Slide Excadrill and Waterfall Mega Swampert.
All of Zapdos's teammates appreciate its utility in removing entry hazards thanks to Defog and its ability to check Steel- and Grass-types like Excadrill, Ferrothorn, and Rillaboom with Heat Wave. Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu form a great offensive core, and because of their high Speed, they can check faster threats like Hydreigon and Mega Diancie. In return, Zapdos pivots them in safely with Volt Switch. Tapu Koko can notably defeat Dragon-types like Mega Altaria and Kommo-o with Dazzling Gleam, while Alolan Raichu can beat Poison-types like Mega Venusaur and Nihilego with Psychic. Magnezone can get rid of Ice-types that threaten Zapdos, like Kyurem and Weavile, with Flash Cannon while in return, Zapdos can switch into Fighting-types like Mega Gallade and Hawlucha. Alolan Golem also helps Zapdos with Ice-types like Alolan Ninetales and Weavile with its Rock-type STAB attacks. Rotom-W forms a defensive core with Zapdos and provides Will-O-Wisp support to cripple physical attackers, while both pivot teammates in with Volt Switch. Rotom-W can also switch into threatening Fire- and Water-types like Victini, Greninja, and Urshifu-R. Zeraora and Thundurus help with bulky Pokemon that Zapdos cannot harm like Blissey and Porygon2 and Dark-, Ice-, and Rock-types such as Tyranitar, Piloswine, and Nihilego while Zapdos's Volt Switch brings them in safely. Rotom-C is a nice special attacker that deals with Ground / Water Pokemon like Gastrodon and Seismitoad that Zapdos has a hard time getting rid of. Regieleki is a powerful wallbreaker with Choice Specs that can outspeed threats like Latios and Volcarona, and is a beast in Electric Terrain. Both Rotom-W and Rotom-C provide a secondary Ground immunity but aren't reliable checks to Mold Breaker Excadrill.
name: SubToxic (Electric)
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Discharge
move 3: Roost
move 4: Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Zapdos's unique Speed tier and decent bulk allow it to function well with a SubToxic set while also being a crucial Ground-type immunity thanks to its Flying typing. Substitute allows Zapdos to avoid being affected by status ailments like poison and burn from Pokemon like Mega Sableye and Ferrothorn while also coordinating well with Pressure and recovering with Roost to increase longevity. Discharge is Zapdos's primary STAB attack and it's used over Thunderbolt to increase odds of paralysis on Poison- and Steel-types like Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn that aren't affected by Toxic while also making it harder for Pokemon to revenge kill it. Toxic is required to beat Ground-type Pokemon like Hippowdon, Seismitoad, and Gastrodon along with opposing walls and bulky Pokemon Mega Latias and Porygon2. Heavy-Duty Boots negates Stealth Rock damage, while Leftovers helps Zapdos recover behind Substitute. Pressure helps stall out moves with low PP like Stone Edge, Diamond Storm, and Hydro Pump. Maximum EVs in Speed with a Timid nature allow Zapdos to outpace Pokemon like Urshifu-S and Tapu Lele, while 248 HP EVs are used over 252 HP EVs to allow it to set up Substitute four times and increase its overall bulk.
Alolan Golem helps with Ice-types that threaten Zapdos like Kyurem and Alolan Ninetales with its Rock-type STAB attacks and Stealth Rock, while in return Zapdos's part Flying typing helps it switch into Ground- and Fighting-types like Gastrodon, Excadrill, Mega Gallade, and Hawlucha. Tapu Koko helps with Fighting-, Dragon-, and Dark-types like Urshifu-S, Kommo-o, and Hydreigon with Dazzling Gleam, and with Alolan Raichu, they both help Zapdos with faster threats it cannot deal with like Terrakion and Zarude. Magnezone traps and eliminates Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Jirachi with Hidden Power Fire and Body Press that Zapdos cannot damage, while also hitting Ice- and Fairy-type Pokemon like Mamoswine and Tapu Bulu with Flash Cannon. Zeraora and Thundurus help with Dark-, Ice-, and Rock-types like Weavile, Mamoswine, and Tyranitar and notable defensive Normal-types like Blissey and Porygon2 with Close Combat and Superpower, respectively. Zeraora can also get rid of troubling Grass-types like Mega Venusaur and Tapu Bulu with Z-Bounce. Zapdos appreciates Rotom-W pivoting it in safely with Volt Switch, spreading status with Will-O-Wisp and Toxic, hitting Ground- and Rock-types like Nidoking, Landorus-T, and Alolan Golem with Hydro Pump, and providing an additional Ground immunity thanks to Levitate. Its also able to switch into Fire- and Water-types like Cinderace and Greninja.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs (Electric)
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Thunderbolt
move 4: Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
item: Choice Specs
ability: Pressure / Static
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Zapdos is a great offensive option on Electric teams because of its high Special Attack enhanced by Choice Specs, which allows it to serve as an effective wallbreaker and offensive pivot. Hurricane is amazing because it gives Electric a way to effectively hit bulky Grass-types like Mega Venusaur, Rillaboom, and Cradily, which can be an overall difficult matchup. It's also useful against Dragon-types like Latias and Mega Altaria. Heat Wave allows it to take on Ice-, Steel-, and Grass-types such as Glastrier, Excadrill, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn. Hidden Power Ice allows Zapdos to hit Dragon- and Ground-types like Dragonite, Garchomp, and Landorus super effectively. Thunderbolt is an option for a stronger Electric STAB, though it is hard to justify using it over Hidden Power Ice. Volt Switch allows Zapdos to pivot into its teammates to gain momentum throughout the match. Thunderbolt can also be run if Hidden Power Ice is being used in the third slot, but pivoting with Volt Switch is generally more useful. Choice Specs increases Zapdos's wallbreaking potential, and 252 Speed EVs let it outspeed Jolly Heatran and Urshifu-S.
Choice Specs Zapdos doesn't run Roost normally, so using Rotom-W as an entry hazard remover with Defog over Pain Split is more favorable. Rotom-W acts as an Ice-type resist, forms a Ground-immune core with Zapdos, and notably helps with Fire- and Ground-types like Heatran and Mamoswine with Hydro Pump. Alolan Golem sets Stealth Rock and helps with Ice-types like Kyurem and Alolan Ninetales that threaten Zapdos with its Rock-type attacks, and in return Zapdos can get rid of Grass- and Ground-types like Breloom, Rillaboom, and Mega Garchomp that can KO Alolan Golem. Magnezone is a nice Fairy resist that deals with Ice- and Rock-types like Mamoswine, Kyurem, and Mega Diancie that threaten Zapdos with Flash Cannon. Zeraora and Thundurus can check Normal-, Dark-, Ice-, and Rock-types like Porygon2, Blissey, Weavile, Mamoswine, and Tyranitar with their respective Fighting-type attacks. Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu are great offensive options and because of their high Speed, they can check faster threats like Mega Diancie and Zarude, while Zapdos can generate momentum and bring them in with Volt Switch. Tapu Koko deals with Dragon-, Fighting-, and Dark-types such as Kommo-o, Mega Latios, Terrakion, and Hydreigon thanks to Dazzling Gleam, and Alolan Raichu deals with Poison-types like Mega Venusaur and Nihilego.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Heat Wave can be used over Toxic on Zapdos's SubToxic set as it allows Zapdos to hit Grass- and Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Rillaboom, and Mega Scizor. Hurricane is an option over Defog on its Support set to hit Mega Venusaur to improve the Grass matchup. Roost is an option on its Choice Specs set to give Zapdos more longevity throughout the match. The downside of this is losing momentum wasting a turn recovering and being Choice-locked into a passive move.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-type Pokemon like Latios and Mega Altaria resist Zapdos's Discharge and Heat Wave and can recover the damage off with Recover or Roost. However, they do not like dealing with Hurricane from Choice Specs Zapdos.
**Walls**: Defensive Pokemon like Blissey, Porygon2, and Mega Venusaur can recover with Soft-Boiled, Recover, and Synthesis, respectively, which makes them hard for Zapdos to get rid of.
**Stallbreakers**: Zapdos is unable to recover with Roost, get rid of entry hazards, or use Toxic if it gets taunted by Pokemon like Hydreigon, Mew, and Gliscor.
**Status**: Toxic heavily cripples Zapdos by putting it on a timer, while Will-O-Wisp negates its Leftovers recovery.
**Super Effective Attacks**: Ice-type STAB attacks from Pokemon like Weavile and Kyurem and Rock-type STAB attacks from Mega Diancie and Terrakion can KO Zapdos.
**Wallbreakers**: Choice Band Urshifu-S, Choice Band Victini, and Choice Specs Hydreigon have no problem dealing with Zapdos.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Roxiee, 481576]]
- Electric analysis by: [[Roxiee, 481576]]
- Quality checked by: [[Maple, 473171], [Rotten, 491896]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Bandkrook, 301217]]
Last edited:
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