Pokémon Zapdos

Zapdos.png

Zapdos

Electric/Flying
Base Stats: 90 HP / 90 Atk / 85 Def / 125 SpA / 90 SpD / 100 Spe
Abilities: Pressure / Static (Hidden Ability)

Moveset
Peck, Thunder Wave, Thunder Shock, Light Screen, Pluck, Agility, Ancient Power, Charge, Drill Peck, Roost, Discharge, Rain Dance, Thunder, Detect, Magnetic Flux, Zap Cannon
Fly, Hyper Beam, Giga Impact, Thunder Wave, Light Screen, Rest, Snore, Protect, Steel Wing, Sandstorm, Rain Dance, Sunny Day, Hail, Facade, Swift, Weather Ball, U-Turn, Round, Volt Switch, Eerie Impulse
Thunderbolt, Thunder, Agility, Substitute, Endure, Sleep Talk, Baton Pass, Heat Wave, Brave Bird, Wild Charge, Hurricane
Rising Voltage, Dual Wingbeat
Roar, Toxic, Double Team, Aerial Ace, Charge Beam, Swagger, Confide, Headbutt, Reflect, Tailwind, Sky Attack, Shock Wave, Defog, Laser Focus, Rock Smash, Air Cutter, Mud-Slap, Twister, Double-edge, Mimic, Curse, Whirlwind, Take Down

Notable Moves: Defog, Discharge, Heat Wave, Hurricane, Light Screen, Reflect, Roost, Substitute, Thunder, Thunderbolt, Thunder Wave, Toxic, U-Turn, Volt Switch, Weather Ball, Whirlwind

Zapdos @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Defog
- Discharge
- Heat Wave/U-Turn

Something like this will likely be the primary set that Zapdos runs. Heavy Duty Boots are a great addition to Zapdos as now it doesn't lose 25% of its health every time it switches in, generally far outclassing leftovers recovery in terms of longevity. Static is preferred over Pressure for the paralysis chance when switching into things such as Rillaboom Grassy Glide or Kartana Leaf Blade. A physically defensive spread allows Zapdos to check stuff like Kartana, Torn-T, and Rillaboom fairly easily and the speed evs allow for Zapdos to outrun Modest Heatran (different speed evs will likely be run this gen but this was what was standard last gen and will still likely be viable). Roost is essential for reliable recovery and letting Zapdos stay alive for longer. Defog is great as with Heavy Duty Boots Zapdos becomes one of the best defoggers in the game due to its great typing and good bulk. Discharge is generally preferred over Thunderbolt as the 20% increased paralysis chance can be big against Zapdos answers like Tyranitar and Heatran. Heat Wave is a good move against steel and/or types such as Ferrothorn, Kartana, and Tangrowth. It also gives Zapdos an option against Ground types so it isn't completely walled by them. U-Turn is a possibile move over Heat Wave to maintain or generate momentum, as of right now I can see either becoming the standard.

Zapdos @ Heavy-Duty Boots/Life Orb/Choice Specs
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunder
- Hurricane
- U-turn/Volt Switch
- Roost/Heat Wave/Weather Ball

This set takes advantage of Zapdos generally being a defensive mon and turning that around on the opponent, especially on rain teams. Heavy Duty Boots is a great way to bluff a defensive set while keeping 25% of your health and some defensive utility. Life Orb and Choice Specs are strong options if you want to forgo some of the defensive utility that Zapdos naturally brings to rain teams and instead doubling down on the offense. Thunder and Hurricane are great moves to have on rain teams, as Zapdos' 125 Special Attack is very strong with 110 BP STAB moves that never miss in the rain. U-Turn and Volt Switch are there for momentum so that Zapdos can swap into a rain sweeping teammate such as Kingdra or Tapu Koko if they bring in an offensive mon to try and muscle past Zapdos. If you are running Choice Specs I would strongly advise U-Turn so that you aren't a total momentum sink if they bring in an electric immunity. The last move is very customizable, Roost is great for keeping some of the natural defensive utility that Zapdos' type provides and is almost necessary on LO varieties. Heat Wave is great for dealing with Ferrothorn as even in rain you do 50% to defensive Ferrothorn. Weather Ball is a good move to potentially deal with opposing electric and ground types that don't mind switching into one of your STABS and hitting them with a hard rain boosted 100 BP water move. This set could potentially be run outside of rain with swapping Thunder for Thunderbolt and not carrying Weather Ball, however it does lose the accuracy and power boosts that it greatly appreciates.

Possible other sets:
Dual Screens Light Clay
Toxic Sub Pressure Staller

tl:dr Zapdos has been a great mon since the 1st generation for great reason. Its great typing and access to Roost allows for it to play a defensive role while its 125 Special Attack ensures that it isn't passive. The removal of HP Ice was unfortunate for Zapdos' ability to hit ground types, however it generally got buffed with the removal of Z-Moves and the addition of Heavy Duty Boots, an item that fits well on basically any Zapdos set. It can also run an offensive set that excels on rain teams but is usable outside of them too. There is a reason that Zapdos has been OU for all but one generation and that isn't likely to change this time.
 
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Figured I’d bump this just to give a shoutout to Toxic on this mon.

Zapdos @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Defog ——> Toxic
- Discharge
- Heat Wave

Fantastic for messing with fat ground types, especially Zygarde. Between Static/Discharge and Toxic it can and will status any opponent, and fits nicely on a lot of teams. It pairs well with Spectrier in particular.

On a side not, the best set for rain imo is Specs with Thunder Hurricane Weather Ball U-Turn. Shits impossible to switch into. Love it.
 

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