Ultra League PvP guide
Zapdos Pokémon GO – PvP, Best Moves, IVs & Counters
Zapdos is a Electric/Flying-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Its strongest current PvP league is Ultra League, where it currently ranks #88. Its recommended PvP moveset is Thunder Shock with Drill Peck and Thunderbolt.
Ultra League
#88
Strong pick
Type
Electric/Flying
Best Fast Move
Thunder Shock
Charged Moves
Max CP
3,987
Updated for the current Pokémon GO season · September 2026
Rankings, moves and matchup data are updated automatically from the latest available PvP data.ABOUT ZAPDOS
Is Zapdos Good in Pokémon GO PvP?
Zapdos is currently a strong PvP option in Ultra League where it is ranked #88.
Zapdos is also a strong PvP option in Master League where it is ranked #89 and a situational PvP option in Great League where it is ranked #304.
Zapdos PvP Rankings
| League | Rank | PvP Score | Recommended Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great League | #304 | 79.9 | Thunder Shock, Drill Peck, Heat Wave |
| Ultra LeagueBest | #88 | 86.3 | Thunder Shock, Drill Peck, Thunderbolt |
| Master League | #89 | 77.6 | Thunder Shock, Drill Peck, Thunderbolt |
Best Moveset for Zapdos in Pokémon GO PvP
Fast Move · STAB
Strong vs: Flying, Water
Neutral vs: Bug, Dark, Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Ghost, Ice, Normal, Poison, Psychic, Rock, Steel
Weak vs: Dragon, Electric, Grass, Ground
Charged Move · STAB
Strong vs: Bug, Fighting, Grass
Neutral vs: Dark, Dragon, Fairy, Fire, Flying, Ghost, Ground, Ice, Normal, Poison, Psychic, Water
Weak vs: Electric, Rock, Steel
Charged Move · STAB
Strong vs: Flying, Water
Neutral vs: Bug, Dark, Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Ghost, Ice, Normal, Poison, Psychic, Rock, Steel
Weak vs: Dragon, Electric, Grass, Ground
The recommended PvP moveset for Zapdos is Thunder Shock with Drill Peck and Thunderbolt.
Alternative movesets
All Fast and Charged Moves currently available to Zapdos in the imported game data.
Fast Moves
Fast Move · STAB
Strong vs: Flying, Water
Neutral vs: Bug, Dark, Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Ghost, Ice, Normal, Poison, Psychic, Rock, Steel
Weak vs: Dragon, Electric, Grass, Ground
Fast Move · STAB
Strong vs: Flying, Water
Neutral vs: Bug, Dark, Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Ghost, Ice, Normal, Poison, Psychic, Rock, Steel
Weak vs: Dragon, Electric, Grass, Ground
Charged Moves
Charged Move
Strong vs: Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice
Neutral vs: Dark, Dragon, Electric, Fairy, Ghost, Grass, Normal, Poison, Psychic, Rock, Water
Weak vs: Fighting, Ground, Steel
Charged Move · STAB
Strong vs: Bug, Fighting, Grass
Neutral vs: Dark, Dragon, Fairy, Fire, Flying, Ghost, Ground, Ice, Normal, Poison, Psychic, Water
Weak vs: Electric, Rock, Steel
Charged Move
Strong vs: Bug, Grass, Ice, Steel
Neutral vs: Dark, Electric, Fairy, Fighting, Flying, Ghost, Ground, Normal, Poison, Psychic
Weak vs: Dragon, Fire, Rock, Water
Charged Move · STAB
Strong vs: Flying, Water
Neutral vs: Bug, Dark, Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Ghost, Ice, Normal, Poison, Psychic, Rock, Steel
Weak vs: Dragon, Electric, Grass, Ground
Charged Move · STAB
Strong vs: Flying, Water
Neutral vs: Bug, Dark, Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Ghost, Ice, Normal, Poison, Psychic, Rock, Steel
Weak vs: Dragon, Electric, Grass, Ground
Charged Move · STAB
Strong vs: Flying, Water
Neutral vs: Bug, Dark, Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Ghost, Ice, Normal, Poison, Psychic, Rock, Steel
Weak vs: Dragon, Electric, Grass, Ground
Charged Move
Neutral vs: Bug, Dark, Dragon, Electric, Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Flying, Grass, Ground, Ice, Normal, Poison, Psychic, Water
Weak vs: Ghost, Rock, Steel
Zapdos PvP Move Counts
Thunder Shock → Drill Peck
5 Fast Moves from empty energy
Repeating count
Thunder Shock → Thunderbolt
7 Fast Moves from empty energy
Repeating count
Zapdos Battle Guide
Matchup values below come from the Ultra League matchup data in PoGoCoach. A value above 500 means Zapdos wins the matchup; below 500 means it loses.
Strong Matchups
- Corviknight768
- Empoleon640
- Tinkaton640
- Feraligatr580
- Snorlax516
Difficult Matchups
- Mimikyu185
- Skeledirge325
- Florges496
Zapdos Weaknesses & Resistances
Defensive type multipliers below combine Zapdos's Electric/Flying typing using the current Pokémon GO battle type chart.
Weak to
- ice1.6×
- rock1.6×
Resistant to
- bug0.625×
- fighting0.625×
- 0.625×
- grass0.625×
- ground0.625×
- steel0.625×
Best Counters to Zapdos in Pokémon GO PvP
Recommended attacks are measured against Zapdos in Ultra League. Charged Move percentages show estimated unshielded damage to Zapdos's league HP.
Ultra League
Recommended attacks
- Shadow Clawghost
Fast Move
Neutral
- Shadow Sneakghost
Charged Move
Neutral
47% HP
- Play Roughfairy
Charged Move
Neutral
56% HP
Ultra League
Recommended attacks
- Dragon Breathdragon
Fast Move
Neutral
- Ancient Powerrock
Charged Move
Super Effective
42% HP
- Shadow Forceghost
Charged Move
Neutral
63% HP
Ultra League
Recommended attacks
- Incineratefire
Fast Move
Neutral
- Torch Songfire
Charged Move
Neutral
43% HP
- Shadow Ballghost
Charged Move
Neutral
55% HP
Ultra League
Recommended attacks
- Dragon Taildragon
Fast Move
Neutral
- Crunchdark
Charged Move
Neutral
30% HP
- Bulldozeground
Charged Move
Resisted
26% HP
Ultra League
Recommended attacks
- Fairy Windfairy
Fast Move
Neutral
- Chilling Waterwater
Charged Move
Neutral
30% HP
- Disarming Voicefairy
Charged Move
Neutral
42% HP
Ratings are shown from Zapdos's perspective: the lower the value, the harder the matchup is for Zapdos.
Best Teammates for Zapdos in Pokémon GO PvP
Good teammates for Zapdos should help cover some of its most difficult matchups while adding useful coverage against the current Ultra League meta.
Covers 3 of Zapdos's 5 hardest current matchups.
Covers 4 of Zapdos's 5 hardest current matchups.
Covers 4 of Zapdos's 5 hardest current matchups.
Covers 2 of Zapdos's 5 hardest current matchups.
Teammates are calculated from the current Ultra League rankings and matchup data, and update automatically with each PvP data import.
Best PvP IVs for Zapdos
| League | Rank | IVs | CP | Level | Stat Product |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great League | #1 | 0/12/12 | 1,500 | 16 | 1,665,065 |
| #2 | 0/10/14 | 1,499 | 16 | 1,662,248 | |
| #3 | 0/13/11 | 1,500 | 16 | 1,659,214 | |
| #4 | 0/11/12 | 1,496 | 16 | 1,656,613 | |
| #5 | 0/11/13 | 1,500 | 16 | 1,656,613 | |
| Ultra League | #1 | 0/13/13 | 2,497 | 26.5 | 3,577,187 |
| #2 | 1/12/13 | 2,500 | 26.5 | 3,573,188 | |
| #3 | 2/15/15 | 2,493 | 26 | 3,573,153 | |
| #4 | 0/14/12 | 2,497 | 26.5 | 3,571,444 | |
| #5 | 3/14/15 | 2,496 | 26 | 3,569,230 | |
| Master League | #1 | 15/15/15 | 3,987 | 50 | 7,039,575 |
| #2 | 14/15/15 | 3,972 | 50 | 7,013,308 | |
| #3 | 15/14/15 | 3,977 | 50 | 7,004,377 | |
| #4 | 15/15/14 | 3,978 | 50 | 7,001,728 | |
| #5 | 13/15/15 | 3,957 | 50 | 6,987,041 |
Zapdos Stats in Pokémon GO
Zapdos's real battle stats in each league, at the CP cap and that league's best IV combination.
Great League
Zapdos 0/12/12 (Best IV)
- Level
- 16
- CP
- 1,500
- Attack
- 135.2
- Defense
- 105.3
- HP
- 117
Ultra League
Zapdos 0/13/13 (Best IV)
- Level
- 26.5
- CP
- 2,497
- Attack
- 174
- Defense
- 136.2
- HP
- 151
Master League
Zapdos 15/15/15 (Best IV)
- Level
- 50
- CP
- 3,987
- Attack
- 225.2
- Defense
- 168.1
- HP
- 186
Zapdos Evolution
Zapdos has no normal evolution in Pokémon GO.
A Shadow form of Zapdos also exists in Pokémon GO.
Pokémon Similar to Zapdos in Pokémon GO PvP
Same Electric / Flying typing · Same Thunder Shock fast move · Ultra League #347
Same Electric / Flying typing · Same Thunder Shock fast move · Master League #189
Same Electric / Flying typing · Same Thunder Shock fast move · Master League #133
Shares Electric typing · Same Thunder Shock fast move · Ultra League #390
Same Electric / Flying typing · Electric-type fast move · Master League #131
Same Electric / Flying typing · Also runs Thunderbolt · Ultra League #533
More PoGoCoach tools
Zapdos Pokémon GO PvP FAQ
What is the best moveset for Zapdos in Pokémon GO PvP?
Zapdos's recommended PvP moveset is Thunder Shock with Drill Peck and Thunderbolt.
Is Zapdos good in Pokémon GO PvP?
Zapdos is currently a strong PvP option in Ultra League, where it is ranked #88.
What counters Zapdos in Pokémon GO PvP?
Mimikyu, Giratina (Altered) and Skeledirge are among the strongest current counters to Zapdos in Ultra League.
What is Zapdos weak to in Pokémon GO?
Zapdos is weak to Ice (1.6×), Rock (1.6×).