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One of the original Legendary Pokémon and a member of the Legendary Birds (along with Articuno and Moltres), Zapdos is an Electric/Flying-type Pokémon from Kanto. It has a variant in Galar, which was introduced in The Crown Tundra for Sword/Shield. InPokémon GO, the original Zapdos is a large, yellow bird that hovers above the ground. This Pokémon is beloved by the community as one of the original few Legendaries the franchise has to offer, and holds a special place in many Trainers' hearts.
In terms of raiding in Pokémon GO, Zapdos can be encountered in its normal and Shadow variations. This particular raid will inject Zapdos into the 5-star raid pool, meaning that it will be appearing as its regular variation. This means that, while Zapdos is a Legendary, it will not be the most powerful version of itself that you can catch. That said, if you don’t have Zapdos, or you need Zapdos candies, you’re definitely going to want to take advantage of its appearance in the raid pool. The regular version is the easier raid, too, so you can blast through these like they’re nothing (for the most part) with the right preparation!
Zapdos is available in its regular and shiny forms. Check it out:
The shiny form is just a shade darker, more orangey, like the regular colour of Galarian Zapdos.
Pokémon Go: How to Catch the Galarian Birds
Unlike original variations of these Pokémon that can be caught from raids, obtaining these majestic avians in Pokémon GO requires a bit more finesse.
Zapdos Raid Overview
Zapdos CP Ranges and Moves
Normal (Level 20)
1930-2015 CP
2015 CP for 100% IVs
Weather Boosted (Level 25)
2213-2519 CP
2519 CP for 100% IVs
Fast Moves
Charge Moves
Charge Beam
Zap Cannon
Thunder Shock (Legacy only)
Thunderbolt
Drill Peck
Ancient Power
Zapdos’s best moveset will be Thunder Shock and Drill Peck. This will do 16.11 DPS and 496.34 total damage overall before it faints.
Pokémon GO: Shared Skies Full Season Guide
The new season, Shared Skies, will be with us from Saturday, August 15, 2025, at 10:00 AM to Tuesday, July 30, 2025, at 10:00 AM local time.
Zapdos Weaknesses
Due to its strong typing, Zapdos is only vulnerable to:
Zapdos Raid Strategy and Trainer Recommendations
Pokémon GO: Stadium Sights Event Guide
During this event, you may even get yourself a Shiny Emolga!
Recommended Blacephalon Counters
As ever, if you have Shadow variations of the Pokémon listed below, they will be better picks over their normal counterparts. Shadow Pokémon do more damage than their regular counterparts (even with mediocre IVs), so consider taking them for this raid for the extra damage.
Pokémon GO: Mega Gyarados Raid Guide
Gyarados, a fearsome Pokémon in Pokémon GO, is notorious for its destructive nature and powerful attacks.
Standard Counters
Charge Move
Smack Down
Rock Wrecker
Rock Slide
Powder Snow
Stone Edge
Aerodactyl
Rock Throw
Baxcalibur
Darmanitan (Galarian Standard)
Meteor Beam
Dragon Tail
Golem (Alola)
Triple Axel
Darmanitan (Standard)
Legendary Counters
Mega Diancie
Psycho Cut
Mega Rayquaza
Dragon Breath
Primal Kyogre
Stay away from using Kyogre if yours is not Primal. It will die too fast for the damage to be worth it.
Pokémon GO: Shadow Raikou Raid Guide
Raikou will be available on weekends from Saturday, March 2nd at 6:00 am local time to Sunday, March 24th, at 10:00 pm local time.
Mega Evolutions
Mega Tyranitar
Mega Aerodactyl
Mega Garchomp
Mega Aggron
Mega Glalie
Frost Breath
Mega Gardevoir
Mega Abomasnow
Weather Ball
Additional Tips
Pokémon GO: June 2024 Schedule
We have a couple of repeat raids coming up for those who may have missed some of these great Pokémon when they were in the pool.
Pokémon GO
