Zapdos

Zapdos
Artwork for Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions
First appearance	Pocket Monsters Red and Green Versions (1996)
Generation	Generation I
Category	Electric Pokémon
Evolves from	N/A
Evolves into	N/A
Pronunciation	$zap-DOSE$
Type(s)	Electric/Flying
Height	5'03" (1.6m)
Weight	116.0 lbs. (52.6 kg)
Gender ratio	Genderless
Pokédex color	Yellow
Egg group(s)	N/A
Abilities	Pressure, Lightning Rod (Hidden Ability)
Pokédex navigation
National Pokédex: ← Articuno | Zapdos (#145) | Moltres →
Johto Pokédex: ← Articuno | Zapdos (#241) | Moltres →

Zapdos is an Electric/Flying-type Legendary Pokémon who debuted in Pocket Monsters Red and Green Versions (released as Pokémon Red and Blue Versions internationally). It is one of the three Legendary Birds along with Moltres and Articuno. Zapdos is based on the thunderbird of Native American folklore. In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Zapdos has a Galarian form that is a Fighting/Flying-type. Zapdos's name is a combination of the words "zap," owing to it being an Electric-type, and "dos," the Spanish word for "two," in that it is the second of the Legendary Birds. In some spinoff titles, Zapdos is encountered as a boss.

Game history

Pokémon series

The wild Zapdos of the Power Plant is encountered in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions

In Pokémon Red and Blue Versions, Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition, and the Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions remakes, a level 50 Zapdos can be found in the Power Plant.

In Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions and Pokémon Crystal Version, Zapdos does not appear in the Power Plant because the location is no longer abandoned, so the only way of obtaining one is by trading it from Pokémon Red, Blue, or Yellow Versions. By doing so, Zapdos holds a Brightpowder item when traded over. In the Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions remakes, a single Zapdos can be encountered on Route 10, but only if the player character has returned the Machine Part into the Power Plant.

In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions and Pokémon Emerald Version, a Zapdos can only be obtained by trading it from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions. Similarly, in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Versions, a Zapdos can only be obtained via Pal Park by migrating it from one of the Generation III titles.

In Pokémon Platinum Version, a level 60 Zapdos, along with a Moltres and an Articuno of the same level, begin to roam around the Sinnoh region after the player character has obtained the National Pokédex and talked to Professor Oak in Eterna City.

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Pokémon Snap

In Pokémon Snap, a Zapdos is encountered in the Tunnel Course, but it starts off inside of an egg. To make the egg hatch, the player must use apples to lure a Pikachu over to it and then play the Poké Flute so that Pikachu discharges electricity upon the egg, causing it to hatch. Upon hatching, Zapdos activates the power plant machinery, restoring power to the area.

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, a Zapdos is one of the six Shadow Pokémon that can be snagged from Greevil in Citadark Isle.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team, Zapdos can be found at the top of Mt. Thunder.

In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, Zapdos is encountered on the seventh floor of Amp Plains, but a Mystery Part or Secret Slab is required to access it. It only appears once Marine Resort has been unlocked.

Of the three Pokémon Fushigi no Danjon Bōken-dan Shirīzu games, Zapdos only appears in Pokémon Fushigi no Danjon Mezase! Hikari no Bōken-dan, where it is encountered on the 30th floor of Light Summit.

Pokémon Rumble series

In Pokémon Rumble, Zapdos is fought in Eternal Tower as the boss of Rank S.

In Pokémon Rumble Blast, Zapdos can be found at World Axle Factory once the game has been completed.

Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs

In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Zapdos is encountered on the top of Mt. Layuda where it is fought as a boss.

Super Smash Bros. series

Zapdos in Super Smash Bros. Melee

In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Zapdos is a Poké Ball Pokémon. Upon being released, Zapdos attacks by using Thunder Shock, in which it discharges sparks around it, dealing weak damage and knockback to nearby opponents. It is possible for the opponents to get stuck within the sparks, causing them to take more damage. There is also a trophy of Zapdos.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Zapdos occasionally appears in the background of the Prism Tower stage. In the latter game, it also appears as a spirit.

General information

Characteristics

Zapdos has a yellow body featuring a thick pair of yellow wings and a second pair of thinner, jet-black wings behind it. Zapdos's spiked feathers reflect how it is capable of manipulating electricity. Zapdos's beak is long, sharp, and orange. It has light-colored feet with four toes, three on top and one on the bottom. Each of Zapdos's toes have a talon on them, and the bottom one points backward.

Zapdos lives within the thunderclouds, where it gains power when struck by lightning. Zapdos can drop enormous lightning bolts while airborne, and its wings make crackling and snapping sounds as it flies.

Profiles

Pokédex entries

Game(s)	Description
Pokémon Red and Blue Versions Pokémon LeafGreen Version Pokémon X	A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear from clouds while dropping enormous lightning bolts.
Pokémon Yellow Version	This legendary bird POKéMON is said to appear when the sky turns dark and lightning showers down.
Pokémon Gold Version Pokémon HeartGold Version	This legendary bird Pokémon causes savage thunderstorms by flapping its glittering wings.
Pokémon Silver Version Pokémon SoulSilver Version	This legendary bird Pokémon is said to appear only when a thundercloud parts into two halves.
Pokémon Crystal Version	Legendary bird POKéMON. They say lightning caused by the flapping of its wings causes summer storms.
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire	Zapdos is a legendary bird Pokémon that has the ability to control electricity. It usually lives in thunderclouds. The Pokémon gains power if it is stricken by lightning bolts.
Pokémon Emerald Version	ZAPDOS is a legendary bird POKéMON that has the ability to control electricity. It usually lives in thunderclouds. It gains power if it is stricken by lightning bolts.
Pokémon FireRed Version	One of the legendary bird POKéMON. While it is flying, it makes crackling and snapping sounds.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Versions Pokémon Platinum Version Pokémon Black and White Versions Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Versions Pokémon Y	A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.

Super Smash Bros. Melee trophy

Name	Image	Game	Description
Zapdos		Pokémon Red & Blue 09/98	Zapdos flaps its wings, and summer storms appear, throwing lightning every which way. It's said that you can hear this legendary Pokémon coming, as its wings make a very distinctive popping sound as it flies. In addition to electrical moves like the dreaded Thunder, it also wields a vicious move called Drill Peck.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS trophy

Name	Image	Category	Description
Zapdos		Stage	Gazing up at dark storm clouds gathering in the sky, many children must have once wondered if the Pokémon they saw in the second Pokémon movie was in the clouds. An innocent and childish dream, perhaps... but even today as adults, the sound of thunder might just bring back memories of this Legendary bird Pokémon. Gazing up at dark storm clouds gathering in the sky, many children must once have wondered if the Pokémon they just saw in the latest movie was lurking somewhere in their depths. An innocent and childish dream, perhaps...but even today as adults, the sound of thunder might just bring back memories of this Legendary Bird Pokémon.

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Zapdos.

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  Pokémon Red and Blue Versions sprite

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  Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions sprite

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	サンダー Sandā (romanized) Thunder (trademark)

Reference

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