#0145 Legendary Shadow

Shadow Zapdos

Best moveset, PvP rankings, counters & stats for Pokemon GO.

Max CP 3,987 Thunder Shock + Zap Cannon Rainy Windy
Shadow Zapdos Pokemon GO sprite Shadow

Shadow Zapdos is a Legendary Electric/Flying-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO, originally from the Kanto region (#145, Generation 1). With a max CP of 3,987 and base stats of 253/185/207 (Atk/Def/Sta), Shadow Zapdos has a total stat product of 645. Shadow Zapdos's best moveset is Thunder Shock and Zap Cannon, making it a competitive Electric-type attacker for raids.

Shadow Zapdos is weak to Ice, Rock-type moves. It resists Bug, Fighting, Flying, Grass, Ground, Steel-type attacks. Shadow Zapdos is a 20.0 km buddy Pokemon.

Stats

Max CP
3,987
Lv.40: 3,527 Lv.50: 3,987
Attack 253
Defense 185
Stamina 207
Total 645
Buddy 20.0 km Gen 1 · Kanto 2nd Move: 100,000 Dust · 100 Candy

Rankings

Raid Attacker
Electric type
Electric type
Electric Attacker
B
#11
16.9
DPS
367
TDO
0 type Thunder Shock
Electric type Zap Cannon
Flying type
Flying type
Flying Attacker
A
#19
16.6
DPS
361
TDO
0 type Thunder Shock
Flying type Drill Peck
PvP Battle
Master League
D
#43
55.57% Win Rate
Electric type Thunder Shock
Electric type Zap Cannon
Ideal IVs 15/15/15

Moves

Fast Moves

Electric
7
DPS
7.0 PWR 14 EN 1.0s DUR 14 EPS Rainy
Electric
Thunder Shock STAB Elite
8
DPS
4.0 PWR 7 EN 0.5s DUR 14 EPS Rainy

Charged Moves

Rock
20
DPS
70.0 PWR 33 EN 3.5s DUR
Flying
Drill Peck STAB
28
DPS
70.0 PWR 33 EN 2.5s DUR
Fire
31.7
DPS
95.0 PWR 100 EN 3.0s DUR
Electric
Thunder STAB
40
DPS
100.0 PWR 100 EN 2.5s DUR
Electric
32
DPS
80.0 PWR 50 EN 2.5s DUR
Electric
Zap Cannon STAB Buff
40
DPS
140.0 PWR 100 EN 3.5s DUR

Best Moveset Analysis

For raids and gym battles, Shadow Zapdos's best offensive moveset is Thunder Shock combined with Zap Cannon, achieving 16.9 DPS and 367 TDO as a Electric-type attacker (ranked #11, Tier B). Alternatively, Shadow Zapdos can serve as a Flying-type attacker with Thunder Shock and Drill Peck (#19, Tier A).

In Master League PvP, Shadow Zapdos runs Thunder Shock and Zap Cannon, ranked #43 (Tier D) with a 55.57% win rate. Shadow Zapdos has access to 2 fast moves and 6 charged moves, giving trainers flexibility depending on the battle format.

Among fast moves, the highest DPS option is Thunder Shock (8 DPS), while Charge Beam generates energy the fastest (14 EPS).

Raid Guide

Shadow Zapdos as Raid Boss

Not Currently in Raids

Shadow Zapdos is not currently available as a raid boss. When Shadow Zapdos returns to raids, here are the best counters to defeat it. A 100% IV Shadow Zapdos from raids would have 2015 CP at level 20, or 2519 CP at level 25 with weather boost.

How to Get Shadow Zapdos

Shadow Zapdos can be encountered in the wild in Pokemon GO.

A Shadow version of Shadow Zapdos is available from Team GO Rocket. Shadow Shadow Zapdos knows Frustration as its charged move, which can be removed with a Charged TM. Purifying costs 20,000 Stardust and 20 Candy, and the purified form learns Return. Walking Shadow Zapdos as your buddy earns 1 candy every 20.0 km.

Shadow Zapdos Catch CP

These are the possible CP values when encountering Shadow Zapdos in different scenarios. The range shows minimum (lowest IV floor) to maximum (100% perfect IV).

Wild Catch
Level 1–30
90 – 3,048 CP
Wild (Weather Boost)
Level 1–35
90 – 3,300 CP
Raid Catch
Level 20
1,979 – 2,065 CP
Raid (Weather Boost)
Level 25
2,461 – 2,569 CP
Egg Hatch
Level 20
1,979 – 2,065 CP
Research Encounter
Level 15
1,496 – 1,562 CP
GO Battle League
Level 20
1,979 – 2,065 CP

A 100% IV Shadow Zapdos from raids or eggs will show 2,015 CP at level 20. If you see this number, don't hesitate — it's a perfect catch!

Trainer Tips

Shadow Zapdos is a Electric/Flying-type Pokemon with a stat total of 645. With its high Attack stat (253), Shadow Zapdos is best suited for offensive roles in both raids and PvP.

Watch out for Ice, Rock-type moves when using Shadow Zapdos. These types deal super effective damage that can cut into Shadow Zapdos's performance.

Shadow Zapdos's moves get a damage boost in Rainy and Windy weather. Take advantage of weather conditions to maximize your DPS in raids and gym battles.

Unlocking a second charged move costs 100,000 Stardust and 100 Candy. With 6 charged moves available, a second move gives Shadow Zapdos much better coverage in PvP battles.

Should I Invest in Shadow Zapdos?

Power-Up Costs

Level 20 → 40 (Standard)
135,000 Stardust
15 Candy
Level 40 → 50 (XL Candy)
0 Stardust
0 XL Candy
Total (20 → 50)
135,000 Stardust

Verdict

Situational
Shadow Zapdos is a solid but not elite Electric-type attacker, sitting at Tier B (#11) in raid performance. With a max CP of 3,987 and base stats of 253/185/207, it can fill a role on your team if you lack stronger Electric-type counters. The best moveset is Thunder Shock paired with Zap Cannon. Consider investing if you need a Electric-type attacker now, but hold off on XL Candy investment as better alternatives exist. A useful stepping stone rather than an endgame pick.

In PvP (Master League), Shadow Zapdos is ranked #43 (Tier D) with a 55.57% win rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best moveset for Shadow Zapdos in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Zapdos's best moveset is Thunder Shock (fast) and Zap Cannon (charged), providing 16.9 DPS as a Electric-type attacker. This combination maximizes damage output thanks to STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), strong energy generation from the fast move, and high DPE (damage per energy) on the charged move.
What are Shadow Zapdos's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Zapdos is weak to Ice, Rock-type moves. On the other hand, Shadow Zapdos resists Bug, Fighting, Flying, Grass, Ground, Steel-type attacks, so avoid using those types against it. To counter Shadow Zapdos effectively in raids and gyms, build a team using its weakest type matchups and pick attackers that have STAB moves of those types.
What is Shadow Zapdos's max CP in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Zapdos's maximum CP is 3,987 at level 50 (with XL Candy), or 3,527 at level 40. Reaching level 50 requires XL Candy, which is only available to trainers level 31 and above — earning XL Candy involves catching, hatching, transferring, and walking Pokemon. Shadow Zapdos's CP is calculated from its base stats: 253 Attack, 185 Defense, and 207 Stamina. Powering up from level 40 to 50 requires a significant investment of XL Candy and Stardust, so plan your resources carefully. A 100% IV Shadow Zapdos caught from raids or eggs (level 20) will have 2,015 CP, or 2,519 CP with weather boost (level 25).
Is Shadow Zapdos good for PvP in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Zapdos is ranked #43 (Tier D) in Master League with a 55.57% overall win rate. The recommended moveset is Thunder Shock and Zap Cannon. The ideal IV spread for Master League is 15/15/15 — for CP-capped leagues like Great League and Ultra League, lower Attack IVs with higher Defense and Stamina allow Shadow Zapdos to reach a higher level within the CP cap, gaining more total stat product. Unlocking a second charged move is highly recommended for PvP, as it gives Shadow Zapdos better coverage and the ability to bait shields more effectively. The cost is 100,000 Stardust and 100 Candy.
What CP is a 100% IV Shadow Zapdos?
A perfect 15/15/15 IV Shadow Zapdos has the following CP at key levels: 1,511 CP at level 15 (research encounters), 2,015 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches), 2,519 CP at level 25 (weather-boosted raids), and 3,987 CP at level 50 fully powered up. If you catch a perfect IV Shadow Zapdos, it is worth investing Stardust and Candy to power it up, especially if Shadow Zapdos ranks well in raids or PvP. A 100% IV (also called a "hundo") is the rarest IV combination, so tag and favorite it to make sure you don't accidentally transfer it.
How to get Shadow Zapdos in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Zapdos can be found in the wild, though it may be rare depending on your biome and current events.
Can Shadow Zapdos be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Shiny Shadow Zapdos's availability depends on whether Niantic has released its shiny form. Not all Pokemon have their shiny forms available yet. Check the current events page and Community Day announcements for any updates on shiny Shadow Zapdos availability and boosted shiny rates during special events.

Max CP per Level

L1 49 CP
L5 475 CP
L10 1,008 CP
L15 1,511 CP
L20 2,015 CP
L25 2,519 CP
L30 3,023 CP
L35 3,275 CP
L40 3,527 CP
L50 3,987 CP

Pokedex Info

Pokedex Number #145
Generation Gen 1
Region Kanto
Height 1.60 m
Weight 52.60 kg
Buddy Distance 20.0 km
Tradable No
2nd Charged Move 100,000 Dust / 100 Candy
Shadow Move Frustration
Purified Move Return
Purification Cost 20,000 Dust / 20 Candy