Zapdos Raid Counters
Best counters and strategies to beat Zapdos in Pokemon GO raids.
How to Beat Zapdos
Zapdos is a 5 raid boss in Pokemon GO with Electric/Flying typing. The best counter is Mega Diancie (Mega) with Rock Throw and Rock Slide, dealing 31.789 DPS.
Zapdos can be defeated by a minimum of 2 trainers using optimal counters at level 40+. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win, especially if your team isn't fully powered up.
Type strategy: Zapdos is weak to Ice, Rock -type attacks. Avoid using Bug, Fighting, Flying-type moves as Zapdos resists them. Focus your team on the highest DPS counters from the list below — even budget options without Shadow or Mega forms perform well in larger groups.
Top 3 counters: The strongest lineup against Zapdos is Mega Diancie (31.789 DPS), Shadow Rampardos (31.429 DPS), and Shadow Tyrantrum (29.667 DPS). Shadow variants deal 20% more damage but take 20% more — worth it for short-man attempts.
Catching Zapdos: After defeating Zapdos, the catch encounter will have a CP between 1979 and 2065 at level 20. With weather boost, the range is 2461-2569 at level 25. A perfect 100% IV Zapdos from raids will have exactly 2065 CP — look for that number! Use Golden Razz Berries and Excellent curveball throws to maximize your catch rate.
Quick Stats
Weak To
Best Counters
Budget Counters (No Shadow / No Mega)
Catch CP
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best counters for Zapdos?
The best counter for Zapdos is Mega Diancie with Rock Throw and Rock Slide, dealing 31.789 DPS. Other top options include Shadow Rampardos (31.429 DPS) and Shadow Tyrantrum (29.667 DPS).
How many trainers to beat Zapdos?
Zapdos can be defeated by a minimum of 2 high-level trainers with optimal counters. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win. In public lobbies, 5-6 is a safe number.
What is Zapdos weak to?
Zapdos is weak to Ice, Rock-type attacks. It resists Bug, Fighting, Flying, Grass, Ground, Steel-type moves, so avoid those.
Can Zapdos be shiny in Pokemon GO?
No, Zapdos's shiny form is not currently available in Pokemon GO. It may be released in a future event.
What CP is a 100% IV Zapdos from raids?
A 100% IV (15/15/15) Zapdos from raids will have 2065 CP at level 20, or 2569 CP at level 25 with weather boost. The minimum CP (10/10/10 IVs) is 1979. If you see 2065 CP in the catch screen, it's a perfect — use a Golden Razz Berry!
Is Zapdos worth raiding in Pokemon GO?
Zapdos is a lower-tier raid boss that can be soloed or defeated easily with 1-2 trainers. It's useful for farming candy, earning XP, and potentially getting a high-IV specimen. Worth doing when convenient, but doesn't require spending Premium Passes.
What is the best moveset for Zapdos?
For the best moveset for Zapdos itself (when using it as an attacker), check the full Zapdos stats page which includes optimal fast and charged move combinations for both PvE raids and PvP GO Battle League, along with DPS calculations and PvP rankings.
Can I beat Zapdos without Shadow or Mega Pokemon?
Yes! While Shadow and Mega Pokemon are the top DPS options, Zapdos can be defeated using regular (non-Shadow, non-Mega) counters. The best budget options are Kyurem (White) (29.524 DPS) and Glimmora (26.667 DPS). You may need 5-6 trainers instead of the minimum 2 when using budget teams. Check the Budget Counters section above for the full F2P-friendly list.
What weather boosts Zapdos in raids?
Weather boost information for Zapdos is not currently available. Electric-type Pokemon are typically boosted in specific weather conditions. When weather boosted, the raid is harder but the catch encounter is level 25 with higher CP.