Zapdos
5-cost mage · Electric / Flying · range 3 · #3 of 5 5-cost Pokémon in our tier list.
Synergies
Electric The whole team starts with +25/45 Energy. Electric types also shock adjacent enemies when they use their ability (damage and paralysis: −40% attack speed for 3s). Active at 2 / 4. Other Electric Pokémon: Pikachu, Voltorb, Magnemite, Electabuzz, Jolteon.
Flying Flying types dodge 10/25/40% of basic attacks. Active at 2 / 4 / 6. Other Flying Pokémon: Charmander, Caterpie, Pidgey, Zubat, Scyther, Aerodactyl, Articuno, Moltres.
Abilities
In Kanto Tactics each star level has its own ability. It casts on its own when Energy is full (+10 Energy per attack, more when hit).
★ Zapdos: ThunderBolts ×3
3 lightning bolts strike where enemies are densest (5 in Rain), damaging and paralyzing those around each one. Power 173.
Electric · Special · 55 Energy
★★ Zapdos: ThunderBolts ×3
3 lightning bolts strike where enemies are densest (5 in Rain), damaging and paralyzing those around each one. Power 302.
Electric · Special · 55 Energy
★★★ Zapdos: ThunderA bolt for each
A lightning bolt strikes every enemy, damaging and paralyzing those around each one. Power 546.
Electric · Special · 55 Energy
Stats
| Star | HP | Attack | Sp. Atk | Defense | Sp. Def | Atk speed | Crit | Range | Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Zapdos | 1,760 | 70 | 123 | 68 | 88 | 0.80 | 6% | 3 | 55 |
| ★★ Zapdos | 2,968 | 122 | 215 | 75 | 99 | 0.89 | 6% | 3 | 55 |
| ★★★ Zapdos | 5,099 | 212 | 373 | 83 | 110 | 0.99 | 6% | 3 | 55 |
Without items or synergies. A shiny copy (1 in 200 in the shop) has +10% HP, defenses and damage.
Best items
Zapdos as the carry of a full board, every 3-item combination of its class tested against the same field.
| Items | Win rate |
|---|---|
 Choice Specs  Focus Sash Focus Sash | 44% |
Choice Specs  Shell Bell Focus Sash | 43% |
Choice Specs  Life Orb Focus Sash | 42% |
 Quick Claw Focus Sash Focus Sash | 42% |
| Choice Specs Quick Claw Focus Sash | 42% |