Is Zapdos viable in Gen 1 OU?

Zapdos is ranked #9 in Gen 1 OU with 24.38% usage according to Smogon Jul 2026 - Sep 2026 data.

What beats Zapdos in Gen 1 OU?

Rhydon has the strongest conservative score in this observed Jul 2026 - Sep 2026 sample. The target was knocked out or switched out in 77.5% of 54.61793379270733 relevant encounters. Standard error is 5.6 points. Sets and switch conditions can change the result.

How are Zapdos matchup checks ranked in Gen 1 OU?

They are ranked by p minus four standard errors. Here, p is the observed fraction of relevant encounters where Zapdos was knocked out or switched out. This is not a set-specific battle guarantee.

Zapdos counters

Gen 1 OU · Smogon source period Jul 2026 - Sep 2026

#0145 Zapdos

ElectricFlying

USAGE 24.4% #9

ABILITYNo Ability

BASE STATS

HP 90

ATK 90

DEF 85

SPA 125

SPD 90

SPE 100

BST580

TYPE MATCHUPS

2×

IceRock

½×

GrassFightingFlyingBugSteel

0×

Ground

Moves

Drill Peck 100.0% Thunderbolt 99.8% Thunder Wave 99.6% Agility 64.2% Rest 30.4% Hyper Beam 3.0% Toxic 1.7% Thunder 0.5%

Abilities

No Ability100.0%

Common Teammates

Browse Gen 1 OU teams using Zapdos →

Explore Zapdos + Rhydon teams 55 score Explore Zapdos + Tauros teams 41 score Explore Zapdos + Chansey teams 29 score Explore Zapdos + Snorlax teams 26 score Explore Zapdos + Alakazam teams 22 score Explore Zapdos + Exeggutor teams 8 score

Leading observed checks

Open a matchup for a separate set-based damage estimate, or browse uploaded teams with both Pokémon.

Team core to explore

Zapdos + Tauros 96.4% teammate usage Explore teams →

Checks & Counters

Observed target KO or switch rate is upstream p: the fraction of relevant encounters where the target was knocked out or switched out. Standard error is upstream d. The conservative score is p − 4d. These ladder observations do not prove a set-specific counter.

How to read this table

Use encounter count and standard error to judge the sample. Damage estimates below use inferred sets and remain separate from the observed ladder metric.

# Checker Encounters Conservative score Target KO or switch rate

Rhydon

GroundRock DEFENSIVE CHECK View matchup

54.618

54.9

77.5% Standard error 5.65 points

DAMAGE CALC

Zapdos Hyper Beam vs. Rhydon: 44-52 (10.6 - 12.5%) -- possible 8HKO

View Rhydon counters → Teams with Rhydon →

Tauros

Normal OFFENSIVE CHECK View matchup

149.815

41.0

57.1% Standard error 4.04 points

Chansey

Normal SOFT CHECK View matchup

142.318

29.5

46.2% Standard error 4.18 points

Snorlax

Normal SOFT CHECK View matchup

120.77

26.4

44.5% Standard error 4.52 points

Alakazam

Psychic OFFENSIVE CHECK View matchup

26.785

22.3

60.1% Standard error 9.46 points

Exeggutor

GrassPsychic SOFT CHECK View matchup

98.084

8.4

26.1% Standard error 4.44 points

Starmie

WaterPsychic SOFT CHECK View matchup

73.206

5.2

25.6% Standard error 5.10 points

Ranked #9 with 24.38% usage. Sorted by conservative score.