Is Zapdos viable in Gen 2 OU?

Zapdos is ranked #2 in Gen 2 OU with 61.47% usage according to Smogon Feb 2026 - Apr 2026 data.

What beats Zapdos in Gen 2 OU?

The best counter for Zapdos in Gen 2 OU is Raikou with a 87.9% win rate when they meet. Based on Smogon's Feb 2026 - Apr 2026 usage data, the top Pokémon that beat Zapdos include Raikou, Snorlax, Zapdos, Exeggutor, Machamp.

What is the best counter for Zapdos in Gen 2 OU?

Raikou is the best counter for Zapdos in Gen 2 OU, KOing or forcing it out in 87.9% of their encounters.

Zapdos counters

Gen 2 OU · Sorted by reliability score · Smogon · Feb 2026 - Apr 2026

#0145 Zapdos

ElectricFlying

USAGE 61.5% #2

BASE STATS

HP 90

ATK 90

DEF 85

SPA 125

SPD 90

SPE 100

BST580

TYPE MATCHUPS

2×

IceRock

½×

GrassFightingFlyingBugSteel

0×

Ground

Moves

Hidden Power Ice 69.9% Thunder 69.8% Rest 65.1% Sleep Talk 63.6% Thunderbolt 31.7% Whirlwind 28.4% Hidden Power Water 26.7% Thunder Wave 15.0%

Items

Leftovers 97.8% Magnet 1.2% Miracle Berry 1.0% Scope Lens 0.0% nothing 0.0% King's Rock 0.0% PRZ Cure Berry 0.0% Miracle Seed 0.0%

Common Teammates

Checks & Counters

Ranked by reliability — blends KO rate with how often each Pokémon is matched up.

# Checker Encounters Reliability KO Rate

Raikou

Electric OFFENSIVE CHECK

122.641

87.9% dies 4.09%

Snorlax

Normal DEFENSIVE COUNTER

190.943

76.4% dies 5.16%

Zapdos

ElectricFlying SOFT CHECK

60.032

45.9% dies 9.02%

Exeggutor

GrassPsychic SOFT CHECK

27.62

24.5% dies 8.18%

Machamp

Fighting SOFT CHECK

26.706

16.7% dies 7.21%

Forretress

BugSteel SOFT CHECK

26.347

7.3% dies 5.08%

Starmie

WaterPsychic SOFT CHECK

21.576

7.0% dies 5.49%

Skarmory

SteelFlying SOFT CHECK

89.972

2.5% dies 2.27%

Cloyster

WaterIce SOFT CHECK

45.115

1.8% dies 1.98%

Ranked #2 with 61.47% usage. Sorted by reliability score.