Is Zapdos viable in Gen 2 OU?

Zapdos is ranked #3 in Gen 2 OU with 57.06% usage according to Smogon Apr 2026 - Jun 2026 data.

What beats Zapdos in Gen 2 OU?

The best counter for Zapdos in Gen 2 OU is Raikou with a 87.6% win rate when they meet. Based on Smogon's Apr 2026 - Jun 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 87.6% of their encounters.

Zapdos counters

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

#0145 Zapdos

ElectricFlying

USAGE 57.1% #3

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 72.5% Rest 65.7% Thunder 65.6% Sleep Talk 64.2% Thunderbolt 35.1% Whirlwind 28.6% Hidden Power Water 24.0% Thunder Wave 14.8%

Items

Leftovers 98.4% Miracle Berry 0.6% Magnet 0.6% nothing 0.2% Scope Lens 0.1% King's Rock 0.0% Mint Berry 0.0% Miracle Seed 0.0%

Common Teammates

Browse Gen 2 OU teams using Zapdos →

Teams using Raikou 88% Teams using Snorlax 77% Teams using Zapdos 49% Teams using Exeggutor 24% Teams using Machamp 17% Teams using Forretress 7%

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

81.355

87.6% dies 3.66%

Snorlax

Normal DEFENSIVE COUNTER

159.577

76.9% dies 5.46%

Zapdos

ElectricFlying SOFT CHECK

36.261

48.7% dies 8.30%

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%

Cloyster

WaterIce SOFT CHECK

45.115

1.8% dies 1.98%

Skarmory

SteelFlying SOFT CHECK

36.912

1.8% dies 2.17%

Ranked #3 with 57.06% usage. Sorted by reliability score.