Is Zapdos viable in Gen 2 OU?

Zapdos is ranked #3 in Gen 2 OU with 59.05% usage according to Smogon Jul 2026 - Sep 2026 data.

What beats Zapdos in Gen 2 OU?

Raikou has the strongest conservative score in this observed Jul 2026 - Sep 2026 sample. The target was knocked out or switched out in 93.6% of 34.56363301197926 relevant encounters. Standard error is 4.2 points. Sets and switch conditions can change the result.

How are Zapdos matchup checks ranked in Gen 2 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 2 OU · Smogon source period Jul 2026 - Sep 2026

#0145 Zapdos

ElectricFlying

USAGE 59.1% #3

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

Hidden Power Ice 73.2% Thunder 62.5% Rest 62.3% Sleep Talk 60.4% Thunderbolt 38.3% Whirlwind 36.0% Hidden Power Water 22.4% Thunder Wave 14.5%

Items

Leftovers 98.6% Magnet 0.9% Miracle Berry 0.4% Scope Lens 0.0% Mint Berry 0.0% King's Rock 0.0% Sharp Beak 0.0%

Abilities

No Ability100.0%

Common Teammates

Browse Gen 2 OU teams using Zapdos →

Explore Zapdos + Raikou teams 77 score Explore Zapdos + Snorlax teams 58 score Explore Zapdos + Zapdos teams 6 score Explore Zapdos + Cloyster teams -9 score Explore Zapdos + Skarmory teams -13 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 + Snorlax 99.8% 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

Raikou

Electric OFFENSIVE CHECK View matchup

34.564

77.0

93.6% Standard error 4.15 points

Snorlax

Normal DEFENSIVE CHECK View matchup

106.918

57.9

74.7% Standard error 4.20 points

Zapdos

ElectricFlying SOFT CHECK View matchup

22.824

6.3

48.1% Standard error 10.46 points

Cloyster

WaterIce SOFT CHECK View matchup

24.717

-9.2

2.0% Standard error 2.80 points

Skarmory

SteelFlying SOFT CHECK View matchup

25.383

-12.8

5.9% Standard error 4.67 points

Ranked #3 with 59.05% usage. Sorted by conservative score.