Is Zapdos viable in Gen 8 National Dex?

Zapdos is ranked #6 in Gen 8 National Dex with 17.65% usage according to Smogon Feb 2026 - Apr 2026 data.

What beats Zapdos in Gen 8 National Dex?

The best counter for Zapdos in Gen 8 National Dex is Hippowdon with a 82.2% win rate when they meet. Based on Smogon's Feb 2026 - Apr 2026 usage data, the top Pokémon that beat Zapdos include Hippowdon, Chansey, Tapu Koko, Zapdos, Ferrothorn.

What is the best counter for Zapdos in Gen 8 National Dex?

Hippowdon is the best counter for Zapdos in Gen 8 National Dex, KOing or forcing it out in 82.2% of their encounters.

Zapdos counters

Gen 8 National Dex · Sorted by reliability score · Smogon · Feb 2026 - Apr 2026

#0145 Zapdos

ElectricFlying

USAGE 17.7% #6

ABILITYStatic

BASE STATS

HP 90

ATK 90

DEF 85

SPA 125

SPD 90

SPE 100

BST580

TYPE MATCHUPS

2×

IceRock

½×

GrassFightingFlyingBugSteel

0×

Ground

Moves

Roost 93.3% Volt Switch 63.2% Hurricane 58.2% Defog 40.8% Heat Wave 40.4% Hidden Power Ice 28.9% Weather Ball 22.5% Thunder 18.2%

Items

Heavy-Duty Boots 83.5% Flyinium Z 8.5% Rocky Helmet 3.5% Leftovers 1.9% Choice Specs 1.1% Metronome 0.6% Life Orb 0.4% Choice Scarf 0.2%

Abilities

Static93.5%Pressure6.5%

Common Teammates

Landorus-Therian23.6%

Toxapex20.9%

Kartana20.0%

Checks & Counters

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

# Checker Encounters Reliability KO Rate

Hippowdon

Ground DEFENSIVE COUNTER

22.649

82.2% dies 8.04%

DAMAGE CALCSand

252+ SpA Zapdos Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Hippowdon: 169-201 (40.2 - 47.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

View Hippowdon counters → Teams with Hippowdon →

Chansey

Normal DEFENSIVE COUNTER

83.921

64.6% dies 8.77%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ SpA Zapdos Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Chansey: 90-106 (12.7 - 15%) -- possible 7HKO

View Chansey counters → Teams with Chansey →

Tapu Koko

ElectricFairy OFFENSIVE CHECK

56.237

59.6% dies 6.54%

DAMAGE CALCElectric Terrain

252+ SpA Choice Specs Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Zapdos in Electric Terrain: 195-231 (50.7 - 60.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

View Tapu Koko counters → Teams with Tapu Koko →

Zapdos

ElectricFlying SOFT CHECK

35.411

43.4% dies 8.33%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ SpA Zapdos Thunder vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Zapdos: 148-175 (38.5 - 45.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

View Zapdos counters → Teams with Zapdos →

Ferrothorn

GrassSteel SOFT CHECK

24.721

42.0% dies 9.93%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Ferrothorn Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Zapdos: 107-126 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

View Ferrothorn counters → Teams with Ferrothorn →

Kartana

GrassSteel SOFT CHECK

28.85

41.0% dies 9.16%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Kartana Giga Impact vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Zapdos: 265-312 (69 - 81.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

View Kartana counters → Teams with Kartana →

Rillaboom

Grass SOFT CHECK

22.967

36.9% dies 10.07%

DAMAGE CALCGrassy Terrain

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Zapdos in Grassy Terrain: 233-275 (60.6 - 71.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

View Rillaboom counters → Teams with Rillaboom →

Gliscor

GroundFlying SOFT CHECK

21.332

35.3% dies 10.35%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Gliscor Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Zapdos: 107-127 (27.8 - 33%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

View Gliscor counters → Teams with Gliscor →

Tapu Fini

WaterFairy SOFT CHECK

27.733

24.9% dies 8.21%

DAMAGE CALCMisty Terrain

Tapu Fini Nature's Madness vs. 252 HP Zapdos: 192-192 (50 - 50%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

View Tapu Fini counters → Teams with Tapu Fini →

Landorus-Therian

GroundFlying SOFT CHECK

120.108

16.0% dies 5.57%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Zapdos: 298-352 (77.6 - 91.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

View Landorus-Therian counters → Teams with Landorus-Therian →

Ranked #6 with 17.65% usage. Sorted by reliability score.