Is Zapdos viable in Gen 8 National Dex?

Zapdos is ranked #4 in Gen 8 National Dex with 22.11% usage according to Smogon Apr 2026 - Jun 2026 data.

What beats Zapdos in Gen 8 National Dex?

The best counter for Zapdos in Gen 8 National Dex is Chansey with a 71.3% win rate when they meet. Based on Smogon's Apr 2026 - Jun 2026 usage data, the top Pokémon that beat Zapdos include Chansey, Tapu Koko, Zapdos, Ferrothorn, Kartana.

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

Chansey is the best counter for Zapdos in Gen 8 National Dex, KOing or forcing it out in 71.3% of their encounters.

Zapdos counters

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

#0145 Zapdos

ElectricFlying

USAGE 22.1% #4

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 84.6% Hurricane 58.0% Volt Switch 57.6% Defog 47.3% Heat Wave 46.3% Hidden Power Ice 33.8% Thunder 23.3% Weather Ball 22.0%

Items

Heavy-Duty Boots 91.6% Flyinium Z 3.1% Leftovers 1.5% Choice Specs 1.0% Rocky Helmet 0.8% Throat Spray 0.5% Metronome 0.4% Life Orb 0.4%

Abilities

Static97.6%Pressure2.4%

Common Teammates

Urshifu-Rapid-Strike23.2%

Toxapex19.1%

Tapu Lele17.6%

Landorus-Therian16.8%

Browse Gen 8 National Dex teams using Zapdos →

Teams using Chansey 71% Teams using Tapu Koko 60% Teams using Zapdos 43% Teams using Ferrothorn 42% Teams using Kartana 41%

Checks & Counters

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

# Checker Encounters Reliability KO Rate

Chansey

Normal DEFENSIVE COUNTER

35.305

71.3% dies 7.61%

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

33.373

34.6% dies 8.23%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Gliscor Ice Fang vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Zapdos: 146-172 (38 - 44.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

View Gliscor counters → Teams with Gliscor →

Tapu Fini

WaterFairy SOFT CHECK

27.733

24.9% dies 8.21%

DAMAGE CALCMisty Terrain

252+ SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Zapdos: 106-126 (27.6 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

View Tapu Fini counters → Teams with Tapu Fini →

Landorus-Therian

GroundFlying SOFT CHECK

83.353

23.5% dies 6.45%

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 #4 with 22.11% usage. Sorted by reliability score.