TL;DR
- Zapdos appears September 25-October 2 with Raid Hour on September 30 providing the best capture opportunities
- Rock-type Pokémon with Ground dual-typing like Rhyperior and Golem provide optimal resistance and super-effective damage
- Ice-types like Mamoswine and Kyurem offer strong alternatives but require careful positioning
- Avoid Water, Flying, Grass, Bug, and Fighting types due to double weakness vulnerabilities
- Team coordination and proper move timing significantly increase success rates in challenging raids
The legendary electric bird makes its triumphant return to five-star raids during a limited engagement from September 25 through October 2. This comprehensive guide provides battle-tested strategies to ensure your victory against this formidable opponent.
Zapdos
Pokémon GO continues its tradition of bringing back iconic legendary creatures for limited-time appearances. Zapdos, one of the original legendary trio from Kanto’s first generation, reappears in five-star raid battles with this October 2 deadline marking your final opportunity to capture this powerful electric avian. While Zapdos has appeared multiple times since its debut, trainers seeking to complete their Pokédex or strengthen their battle teams will find these strategic insights invaluable for securing victory.
Zapdos raids commence on September 25 at 1 PM Pacific Time (4 PM Eastern Time), remaining available until the same time on October 2. Raid battles operate on dynamic schedules rather than fixed timetables, but the game’s notification system alerts players when raids activate at nearby gyms, ensuring ample opportunities to encounter this legendary bird.
Your optimal capture window occurs during the weekly Raid Hour event on Wednesday, September 30. Between 6-7 PM local time that evening, the majority of gyms will host Zapdos raids, dramatically increasing your chances of finding and challenging this legendary Pokémon. Advanced trainers recommend coordinating with local raid groups during this period for maximum efficiency.
As an Electric/Flying dual-type Pokémon, Zapdos demonstrates specific vulnerability to only two elemental categories: Rock and Ice-type attacks. Understanding these type interactions forms the foundation of successful raid strategy.
Rock-type Pokémon that incorporate Ground as a secondary typing, particularly Rhyperior and Golem, deliver exceptional performance against Zapdos. These dual-types resist Zapdos’s powerful Electric attacks while simultaneously dealing super-effective damage with their Rock-type moves. Alolan Golem represents another strategic choice, combining Rock and Electric typings to resist both of Zapdos’s attack types while maintaining offensive pressure.
Mamoswine stands as the premier Ice-type counter due to its Ground secondary typing providing additional defensive utility. However, numerous alternative ice specialists prove viable in this matchup. The legendary Kyurem resists Electric attacks while delivering super-effective ice damage, while Glaceon and Weavile serve as capable ice attackers despite lacking defensive resistances against Zapdos’s movepool.
For trainers building their counter teams, prioritize Pokémon with high attack stats and Rock-type fast moves like Smack Down combined with Rock-type charged moves such as Rock Slide or Stone Edge. These combinations maximize damage output while minimizing exposure to Zapdos’s devastating attacks.
Zapdos’s Electric-type attacks deal double damage against Water and Flying Pokémon, while its Flying-type moves devastate Grass, Bug, and Fighting types. Strategic team composition requires avoiding these vulnerable Pokémon categories entirely.
Common raid mistakes include using Pokémon based on personal preference rather than type effectiveness, failing to dodge charged attacks, and inadequate team coordination. Advanced trainers recommend practicing dodge timing with similar raid bosses to master the rhythm of Zapdos’s attack patterns.
Team composition should include 4-6 optimal counters with proper move sets, ensuring continuous damage output even as Pokémon faint. Having a pre-selected battle team saves crucial seconds when joining raid lobbies with limited time.
For optimal performance, coordinate with 4-7 trainers of appropriate levels. Lower-level groups may require additional participants, while optimized teams of high-level trainers can potentially trio the raid with proper execution.
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Action Checklist
- Assemble optimal counter team with Rock/Ground or Ice types 24 hours before raid
- Coordinate with local raid group via Discord or Facebook for September 30 Raid Hour
- Practice dodge timing with similar raid bosses to master attack patterns
- Stock up on Golden Razz Berries and Premier Balls for capture phase
- Position yourself near multiple gyms during Raid Hour for maximum attempts
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