Galarian Zapdos Movesets & Competitive Sets

Close Combat hits Dark-, Normal-, and Steel-types that give Flying teams trouble, such as Tyranitar, Porygon2, and Celesteela. Brave Bird hits Fighting-resistant foes such as Toxapex, Amoonguss, and Galarian Zapdos for good damage. Both of these moves can be very hard to switch into, as even physically defensive walls like Hippowdon, Clefable, and Skarmory get 2HKOed. Blaze Kick is mainly used to hit Aegislash, which otherwise completely walls Galarian Zapdos. Stomping Tantrum can be used as a more powerful alternative to hit both Aegislash and Heatran super effectively, but it risks being Choice-locked against Skarmory and Celesteela. U-turn lets Galarian Zapdos pivot against checks such as Slowbro and Galarian Corsola and bring in a teammate to deal with them. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Galarian Zapdos to outspeed threats like Hydreigon, Kyurem, Mimikyu, and Tapu Lele. Landorus-T is an invaluable teammate, as it switches into Electric-type attacks from foes like Zeraora and Tapu Koko, provides Stealth Rock, Knock Off, and U-turn support, and can revenge kill foes like Dragapult and Spectrier with Choice Scarf. Stealth Rock is especially useful to wear down foes and give Galarian Zapdos opportunities to gain Defiant boosts because of Defog. In return, Galarian Zapdos can pressure walls that give Landorus-T trouble such as Celesteela, Galarian Weezing, and Swampert, as well as Defoggers like Corviknight and Mandibuzz thanks to Defiant. Celesteela or Corviknight can be used to provide a switch-in against Psychic-, Ice-, and Fairy-type attacks from foes like Latias, Kyurem, and Alolan Ninetales. Skarmory can also be used as an excellent physically defensive wall, shutting down threatening physical attackers such as Weavile, Mamoswine, and Urshifu-R more easily. In addition, it provides Spikes support, making Galarian Zapdos more difficult to switch into. Mantine provides a useful Water immunity, handling threats that can overpower Galarian Zapdos like Barraskewda and Kingdra. Thundurus-T is also a useful way to deal with Water teams, as it can defeat the entirety of it with Thunderbolt + Grass Knot while being hard to stop after a Nasty Plot and Agility boost. Galarian Moltres is a great tool against Psychic, Ghost, and Poison teams, notably dealing with answers to Galarian Zapdos such as Slowbro, Galarian Corsola, and Galarian Weezing. Tornadus-T is a great offensive pivot that can bring in Galarian Zapdos safely with U-turn while helping against types like Psychic and Ghost thanks to Knock Off.

Brave Bird acts as Galarian Zapdos's main STAB move, dealing massive damage to any Pokemon not resisting it, OHKOing Pokemon such as Amoonguss, Buzzwole, and Choice Specs Tapu Lele and 2HKOing Pokemon like Clefable and Toxapex after Stealth Rock damage. STAB Close Combat complements Brave Bird nicely, helping it hit Rock- and Steel-type Pokemon like Celesteela, Jirachi, and Tyranitar. Thunderous Kick can be used over Close Combat to avoid Defense drops and deal with physical walls like Klefki and Mandibuzz a bit better. U-turn helps Galarian Zapdos pivot out of tough matchups or pick off weakened Pokemon while maintaining momentum alongside Pokemon like Volt Switch Cobalion and Flip Turn Keldeo. Blaze Kick acts as coverage to hit Pokemon like Aegislash and Zapdos better. Defiant is a great ability that allows it to punish Intimidate and Defog users such as Landorus-T and Galarian Weezing, respectively. Maximum Speed investment along with a Jolly nature helps Galarian Zapdos outspeed threats such as Choice Specs Tapu Lele, non-Choice Scarf Urshifu-R, and Mimikyu, while maximum Attack investment along with Choice Band makes it a fearsome wallbreaker. Galarian Zapdos does a great job at weakening teams for cleaners such as Buzzwole and Terrakion. It should avoid directly switching into walls, as they could inflict status conditions that greatly harm its wallbreaking potential, or into most attacks, which can hurt its longevity when combined with Brave Bird recoil. Fighting teams appreciate its ability to switch into Fighting- and Ground-type attacks like Close Combat and Earthquake from Choice Scarf Buzzwole and Excadrill, respectively. Cobalion acts as a great partner for Galarian Zapdos with its ability to switch into Fairy- and Ice-type attacks, provide Stealth Rock support, and provide Thunder Wave support so it can outspeed threats like Dragapult, Latios, and Tornadus-T. It can also bring Galarian Zapdos in with Volt Switch, and, in return, it appreciates Galarian Zapdos switching into Fighting- and Ground-type attacks. Keldeo can help Galarian Zapdos in dealing with physical walls like Hippowdon and Skarmory a bit better, and it appreciates Galarian Zapdos's ability to deal with special walls such as Blissey and Slowking. Choice Scarf Terrakion can clean through teams weakened by Galarian Zapdos and also helps in dealing with Flying-types such as Zapdos and Tornadus-T, which would otherwise trouble Galarian Zapdos, or weakening shared checks with a Swords Dance set. Choice Scarf Buzzwole can clean through teams weakened by Galarian Zapdos thanks to Beast Boost while also having Earthquake and Leech Life to beat Electric- and Psychic-types like Zeraora and Choice Specs Latios. Hawlucha can be used alongside Galarian Zapdos for dual Flying-type STAB move spam.

Brave Bird and Close Combat are Galarian Zapdos's main STAB moves due to their high Base Power and ability to threaten several of the top Pokemon in the tier, like Rillaboom, Kyurem-B, and Urshifu-R. Brave Bird is the preferable attack to lock into, as it's the least exploitable of the two. Blaze Kick allows Galarian Zapdos to OHKO Genesect, while Low Sweep lets it provide immediate speed control for its teammates, thanks to Generation 8's dynamic speed mechanics. U-turn keeps momentum by taking advantage of Galaran Zapdos's switch-ins and can be used to pivot out of unfavorable situations. Choice Scarf allows Galarian Zapdos to immediately outspeed the vast majority of the metagame, even other users of Choice Scarf like Genesect, while the EV spread maximizes its offensive prowess. Defiant allows Galarian Zapdos to punish Intimidate and other methods of dropping stats, such as Icy Wind from Kyurem-B.

Galarian Zapdos is a niche wallbreaker that fits on offensive teams, utilizing its solid offensive typing and ability to take advantage of Pokemon such as Landorus-T and discourage Corviknight and Gliscor from using Defog. Furthermore, its solid Speed tier and decent defensive presence allow it to act as a soft check to the likes of Scarf Kartana and Serperior, which can threaten the offensive teams Galarian Zapdos fits on, and also get the jump on threats such as Victini, Tapu Lele, and Urshifu-R. However, Galarian Zapdos's STAB combination has its flaws, being completely walled by its Kantonian counterpart, as well as not being hard to pivot around for sturdier defensive cores. Furthermore, it also faces competition as a Fighting-type from Mega Medicham and Mega Lopunny, which boast significantly stronger offenses and a much better Speed tier, respectively. Brave Bird is Galarian Zapdos's most spammable move, cleanly 2HKOing the likes of Toxapex and Slowbro, while also taking advantage of the tier's lack of sturdy Flying-resistant checks. Close Combat threatens common Flying-resistant Pokemon such as Corviknight, Heatran, and Rotom-W, outright KOing them or putting them in range of Brave Bird. U-turn pivots out of unfavorable situations, especially against defensive cores that are tougher for it to break, but it also has to be wary of contact effects. Thunderous Kick is a decent middle ground option that lets it break through the aforementioned Flying-resistant checks without the defense drops from Close Combat, trading away the immediate damage. Galarian Zapdos fits on offensive teams that appreciate it forcing damage on Pokemon like Corviknight and Toxapex, allowing teammates like Kartana, Tapu Lele, and Weavile to blow past them. Due to Defiant deterring Defog, Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Greninja also fit extremely well with it, as they can set Spikes relatively unpunished. Rock-types like Mega Tyranitar and Mega Diancie are stellar partners due to their ability to threaten out Zapdos, and the former especially is able to Pursuit trap it, potentially wearing it down enough for Galarian Zapdos to break through it. Mega Diancie on the other hand can form a potent entry hazard stack core by reflecting opposing hazards, while setting its own Stealth Rock. Ground-types such as Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Garchomp can help out against Electric-types trying to revenge kill Galarian Zapdos, while simultaneously wearing down Zapdos and Corviknight for it, allowing Galarian Zapdos to more freely use Brave Bird. Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Rotom-W also work well with Galarian Zapdos, as it takes advantage of Ground- and Grass-types for them. Lastly, Steel-types such as Melmetal and Mega Scizor comfortably deal with both Weavile and Fairy-types such as Tapu Lele and Mega Diancie, which pressure Galarian Zapdos offensively.

Boasting two high-Base Power STAB moves with excellent coverage and a damage amplification ability, Galarian Zadpos is arguably the most powerful physical wallbreaker AAA has to offer. Tough Claws enables Galarian Zapdos to 2HKO defensive staples like Dauntless Shield Mew and Intimidate Corviknight after minor chip damage using Brave Bird and Close Combat, respectively. In addition, it can chip its switch-ins with U-turn when a KO isn't an option. With Throat Chop, Galarian Zapdos is even able to 2HKO would-be counters like Doublade and Runerigus. Thunderous Kick is an alternative to Throat Chop with built-in wallbreaking power due to the Defense drops, and it also avoids the recoil and self-inflicted negative stat stage changes from Brave Bird and Close Combat. Stomping Tantrum is also an option to OHKO Tapu Koko and still provide coverage against Doublade. While Tough Claws is the preferred ability, Adaptability is an option on Thunderous Kick sets for a slightly higher damage boost. Galarian Zapdos thrives on offensive teams that can get it in reliably. Pixilate Tapu Koko is particularly noteworthy as a partner, as it can pivot Galarian Zapdos into Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Heatran, which are its most common entry points. Knock Off and entry hazard support from the likes of Ferrothorn and Heatran chip targets into range for Galarian Zapdos. It also appreciates fast pivots like Barraskewda and Choice Scarf Regenerator Mew, since they can bring it in to wallbreak while providing revenge killing services. Zapdos threatens to OHKO its Galarian counterpart, so teammates that can switch into it such as Power Construct Zygarde-10% and RegenVest Jirachi make good partners. Galarian Zapdos often wears itself down over the course of a battle, so Healing Wish support from Jirachi and Latias can serve as a surprise factor to bring it back to full power. In addition to this, bulky teammates like Mandibuzz and Tapu Fini offer entry hazard removal and are able to switch into revenge killers for Galarian Zapdos.

Thanks to its good defensive typing and physical bulk, Galarian Zapdos is a good check to common physical attackers and a solid revenge killer. With Choice Scarf equipped, it can switch into threats like Choice Band Zygarde-10%, Zarude, and Terrakion, threaten them with its STAB moves, while remaining healthy thanks to Regenerator. It can also revenge kill special attackers such as Inteleon and Latios, but it is not able to switch into them. U-turn allows Galarian Zapdos to pivot out on foes it forces out and activate Regenerator. Brave Bird and Close Combat are its main STAB moves and threaten foes like Zarude, Terrakion, and Heatran. In the last moveslot, Stomping Tantrum is an option to revenge kill Tapu Koko if it is weakened, while Counter can be used to punish physical attackers, particularly Barraskewda's Flip Turn. 148 Speed EVs, along with Choice Scarf, allows Galarian Zapdos to outspeed Barraskewda, while the EVs in HP and Defense, in conjunction with an Impish nature, guarantee that it is never OHKOed by Terrakion's Stone Edge after Stealth Rock. The remaining EVs are invested in Attack in order to maximize its damage, in particular against Barraskewda. Scarf Regenerator Galarian Zapdos fits best on bulky offense teams that appreciate having a revenge killer that is also an offensive check to Terrakion and Zarude. Partners that are forced out by Zarude and Terrakion such as Tapu Koko, Ferrothorn, and Heatran, appreciate Galarian Zapdos checking them. Due to Galarian Zapdos's relatively low offensive power, many bulky Pokemon such as Tapu Fini and Corviknight can freely switch into it; as such, partners that can take advantage of them such as Tapu Koko and Tapu Lele are appreciated. Strong answers to Zapdos, Azelf, Tapu Koko, and Tapu Lele, are mandatory as they can threaten Galarian Zapdos with their powerful STAB moves, so teammates like Jirachi, Bulletproof Ferrothorn, and Blissey are recommended. Galarian Zapdos can't reliably check several physical attackers such as Talonflame and opposing Galarian Zapdos, so secondary checks to those, such as Toxapex and Dauntless Shield Mew, are appreciated.

Thanks to its great Attack and powerful STAB moves, Galarian Zapdos is a powerful wallbreaker in AAA. Magic Guard avoids every form of chip damage, including Stealth Rock, Rocky Helmet, Toxic, Life Orb, and Brave Bird recoil, allowing it to fire off powerful attacks with low risk. Brave Bird is a strong Flying-type STAB move that has good neutral coverage and 2HKOes common defensive staples such as Tapu Fini, Swampert, and Mandibuzz. Thunderous Kick works particularly well in conjunction with Brave Bird, hitting Steel-types such as Heatran and Corviknight that resist Brave Bird; it also drops the foe's Defense, easing predictions, and lets Galarian Zapdos KO physically defensive Tapu Fini after Stealth Rock by following up Thunderous Kick with Brave Bird. Thunderous Kick is also good at wearing down Dauntless Shield users that can't reliably threaten Galarian Zapdos such as Hippowdon and Skarmory lacking Brave Bird. U-turn allows Galarian Zapdos to keep momentum even against its checks such as Zapdos and Dauntless Shield Mew, while chipping them a bit. It also severely damages Mew after a Defense drop, forcing it to recover health. Taunt is a neat option to shut down Pokemon such as Corviknight and Mew that would try to heal or burn Galarian Zapdos with Will-O-Wisp, allowing it to wear them down through the course of a game; however, Taunt is risky because the opponent might use Brave Bird or Ice Beam instead. Close Combat is another option to pass through Flash Fire Corviknight easily, as well as OHKOing some threats such as Ferrothorn or physically defensive Heatran that Thunderous Kick doesn't KO. Jolly nature is usually preferred to at worst tie with max Speed Kantonian Zapdos, allowing Galarian Zapdos to Taunt it or kill it if it's weakened, but an Adamant nature can be used to maximize damage while still outspeeding defensive Zapdos. Galarian Zapdos fits best on balance teams that can bring it in several times in order to wallbreak efficiently. It likes partners like Barraskewda, Zygarde-10%, and Lucario that share checks with it in order to overwhelm them, especially in conjunction with Taunt. Entry hazard support from Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Heatran is greatly appreciated in order to wear down Galarian Zapdos's checks. Pokemon that can take advantage of Zapdos and Mew such as Desolate Land Heatran, Inteleon, and Tapu Lele are also good teammates. Galarian Zapdos appreciates strong answers to Pokemon that threaten it out such as Tapu Lele, Talonflame, and Azelf, so partners like Jirachi and Flash Fire Corviknight are good teammates. It also requires a check to Zapdos, which is its most consistent check, so specially defensive Pokemon like Blissey or RegenVest Swampert are mandatory. Lastly, fast revenge killers such as Tapu Koko and Azelf are appreciated to alleviate Galarian Zapdos's middling Speed.

With Counter and Focus Sash, Galarian Zapdos can surprise common problematic Max Airstream users such as Cinderace and Landorus-T with a KO. Close Combat is an easy choice with its high power, but Thunderous Kick benefits hit and run tactics more. Since Galarian Zapdos is using Focus Sash, Dual Wingbeat is the best choice for a Flying-type STAB. U-turn allows Galarian Zapdos to pivot out of unfavorable match-ups, but Taunt is useful for shutting down Stealth Rock set up from more passive Pokemon. Bulk Up can give Galarian Zapdos the Attack boost it needs to pull off a surprise late-game sweep.

Galarian Zapdos has a good enough Speed tier and offenses to make a decent Choice Attacker. It also has access to U-turn, which is useful for pivoting. Close Combat is the obvious choice for a strong Fighting-type STAB, but Thunderous Kick's guaranteed Defense drop can come in handy if Galarian Zapdos must switch out. Brave Bird is the prefered choice for a Flying-type STAB, but Dual Wingbeat is a reasonable option to hit through Focus Sash and Mimikyu's disguise. Blaze Kick is Galarian Zapdos's strongest option against Celesteela while Dynamaxed. Items Choice Scarf lets Galarian Zapdos outspeed several key threats, such as Pheromosa and Dragapult. Choice Band makes Galarian Zapdos harder to switch in to, most notably 2HKOing defensive Tapu Fini with Brave Bird.

Galarian Zapdos has the tools to be a decent Max Airstream sweeper, though its poor match-up against other Max Airstream sweepers limits its potential. Close Combat is Galarian Zapdos's most powerful STAB. Thunderous Kick's Defense drop does play better to hit and run tactics, however. Brave Bird is the obvious choice for a strong Max Airstream, but Dual Wingbeat can be useful for busting through Urshifu-R's Focus Sash after a boost, and dealing damage through Mimikyu's Disguise. Bulk Up is Galarian Zapdos's only means to set up outside of Dynamax, and can be key to helping it survive unfavorable physical match-ups with the Defense boost. Blaze Kick is Galarian Zapdos's strongest attack against Celesteela if Dynamaxed. Taunt punishes passive Pokemon like Hippowdon, Swampert, and Ferrothorn. U-turn can make Galarian Zapdos a decent pivot. Items Weakness Policy works well with Dynamax, especially considering how many weaknesses Galarian Zapdos has. Life Orb is a good alternative that doesn't put as much pressure on Dynamaxing. Lum Berry protects Galarian Zapdos from status, making it more difficult to stop while Dynamaxed.