Pokemon GO Shadow Zapdos raid guide: Weaknesses, best counters, and more

Pokemon GO trainers can encounter Shadow Zapdos currently in December 2023 during Season of Timeless Travels. The Electric-type Legendary Bird has been appearing in raids on Saturdays and Sundays, similar to the Shadow Articuno raids during the season of Hidden Gems.

Shadow Zapdos is a Tier 5 Raid Boss and has a combat power (CP) of 46,418. It also has a very high Attack stat of 253, so you can expect the critter to hit very hard. To take it down, you should be aware of its weaknesses and have a team of high-level counters.

It is also recommended that you have at least 4 players with highly optimized counters or 7-8 players with moderate counters to successfully defeat Shadow Zapdos in Pokemon GO.

Don't forget to use Purified Gems to calm down the creature and reduce its excessive powers. Players who defeat the raid will also have a chance to capture shiny Shadow Zapdos after the battle.

---

Shadow Zapdos weaknesses in Pokemon GO

Zapdos is an Electric and Flying type Pokemon. Due to this typing, the legendary bird is only weak towards Ice and Rock-type attacks. Alongside that, its dual-type nature makes it resistant to Grass, Bug, Ground, Flying, Fighting, and Steel-type moves.

Zapdos is generally a frail Pocket Monster, and being in the shadow form brings it down even further. As such, taking bulky Pokemon that can withstand the incoming damage will make the Shadow Zapdos Raid relatively easy.

---

Shadow Zapdos Pokemon GO best counters

Zapdos in the anime (Image via The Pokemon Company)

The best counters to Shadow Zapdos are Shadow Rhyperior and Shadow Mamoswine. Having the part-Ground typing makes the critters double resist most of Shadow Zapdos' STAB-boosted attacks. These critters can also hit back very hard with their own STAB attacks.

The recommended movesets for Shadow Rhyperior and Shadow Mamoswine are:

• Shadow Rhyperior: Smackdown and Rock Wrecker
• Shadow Mamoswine: Powder Snow and Avalanche

Other counters to Shadow Zapdos, along with their ideal moves for the raid, are:

• Shadow or regular Tyranitar: Smack Down and Stone Edge
• Shadow or regular Weavile: Ice Shard and Avalanche
• Shadow or regular Mewtwo: Psycho Cut and Ice Beam
• Shadow or regular Aggron: Smack Down and Meteor Beam
• Shadow or regular Articuno: Frost Breath and Blizzard

Your team should also consist of a Mega-Evolved Pokemon. If possible, communicate with your team so that you can cycle your Mega Evolution to maximize the effect of the ally boosts it provides.

Best Mega Evolutions and their movesets for Shadow Zapdos raids in Pokemon GO are:

• Mega Tyranitar: Smack Down and Stone Edge
• Mega Glalie: Frost Breath and Avalanche
• Mega Aerodactyl: Rock Throw and Rock Slide
• Mega Abomasnow: Powder Snow and Blizzard

---

Shadow Zapdos raid dates in Pokemon GO for September 2023

Shadow Zapdos raids will be available on the following days in September:

• September 30, 2023
• October 6, 2023

Following the norm, the raids usually start in the morning at around 8 am local time and go on till the evening at around 8 pm local time. Please note that you can only use your daily Raid Pass and Premium Battle Passes for Shadow raids.

---

While you battle this Legendary Bird, check out our other Pokemon GO guides on current Raid Bosses and more:

Zekrom raid counters || Best tips and tricks for Catch Mastery Ice || Giovanni counters || Best Ultra League Team || December 2023 content roadmap || December 2023 Raid schedule