Dynamax Zapdos appears in Pokémon GO. How can you defeat Zapdos? We will show you in the guide to the Dynamax boss.
When will Dynamax Zapdos be available? Dynamax Zapdos will first appear on January 27, 2025, during Dyna Monday. It will run from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and it will appear at pretty much all energy sources.
After that, you will have another week to encounter Dynamax Zapdos at different energy sources before it is replaced by Lavados on February 3.
However, keep in mind: Zapdos is a legendary Dynamax boss and will therefore not be easy to defeat. While it may not be as difficult as against Gigadynamax bosses, you should still prepare well for the battle. We will show you 4 tips on how to do that.
1. Use the best counters against Dynamax Zapdos
What weaknesses does Zapdos have? Zapdos has the types Electric and Flying. This gives it a double weakness to Rock and Ice type attacks. You should avoid Ground type attacks. Read more about it in the type chart for Pokémon GO.
Which Pokémon against Dynamax Zapdos? So far, there are no Dynamax Pokémon in Pokémon GO that have a Rock-type attack. Therefore, Ice-type attacks are your best choice. However, you run the risk of having your Pokémon quickly defeated if you have Electric weaknesses. This applies to Articuno or Lapras, for example. It is best to swap these out to avoid damage.
Your options in the Ice category are:
- Gigadynamax Lapras with a Dyna Ice attack
- Dynamax Articuno with a Dyna Ice attack
- Dynamax Frigometri with a Dyna Ice attack
Otherwise, focus on Pokémon like:
- Dynamax or Gigadynamax Riffex
- Gengar, as Dynamax or Gigadynamax
Pokémon to defend against Zapdos: You can bring a total of three Pokémon into battle. Also bring Pokémon that can take damage until your Dynamax gauge is nearly full, and then swap in your attackers to utilize their Dynamax form.
Suitable defenders are:
- Riffex (Dynamax or Gigadynamax)
- Dynamax Stalobor
- Dynamax Bisaflor
- Dynamax Metagross
2. Swap your Pokémon and don’t just attack
As a 5-star boss, Zapdos has some power. Therefore, as mentioned above, you should ensure that you use your team to the best of its ability.
So use your defenders to fill the Dyna gauge so that your attackers don’t take too much damage and can hopefully make use of multiple Dynamax phases. You want to hit Zapdos as often as possible with very effective attacks.
Once the Dyna phase is over, switch back to the defender.
Important: Depending on the size of your group, you should ensure that trainers also work to obtain shields or recharge your Pokémon’s hit points through corresponding Dyna attacks. Don’t just all attack. Divide into roles and make sure you fill these strategically.
3. Don’t fight alone, use friends
While there are videos of trainers defeating Dyna Zapdos solo, this will not be the norm. The 5-star Dynamax boss is hard to defeat if you don’t have the absolute top counters at maximum level.
Therefore, try to collaborate with multiple trainers. Defeating Zapdos in pairs is possible, and it becomes easier if there are more of you. A Dyna battle accommodates a total of four people – and ideally, you should fill all spots.
4. Strengthen Dyna attacks and Pokémon
Some trainers do not pay attention to the level of their Dynamax Pokémon. However, just like in normal raids, your Pokémon perform better in Dyna battles the higher their level is.
The same applies to the Dyna attacks of your Pokémon. You can also upgrade the Dyna attacks in Pokémon GO to deal more damage.
Important: Ensure that your Pokémon also have Dyna attacks of the correct type. A Lapras is of no use to you if it attacks with Water attacks. With a Fast TM, you can change your Pokémon’s attacks. The type of your Pokémon’s Fast attack determines which Dyna attack it has.
With good preparation, you should be able to defeat Dynamax Zapdos and add it to your collection. You have one week before Dynamax Lavados takes advantage of the first Dyna Monday in February to make its debut. And if you want to know what else is happening next month: Here are all events in Pokémon GO in February 2025.
