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Zapdos

Generations / #29/83

Zapdos

Printed language: English · Pokémon

Set (printed edition)
Generations
Rarity (source)
Ultra Rare
Illustrator
Ryo Ueda
Source reference
g1-29

CARDEX BACKGROUND

The Pokémon’s story

Zapdos lives in thunderclouds, where lightning crosses the sky. It is said to grow stronger when a bolt strikes it, as though the storm were feeding the bird that controls it. Its nest is believed to be hidden in dark cloud masses, beyond ordinary sight. When it appears, its own lightning accompanies its flight. The Pokédex thus places it at the heart of the storm, rather than above a mere backdrop.

Background on the species in the video games; its forms and card versions may have appeared later.

A detail worth noticing

An old account claims that the friction of Zapdos’s feathers is enough to make lightning strike. Pokémon Shield therefore does not limit its power to deliberately fired bolts: the simple movement of its plumage becomes a danger sign when the Legendary Pokémon springs into action.

Sources for this background

Card details

HP
120
Type (source)
Lightning
Stage (source)
Basic
Pokédex number
145
Retreat cost
2 Energy
Weakness (source)
Lightning ×2
Resistance (source)
Fighting -20

Printed card text — English

Quoted source text is retained in the card’s printed language so this exact printing can be identified. The CarDex background above is translated into English.

Description from the source

A legendary Pokémon that is said to live in thunderclouds. It freely controls lightning bolts.

Attacks

Drill Peck

Cost: Lightning

Damage: 20

Raging Thunder

Cost: Lightning · Lightning · Colorless

Damage: 120

This attack does 40 damage to 1 of your Benched Pokémon. (Don't apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)

Documented variants

Versions reported by the source; identification for sales still needs verification.

  • Normal
  • normal · standard

View the TCGdex source ↗

Price history

No verified price observations are available for this printing. History will begin once reference matching has been validated; no past prices have been reconstructed.

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