Pokemon TCG Pocket (PTCGP)

Best Zapdos Decks and Card List

Pokemon TCG Pocket (PTCGP) Walkthrough Team

Last updated on: November 6, 2025 09:35 PM

★ Mega Rising (B1) introduces the Mega Evolutions!
☆ New Decks: Mega Blaziken ex | Mega Gyarados ex
Mega Altaria ex | Mega Absol ex | Greninja ex
★ Events: Wonder Pick | Anniversary Celebration
☆ Trading Board: A4b and B1 Available for Trading!

Pokemon TGC Pocket - Zapdos Best Deck Build and How to Play

This guide will show you how to build some of the strongest Zapdos Decks. We'll cover the best Zapdos Deck builds, how to use them, as well how to beat Zapdos Decks, and more!

The decks on this page reflect the meta around the Shining Revelry Expansion.

List of Contents

Best Zapdos Decks
Zapdos Deck Strategy Guide
How to Beat Zapdos Decks
Related Guides

Best Zapdos Decks

Zapdos Deck Variants	Strengths and Weaknesses
Zapdos and 18 Trainers Deck [★ Best ★]	Strengths: • Has access to all the best Trainer cards. • Only gives up one point when KOd. • Can deal a solid 100 damage but will deal 30 damage to your Benched Pokemon. Weaknesses: • Weak to Lightning-type decks. • Can't attack until turn 3. • Outclassed by its ex counterpart.

Zapdos and 18 Trainers Deck

Zapdos ×2	Giovanni ×1	Sabrina ×2	Cyrus ×1
Mars ×1	Iono ×2	Pokemon Center Lady ×2	Red ×1
Potion ×2	X Speed ×2	Poke Ball ×2	Professor's Research ×2
Energy Used

Zapdos serves as the primary attacker of the deck, being its sole option for Pokemon. The Trainer Cards in the deck function as either support to Zapdos or as a disruption to the opponent.

Expansions	Cards to Get and Packs to Open
Genetic Apex (A1)	Zapdos x 2 (Pikachu Pack) Giovanni x 1 (Mewtwo Pack) Sabrina x 2 (Charizard Pack)
Mythical Island (A1a)	No cards needed from this expansion.
Spacetime Smackdown (A2)	Cyrus x 1 (Palkia Pack) Mars x 1 (Palkia Pack)
Triumphant Light (A2a)	No cards needed from this expansion.
Shining Revelry (A2b)	Iono x 2 (Shiny Charizard Pack) Pokemon Center Lady x 2 (Shiny Charizard Pack) Red x 1 (Shiny Charizard Pack)
Celestial Guardians	No cards needed from this expansion.
Extradimensional Crisis	No cards needed from this expansion.
Eevee Grove	No cards needed from this expansion.
Wisdom of Sky and Sea	No cards needed from this expansion.
Secluded Springs	No cards needed from this expansion.
Mega Rising	No cards needed from this expansion.
Promo-A	Potion x 2 (Promo-A Pack) X Speed x 2 (Promo-A Pack) Poke Ball x 2 (Promo-A Pack) Professor's Research x 2 (Promo-A Pack)

Zapdos Deck Strategy Guide

Limit the Opponent's Evolution and Support Options

While Zapdos is being set up, you can disrupt the opponent by changing the cards in their hand. These Trainer Cards can be used to limit their evolution and healing.

Have Healing Cards Ready

It is ideal to keep Zapdos healthy while it is unable to attack yet. Potion and Pokemon Center Lady can help it stay outside KO range.

HP Recovery and Healing Cards List

Have an Empty Bench

Raging Thunder damages one of your Benched Pokemon. It is good to keep your Bench empty unless the Zapdos in your Active Spot is about to be knocked out.

How to Beat Zapdos Decks

Fast and Consistent Lightning Decks

Lightning-type decks that do not require much setup can be effective in dealing with Zapdos. In addition to the type advantage, they can also attack quickly for consistent damage.

Best Lightning Type Deck and Cards Tier List

Energy Denial

Zapdos has a steep Attack Cost, so you may prevent it from attacking by removing its Energy. Beedrill ex can remove one Energy per turn while attacking. You can also opt to use Team Rocket Grunt, as lucky flips can allow you to remove all of Zapdos's Energy at once.

Pokemon TCG Pocket Related Guides

Decks

Best Meta Decks Tier List

Mega Rising Decks

Top Decks in the Meta

Tier
Mega Altaria ex and Chingling Deck	Greninja ex and Suicune ex Deck	Mega Absol ex and Hydreigon Deck	-
Tier
Mega Blaziken ex and Heatmor Deck	Pom-Pom Oricorio and Magnezone Deck	Decidueye ex Deck	-
Tier
Mega Absol ex and Pom-Pom Oricorio Deck	Mega Absol ex and Weezing Deck	Hydreigon Deck	Espeon ex and Indeedee ex Deck
Tier
Mega Blaziken ex and Entei ex Deck	Mega Gyarados ex and Milotic Deck	Indeedee ex and Giratina ex Deck	Luxray Deck
Pom-Pom Oricorio and Greninja Deck	Giratina ex and Darkrai ex Deck	Guzzlord ex and Naganadel Deck	-
Tier
Mega Pinsir ex and Leafeon ex Deck	Mega Ampharos ex and Raikou ex Deck	Hitmonchan ex and Lucario Deck	Jolteon ex and Jolteon Deck
Tapu Koko ex and Pom-Pom Oricorio Deck	SR Pikachu ex and Pom-Pom Oricorio Deck	Crobat and Arceus ex Deck	Goodra and Indeedee ex Deck
Tier
Rapidash ex and Ninetales Deck	Tauros ex and Hydreigon Deck	Whimsicott ex and Meowscarada Deck	Dragalge ex and Nihilego Deck
Golurk Deck	Aegislash and Togedemaru Deck	Mega Pidgeot ex and Raikou ex Deck	-

List of All Decks

Core Expansion	Decks
(B1)	・Aegislash ・Dragalge ex ・Greninja ex ・Golurk ・Goodra ・Hitmonchan ex ・Hydreigon ・Indeedee ex ・Jolteon ex ・Luxray ・Mega Absol ex ・Mega Altaria ex ・Mega Ampharos ex ・Mega Blaziken ex ・Mega Gyarados ex ・Mega Pidgeot ex ・Mega Pinsir ex ・Melmetal ex ・Rapidash ex ・Tauros ex ・Whimsicott ex
(A4a)	・Altaria ・Celebi ・Dugtrio ・Entei ex ・Galarian Cursola ・Jumpluff ex ・Latios ・Miltank ・Poliwrath ex ・Raikou ex ・Slowking ・SS Eelektross ・Suicune ex ・Zoroark
(A4)	・Crobat ex ・Donphan ex ・Espeon ex ・Ho-oh ex ・Kingdra ex ・Lanturn ex ・Lugia ex ・Magcargo ・Raikou ・Scizor ・Shuckle ex ・Skarmory ex ・Steelix ・Umbreon ex ・WSS Gyarados ・WSS Tyranitar ・Xatu
(A3b)	・Alcremie ・Dragonite ex ・Espeon ・Flareon ex ・Glaceon ・Jolteon ・Leafeon ・Primarina ex ・Slurpuff ・Snorlax ex ・Sylveon ex ・Umbreon ・Vaporeon
(A3a)	・Alolan Dugtrio ex ・Blacephalon ・Buzzwole ex ・Guzzlord ex ・Lycanroc ex ・Naganadel ・Nihilego ・Pheromosa ・Shiinotic ・Silvally ・Stoutland ・Tapu Koko ex ・Ultra Necrozma ex
(A3)	・Alolan Muk ex ・Alolan Ninetales ・Alolan Raichu ex ・Araquanid ・Banette ・Crabominable ex ・Decidueye ex ・Dhelmise ex ・Incineroar ex ・Kommo-o ・Lunala ex ・Mimikyu ・Passimian ex ・Pom-Pom Oricorio ・Rayquaza ex ・Solgaleo ex ・Tsareena ・Turtonator ・Vikavolt ・Wishiwashi ex
(A2b)	・Beedrill ex ・Bibarel ex ・Dondozo ・Gholdengo ・Giratina ex ・Lucario ex ・Meowscarada ・Paldean Clodsire ex ・Pawmot ・SR Charizard ex ・SR Pikachu ex ・Tinkaton ex ・Wugtrio ex
(A2a)	・Abomasnow ・Arceus ex ・Bronzong ・Carnivine ・Crobat ・Donphan ・Garchomp ex ・Gengar ・Glaceon ex ・Heatran ・Houndoom ・Leafeon ex ・Origin Forme Palkia ・Probopass ex ・Snorlax ・Staraptor ・TL Tyranitar
(A2)	・Bastiodon ・Darkrai ex ・Dialga ex ・Empoleon ・Gallade ex ・Garchomp ・Infernape ex ・Lickilicky ex ・Lucario ・Luxray ・Magnezone ・Mesprit ・Mismagius ex ・Pachirisu ex ・Palkia ex ・Porygon-Z ・Rampardos ・Rhyperior ・Togekiss ・Torterra ・Weavile ex ・Yanmega ex
(A1a)	・Aerodactyl ex ・Celebi ex ・Golem ・Gyarados ex ・Mew ex ・Pidgeot ex ・Scolipede
(A1)	・Aerodactyl ・Alakazam ・Arbok ・Arcanine ex ・Articuno ・Articuno ex ・Blastoise ・Blastoise ex ・Centiskorch ・Charizard ・Dragonite ・Exeggutor ex ・Frosmoth ・GA Charizard ex ・GA Gyarados ・GA Pikachu ex ・Gengar ex ・Greninja ・Kabutops ・Kingler ・Lapras ex ・Machamp ex ・Marowak ex ・Melmetal ・Mewtwo ex ・Moltres ex ・Ninetales ・Omastar ・Pidgeot ・Poliwrath ・Primeape ・Raichu ・Starmie ex ・Venusaur ・Venusaur ex ・Weezing ・Wigglytuff ex ・Zapdos ・Zapdos ex

Best Rental Deck Tier List

Deck-Building Guides and Lists

Lists of Decks by Type
Best F2P Beginner Decks	Best Non-ex Decks
Which ex Starter Deck Should You Get?	List of Rental Decks
Best 18 Trainers Decks	Best Trainerless Decks for Solo Battle Missions
List of Meme or Troll Decks	List of Ultra Beast Decks
Best Eeveelution Decks	Best Baby Pokemon Decks
Deck-Building Guides
Deck Building Guide	How Rental Decks Work
Staple Cards for Decks	-
Deck Analyses
Deck Matchup Statistics	10 Match Tests vs Pikachu ex Deck - Statistics

Comment

Anonymous about 1 year

do these decks just have old amber to take hits while setting up ?

Post (1 Comments)

Author

Pokemon TCG Pocket (PTCGP) Walkthrough Team

This article was created by Game8's elite team of writers and gamers.

Leave feedback(Login required)

Pokemon TCG Pocket (PTCGP) Strategies & Guides Wiki
Decks
Best Zapdos Decks and Card List

Please participate in our site
improvement survey
12/2025

Would you assist in
improving Game8's site?

This survey will take about 1 minute.
Your answers will help us to improve our website.

We are listening to our users' valuable opinions and discussing how to act on them.

The information collected through this survey will be used for the purpose of improving our services. In addition, the information will only be disclosed a part of a statistic in a format that will not allow identification of personal information.

Begin Survey

Not Now

Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Advertisements.

Amount of Ads

Very Dissatisfied

Somewhat Dissatisfied

Fine

Somewhat Satisfied

Highly Satisfied

Placement of Ads

Timing of Ad Display

Ad Loading Speed

Safeness of Ads

Content of Ads

Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Quality of Articles.

Amount of information

Very Dissatisfied

Somewhat Dissatisfied

Fine

Somewhat Satisfied

Highly Satisfied

Frequency of updates

Speed of new information

Accuracy of articles

Understandibility of articles

Readability of sentences

Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Usability of the Site.

Ease of finding information

Very Dissatisfied

Somewhat Dissatisfied

Fine

Somewhat Satisfied

Highly Satisfied

Loading Speed

Use of Color

Font Size

Visibility of Images

Easy to Understand Layout

Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Message Boards, Comments.

Ease of Writing

Very Dissatisfied

Somewhat Dissatisfied

Fine

Somewhat Satisfied

Highly Satisfied

Readability

Ease in Finding Information

Comment Quality

Comment Quantity

Admin Response

Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Site's new design.

Please rate our site's new design

Very Dissatisfied

Somewhat Dissatisfied

Fine

Somewhat Satisfied

Highly Satisfied

Do you think that the website's design change makes the site easier to use?

Has the new design made it easier for you to find information on the site?

Has the new design improved the overall visual appeal of the site?

How would you rate your overall satisfaction with the new design of the site?

How likely are you to recommend Game8 to someone you know?

Very Unlikely

Very Likely

If you have other opinions regarding potential improvement to the website, please share them with us. We would appreciate your honest opinion.

Note: This is a free response section, so you can proceed without entering anything.
Note: Please be sure not to enter any kind of personal information into your response.

Thank You

Thank you for participating in our survey! Your answers will help us to improve the quality of our website and services.
We hope you continue to make use of Game8.

For other opinions or comments, go here.

Rankings

Gaming News

Pokémon Legends Z-A Exclusive Café Donuts Hint At Two Leg...

Popular Games

Recommended Games

© 2024 Pokémon. ©1995–2024 Nintendo / Creatures Inc. / GAME FREAK inc.
© 2024 DeNA Co., Ltd.
Pokémon is a registered trademark of Nintendo, Creatures, and GAME FREAK.

The copyrights of videos of games used in our content and other intellectual property rights belong to the provider of the game.
The contents we provide on this site were created personally by members of the Game8 editorial department.
We refuse the right to reuse or repost content taken without our permission such as data or images to other sites.

Pokemon TCG Pocket (PTCGP) Strategies & Guides Wiki

Quick Access

Mega Altaria ex	Indeedee ex	Greninja ex	Mega Blaziken ex
Mega Absol ex	Mega Gyarados ex	Hydreigon	Jolteon ex
Mega Ampharos ex	Melmetal ex	Luxray	Goodra
Mega Pinsir ex	Hitmonchan ex	Dragalge ex	Whimsicott ex
Rapidash ex	Tauros ex	Golurk	Mega Pidgeot ex

Best Zapdos Decks and Card List

Best Zapdos Decks

Zapdos and 18 Trainers Deck

Zapdos Deck Strategy Guide

Limit the Opponent's Evolution and Support Options

Have Healing Cards Ready

Have an Empty Bench

How to Beat Zapdos Decks

Fast and Consistent Lightning Decks

Energy Denial

Pokemon TCG Pocket Related Guides

Mega Rising Decks

Top Decks in the Meta

List of All Decks

Deck-Building Guides and Lists

Comment

Author

Rankings

Gaming News

Popular Games

Recommended Games

All rights reserved

Decks

Mega Rising Decks

Secluded Springs Decks

Wisdom of Sea and Sky Decks

Eevee Grove Decks

Extradimensional Crisis Decks

Celestial Guardians Decks

Shining Revelry Decks

Triumphant Light Decks

Space-Time Smackdown Decks

Mythical Island Decks

Genetic Apex Decks

Lists of Decks

Deck-Building Guides

Deck Analyses

News

Patch Notes and Maintenance

Gifts

Bugs and Error Codes

Events

Wonder Picks

Drop Events

Mass Outbreaks

Emblem Events

Special Events

Trading

Tier Lists

Tier Lists By Type

Cards

Cards By Expansion Sets

Cards By Type

Cards by Rarity

Cards by Evolution Stage

Cards by Classification

Trainer Cards

Cards by Generation

Misc. Card Lists

Tips and Tricks

Battle System

Solo Battles

Ranked Battles

Missions

Flairs

Items

Tournaments

Achievements

Illustrators

Message Boards

Japanese Pokemon TCG Pocket Wiki

Other Pokemon Wikis