Zapdos Duo Raid Guide

Mega Diancie is the single strongest DPS option among Mega Evolutions, and it also boosts what is arguably the most valuable counter-type into Zapdos. It doesn't have much by way of strengths, but it still manage to do a fantastic job.

• Strengths: Drill Peck
• Weaknesses: None

Tyranitar is the premier TDO Mega Evolution. This thing lasts a very long time, and can genuinely put out great numbers while active. This also means that it can spread around its Rock Type boost for a very long time, potentially helping the team's raw power for an extended period.

• Strengths: Drill Peck
• Weaknesses: None

Mega Aerodactyl can't hold a candle to Mega Diancie and Mega Tyranitar, but it's still a solid second-tier option if you lack one of the top options.

• Strengths: Drill Peck
• Weaknesses: Charge Beam, Zap Cannon, Thunder, Thunderbolt, Ancient Power

In general, Mega Abomasnow tends to be the top Ice Type Mega counter for this raid, as its Grass sub-typing gives it a resistance to Electric Type moves that tends to outweigh Mega Glalie's small DPS advantage. However, its performance also drops substantially against Drill Peck in particular, so it's not always the best Ice Type Mega for the job

• Strengths: Charge Beam, Zap Cannon, Thunder, Thunderbolt
• Weaknesses: Drill Peck

Mega Glalie can generally out-DPS Mega Abomasnow, but the TDO loss is noticeable.

• Strengths: None
• Weaknesses: Ancient Power

With top-tier TDO and outstanding DPS, Rhyperior boasts the strongest overall performance among any Pokemon in this raid. It also has the advantage of resisting Zapdos' entire moveset, meaning there's no scenario where it's not the optimal choice. 

• Strengths: Charge Beam (2x), Zap Cannon (2x), Thunder (2x), Thunderbolt (2x), Ancient Power, Drill Peck
• Weaknesses: None

Shadow Ramparados won't last as long as Shadow Rhyperior, and to make up for that fact its damage goes thermonuclear. Nothing can match Shadow Ramparados on the DPS scale, making it hands-down one of the top picks here.

• Strengths: Drill Peck
• Weaknesses: None

With a double-resistance to Electric Type moves and a great DPS total, Shadow Mamoswine is definitely one of the overall best counters for this raid. If you're using low-DPS options on the whole, even a single Shadow Mamoswine on your team can really help to make the difference in this raid.

• Strengths: Charge Beam (2x), Zap Cannon (2x), Thunder (2x), Thunderbolt (2x) 
• Weaknesses: None

Shadow Weavile hits very hard and racks up damage very quickly, but it's also pretty frail and can't keep pace with Shadow Mamoswine by any metric. It's a great Pokemon, but definitely not the best.

• Strengths: None
• Weaknesses: Ancient Power

The truest of Rock Types, Shadow Gigalith has great performance here thanks to Meteor Beam, and put in great performance all-in-all.

• Strengths: Drill Peck
• Weaknesses: None

While it's not as fast as Rampardos, Shadow Tyranitar is still fairly comparable to its speedy compatriot, but substantially bulkier. 

• Strengths: Drill Peck
• Weaknesses:  None

If you're aiming for Rock Type counters, then Rampardos is a great pick. This thing hits very hard. That said, it doesn't last a super long time on the field due to its relatively low bulk and lack of resistances beyond Drill Peck

• Strengths: None
• Weaknesses: Drill Peck

Not as strong as its Shadow Forme, but still very much a great counter for this raid for the same reasons.

• Strengths: Charge Beam (2x), Zap Cannon (2x), Thunder (2x), Thunderbolt (2x)
• Weaknesses: None

Rhyperior isn't quite on a par with its Shadow variant, but it's still very great in its own right!

• Strengths: Charge Beam (2x), Zap Cannon (2x), Thunder (2x), Thunderbolt (2x), Ancient Power, Drill Peck
• Weaknesses: None

Easily overlooked when compared to the Rock Types above, Tyrantrum actually has a lot of power behind it thanks to Meteor Beam, and a resistance to Electric Type attacks thanks to its Dragon sub-typing. It's hard to go wrong with adding Tyrantrum to the team.

• Strengths: Charge Beam, Zap Cannon, Thunder, Thunderbolt, Drill Peck
• Weaknesses: None

Baxcalibur doesn't pack the double-resistance to Electric Type moves that Mamoswine does, but it's still able to put out great numbers, and has its own single-resistance to Electric Type moves thanks to its Dragon typing.

• Strengths: Charge Beam, Zap Cannon, Thunder, Thunderbolt
• Weaknesses: Ancient Power

The universal counter strikes again! Utilizing Ice Beam, Shadow Mewtwo has a very solid showing in this raid that allows it to act as a solid yet somewhat frail counter.

• Strengths: None
• Weaknesses: None

The old tanky meme, Meteor Beam puts Shadow Aggron into the good section of counters. while its typing doesn't do it any real favors in this raid outside of Drill Peck, its high base bulk allows it to stick around for a good long time. That said, it's still a worse Rhyperior.

• Strengths: Ancient Power, Drill Peck (2x)
• Weaknesses: None

Terrakion is more well known nowadays for its Fighting Type moveset, but it's easy to forget that it's been a genuinely good Rock Type since its release. It takes neutral damage from everything that Zapdos can throw at it, so it's good regardless of situation.

• Strengths: Ancient Power
• Weaknesses: None

One of the old-school Rock Types, Tyranitar can still drop a lot of damage and put up an overall great fight in this raid.

• Strengths: Drill Peck
• Weaknesses: None

Yup, even vanilla Mewtwo works here.

• Strengths: None
• Weaknesses: None

The shadow version of Zapdos' original supreme counter, Shadow Golem holds up the legacy that its basic forme set in 2017.

• Strengths: Charge Beam (2x), Zap Cannon (2x), Thunder (2x), Thunderbolt (2x), Ancient Power, Drill Peck
• Weaknesses: None

One of the true-vanilla Rock Types, Gigalith is yet another mediocre Pokemon pushed into new viability thanks to Meteor Beam.

• Strengths: Drill Peck
• Weaknesses: None

Glaciate is strong enough to allow Kyurem to rank pretty well in this raid despite not having an Ice Type Fast Move.... please, Niantic, give Kyurem an Ice Type Fast Move.

• Strengths: Charge Beam, Zap Cannon, Thunder, Thunderbolt
• Weaknesses: Ancient Power 

While not a Rock Type, Landorus - Incarnate still has solid performance with its Rock Type moveset.

• Strengths: Charge Beam, Zap Cannon, Thunder, Thunderbolt
• Weaknesses: None

While pretty glassy, this afro-abominable-snowman sports great DPS that can help get ahead of the clock.

• Strengths: None
• Weaknesses: Ancient Power

Glassy, but good.

• Strengths: None
• Weaknesses: Ancient Power

Hard hitting, but quickly fried by Zapdos' Electric Type moves.

• Strengths: Ancient Power, Drill Peck
• Weaknesses: Charge Beam, Zap Cannon, Thunder, Thunderbolt

An interesting option with solid DPS, but its weakness to Electric Type attacks makes it pretty vulnerable in this raid.

• Strengths: Drill Peck
• Weaknesses: Charge Beam, Zap Cannon, Thunder, Thunderbolt

The one true budget option for this raid. Doesn't last long, but works well given its low relative cost.

• Strengths: None
• Weaknesses: None

While situationally a solid choice (if you have the right Hidden Power type), Shadow Porygon Z is... a bit underwhelming in general.

• Strengths: None
• Weaknesses: None

• Strengths: None
• Weaknesses: Ancient Power

Not very hard-hitting, but great for staying in the raid.

• Strengths: Charge Beam (3x), Zap Cannon (3x), Thunder (3x), Thunderbolt (3x), Ancient Power
• Weaknesses: 

The old-timer itself, Golem is still around.

• Strengths: Charge Beam (2x), Zap Cannon (2x), Thunder (2x), Thunderbolt (2x), Ancient Power, Drill Peck
• Weaknesses: