Pokemon Indigo Disk: How to Get Zapdos in Scarlet & Violet

Zapdos brings us back to the very beginning of the game. Here’s how to find Moltres in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: The Indigo Disk.

Pokemon Indigo Disk: How to Get Zapdos in Scarlet & Violet

To get Zapdos to appear in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, you’ll need to complete the Indigo Disk storyline.

Once you’ve got that done, speak to Snacksworth, who will appear at the Blueberry Academy Entrance. Snacksworth will give you Legendary Treats depending on how many BBQs you’ve completed, with a new Legendary Treat being available for every 10 completed BBQs. Each treat you receive will be linked to a Legendary Pokemon, who will then appear in Paldea.

To get Zapdos’ Legendary Treat, I needed to complete 110 BBQs.

Once Snacksworth has given you a Legendary Treat, he’ll give you a hint about where that Legendary Pokemon will be. For Zapdos, the hint is that Snacksworth encountered it while on top of a lighthouse near a city.

That’s pretty vague! And there are plenty of lighthouses. Fortunately, that’s where this guide comes in.

We actually need to head to the very start of the game! Go to Poco Path Lighthouse, where you met Nemona so long ago. Then, climb up the ladder to reach the platform. Behind the lighthouse will be Zapdos, levitating and waiting for your arrival.

How polite!

How to Beat Zapdos in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Zapdos is a Flying- and Electric-Type Pokemon, and you’ll encounter it at level 70. Ice and Rock are the only attacks that are super effective against it. And it’s completely resistant to Ground-Type attacks.

Moltres’ moves are:

• Detect
• Magnetic Flux
• Thunder
• Zap Cannon

Zapdos has a lot of Electric moves. This means that you could have a very low-level Ground Pokemon in your first slot and take no damage. And that’s what I recommend! Tenderize that Electric Bird until it’s in the red, then have a Ground Pokemon babysit it until it succumbs to your endless rain of Ultra Balls.

 I do find that the Legendary Birds are particularly annoying to catch. Not because they’re strong, but because they refuse to get in their Pokeballs. For Zapdos, I used 50 Ultra Balls before it Struggled itself to death. Heavy Balls might be more recommended.

How to Catch All Three Original Legendary Birds in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Moltres and Articuno are in Paldea too, so make sure to check out our guides on catching them to obtain all three Legendary Birds in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet!