Pokemon GO: Legendary Pokemon Zapdos Is Live, Here's How To Beat Him!

The schedule for Niantic's Pokemon GO Legendary Raid Battle bosses brought to us the first 2 of 3 birds – now its Zapdos turn. Both Articuno and Moltres have had their day in the sun – or week in the sun, however you see it. Now, starting this afternoon (for some) or morning (for others), the next raid boss switch will occur. The first day of the 3rd Legendary Raid Boss is today!

Wait, you might be saying, isn't there a fourth bird? And a fifth? What's this giant white and purple bird I've been fighting? Lugia, as it's called is the Trio Boss, the leader of the first three Legendary Bird Pokemon. As Niantic seems to have decided, Lugia will be around for the duration of this other three-bird tenure.

The switch-up today may have a bit of crossover overlap for some users – a lucky time when several birds will be out at once. During that time, it may end up showing Moltres, Lugia, and Zapdos all at once. At that time, you'll want to choose the one that's disappearing first, Moltres, before you move on to the zap-happy bird that comes last.

• Articuno (Team Mystic) Saturday, July 22 to Monday, July 31.• Moltres (Team Valor) Monday, July 31 to Monday, August 7.• Zapdos (Team Instinct) Monday, August 7 to Monday, August 14.Zapdos Artwork above: made by Johanna Tarkela. Zapdos Artwork below: made by Sketching Sands from Tumblr. Artworks aplenty beyond the shared images lie.

OF NOTE is the fact that Zapdos is the most difficult to beat of the first three elemental-based Pokemon Legendary Raid Bosses. Articuno wasn't the easiest – but Moltres certainly was. There were cases of Moltres getting beat by 2 trainers – that's silliness.

As such, we've compiled a list of Pokemon that are best suited for the battle against Zapdos. Remember that these Pokemon are only "the best" so long as they have the move sets that correspond with Zapdos' various weaknesses. Also be sure to pay attention to Zapdos' strengths – they're difficult to avoid!

ICYMI: Predicted! Pokemon GO Unown Event [now half-off!]Best Pokemon to Beat Zapdos in Pokemon GO:

1. Golem Rock Throw/Stone Edge (ROCK)*

2. Jynx (glass cannon) (ICE)

3. Tyranitar Bite/Stone Edge

4. Dragonite (lasts long, big (1x) damage

5. Rhydon Rock Smash/Stone Edge

6. Piloswine (ICE)

7. Omastar (ROCK)

8. Articuno (ICE)

*ON GOLEM: Do not use a Golem with GROUND attacks – they will all turn up "Not Very Effective". Most Pokemon that are able to use Stone Edge are extra-effective against Zapdos.

Zapdos is an Electric Type Pokemon as well as a Flying Type Pokemon. The moves Zapdos can potentially have are Electric. That's Thunder Shock and Charge Beam for fast attacks, and Zap Cannon, Thunderbolt, and Thunder.

Electric Type Pokemon like Zapdos are extra strong (defensively) against Flying, Steel, Bug, Fighting, and Grass type Pokemon. Zapdos is weak (defensively) against Ice and Rock type Pokemon.

Zapdos is not particularly strong (attacking) against Ground, Grass, Electric, or Dragon Type Pokemon. Zapdos is extra-strong (attacking) against Flying and Water type Pokemon. So do NOT use Gyarados, as she'll get crushed at the same time as dishing out very little damage.