Pokemon of the day - #8: Charizard

I need to stop being lazy.

I will talk today about Charizard, the most overrated Pokemon the world has ever seen (bar maybe Pikachu). Analysis requested by thexwalkthrough1.


Look at the derpy sprite.

Charizard was absolutely terrible in Gen 4 because of the introduction of Stealth Rock, because it made its trademark set (BellyZard) useless. However, in gen 5 Charizard finds a new niche as the premier Sunny Day attacker in NU. Boasting a good 109 Special Attack and 100 Speed, Charizard could have already worked in sunlight, no? Well, then GameFreak finally took pity on its forgotten child and granted it Solar Power. With Solar Power Charizard's Special Attack gets boosted to a level where it rivals the one of Deoxys-A in sunlight.

However, Stealth Rock is still there and is what made Charizard more of a liability. Charizard also has to watch out for Rock-types that can set them up(especially Golem, who can take a SolarBeam thanks to Sturdy and OHKO Charizard).

Its stats clearly suggest that Charizard is a special attacker, though I will show you a decent physical set.

HP: 78
Atk: 84
Def: 78
Sp. Atk: 109
Sp. Def: 85
Speed: 100

#1: Best sets

#1.1 Sunny Day Attacker

Charizard @ Heat Rock / Leftovers
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Nature: Timid
Ability: Solar Power

- Sunny Day
- Fire Blast
- SolarBeam
- Roost

 This Charizard is the best you can use in NU. Sunny Day boosts Charizard's Fire Blast to absurd levels, to the point where it can even 2HKO Alomomola(68.1% - 80.3%) and deal severe damage to Regirock in sunshine. SolarBeam 2HKOes Regirock and a lot of Rock-types that can otherwise take on Charizard, while Roost is absolutely necessary to maintain Charizard's survability.
The set’s last 4 EVs go into Defense for an odd HP number, and a second switch-in to Stealth Rock at full health. Leftovers is a good item choice, as it mitigates the recoil from Solar Power. Now, please do not use Life Orb on this Charizard. If anything, Flame Plate is often superior to Life Orb, thanks to its lack of recoil—especially as Fire Blast would be the primary move in most situations. Heat Rock is another option to keep the sunny weather.


 #1.2 Choice

Charizard @ Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Nature: Timid / Modest
Ability: Solar Power / Blaze

- Fire Blast
- Air Slash
- Dragon Pulse / Focus Blast
- Hidden Power Grass

 Does Charizard not deliver enough pure destruction? Choice Specs Charizard crushes villages by simply spamming STAB Fire Blast at the opposing team. In sun and with Solar Power, Charizard can OHKO specially defensive Lickylicky. The rest of the moves are practically filler. They are only useful when Fire Blast's PP is gone or when the sun is not out. Dragon Pulse can 2HKO some dragons like Altaria and Dragonair(the latter in sun), while Focus Blast takes care of pesky Rock-types. Finally, Hidden Power Grass is preffered over SolarBeam, because it hits the aforementioned Rock-types reliably outside of sun.
Choice Scarf can always go over Choice Specs if you want Charizard to be a revenge killer.

#2. Viable sets

#2.1 Swords Dance

Charizard @ Flying Gem
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Blaze

- Swords Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Acrobatics
- Earthquake

Charizard can also use its lower offensive stat to great effect. While 84 Attack may suggest otherwise, Swords Dance can increase it to usable levels, allowing it to plow through teams with its mighty Flying Gem-boosted Acrobatics. Flare Blitz is also powerful and can KO a wide range of threats that do not resist it. Finally, Earthquake can take care of things like Golem, though the latter would still probably win against Charizard unless it switches directly on the fiery dragon.


#3. Other options

1. Dragon Dance - it can be used alongside an Adamant nature instead of Swords Dance, but it really isn't worth it, especially with Charizard's already high speed.
2. BellyZard - its trademark set can be used with a Salac Berry, but Stealth Rock prevents that from working effectively.
3. Quick Attack - just a priority move.
4. Charizard can use other Hidden Power types, such as Ice or Electric, but it is generally not worth it
5. Overheat can be used if you have Rapid Spin support.

Counters

The most efficient way of countering Charizard is keeping Stealth Rock up. Every time Charizard switches in it will lose half of its HP, which means that any decently powered STAB move should be able to bring Charizard down.

Regirock can take Charizard's STAB moves with ease, especially with a specially defensive spread, and will always OHKO Charizard with Rock Slide or Stone Edge. However, Rock-types take heavy damage from Hidden Power Grass and Focus Blast. Flareon, though rare, laughs at Fire Blast and Air Slash and can defeat Charizard through a combination of Toxic, Wish and Protect. . Mantine has massive Special Defense, a resistance to Fire and neutrality to Grass-type attacks, courtesy of its Flying typing. It can switch into almost anything Charizard can throw at it and proceed to wash it away with its STAB Water-type moves.
Finally, Choice Scarf users such as Rotom-S will often tear Charizard apart.