Charizard
[OVERVIEW]
- Has two Mega Evolutions with very different capabilities, giving Charizard the element of surprise before Mega Evolving
- Both mega forms have amazing abilities: Drought allows Mega Charizard Y to nuke opponents under the sun and Tough Claws boosts Mega Charizard X's main offensive options in Outrage and Flare Blitz
- Both of them have mediocre speed, making them slightly slower than Garchomp, which usually carry something that can OHKO Charizard
- Struggles greatly against Stealth Rocks, especially the non-mega form and Mega Charizard Y, which loses half of its health upon switching in
- The change of typing of Mega Charizard X and the sunny weather of Mega Charizard Y makes it difficult for the opponent to go for a super-effective hit before mega evolving, as only Rock-type attacks hit both forms for super effective damage.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Flame Charge
move 3: Outrage
move 4: Flare Blitz / Dragon Claw / Earthquake
item: Charizardite X
ability: Blaze
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Flame Charge increases MCX's speed while dishing out damage
- Swords Dance is used when MCX has the opportunity to set up + outspeeds everything else on the opponents' team
- Outrage is the most consistent damage source, allowing MCX to hit as hard as LO Garchomp
- The last move is filler for coverage or extra power.
- Flare blitz gives MCX powerful dual STAB, Dragon Claw is as an alternative to Outrage for more flexibility at the cost of power, Earthquake hits stuff that resists both of MCX's STAB, such as Heatran and Azumarill
Set Details
========
- Adamant 252 Attack to maximize MCX's offensive presence
- Rest in Def for bulk. Not HP because otherwise it will give even HP (for Stealth Rocks)
- Charizardite X so that you don't evolve into MCY by accident
- Tough Claws boosts the power of Flame Charge, Outrage, and Flare Blitz by 30%
- Some speed and attack investment can be transferred to HP to give MCX greater survivability
Usage Tips
========
- Preferably sent out on a fresh switch instead of into an attack to avoid taking unneeded damage, and against a Pokemon that cannot do much to MCX or fears MCY like Steel, Bug, Electric, and Grass types
- Flame Charge if your opponent doesn't look like he'll do too much damage or not have a status move (especially paralysis or sleep). The opponent will most likely switch as you get a free speed boost
- Swords Dance if MCX already outspeeds everything left on your opponents' team and you have the opportunity to do so
- Once MCX sets up SD and FC, it's pretty much unstoppable with Outrage and the filler move
- Don't stay in against Garchomp after one speed boost if you're not sure whether it's scarfed
Team Options
========
-
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Flare Blitz
move 4: Earthquake / Dragon Claw / Roost
item: Charizardite X
ability: Blaze
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Dragon Dance gives MCX a boost in speed and attack, allowing it to outspeed the majority of Pokemon and hit extremely hard
- Outrage and Flare Blitz are the two powerful STAB moves at MCX's disposal
- Earthquake to hit stuff the two STAB doesn't too well, Dragon Claw for more flexible Dragon type move but you won't have extra coverage
- Roost gives MCX more opportunities to set up Dragon Dance, especially against opponents that are unable to deal more than 50% damage. Essential if you want to beat Suicune with this set
Set Details
========
Same as the Swords Dance set
Usage Tips
========
- It's key to find the right opportunity to set up a Dragon Dance. Don't use it if the opponent has Thunder Wave (especially Thundurus in the back), or something that deals heavy damage to MCX, as it will have difficulty sweeping with Flare Blitz recoil and being locked into Outrage
- Sometimes you don't need to Dragon Dance at all, such as when the opponent's team is already slower than you and all you need to do is deal enough damage to where another member of your team can clean up
- Some Pokemon require multiple boosts to get past in one hit, such as Porygon2, Suicune, Cresselia, and Hippowdon. Don't try to force your stay in against most of them, as they can usually beat you. Sets with Roost can beat some of them, like Suicune (other QC members: do we consider sheer cold, or nah?)
Team Options
========
Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Will-o-Wisp
move 2: Roost
move 3: Dragon Claw
move 4: Earthquake / Flame Charge
item: Charizardite X
ability: Blaze
nature: Impish
evs: 172 HP / 132 Def / 204 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Will-o-Wisp and Roost are the crux of this set, allowing MCX to wall physical attackers and widdle them down
- Dragon claw is the most reliable STAB move that puts out consistent damage even without investment thanks to Tough Claws
- Flame Charge increases your speed and allows you to burn more things before they attack you, like Garchomp and Scarf Excadrill. Earthquake hits fire types since they cannot be burned, especially Heatran which resists dragon as well
Set Details
========
- HP at 16n-1, speed to outspeed base 80s, rest in def
- Impish to buff physical bulk
- EVs are interchangeable to give more bulk or firepower at the cost of speed. Examples to come
Usage Tips
========
- Mega Evolve as soon as you can to get better defensive typing and stats. It's not bad to lead with it but don't force your stay if the opponent leads with something like Garchomp
- Burn physical attackers with will-o-wisp, then widdle them down while roosting
- Burning special attackers isn't as effective, but super effective special attacks are rare, such as Hydreigon, Latis, Nidos
Team Options
========
Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Drought Attacker
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Solarbeam
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Air Slash / Overheat / HP Ice
item: Charizardite Y
ability: Blaze
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Describe what the moves on the set do.
Set Details
========
Describe the other aspects of the set such as what the EVs do and nature/item.
Usage Tips
========
Describe how to use the Pokemon in question.
Team Options
========
Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
List some options for the Pokemon user that are plausible but not always recommended due to either being not consistent enough or too outclassed by other Pokemon in the metagame.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Insert Threat Here**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
[OVERVIEW]
- Has two Mega Evolutions with very different capabilities, giving Charizard the element of surprise before Mega Evolving
- Both mega forms have amazing abilities: Drought allows Mega Charizard Y to nuke opponents under the sun and Tough Claws boosts Mega Charizard X's main offensive options in Outrage and Flare Blitz
- Both of them have mediocre speed, making them slightly slower than Garchomp, which usually carry something that can OHKO Charizard
- Struggles greatly against Stealth Rocks, especially the non-mega form and Mega Charizard Y, which loses half of its health upon switching in
- The change of typing of Mega Charizard X and the sunny weather of Mega Charizard Y makes it difficult for the opponent to go for a super-effective hit before mega evolving, as only Rock-type attacks hit both forms for super effective damage.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Flame Charge
move 3: Outrage
move 4: Flare Blitz / Dragon Claw / Earthquake
item: Charizardite X
ability: Blaze
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Flame Charge increases MCX's speed while dishing out damage
- Swords Dance is used when MCX has the opportunity to set up + outspeeds everything else on the opponents' team
- Outrage is the most consistent damage source, allowing MCX to hit as hard as LO Garchomp
- The last move is filler for coverage or extra power.
- Flare blitz gives MCX powerful dual STAB, Dragon Claw is as an alternative to Outrage for more flexibility at the cost of power, Earthquake hits stuff that resists both of MCX's STAB, such as Heatran and Azumarill
Set Details
========
- Adamant 252 Attack to maximize MCX's offensive presence
- Rest in Def for bulk. Not HP because otherwise it will give even HP (for Stealth Rocks)
- Charizardite X so that you don't evolve into MCY by accident
- Tough Claws boosts the power of Flame Charge, Outrage, and Flare Blitz by 30%
- Some speed and attack investment can be transferred to HP to give MCX greater survivability
Usage Tips
========
- Preferably sent out on a fresh switch instead of into an attack to avoid taking unneeded damage, and against a Pokemon that cannot do much to MCX or fears MCY like Steel, Bug, Electric, and Grass types
- Flame Charge if your opponent doesn't look like he'll do too much damage or not have a status move (especially paralysis or sleep). The opponent will most likely switch as you get a free speed boost
- Swords Dance if MCX already outspeeds everything left on your opponents' team and you have the opportunity to do so
- Once MCX sets up SD and FC, it's pretty much unstoppable with Outrage and the filler move
- Don't stay in against Garchomp after one speed boost if you're not sure whether it's scarfed
Team Options
========
-
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Flare Blitz
move 4: Earthquake / Dragon Claw / Roost
item: Charizardite X
ability: Blaze
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Dragon Dance gives MCX a boost in speed and attack, allowing it to outspeed the majority of Pokemon and hit extremely hard
- Outrage and Flare Blitz are the two powerful STAB moves at MCX's disposal
- Earthquake to hit stuff the two STAB doesn't too well, Dragon Claw for more flexible Dragon type move but you won't have extra coverage
- Roost gives MCX more opportunities to set up Dragon Dance, especially against opponents that are unable to deal more than 50% damage. Essential if you want to beat Suicune with this set
Set Details
========
Same as the Swords Dance set
Usage Tips
========
- It's key to find the right opportunity to set up a Dragon Dance. Don't use it if the opponent has Thunder Wave (especially Thundurus in the back), or something that deals heavy damage to MCX, as it will have difficulty sweeping with Flare Blitz recoil and being locked into Outrage
- Sometimes you don't need to Dragon Dance at all, such as when the opponent's team is already slower than you and all you need to do is deal enough damage to where another member of your team can clean up
- Some Pokemon require multiple boosts to get past in one hit, such as Porygon2, Suicune, Cresselia, and Hippowdon. Don't try to force your stay in against most of them, as they can usually beat you. Sets with Roost can beat some of them, like Suicune (other QC members: do we consider sheer cold, or nah?)
Team Options
========
Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Will-o-Wisp
move 2: Roost
move 3: Dragon Claw
move 4: Earthquake / Flame Charge
item: Charizardite X
ability: Blaze
nature: Impish
evs: 172 HP / 132 Def / 204 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Will-o-Wisp and Roost are the crux of this set, allowing MCX to wall physical attackers and widdle them down
- Dragon claw is the most reliable STAB move that puts out consistent damage even without investment thanks to Tough Claws
- Flame Charge increases your speed and allows you to burn more things before they attack you, like Garchomp and Scarf Excadrill. Earthquake hits fire types since they cannot be burned, especially Heatran which resists dragon as well
Set Details
========
- HP at 16n-1, speed to outspeed base 80s, rest in def
- Impish to buff physical bulk
- EVs are interchangeable to give more bulk or firepower at the cost of speed. Examples to come
Usage Tips
========
- Mega Evolve as soon as you can to get better defensive typing and stats. It's not bad to lead with it but don't force your stay if the opponent leads with something like Garchomp
- Burn physical attackers with will-o-wisp, then widdle them down while roosting
- Burning special attackers isn't as effective, but super effective special attacks are rare, such as Hydreigon, Latis, Nidos
Team Options
========
Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Drought Attacker
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Solarbeam
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Air Slash / Overheat / HP Ice
item: Charizardite Y
ability: Blaze
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Describe what the moves on the set do.
Set Details
========
Describe the other aspects of the set such as what the EVs do and nature/item.
Usage Tips
========
Describe how to use the Pokemon in question.
Team Options
========
Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
List some options for the Pokemon user that are plausible but not always recommended due to either being not consistent enough or too outclassed by other Pokemon in the metagame.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Insert Threat Here**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
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