Maybe a bit controversial, but I've been using ZardX and having a good time. I've noticed others doing the same. Here's the set I've been using, and I think it has some advantages over the standard 252 Atk/Spe Jolly Set.
Charizard (Mega X)
Charizard-Mega-X @ Charizardite X
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 84 HP / 252 Atk / 172 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Fire Punch
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
B+ -> A-
First: since USUM, a few of Pokemon have enjoyed increased viability, and most of them have trouble with ZardX:
- Blacephalon: Spamming fire is now a turn lost to setup. While boosting sets are still a problem for Zard, the proper teammates (Weavile, Koko, Scarf users, etc.) can patch that hole.
- Kartana: While SD sets are still scary, Scarf sets have pretty much nothing to deal with Zard's reasonable bulk and wealth of resistances. Not to mention that Knock Off doesn't get a boost on a mega
- Heatran: It's everywhere working as a Blacephalon check and with the provided EV's, Zard outspeeds and cleanly OHKO's it - not to mention that Spdef sets are setup bait without Earth Power.
- Tyranitar: Again, everywhere as a Blace check and weak to EQ, so ZardX appreciates it, especially after the boost. While it can't OHKO unboosted (or safely switch in), merely the fact that people use Tyranitar means there's one more thing for Zard to plow through after a Dragon Dance
Second: existing metagame situations leave holes for Zard to sweep
- Common support/stall mons like Mew, Sableye, Ferrothorn, Clefable, Heatran, M-Scizor, Magnezone, Zapdos and Toxapex provide a hole for Charizard X and can't properly prevent either a setup or a 2HKO at +1. While some of these matchups are situational, most of them result in either a free DD for Zard or a free kill after the boost. That's big because of how useful most of these pokemon are to a huge variety of team archetypes.
- Sweepers lack the tools needed to deal with Zard: Koko, Bulu and Lele can't snag OHKO's against this set which can be really big late game once your opponent's walls are weakened
- The recent addition of like 10 Defog users provides Zard with a huge amount of usable teammates - after all, Rocks are ZardX's bigget enemy, particularly on a set like this without Roost. As a side note, I've used 3-attack Roost sets and they're great, but I almost always take the opportunity to boost over recovery on a pokemon that struggles to kill things like Toxapex or Clefable.
Third: Zard is inherently good, with good bulk, a decent speed tier, auspicious typing, a great ability and a wide enough move pool to cover a massive amount of threats without straying too far from STAB attacks
- Because there are a number of useful sets and coverage options, your opponent often has to scout to figure out what's going on with Charizard. At +1, that can mean the difference between losing your Heatran/Ferrothorn/Dragon type and living to tell the tale. I've seen a lot of people sack Zygarde or Heatran hoping that I didn't have the right coverage move.
- The only really really solid counters to a +1/+1 Zard are Haze Toxapex, who will take a good deal of damage on its Haze turn and Lando-T, who can be worn down or accounted for with the right partners. Given the number of things that Zard can setup on, it's worth worrying about the +1/+1 situation. Generally my rule is to wear down Lando and clear rocks before worrying about Zard setup.
Anyway, like I said, this isn't a totally bulletproof argument but I think Zard X is deserving of some added love. Hopefully this is at least compelling.
