Overview
########
With the introduction of its Mega Stone, Charizard has gained quite a list of treasures: power worthy of its hype and fame, a new Dragon typing that appeals to fans both flavor-wise and competitively, and the honor of outclassing nearly all the available Dragon Dance users in standard play. Great bulk coupled with good typing easily allows Charizard to find several opportunities to setup and sweep teams. Because of its great bulk Charizard is able to pull of several different sets such as a Specially Defensive set for balance or stall teams, a wallbreaker for more offensive team and a bulky sweeper for both offense and balance teams.
However, Charizard is not without its flaws. Despite having lost its Fire/Flying typing, Stealth Rock still hampers its overall longevity if you are lacking Roost. Even with Dragon Dance many common scarfers are able to revenge kill it. Because of moves like Flare Blitz, Charizard leaves itself open to being easily picked off by a priority user due to the recoil it suffers when attempting a sweep.
Bulky Dragon Dance
########
name: Bulky Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Dragon Claw
move 3: Flare Blitz / Earthquake
move 4: Roost
ability: Blaze
item: Charizardite X
evs: 248 HP / 152 Atk / 108 Spd
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
Dragon Dance increases Charizard-X's Attack and Speed simultaneously, turning it into a deadly threat after one or two boosts. Dragon Claw is the main STAB move that mostly doesn't have any setbacks aside from average base power, which can be fixed after some boosts. Flare Blitz should be your primary option over Earthquake because otherwise you lack serious power to wallbreak or effectively sweep. Earthquake can be used mainly to hit Heatran and Aegislash safely, as well as achieve sufficient neutral coverage alongside Dragon Claw. Finally, Roost is required to keep Charizard-X healthy, allowing it to gradually gain more boosts and win against weaker attackers.
Set Details
========
- Outspeeds Greninja at +1.
- 248 HP for overall bulk
- Rest dumped in Attack with an Adamant.
- Outspeeds Jolly Breloom before Dragon dancing
Note: New spread will write up ASAP
Usage Tips
========
Similar to the more offensive set, it's important to pick your spot when try to set up. With the given bulk Physically Defensive Rotom-W and Mega Manectric can be used as setup fodder. Rotom-W can't 2HKO you with Hydro Pump and Mega Manectric is essentially walled and you can setup multiple Dragon Dances on it. This sets works better late game once specific counters or potential revenge killers have been removed from play.
Team Options
========
As usual, Charizard-X requires entry hazard control before and after Mega evolution in order to set up more easily. For this reason a defog user or a rapid spinner such as Excadrill, Mew, Latias, and Latios make good partners for Charizard-X.
Powerful physical attackers like Terrakion, Diggersby and Dragonite has good offensive synergy as they are able to break down each others checks and counters. Trapping Pokemon like Gothitelle are also good options are good to help trap problematic Pokemon like Quagsire. Clefable works as a teammate as well, for its cleric capabilities to cure Charizard of Poison or Paralysis.
Dragon Dance
########
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Flare Blitz / Fire Punch
move 3: Dragon Claw / Outrage
move 4: Roost / Earthquake
ability: Blaze
item: Charizardite-X
evs: 4 Def / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant / Jolly
Moves
========
If Charizard-X's offensive prowess wasn't already terrifying enough, Dragon Dance turns it into a nightmarish sweeper that can OHKO and outrun the majority of the metagame after one boost. Flare Blitz will nuke just about almost any physically defensive Pokemon that switches in, and offers great coverage alongside the chosen Dragon-type move. However, using it excessively will result in a large amount of recoil, which wears it down quickly. Fire Punch is a safer alternative; while it is weaker, it makes Charizard-X less reliant on Roost, and tends to be better for late-game sweeping where Flare Blitz recoil tends to cut its sweeping short. Keep in mind that Flare Blitz tends to be better for wallbreaking purposes rather than sweeping.
Dragon Claw is Charizard-X's secondary STAB move that hits everything except Fairy- and Steel-types without suffering from recoil, or locking for a few turns like Outrage does. However, Outrage is a significantly more powerful option, and will often be a more desirable choice against bulkier targets if Charizard-X chooses Fire Punch over Flare Blitz. In the last slot, Roost is the preferred option for longevity, and helps greatly in recovering from recoil and other minor damage. Earthquake serves as an additional coverage move is mainly reserved for Heatran, who otherwise resists and absorbs this set's main attacks. It is also a “safer” option to use when faced against King's Shield Aegislash, as well as finishing off weakened opponents with Rough Skin, Iron Barbs, and/or Rocky Helmet. Thunder Punch can be used in the last slot to deal better deal with Water-types, especially Azumarill which absorbs Fire- and Dragon-type moves.
Set Details
========
This set aims to be as fast and powerful as possible, so maximizing Attack and Speed aggrandizes its sweeping effectiveness. Adamant nature is preferred, as there are only a few relevant Choice Scarf users (Excadrill, Landorus-T, Kyurem-B, Garchomp, etc) that can outrun and KO Charizard-X after a boost, and it appreciates the extra power to massacre through bulkier threats. Choosing the Jolly nature allows Charizard-X to win against the most of the aforementioned Scarf users, at the cost of some power.
To demonstrate the power drop, +1 Adamant Charizard-X is guaranteed to OHKO 252/0 Hippowdon with Flare Blitz with just one layer of Spikes (88.8 – 105%), while with a Jolly nature, it needs a little more entry hazards to achieve the KO (80.7 – 95.2%).
Usage Tips
========
Like most sweepers, this set performs can perform well late-game, once checks and counters are either cleared or weakened. At the same time, however, it can also play the role of a wallbreaker due to its humongous power after, and even before, using Dragon Dance. Notably after just one boost, Charizard-X can beat even the most toughest of common defensive threats into submission with Flare Blitz and/or Outrage, including Hippowdon, Mega Venusaur, Mandibuzz, Chansey, and many others. After these walls are finished or at least weakened, Charizard-X's teammates can come in and clean up on their own. Charizard-X has tons of opportunities to set up thanks to its great so make sure to take advantage of it.
Team Options
========
- Sticky Web support to slow down grounded scarf Pokemon such as Kyurem-Black and Garchomp.
- Defog user or Spinner to keep it healthy such as Mew, Latias, Latios, Starmie and Excadrill.
- Gothitelle can trap Quagsire, Slowbro, Hippowdon and Skarmory (if lacking a fire move).
- Terrakion, Diggersby and Dragonite can break down the same threats that pose issues to Charizard X and open up a sweep for either one.
- Dugtrio can trap and beat Heatran.
- Clefable is a great teammates for its cleric capabilities that will cure Charizard of Poison and Paralysis.
Bulky Will-o-Wisp
########
name: Bulky Will-o-Wisp
move 1: Earthquake / Fire Punch
move 2: Dragon Claw
move 3: Will-o-Wisp
move 4: Roost
ability: Blaze
item: Charizadite X
evs: 248 HP / 140 SDef / 120 Spd
nature: Careful Nature
Moves
========
Thanks to its typing and great overall bulk, Charizard can also be played as a defensive Pokemon. The moves are pretty straight forward for this this set. Will-o-Wisp will allow to you burn anything you see fit. It will completely cripple switch ins like Landorus-T and Azumarill while allowing you to avoid Sucker Punch 50/50s with Bisharp and Mawile who often will Sucker Punch expecting you to attack them. Dragon Claw is your main STAB to pound away at Thundurus and Landorus-T. Dragon Tail can be used as an option over Dragon Claw for phazing to hazards damage, but Dragon Tail has a negative priority and can be an issue at times where going first is important. Earthquake will beat Heatran who otherwise walls this set and has the opportunity to get a Toxic off. However, if your team already has Heatran handled, Fire Punch can be used to hit Skarmory and gives you dual STAB options. Lastly, Roost is needed for longevity to be able to check Thundurus, Bisharp, and Mega Scizor.
Set Details
========
This EV spread is very flexible and can can be tailored to fit on a team with ease. The given EV spread allows you to outspeed everything up to Jolly Mega Tyranitar for you to Will-o-Wisp before it has a chance to Dragon Dance or Stone Edge. 248 HP gives it as much bulky as possible and is an odd HP number to give you one extra switch in with Stealth Rock on the field. The rest is placed in Special Defense with a Careful Nature allows you to check Rotom-W, Thundurus, and Mega Charizard Y more effectively. The speed on this set can be altered to run as little as 32 Spd to outspeed Jolly Tyranitar, Adamant Bisharp and standard Zapdos. If having Charizard be physically defensive more convenient for the team, using the 140 EVs and moving them to Defense will fix that issue.
Usage Tips
========
This set plays the role of a pivot rather than a sweeper, as it takes advantage of Charizard-X's great typing, bulk, and immunity to burns. Ideally, Charizard-X should lure in its physically defensive counters and wear them down by burning them.
- This set plays more as a pivot switch rather than a sweeper.
- Being able to tank some hits, spread burns and break down the opposing team with Earthquake and Dragon Claw.
- Lures in its physically defensive counters and wears them down with status, while wearing them down with attacks for another pokemon to sweep.
- Sets up sweeps for other Dragon Dancer like Dragonite by removing certain walls
Team Options
========
- Excadrill, makes a great teammate as they are able to spin away the rocks.
- Defog users like Latios, Latias, Mew, are good teammates.
- Dragonite and Garchomp appreciate having physical walls weakened and burned.
- Landorus-T and Hippowdon are good teammates to cover for its weakness to Rocks and checking Terrakion.
- Rotom-W is a good teammate as it can beat bulky waters, or ground types. As well checking many of the Pokemon that Charizard cant beat on his own.
- Thundurus-I can paralyze Scarf users that give Charizard some problems such as Latios or Keldeo.
Other Options
########
Charizard-X has access to Swords Dance, which is a cool option that can be used to destroy slower and bulkier teams by beating its normal checks and counters. Using Swords Dance also gives it more freedom in choosing Fire Punch and Dragon Claw rather than the more riskier Flare blitz and Outrage. However, Charizard-X tends to face faster Pokemon more often than not, and can be more easily revenge killed without a way to boost its Speed. Speaking of which, Flame Charge is an option for that, although Dragon Dance outclasses it as it also boosts Attack as well.
Charizard-X also houses a notably colorful special movepool to along with its forgotten, but admirable base 130 Special Attack stat. However, it should be obvious that it faces fierce competition from its Y counterpart, which boasts a significantly higher Special Attack stat as well as Drought to improve the power of its Fire-type attacks as well as Solar Beam. Despite having STAB Dragon Pulse, without Draco Meteor and the inability to hold Life Orb or Choice Specs, it also finds itself at odds with Latias, Latios, and Hydreigon as a special attacking Dragon-type. It has the advantage of better offensive typing and surprise value, and with the free physical boost from Tough Claws, it can attempt a Life Orb-less mixed set that arguably fares better than MixMence in today's metagame.
Checks & Counters
########
**Residual damage and status**: Charizard-X is an offensive Pokemon that values being kept alive more than your typical attacker or wallbreaker. In other words, it prefers being kept in pristine condition when setting up and attacking. Before Mega Evolving, half of its health can be taken away by Stealth Rock, and in its Mega forme, it is vulnerable to all hazards. While it is immune to burn, Charizard-X hates inflicted with Toxic poison and paralysis. Rocky Helmet, hail, sandstorm, Iron Barbs, and Rough Skin additionally all serve to make the lizard's day more miserable, especially it keeps taking recoil damage from Flare Blitz.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Thanks to the sheer power of Dragon Dance Charizard-X's attacks, only a few defensive threats can survive against it and live to tell the tale. Without taking the bulky set into account (as Will-o-Wisp greatly cripples many counters), Quagsire, Landorus-T, Rhyperior, and Hippowdon are its most reliable counters, all of which threaten with STAB Earthquake. However, Quagsire can be 2HKOed by +0 Outrage, Landorus-T and Rhyperior lack good recovery, and even physically defensive Hippowdon can be OHKOed with a few entry hazards. Slowbro can recover off damage and doesn't care too much about Will-o-Wisp, though it can get OHKOed by +1 Outrage from a Dragon Dance set after some prior damage. Although typically not physically defensive, Heatran can stomach many hits and stall with Toxic if Charizard-X lacks Earthquake. Azumarill gets special mention for resisting every common attack Charizard-X has and can also typically tank Earthquake, though, like most of the aforementioned Pokemon, it is severely crippled by Will-o-Wisp.
**Faster Attackers**: As stated previously, Charizard-X can do a catastrophic amount of damage to even its most reliable defensive counters. Therefore, revenge killing might be a generally more practical solution, especially for offensive teams. After a Dragon Dance boost, Adamant Charizard-X can be revenge killed by a few Choice Scarf users, including Garchomp, Terrakion, Excadrill, Landorus-T, and Kyurem-B, all of which can OHKO with their STAB moves. With a Jolly nature, however, the former two are the only ones that can outrun it regardless. Deoxys-S can also outrun all sets after a boost, and has a chance to OHKO with Life Orb Psycho Boost. While priority can be an answer, Charizard-X is physically bulky enough to withstand a couple of Ice Shards, Mach Punches, Aqua Jets, and Bullet Punches, with Roost to heal all the damage off! Talonflame's Choice Band Brave Bird is notable, as it can deal up up to 86% damage instantly. To an extent, Thunder Wave from Prankster Thundurus is also problematic because it completely nullifies boosted speed.
########
With the introduction of its Mega Stone, Charizard has gained quite a list of treasures: power worthy of its hype and fame, a new Dragon typing that appeals to fans both flavor-wise and competitively, and the honor of outclassing nearly all the available Dragon Dance users in standard play. Great bulk coupled with good typing easily allows Charizard to find several opportunities to setup and sweep teams. Because of its great bulk Charizard is able to pull of several different sets such as a Specially Defensive set for balance or stall teams, a wallbreaker for more offensive team and a bulky sweeper for both offense and balance teams.
However, Charizard is not without its flaws. Despite having lost its Fire/Flying typing, Stealth Rock still hampers its overall longevity if you are lacking Roost. Even with Dragon Dance many common scarfers are able to revenge kill it. Because of moves like Flare Blitz, Charizard leaves itself open to being easily picked off by a priority user due to the recoil it suffers when attempting a sweep.
Bulky Dragon Dance
########
name: Bulky Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Dragon Claw
move 3: Flare Blitz / Earthquake
move 4: Roost
ability: Blaze
item: Charizardite X
evs: 248 HP / 152 Atk / 108 Spd
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
Dragon Dance increases Charizard-X's Attack and Speed simultaneously, turning it into a deadly threat after one or two boosts. Dragon Claw is the main STAB move that mostly doesn't have any setbacks aside from average base power, which can be fixed after some boosts. Flare Blitz should be your primary option over Earthquake because otherwise you lack serious power to wallbreak or effectively sweep. Earthquake can be used mainly to hit Heatran and Aegislash safely, as well as achieve sufficient neutral coverage alongside Dragon Claw. Finally, Roost is required to keep Charizard-X healthy, allowing it to gradually gain more boosts and win against weaker attackers.
Set Details
========
- Outspeeds Greninja at +1.
- 248 HP for overall bulk
- Rest dumped in Attack with an Adamant.
- Outspeeds Jolly Breloom before Dragon dancing
Note: New spread will write up ASAP
Usage Tips
========
Similar to the more offensive set, it's important to pick your spot when try to set up. With the given bulk Physically Defensive Rotom-W and Mega Manectric can be used as setup fodder. Rotom-W can't 2HKO you with Hydro Pump and Mega Manectric is essentially walled and you can setup multiple Dragon Dances on it. This sets works better late game once specific counters or potential revenge killers have been removed from play.
Team Options
========
As usual, Charizard-X requires entry hazard control before and after Mega evolution in order to set up more easily. For this reason a defog user or a rapid spinner such as Excadrill, Mew, Latias, and Latios make good partners for Charizard-X.
Powerful physical attackers like Terrakion, Diggersby and Dragonite has good offensive synergy as they are able to break down each others checks and counters. Trapping Pokemon like Gothitelle are also good options are good to help trap problematic Pokemon like Quagsire. Clefable works as a teammate as well, for its cleric capabilities to cure Charizard of Poison or Paralysis.
Dragon Dance
########
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Flare Blitz / Fire Punch
move 3: Dragon Claw / Outrage
move 4: Roost / Earthquake
ability: Blaze
item: Charizardite-X
evs: 4 Def / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant / Jolly
Moves
========
If Charizard-X's offensive prowess wasn't already terrifying enough, Dragon Dance turns it into a nightmarish sweeper that can OHKO and outrun the majority of the metagame after one boost. Flare Blitz will nuke just about almost any physically defensive Pokemon that switches in, and offers great coverage alongside the chosen Dragon-type move. However, using it excessively will result in a large amount of recoil, which wears it down quickly. Fire Punch is a safer alternative; while it is weaker, it makes Charizard-X less reliant on Roost, and tends to be better for late-game sweeping where Flare Blitz recoil tends to cut its sweeping short. Keep in mind that Flare Blitz tends to be better for wallbreaking purposes rather than sweeping.
Dragon Claw is Charizard-X's secondary STAB move that hits everything except Fairy- and Steel-types without suffering from recoil, or locking for a few turns like Outrage does. However, Outrage is a significantly more powerful option, and will often be a more desirable choice against bulkier targets if Charizard-X chooses Fire Punch over Flare Blitz. In the last slot, Roost is the preferred option for longevity, and helps greatly in recovering from recoil and other minor damage. Earthquake serves as an additional coverage move is mainly reserved for Heatran, who otherwise resists and absorbs this set's main attacks. It is also a “safer” option to use when faced against King's Shield Aegislash, as well as finishing off weakened opponents with Rough Skin, Iron Barbs, and/or Rocky Helmet. Thunder Punch can be used in the last slot to deal better deal with Water-types, especially Azumarill which absorbs Fire- and Dragon-type moves.
Set Details
========
This set aims to be as fast and powerful as possible, so maximizing Attack and Speed aggrandizes its sweeping effectiveness. Adamant nature is preferred, as there are only a few relevant Choice Scarf users (Excadrill, Landorus-T, Kyurem-B, Garchomp, etc) that can outrun and KO Charizard-X after a boost, and it appreciates the extra power to massacre through bulkier threats. Choosing the Jolly nature allows Charizard-X to win against the most of the aforementioned Scarf users, at the cost of some power.
To demonstrate the power drop, +1 Adamant Charizard-X is guaranteed to OHKO 252/0 Hippowdon with Flare Blitz with just one layer of Spikes (88.8 – 105%), while with a Jolly nature, it needs a little more entry hazards to achieve the KO (80.7 – 95.2%).
Usage Tips
========
Like most sweepers, this set performs can perform well late-game, once checks and counters are either cleared or weakened. At the same time, however, it can also play the role of a wallbreaker due to its humongous power after, and even before, using Dragon Dance. Notably after just one boost, Charizard-X can beat even the most toughest of common defensive threats into submission with Flare Blitz and/or Outrage, including Hippowdon, Mega Venusaur, Mandibuzz, Chansey, and many others. After these walls are finished or at least weakened, Charizard-X's teammates can come in and clean up on their own. Charizard-X has tons of opportunities to set up thanks to its great so make sure to take advantage of it.
Team Options
========
- Sticky Web support to slow down grounded scarf Pokemon such as Kyurem-Black and Garchomp.
- Defog user or Spinner to keep it healthy such as Mew, Latias, Latios, Starmie and Excadrill.
- Gothitelle can trap Quagsire, Slowbro, Hippowdon and Skarmory (if lacking a fire move).
- Terrakion, Diggersby and Dragonite can break down the same threats that pose issues to Charizard X and open up a sweep for either one.
- Dugtrio can trap and beat Heatran.
- Clefable is a great teammates for its cleric capabilities that will cure Charizard of Poison and Paralysis.
Bulky Will-o-Wisp
########
name: Bulky Will-o-Wisp
move 1: Earthquake / Fire Punch
move 2: Dragon Claw
move 3: Will-o-Wisp
move 4: Roost
ability: Blaze
item: Charizadite X
evs: 248 HP / 140 SDef / 120 Spd
nature: Careful Nature
Moves
========
Thanks to its typing and great overall bulk, Charizard can also be played as a defensive Pokemon. The moves are pretty straight forward for this this set. Will-o-Wisp will allow to you burn anything you see fit. It will completely cripple switch ins like Landorus-T and Azumarill while allowing you to avoid Sucker Punch 50/50s with Bisharp and Mawile who often will Sucker Punch expecting you to attack them. Dragon Claw is your main STAB to pound away at Thundurus and Landorus-T. Dragon Tail can be used as an option over Dragon Claw for phazing to hazards damage, but Dragon Tail has a negative priority and can be an issue at times where going first is important. Earthquake will beat Heatran who otherwise walls this set and has the opportunity to get a Toxic off. However, if your team already has Heatran handled, Fire Punch can be used to hit Skarmory and gives you dual STAB options. Lastly, Roost is needed for longevity to be able to check Thundurus, Bisharp, and Mega Scizor.
Set Details
========
This EV spread is very flexible and can can be tailored to fit on a team with ease. The given EV spread allows you to outspeed everything up to Jolly Mega Tyranitar for you to Will-o-Wisp before it has a chance to Dragon Dance or Stone Edge. 248 HP gives it as much bulky as possible and is an odd HP number to give you one extra switch in with Stealth Rock on the field. The rest is placed in Special Defense with a Careful Nature allows you to check Rotom-W, Thundurus, and Mega Charizard Y more effectively. The speed on this set can be altered to run as little as 32 Spd to outspeed Jolly Tyranitar, Adamant Bisharp and standard Zapdos. If having Charizard be physically defensive more convenient for the team, using the 140 EVs and moving them to Defense will fix that issue.
Usage Tips
========
This set plays the role of a pivot rather than a sweeper, as it takes advantage of Charizard-X's great typing, bulk, and immunity to burns. Ideally, Charizard-X should lure in its physically defensive counters and wear them down by burning them.
- This set plays more as a pivot switch rather than a sweeper.
- Being able to tank some hits, spread burns and break down the opposing team with Earthquake and Dragon Claw.
- Lures in its physically defensive counters and wears them down with status, while wearing them down with attacks for another pokemon to sweep.
- Sets up sweeps for other Dragon Dancer like Dragonite by removing certain walls
Team Options
========
- Excadrill, makes a great teammate as they are able to spin away the rocks.
- Defog users like Latios, Latias, Mew, are good teammates.
- Dragonite and Garchomp appreciate having physical walls weakened and burned.
- Landorus-T and Hippowdon are good teammates to cover for its weakness to Rocks and checking Terrakion.
- Rotom-W is a good teammate as it can beat bulky waters, or ground types. As well checking many of the Pokemon that Charizard cant beat on his own.
- Thundurus-I can paralyze Scarf users that give Charizard some problems such as Latios or Keldeo.
Other Options
########
Charizard-X has access to Swords Dance, which is a cool option that can be used to destroy slower and bulkier teams by beating its normal checks and counters. Using Swords Dance also gives it more freedom in choosing Fire Punch and Dragon Claw rather than the more riskier Flare blitz and Outrage. However, Charizard-X tends to face faster Pokemon more often than not, and can be more easily revenge killed without a way to boost its Speed. Speaking of which, Flame Charge is an option for that, although Dragon Dance outclasses it as it also boosts Attack as well.
Charizard-X also houses a notably colorful special movepool to along with its forgotten, but admirable base 130 Special Attack stat. However, it should be obvious that it faces fierce competition from its Y counterpart, which boasts a significantly higher Special Attack stat as well as Drought to improve the power of its Fire-type attacks as well as Solar Beam. Despite having STAB Dragon Pulse, without Draco Meteor and the inability to hold Life Orb or Choice Specs, it also finds itself at odds with Latias, Latios, and Hydreigon as a special attacking Dragon-type. It has the advantage of better offensive typing and surprise value, and with the free physical boost from Tough Claws, it can attempt a Life Orb-less mixed set that arguably fares better than MixMence in today's metagame.
Checks & Counters
########
**Residual damage and status**: Charizard-X is an offensive Pokemon that values being kept alive more than your typical attacker or wallbreaker. In other words, it prefers being kept in pristine condition when setting up and attacking. Before Mega Evolving, half of its health can be taken away by Stealth Rock, and in its Mega forme, it is vulnerable to all hazards. While it is immune to burn, Charizard-X hates inflicted with Toxic poison and paralysis. Rocky Helmet, hail, sandstorm, Iron Barbs, and Rough Skin additionally all serve to make the lizard's day more miserable, especially it keeps taking recoil damage from Flare Blitz.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Thanks to the sheer power of Dragon Dance Charizard-X's attacks, only a few defensive threats can survive against it and live to tell the tale. Without taking the bulky set into account (as Will-o-Wisp greatly cripples many counters), Quagsire, Landorus-T, Rhyperior, and Hippowdon are its most reliable counters, all of which threaten with STAB Earthquake. However, Quagsire can be 2HKOed by +0 Outrage, Landorus-T and Rhyperior lack good recovery, and even physically defensive Hippowdon can be OHKOed with a few entry hazards. Slowbro can recover off damage and doesn't care too much about Will-o-Wisp, though it can get OHKOed by +1 Outrage from a Dragon Dance set after some prior damage. Although typically not physically defensive, Heatran can stomach many hits and stall with Toxic if Charizard-X lacks Earthquake. Azumarill gets special mention for resisting every common attack Charizard-X has and can also typically tank Earthquake, though, like most of the aforementioned Pokemon, it is severely crippled by Will-o-Wisp.
**Faster Attackers**: As stated previously, Charizard-X can do a catastrophic amount of damage to even its most reliable defensive counters. Therefore, revenge killing might be a generally more practical solution, especially for offensive teams. After a Dragon Dance boost, Adamant Charizard-X can be revenge killed by a few Choice Scarf users, including Garchomp, Terrakion, Excadrill, Landorus-T, and Kyurem-B, all of which can OHKO with their STAB moves. With a Jolly nature, however, the former two are the only ones that can outrun it regardless. Deoxys-S can also outrun all sets after a boost, and has a chance to OHKO with Life Orb Psycho Boost. While priority can be an answer, Charizard-X is physically bulky enough to withstand a couple of Ice Shards, Mach Punches, Aqua Jets, and Bullet Punches, with Roost to heal all the damage off! Talonflame's Choice Band Brave Bird is notable, as it can deal up up to 86% damage instantly. To an extent, Thunder Wave from Prankster Thundurus is also problematic because it completely nullifies boosted speed.
Last edited:
