Flying
========
Mega Charizard Y is an exceptional wallbreaker and is among the strongest wallbreakers available to Flying-type teams. Its ability, Drought, boosts Fire-type moves, allowing its Fire-type STAB attacks to OHKO or 2HKO almost every neutral target. Drought also has the bonus of halving the power of Water-type attacks and allowing Charizard to use Solar Beam, improving its matchup against Water- and Rock-types such as Azumarill, Manaphy, and Alolan Golem. Access to Focus Blast prevents Mega Charizard Y from being walled by Heatran and Tyranitar, some of the only would-be defensive counters available to their respective teams. Roost provides Charizard with longevity, allowing it to pressure the opposing team as a wallbreaker through both the early- and mid-game. Mega Charizard Y supports its team through an Ice neutrality and good special bulk, allowing it to be an offensive switch-in to special Ice-type attacks. For example, Mega Charizard Y can switch in on Life Orb Nidoking's Ice Beam and proceed to force it out. Unfortunately, Mega Charizard Y has a crippling weakness to Stealth Rock, taking 50% HP of damage upon entry. Defog support is necessary when using Mega Charizard Y, as Stealth Rock greatly limits Charizard's ability to switch in and removes its ability to sponge special Ice-type attacks.
[SET]
name: Drought Wallbreaker (Flying)
move 1: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
move 2: Solar Beam
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Roost
item: Charizardite Y
ability: Blaze
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fire Blast is Charizard's most powerful STAB attack. When boosted by Drought, it becomes extremely difficult to switch into and can 2HKO even Pokemon that resist it, such as Latios. Flamethrower can be used over Fire Blast for its perfect accuracy; however, its lower Base Power means that Charizard will lose out on 2HKOs on bulkier Pokemon like Garchomp and Mew. Solar Beam allows Charizard to deal super effective damage to Water- and Rock-types like Azumarill, Manaphy, and Alolan Golem, which resist its Fire-type STAB attacks. Focus Blast is used to deal heavy damage to Tyranitar and Heatran, which otherwise wall this set. Roost allows Charizard to recover off Stealth Rock and chip damage. Roost also allows Charizard to use its good special bulk to reliably switch into special Ice-type attacks.
Set Details
========
Blaze is used as Charizard's pre-Mega ability rather than Solar Power to avoid taking damage from opposing sun. 252 Special Attack EVs maximize Charizard's damage output, allowing it to effectively wallbreak. 252 Speed EVs are used with a Timid nature to allow Charizard to outspeed Pokemon such as Kyurem-B and Mimikyu as well as Speed tie with opposing base 100s. Charizardite Y is required for Charizard to Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard Y.
Usage Tips
========
If possible, remove Stealth Rock before bringing in Mega Charizard Y to prevent it from being easily revenge killed. Use Mega Charizard Y to wallbreak in the early-game to open up opportunities for Charizard's teammates to sweep late-game. Be careful not to waste Fire Blast's PP, as it is very limited. Use Solar Beam to pick off weakened Pokemon for both PP preservation and perfect accuracy. Use U-turn or Volt Switch from teammates like Landorus-T and Zapdos to bring in Charizard safely, allowing it to pressure the opposing team. Double switches also work in allowing Charizard to apply pressure, though they have more inherent risk. Charizard can also be brought in directly against some special attacks, providing a switch-in to Nidoking's Ice Beam as well as some users of BoltBeam coverage, such as Porygon2. After switching into an attack, it's usually a good idea to use Roost to restore Charizard's longevity. The exception to this would be if getting damage on the opponent's defensive answer to Charizard could secure victory for a teammate - carefully evaluate these scenarios on a case-by-case basis. Mega Charizard Y is reliant on sun for wallbreaking; as such, choose moves carefully when facing opposing weather setters - if Mega Charizard Y uses Solar Beam as an opposing weather setter comes in, it will be unable to switch and can be KOed. Tyranitar, Hippowdon, and Pelipper can remove sun and lock Charizard into a weakened two-turn Solar Beam, using the opportunity to strike Charizard with super effective moves.
Team Options
========
Skarmory and Mantine are good supportive partners, able to reliably Defog entry hazards away. Skarmory also has a great matchup against sand teams, while Mantine beats most rain teams, assisting Charizard against opposing weather. Zapdos provides a neutrality to Electric-type attacks and can additionally support Charizard with Defog. Zapdos also offers an answer to some Pokemon that wall Mega Charizard Y, such as Mantine and Toxapex, and can use these Pokemon to set up a Substitute or throw off a Toxic. Alternatively, Zapdos can use a Volt Switch set to bring Mega Charizard Y in safely to wallbreak. Celesteela can handle most Dragon-types for Mega Charizard Y and also has the ability to wear down Chansey with Leech Seed. Togekiss provides additional support against Dragon-types and can cripple Chansey with Trick to assist Charizard. Choice Scarf Togekiss also helps Charizard's matchup against more offensively inclined teams and appreciates Charizard's wallbreaking in cleaning up late-game. Thundurus breaks through Toxapex and Mantine, supports Charizard with Thunder Wave, and can also lure Chansey with mixed sets. Landorus-T provides an immunity to Electric-type attacks, can set up Stealth Rock to weaken Mega Charizard Y's checks, and can also bring in Charizard safely via U-turn. Gliscor is another solid Stealth Rock setter that is additionally able to stallbreak using Taunt. Aerodactyl can be used on hyper offensive teams to set up Stealth Rock and provide support against opposing offensive teams thanks to its high Speed. Landorus makes a good partner, as it pairs with Charizard to apply heavy pressure to defensive teams and can additionally use Stealth Rock. Choice Band Dragonite breaks Mega Charizard Y's best defensive answers and can be difficult for foes to switch into. Dragonite can also use Extreme Speed to sweep weakened teams late-game. Gyarados is a solid Dragon Dance user, able to sweep weakened teams late-game. Salamence is another good Dragon Dance user that benefits from Z-Moves to begin a sweep with Moxie. Charizard's wallbreaking can allow Salamence to save its Z-Move to obliterate a check in the middle of a sweep rather than to begin one.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Flying
--------
Defog is a possibility over Roost on more offensive teams that choose to forgo using Skarmory or Mantine to Defog. A Modest nature can be used over Timid for additional power, helping Mega Charizard Y mediate the trade-off between power and accuracy. However, outspeeding Pokemon such as Kyurem-B and Mimikyu as well as Speed tying with other base 100s is typically preferred. Mega Charizard Y can use Tailwind to break through offensive teams, though it has difficulty finding an opportunity to use the move safely against these team structures.
Checks and Counters
===================
Flying
--------
**Chansey**: Chansey is perhaps the best defensive counter to Mega Charizard Y. It is able to easily take any attack, recover, and use the opportunity to set up Stealth Rock to pressure Mega Charizard Y and its team.
**Stealth Rock**: Charizard and its Mega Evolution are both 4x weak to Stealth Rock, causing it to take 50% HP of damage upon switch in. This limits Mega Charizard Y's ability to effectively wallbreak and makes it more prone to being revenge killed.
**Dragon-types**: Mega Charizard Y has difficulty taking out most Dragon-types, as they resist its Fire-type STAB attacks and Solar Beam. Dragonite, Latios, and Latias additionally resist Focus Blast, making them excellent answers. Dragon-types above base 100 Speed, such as Garchomp, Latios, and Latias, can also revenge kill or otherwise easily force out Mega Charizard Y.
**Revenge Killers**: While Mega Charizard Y has a good Speed tier for a wallbreaker, it is still vulnerable to being revenge killed. The majority of offensive Pokemon, such as Tapu Koko, Terrakion, Latios, and Nihilego, are above base 100 Speed and have the coverage and power to severely damage or OHKO Charizard.
**Opposing Weather Setters**: Rain, sand, and hail halve the power of Solar Beam and cause it to take two turns to charge up. Tyranitar, Hippowdon, and Pelipper prevent Charizard from spamming Solar Beam against their teams for fear of being trapped and KOed. Opposing weather also weakens Charizard's Fire-type STAB attacks.
**Other Specially Defensive Pokemon**: While Mega Charizard Y has the power to break through most walls, extremely specially defensive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Mantine can take its attacks, recover, and retaliate.
========
Mega Charizard Y is an exceptional wallbreaker and is among the strongest wallbreakers available to Flying-type teams. Its ability, Drought, boosts Fire-type moves, allowing its Fire-type STAB attacks to OHKO or 2HKO almost every neutral target. Drought also has the bonus of halving the power of Water-type attacks and allowing Charizard to use Solar Beam, improving its matchup against Water- and Rock-types such as Azumarill, Manaphy, and Alolan Golem. Access to Focus Blast prevents Mega Charizard Y from being walled by Heatran and Tyranitar, some of the only would-be defensive counters available to their respective teams. Roost provides Charizard with longevity, allowing it to pressure the opposing team as a wallbreaker through both the early- and mid-game. Mega Charizard Y supports its team through an Ice neutrality and good special bulk, allowing it to be an offensive switch-in to special Ice-type attacks. For example, Mega Charizard Y can switch in on Life Orb Nidoking's Ice Beam and proceed to force it out. Unfortunately, Mega Charizard Y has a crippling weakness to Stealth Rock, taking 50% HP of damage upon entry. Defog support is necessary when using Mega Charizard Y, as Stealth Rock greatly limits Charizard's ability to switch in and removes its ability to sponge special Ice-type attacks.
[SET]
name: Drought Wallbreaker (Flying)
move 1: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
move 2: Solar Beam
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Roost
item: Charizardite Y
ability: Blaze
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fire Blast is Charizard's most powerful STAB attack. When boosted by Drought, it becomes extremely difficult to switch into and can 2HKO even Pokemon that resist it, such as Latios. Flamethrower can be used over Fire Blast for its perfect accuracy; however, its lower Base Power means that Charizard will lose out on 2HKOs on bulkier Pokemon like Garchomp and Mew. Solar Beam allows Charizard to deal super effective damage to Water- and Rock-types like Azumarill, Manaphy, and Alolan Golem, which resist its Fire-type STAB attacks. Focus Blast is used to deal heavy damage to Tyranitar and Heatran, which otherwise wall this set. Roost allows Charizard to recover off Stealth Rock and chip damage. Roost also allows Charizard to use its good special bulk to reliably switch into special Ice-type attacks.
Set Details
========
Blaze is used as Charizard's pre-Mega ability rather than Solar Power to avoid taking damage from opposing sun. 252 Special Attack EVs maximize Charizard's damage output, allowing it to effectively wallbreak. 252 Speed EVs are used with a Timid nature to allow Charizard to outspeed Pokemon such as Kyurem-B and Mimikyu as well as Speed tie with opposing base 100s. Charizardite Y is required for Charizard to Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard Y.
Usage Tips
========
If possible, remove Stealth Rock before bringing in Mega Charizard Y to prevent it from being easily revenge killed. Use Mega Charizard Y to wallbreak in the early-game to open up opportunities for Charizard's teammates to sweep late-game. Be careful not to waste Fire Blast's PP, as it is very limited. Use Solar Beam to pick off weakened Pokemon for both PP preservation and perfect accuracy. Use U-turn or Volt Switch from teammates like Landorus-T and Zapdos to bring in Charizard safely, allowing it to pressure the opposing team. Double switches also work in allowing Charizard to apply pressure, though they have more inherent risk. Charizard can also be brought in directly against some special attacks, providing a switch-in to Nidoking's Ice Beam as well as some users of BoltBeam coverage, such as Porygon2. After switching into an attack, it's usually a good idea to use Roost to restore Charizard's longevity. The exception to this would be if getting damage on the opponent's defensive answer to Charizard could secure victory for a teammate - carefully evaluate these scenarios on a case-by-case basis. Mega Charizard Y is reliant on sun for wallbreaking; as such, choose moves carefully when facing opposing weather setters - if Mega Charizard Y uses Solar Beam as an opposing weather setter comes in, it will be unable to switch and can be KOed. Tyranitar, Hippowdon, and Pelipper can remove sun and lock Charizard into a weakened two-turn Solar Beam, using the opportunity to strike Charizard with super effective moves.
Team Options
========
Skarmory and Mantine are good supportive partners, able to reliably Defog entry hazards away. Skarmory also has a great matchup against sand teams, while Mantine beats most rain teams, assisting Charizard against opposing weather. Zapdos provides a neutrality to Electric-type attacks and can additionally support Charizard with Defog. Zapdos also offers an answer to some Pokemon that wall Mega Charizard Y, such as Mantine and Toxapex, and can use these Pokemon to set up a Substitute or throw off a Toxic. Alternatively, Zapdos can use a Volt Switch set to bring Mega Charizard Y in safely to wallbreak. Celesteela can handle most Dragon-types for Mega Charizard Y and also has the ability to wear down Chansey with Leech Seed. Togekiss provides additional support against Dragon-types and can cripple Chansey with Trick to assist Charizard. Choice Scarf Togekiss also helps Charizard's matchup against more offensively inclined teams and appreciates Charizard's wallbreaking in cleaning up late-game. Thundurus breaks through Toxapex and Mantine, supports Charizard with Thunder Wave, and can also lure Chansey with mixed sets. Landorus-T provides an immunity to Electric-type attacks, can set up Stealth Rock to weaken Mega Charizard Y's checks, and can also bring in Charizard safely via U-turn. Gliscor is another solid Stealth Rock setter that is additionally able to stallbreak using Taunt. Aerodactyl can be used on hyper offensive teams to set up Stealth Rock and provide support against opposing offensive teams thanks to its high Speed. Landorus makes a good partner, as it pairs with Charizard to apply heavy pressure to defensive teams and can additionally use Stealth Rock. Choice Band Dragonite breaks Mega Charizard Y's best defensive answers and can be difficult for foes to switch into. Dragonite can also use Extreme Speed to sweep weakened teams late-game. Gyarados is a solid Dragon Dance user, able to sweep weakened teams late-game. Salamence is another good Dragon Dance user that benefits from Z-Moves to begin a sweep with Moxie. Charizard's wallbreaking can allow Salamence to save its Z-Move to obliterate a check in the middle of a sweep rather than to begin one.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Flying
--------
Defog is a possibility over Roost on more offensive teams that choose to forgo using Skarmory or Mantine to Defog. A Modest nature can be used over Timid for additional power, helping Mega Charizard Y mediate the trade-off between power and accuracy. However, outspeeding Pokemon such as Kyurem-B and Mimikyu as well as Speed tying with other base 100s is typically preferred. Mega Charizard Y can use Tailwind to break through offensive teams, though it has difficulty finding an opportunity to use the move safely against these team structures.
Checks and Counters
===================
Flying
--------
**Chansey**: Chansey is perhaps the best defensive counter to Mega Charizard Y. It is able to easily take any attack, recover, and use the opportunity to set up Stealth Rock to pressure Mega Charizard Y and its team.
**Stealth Rock**: Charizard and its Mega Evolution are both 4x weak to Stealth Rock, causing it to take 50% HP of damage upon switch in. This limits Mega Charizard Y's ability to effectively wallbreak and makes it more prone to being revenge killed.
**Dragon-types**: Mega Charizard Y has difficulty taking out most Dragon-types, as they resist its Fire-type STAB attacks and Solar Beam. Dragonite, Latios, and Latias additionally resist Focus Blast, making them excellent answers. Dragon-types above base 100 Speed, such as Garchomp, Latios, and Latias, can also revenge kill or otherwise easily force out Mega Charizard Y.
**Revenge Killers**: While Mega Charizard Y has a good Speed tier for a wallbreaker, it is still vulnerable to being revenge killed. The majority of offensive Pokemon, such as Tapu Koko, Terrakion, Latios, and Nihilego, are above base 100 Speed and have the coverage and power to severely damage or OHKO Charizard.
**Opposing Weather Setters**: Rain, sand, and hail halve the power of Solar Beam and cause it to take two turns to charge up. Tyranitar, Hippowdon, and Pelipper prevent Charizard from spamming Solar Beam against their teams for fear of being trapped and KOed. Opposing weather also weakens Charizard's Fire-type STAB attacks.
**Other Specially Defensive Pokemon**: While Mega Charizard Y has the power to break through most walls, extremely specially defensive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Mantine can take its attacks, recover, and retaliate.
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