[OVERVIEW]
Fire
========
* Charizard establishes its place on Fire teams because of its ability to fill the role of providing sun to the team or a powerful late-game sweeper.
* Mega Charizard X fills the latter role through its access to Dragon Dance, which makes it one of the deadliest threats in the metagame.
* This is only heightened by its fantastic ability in Tough Claws, which increases the power of moves like Flare Blitz and Outrage that make contact by 1.3x times.
* Mega Charizard X also brings two very rare things to Fire teams; great bulk and a neutrality to Water-type moves. This allows it to set up against a number of different Pokemon.
* To complement this, Mega Charizard X has access to a recovery move in Roost as well. It is not lacking in offensive moves either, with access to moves like Earthquake which makes it hard to wall.
* However, Mega Charizard X still suffers from the dreadful 4x Stealth Rock weakness if it is in its normal Charizard forme.
* Furthermore, status conditions like paralysis and poison can be sweep-ending for it.
* Mega Charizard X is also easily worn down due to Flare Blitz recoil or a status condition like poison.
* The other variant is Mega Charizard Y, which is one of the best wallbreakers in the metagame because of its fantastic Special Attack and ability.
* Its ability Drought is a godsend for every Fire team because it increases the power of Fire-type moves and allows the use of Solar Beam without wasting a turn while weakening the power of Water-type moves.
* To go with this, Mega Charizard Y has a wide movepool, which lets it threaten most of the metagame.
* Defensively, Mega Charizard Y has access to great support moves such as Roost, which lets it heal 50% of its health back and Defog, which clears away entry hazards for its teammates.
* Just like its counterpart, Mega Charizard Y also has great bulk, which lets it survive most special moves; however, its Flying sub-typing brings a much-needed Ground immunity to the team that Mega Charizard X does not.
* Unfortunately Mega Charizard Y also suffers from the dreaded 4x weakness to Stealth Rock.
* It also has sub-par Defense, which makes it prone to priority moves and faster physical attackers.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance (Fire)
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage / Dragon Claw
move 3: Flare Blitz
move 4: Roost
item: Charizardite X
ability: Blaze
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Dragon Dance increases Mega Charizard X's already great Attack and Speed stats and turns it into a fantastic late-game cleaner.
* Outrage is Mega Charizard X's primary STAB move that allows it to OHKO an incredible amount of Pokemon that do not resist it. However, using this locks Mega Charizard X into Outrage for 2-3 turns.
* Alternatively, Dragon Claw can be used as a weaker STAB move and not be locked into a move.
* Flare Blitz is Mega Charizard X's secondary STAB move. This is primarily used if the opposing Pokemon resists Dragon. Using Flare Blitz should be avoided because of the recoil from it wears down Mega Charizard X quickly.
* Roost allows Mega Charizard X to heal 50% of its health back and lets it set up on a number of weaker walls.
* Earthquake can be used over Roost to hit Steel-types like Heatran, however getting back health through Roost is usually much more important.
Set Details
========
* 252 EVs in Attack maximizes Mega Charizard X's damage output without a boosting nature.
* 252 EVs in Speed with a Jolly nature allows Mega Charizard X to outspeed Pokemon like Excadrill, Hoopa-U, and Kyurem-B and lets it speed tie with other base 100 Speed Pokemon like Manaphy.
* Blaze is preferred over Solar Power, as Solar Power might cause unnecessary damage to Charizard because of Torkoal's Drought.
* Charizardite X allows Charizard to Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X.
Usage Tips
========
* Clearing Stealth Rock is a must before sending in Charizard, as it is still 4x weak to Stealth Rock in its pre-mega forme.
* It is usually best to Mega Evolve as soon as possible, this changes its weakness to Stealth Rock from 4x to 2x.
* Try to get rid of Mega Charizard X's checks and counters before setting up with Dragon Dance.
* Avoid using Flare Blitz recklessly, as Mega Charizard X could get worn down very quickly due to recoil and will be vulnerable to priority attackers.
* Play smart with Charizard's Mega Evolution. Using Dragon Dance in normal Charizard forme against Pokemon that have Ground-type coverage might be better than using it in its Mega Evolution, as the foe might predict a Mega Evolution and use a Ground-type move.
* Try to make use of the fact that Charizard has two Mega Evolutions; opponents expecting Mega Charizard Y may use an Electric-type attack, which can be easily taken advantage of by setting up.
* Avoid setting up on any Pokemon that could have a status inflicting moves like Toxic or Thunder Wave. Mega Charizard X getting hit with either of these could be sweep-ending.
* Mega Charizard X should capitalize on the fact that it can force switches and Dragon Dance on that turn.
Team Options
========
* Torkoal is a fantastic Pokemon for hazard control. Not only does it remove Stealth Rock, Torkoal can also set up its own Stealth Rock. Torkoal also acts as a great defensive pivot that can tank physical attacks for Mega Charizard X. Torkoal assists Mega Charizard X in setting up, as Torkoal can run Yawn and put the foe to sleep.
* Heatran is another Stealth Rock user that provides additional help for Mega Charizard X. Heatran can run a wide number of moves including Solar Beam with a Grassium Z for Water- and Ground-type Pokemon, Flash Cannon for Rock-types and Fairies, and Earth Power for opposing Heatran. It can also run a defensive set with Toxic to cripple down walls for Mega Charizard X as well as provide a neutrality to Rock-type moves.
* Rotom-H provides great support for Mega Charizard X. Rotom-H can run a specially defensive Dual Screens set with Will-O-Wisp to increase Mega Charizard X's bulk and allow it to set up easier. Rotom-H can also run a more offensive set to beat Water-types and Ground-types like Landorus with Hidden Power Ice.
* Infernape is a versatile Pokemon that can run a number of roles to suit Mega Charizard X. It can run an offensive set to beat Rock- and Normal-types with Close Combat. Infernape can also run a support set with Stealth Rock and Taunt to stop Stealth Rock from being set.
* Volcarona partners Mega Charizard X as another set up sweeper. Volcarona can beat Psychic-types with Bug Buzz. These two are well together, as one can set up and weaken the opposing team, while the other can clean up late game.
*
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker (Fire)
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 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Fire Blast is Mega Charizard Y's primary move and does incredible damage under sun.
* Flamethrower is a more accurate but less powerful alternative to Fire Blast. The difference in power is very noticeable as it misses out on 2HKO'ing Latios.
* Solar Beam allows Mega Charizard Y to deal massive damage to Water-, Rock-, and Ground-type Pokemon like Gastrodon, Hippowdon, Diancie, and Keldeo.
* Focus Blast is used to hit Rock-types like Tyranitar under sand and Heatran super effectively.
* Roost allows Mega Charizard Y to heal back 50% of its health and improves its longevity.
Set Details
========
* 252 EVs in Special Attack maximizes Mega Charizard Y's Special Attack and allows it to hit as hard as possible.
* 252 EVs in Speed with a Timid nature allows Mega Charizard Y to outspeed Kyurem-B, Hydreigon, and Excadrill.
* Blaze is the preferred ability as Solar Power might chip away Charizard's health because of Drought set by Torkoal or opposing Mega Charizard Y.
* Charizardite Y allows Charizard to Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard Y.
Usage Tips
========
* Mega Charizard Y is best-used early-game. Switching Charizard in early-game and Mega Evolving it allows Mega Charizard Y to set up sun for the rest of the team and start weakening opposing Pokemon.
* It is a good idea to switch in Mega Charizard Y after a teammate faints. This mitigates the chances of Mega Charizard Y taking unnecessary damage.
* Avoid switching in Mega Charizard Y if Stealth Rock is up.
* Avoid any form of status inflicting Pokemon that can live an attack from Mega Charizard Y. Status conditions like paralysis and poison severely reduce Mega Charizard Y's use in a match.
* Don't recklessly allow Mega Charizard Y to faint, as it is always useful for setting up sun.
* Always try to keep Mega Charizard Y above 50% health if there is an opposing Stealth Rock setter.
* On a similar note, keeping Mega Charizard Y for sun support until late-game with a Choice Scarfed cleaner like Victini is a good idea. Because of Mega Charizard Y's sun, Pokemon like Victini can easily clean up late-game with a Fire-type move.
* As Mega Charizard Y's damage output heavily relies on sun, always try to make full use of it.
* An example of Drought use would be against Sand Rush or Swift Swim users. Switch in Mega Charizard Y after a teammate faints. This will eliminate the opposing weather and sun will be set.
* Be careful of using Solar Beam if there is a weather setter in the opposing team. If an opposing weather setter like Pelipper comes in on a predicted Solar Beam, then Mega Charizard Y will be locked into Solar Beam for a turn and Pelipper can severely weaken it with Scald while taking little damage from Solar Beam.
* Avoid using Fire Blast recklessly, as it has low PP and has a chance to miss as well. If the opposing Pokemon is severely weakened and can be KO'd through Solar Beam, it is better to use Solar Beam to preserve Fire Blast's PP.
Team Options
========
* Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon.
*
*
*
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fire
--------
* 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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