Astra
talk to me nice
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Weather Ball
move 2: Overheat
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Roost / Flamethrower
item: Choice Specs
ability: Solar Power
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Charizard's only yet powerful niche in OU comes from its sheer wallbreaking capabilities under sun, being able to OHKO and 2HKO nearly the entire metagame by virtue of its ability Solar Power. Under sun, Weather Ball is a powerful and reliable Fire-type move that can decimate most Pokemon in one hit and even 2HKO some Pokemon that resist it, such as Toxapex, Rotom-H, and Rhyperior, making it incredibly difficult to switch into. Overheat is even more powerful under sun, allowing Charizard to turn most 2HKOs into OHKOs after some chip damage at the cost of needing to switch out afterwards due to the Special Attack drop. It also acts as a reliable Fire-type move when sun isn't active. Focus Blast prevents Charizard from being completely walled by Tyranitar, since Sand Stream overriding sun makes it hard for Charizard to do its job. Focus Blast also allows Charizard to OHKO Hydreigon as well as Rhyperior after some chip damage in the event Charizard is facing one of them when sun isn't active. With Charizard's frailty, Solar Power draining its HP, and its massive weakness to Stealth Rock, Roost gives it a recovery option to keep it healthy throughout a match, and it's especially useful in case Charizard loses its Choice Specs. Alternatively, Flamethrower acts as a more reliable Fire-type move when sun isn't up and Overheat's power isn't need, as well as being a much safer option over Weather Ball when Charizard is up against Hippowdon; however, you'll need to be extra careful that you're not letting Charizard take unnecessary chip damage if you opt to run it over Roost.
Since Charizard only has a niche on sun teams, Torkoal is a required teammate for Charizard to function well and succeed. Torkoal can also provide additional utility to help Charizard, such as removing Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin and chipping down foes with Toxic or its own Stealth Rock. Venusaur, while already the premier sweeper for sun teams, can capitalize on Charizard weakening and taking out walls such as Mandibuzz and Toxapex. In return, Venusaur can take care of Pokemon that outspeed Charizard thanks to Chlorophyll, such as Zeraora. Although Charizard can muscle through specially defensive walls like Blissey, it's best to accompany it with a physical wallbreaker to more easily take care of them, especially if sun isn't active. For example, Darmanitan under sun can OHKO them with Flare Blitz while acting as a general revenge killer with a Choice Scarf, though the amount of recoil it will take makes it tough to manage well. Because Charizard's frailty makes it difficult for it to switch in itself, pivots such as Blissey, Xatu, and Clefable can safely bring it into battle thanks to Teleport. Clefable also has the added benefit of providing Wish support for Charizard to combat chip damage it takes from Solar Power. Finally, although Torkoal can already remove Stealth Rock for Charizard, it's rather vulnerable to it as well, so a more reliable entry hazard remover such as Mandibuzz or Corviknight or a Magic Bounce user such as Hatterene or Xatu is highly recommended.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Estronic, 240732]]
- Quality checked by: [[Ruft, 295110], [curiosity, 443485]]
- Grammar checked by: [[deetah, 297659]]
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