Pokemon Sword and Shield

Charizard - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Charizard.png

Charizard Movesets in Other Games
Pokemon Scarlet LogoSV Pokemon SWSH LogoSWSH

This is a strategy guide for using Charizard in competitive play for the games Pokemon Sword and Shield. Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, and Held Items to use with Charizard, as well as its strengths and weak points.

Charizard - Related Guides
Pokemon SWSH - Charizard Evolution and LearnsetEvolution and Learnset Pokemon SWSH - Charizard Best BuildBuild for Ranked Battle Gigantamax CharizardGigantamax Charizard

Basic Information for Charizard

Types and Abilities

Pokemon Type 1 Type 2
Pokemon Sword and Shield - Fire Type Pokemon Sword and Shield - Flying Type
Abilities
Blaze Powers up Fire-type moves in a pinch
Solar Power (Hidden) In sunshine, Sp.Atk is boosted but HP decreases.

Charizard Weaknesses and Resistances

Type
Takes 4x damage
Pokemon Rock Image
Takes 2x damage
Pokemon Water Image Pokemon Electric Image
Takes 0.5x damage
Pokemon Fire Image Pokemon Fighting Image Pokemon Steel Image Pokemon Fairy Image
Takes 1/4x damage
Pokemon Grass Image Pokemon Bug Image
Takes 0x damage
Pokemon Ground Image

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

HP Attack Defense Sp. Atk Sp. Def Speed
78 84 78 109 85 100

Best Nature for Charizard

Best Natures
Timid
(+Spd, -Atk)
Modest
(+SpAtk, -Atk)

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Charizard

Dynamax Moveset & Best Build

Dynamax Charizard.png

Nature Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV Spread Sp.Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values HP 153 / Def 98 / Sp.Atk 161 / Sp.Def 106 / Spd 167
Ability Solar Power
Held Item Weakness Policy / Life Orb / Expert Belt
Moveset Blast Burn
Hurricane
Solar Beam
Dragon Pulse

Thanks to Dynamaxing, Charizard is able to take hits even from attacks it is weak to, and by using Max Flare it's able to put its Hidden Ability, Solar Power, to good use. Solar Power provides a Special Attack boost in harsh sunlight, which Max Flare provides, allowing Charizard to dish out massive damage without needing a turn to set up a boosting move. And with Max Airstream on deck too, Charizard can boost its Speed to ensure it attacks first, making it a menace of a Special Attacker.

Other Viable Moves

Flamethrower For those who don't trust Fire Blast's low accuracy. The power drop hurts, but this is the way to go if you definitely want to land a hit.
Air Slash A Flying-type move used primarily as Max Airstream.
Scorching Sands A Ground-type move that gives Charizard coverage against Heatran.
Will-O-Wisp For facing down Charizard's weak point, Physical attackers, after its Dynamax runs out. Helpful for switching out into another Pokemon.

Gigantamax Build

Gigantamax Charizard.png

Nature Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV Spread Sp.Atk 252 / Sp. Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat Value HP 153 / Def 98 / Sp Atk. 161 / Sp Def. 106 / Spd 167
Ability Blaze or Solar Power
Held Item Life Orb
Moveset Blast Burn
Hurricane
Solar Beam
Dragon Pulse

This build focuses around Charizard's ability to deal massive damage witth G-Max Wildfire with a Life Orb and added damage over time. Regardless of type, Charizard can put out plenty of damage with any of its moves while Gigantamaxed.

Other Viable Moves

Flamethrower For those who don't trust Fire Blast's low accuracy. The power drop hurts, but this is the way to go if you definitely want to land a hit.
Air Slash A Flying-type move used primarily as Max Airstream.
Scorching Sands A Ground-type move that gives Charizard coverage against Heatran.
Will-O-Wisp For facing down Charizard's weak point, Physical attackers, after its Dynamax runs out. Helpful for switching out into another Pokemon.

How to Use Charizard Effectively

A Special attacker who rules in the harsh sunlight

Charizard's Hidden Ability Solar Power allows it to deal damage it normally would not be able to given its Base Stats. In Sword & Shield, Max Flare allows it to set up harsh sunlight automatically, and Max Airstream allows it to boost its speed, making Charizard able to set itself up to sweep without needing the support of its team.

Counters for Charizard

Charizard
Weakness Pokemon Rock Image Pokemon Water Image Pokemon Electric Image

Hit hard with super effective moves

As a Fire/Flying-type Pokemon, Charizard is weak to the comparatively common attacking types Rock and Electric. Its 4x weakness to Rock-type moves in particular makes Charizard susceptible to one-hit knockouts even in its Dynamax form.

Pokemon Description
Pokemon SWSH - Zapdos ImageZapdos Ranking: ★★★★★
・Easily KOs Charizard with STAB super effective Thunderbolt
・Defensive variants can paralyze Charizard with Discharge

Moveset & Best Build for Zapdos
Pokemon SWSH - Nihilego ImageNihilego Ranking: ★★★★★
・Easily KOs Charizard with Meteor Beam
・A popular lead POkemon that gets stronger thanks to Beast Boost

Moveset & Best Build for Nihilego
Pokemon SWSH - Landorus (Therian Forme) ImageLandorus (Therian Forme) Ranking: ★★★★★
・Offensive variants can easily KOs Charizard with Stone Edge

Moveset & Best Build for Landorus
Pokemon SWSH - Rhyperior ImageRhyperior Ranking: ★★★★
・Easily KOs Charizard even after Dynamax or Gigantamaxing with Stone Edge
・Can survive Charizard's Solar Beam with Assault Vest and its Solid Rock Ability

Moveset & Best Build for Rhyperior
Pokemon SWSH - Primarina ImagePrimarina Ranking: ★★★★
Liquid Voice Ability allows it to use Hyper Voice to easily KO Charizard
・Can survive Charizard's Solar Beam with Assault Vest

Moveset & Best Build for Primarina
Pokemon SWSH - Dracozolt ImageDracozolt Ranking: ★★★★
・Choice Scarf variants easily outspeeds Charizard and KOs it with boosted Bolt Beak
・Needs to watch out for Charizard's Dragon-type coverage moves

Moveset & Best Build for Dracozolt

Change the Weather to cool its fury

When Charizard is out of the harsh sunlight, it can't use its full power. Using another weather-changing Dynamax move or a Pokemon with a weather-based Ability can turn the tides of battle.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon Description
Pokemon SWSH - Tyranitar ImageTyranitar Ranking: ★★★★★
・Its Ability Sand Stream can change the Weather to Sandstorm, weakening Charizard and raising its own Special Defense
・Can deal 4x super effective damage with Rock-type Moves
Tyranitar Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Pokemon SWSH - Hippowdon ImageHippowdon Ranking: ★★★★☆
・Its Ability Sand Stream can change the Weather to Sandstorm, weakening Charizard and raising its own Special Defense
・Can deal 4x hazard damage (50% max HP) with Stealth Rock if used before Charizard switches in

Related Links

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Pokemon Sword and Shield - Best Builds for Ranked Battle All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle ## Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield
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