Let’s be real for a second. You probably have a dozen Charizard sitting in your storage right now, and you’re still hunting for the next one. It doesn’t matter if it’s been nearly a decade since Niantic first dropped us into this world; that orange dragon—which isn't even a Dragon-type unless it's Mega Evolved—remains the undisputed face of the game. It’s the nostalgia. It’s the design. But mostly, it’s because Charizard is actually good.
Unlike some fan favorites that fall flat in the meta (looking at you, Arcanine), Charizard consistently finds a way to stay relevant. Whether you're grinding the GO Battle League or trying to solo a specific Raid boss, this Kanto starter brings a level of versatility that most other Fire-types just can’t touch. It’s not just about raw power. It’s about the moves. Specifically, moves that require a ridiculous amount of Elite TMs or a lot of patience during Community Day Classics.
The Moveset Dilemma: Blast Burn or Bust?
If your Charizard doesn’t know Blast Burn, you’re basically playing on hard mode. Honestly, the difference in damage output is staggering. In the world of Pokemon GO, Fire Blast is a joke and Overheat is a risky gamble that drops your stats. Blast Burn is the gold standard. It’s efficient. It hits like a truck. It’s the reason why a "good" Charizard usually requires a specific event window to evolve.
But wait, there's the Fast Move issue. Fire Spin is the traditional choice, but the pros? They almost always run Dragon Claw with Wing Attack. Why? Because Wing Attack generates energy at a blistering pace. In the Great League and Ultra League, the game is won and lost on shield pressure. If you can bait a shield with a Dragon Claw because you reached it three seconds faster than your opponent expected, you’ve already won the psychological war.
It’s kind of funny when you think about it. We’re using a Fire-type Pokemon to spam Flying and Dragon-type moves. But that’s the nuance of the current meta. You aren’t just looking for STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus); you’re looking for coverage and speed. A Charizard with Wing Attack, Blast Burn, and Dragon Claw is a Swiss Army knife. It handles Grass, Bug, and Steel types with ease, but it also scares off the actual Dragons who think they’re safe.
Mega Charizard Y vs. Mega Charizard X: Which One Actually Matters?
You’ve got two choices when you tap that Mega Evolve button. Most people just pick the one that looks cooler (usually the blue-flamed X version), but if you’re trying to optimize your Raid group, there is a clear winner.
Mega Charizard Y is an absolute monster. It has one of the highest Attack stats in the entire game. When it’s sunny out? Forget about it. It melts anything in its path. If you are going up against a Mega Venusaur or a Genesect, Y is your best friend. It provides a massive boost to other Fire-types on the field, making the whole Raid group significantly more efficient.
Then there’s Mega Charizard X. It turns Charizard into a Fire/Dragon type. This is great because it removes that pesky 4x weakness to Rock moves, but it also lowers its pure damage output compared to the Y form. X is a niche pick. You use it when you want to boost the Dragon-type damage of your teammates against a Raid boss like Palkia or Rayquaza. It’s a support role, basically. It’s the "team player" evolution, whereas Y is the "I'm going to carry this whole team" evolution.
The PvP Grind: Why You Keep Losing to Charizard
We’ve all been there. You’ve got a solid lead, you’re feeling confident, and then your opponent swaps in a Shadow Charizard. Suddenly, your HP is evaporating. Shadow Charizard is a high-risk, high-reward play that dominates the Ultra League. The 20% attack boost makes Blast Burn feel like a literal nuke.
The downside? It’s squishy. Like, really squishy. One decent Rock Slide from a Galarian Stunfisk or a Stone Edge from a Chesnaught, and your Charizard is back in its Poke Ball. Success with Charizard in PvP requires precise timing and excellent shield management. You can’t just tap mindlessly. You have to know when to farm energy and when to unleash the Dragon Claw bait.
One thing people get wrong is the IV spread. For Raids, sure, you want that 15/15/15 "Hundo." But for the Great League? You actually want low Attack and high Defense/Stamina. A 0/15/13 Charizard is often better than a perfect one because it allows you to power it up to a higher level while staying under the 1500 CP cap. It sounds counterintuitive, but that extra bulk is usually what allows you to survive long enough to reach that final, game-winning move.
Hunting the Shiny: The Black Dragon Obsession
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Shiny Charizard. It is arguably the most iconic shiny in Pokemon history. That sleek, jet-black scales with the red under-wings? It’s gorgeous.
In Pokemon GO, getting one has become easier thanks to multiple Community Days and the introduction of Mega Raids, but the prestige hasn't really faded. Seeing a Shiny Charizard in a gym or on a GBL team still commands respect. It says, "I've put in the work." Or, more likely, "I played for six hours straight during the 2023 Charmander Community Day Classic."
If you’re still hunting for one, your best bet is sticking to Mega Raids. The shiny rate for Mega-capable Pokemon is generally around 1 in 64, which is significantly better than the standard 1 in 500 odds for wild spawns. Plus, you get the Mega Energy you need anyway. It’s a win-win.
Hard Truths About the Rock Weakness
For all its glory, Charizard has a massive, glaring flaw. Rock-type moves. Because Charizard is Fire/Flying, it takes quadruple damage from Rock. In the world of Pokemon GO, this is a death sentence if you aren't careful.
Think about moves like Smack Down or Rock Slide. They are common. Very common. If a Tyranitar even breathes on a Charizard, it's over. This is why you almost never see Charizard used as a defender in Gyms. It’s too easy to counter. A single Rampardos can tear through a Charizard before it even gets a chance to use a Charged Move.
You have to play around this. In Raids, if the boss has a Rock-type sub-move (like Ancient Power on certain Legendaries), you might want to bench the Zard. It’s better to use a bulkier Fire-type like Entei or even a Reshiram if you have one. Don't let your ego get your best Pokemon fainted in the first ten seconds of a battle.
How to Actually Build a Top-Tier Charizard Right Now
If you are starting from scratch or looking to upgrade your current roster, don't just evolve the first high-CP Charmander you find. You need a strategy.
First, check your items. Do you have an Elite Fast TM and an Elite Charged TM? You’ll likely need them. If you missed the various events where Wing Attack and Blast Burn were available, these items are the only way to get those moves. They are rare, so use them wisely.
Second, consider the "Shadow" factor. If you happen to rescue a high-stat Shadow Charmander from a Team GO Rocket grunt, keep it. Do not purify it. A Shadow Charizard is objectively more powerful in almost every scenario, even if it costs a fortune in Stardust to power up. The "Purified" glow is cool and all, but that 20% damage buff is what wins games.
✨ Don't miss: How to Actually Finish the Sunkissed Shores Timed Research Without Losing Your Mind
Third, look at your Mega Energy. You need 200 energy for that first evolution. After that, the cost goes down significantly, and eventually, it becomes free to evolve after a cooldown period. Walk your Charizard as your Buddy to earn more energy once you've unlocked the Mega form. It’s the most efficient way to keep your Fire-type king ready for action without burning through rare resources.
The Verdict on Charizard's Longevity
Will Charizard ever be dethroned? Probably not. Even as newer generations introduce power-creeped monsters like Volcarona or the various Fire-type Legendaries, Charizard stays in the conversation because of its accessibility and its Mega forms. It’s a reliable, high-performing icon that bridges the gap between casual fans and hardcore competitive players.
It isn't just a Pokemon; it's a tool. It's a statement. And in the ever-shifting landscape of Pokemon GO, having a reliable tool is often better than having the newest, flashiest toy that might get nerfed in the next season.
Step-by-Step Optimization for Your Charizard
- Verify your moveset immediately. Check if your Charizard has Wing Attack (Fast) and Blast Burn (Charged). If it doesn't, and you have the TMs to spare, make the swap. For a second Charged Move, Dragon Claw is mandatory for baiting and spamming.
- Prioritize Mega Level 3. Rotate your Mega Evolution daily—even if you aren't battling—to hit Mega Level 3 as fast as possible. This maximizes your XL Candy chance and catch XP bonuses when catching other Fire or Flying types.
- Audit your PvP ranks. Use a tool like PokeGenie to scan your Charizard's IVs specifically for the Ultra League. You might find that your "weaker" Charizard is actually a top-ranked contender for competitive play.
- Coordinate your Raids. When using Mega Charizard Y in a Raid, communicate with your group. Ensure they are leading with their best Fire-types (like Reshiram or Heatran) to take full advantage of the damage boost you're providing to the field.
- Save your candy for Shadow versions. If you're sitting on a pile of Charmander candy, don't waste it on a standard 90% IV specimen. Hold out for a high-IV Shadow or a Shiny that you genuinely want to invest in. The Stardust cost is too high to settle for "okay" stats.