Charizard (SSB4): Difference between revisions

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{{disambig2|Charizard's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. 4''|the character in other contexts|Charizard}}

:{{cquote|Charizard Fires It Up!|cite=Introduction Tagline}}

Charizard is ranked 49th out of 56 on the [[tier list]], placing it in the middle of the I tier. This is a significant drop from {{SSBB|Pokémon Trainer}}'s standing in ''Brawl'', where he has been ranked 29th out of 38. Now an individual character, Charizard no longer has to contend with [[stamina]] reducing its power and has a more consistent moveset, but is unable to switch out with other Pokémon in order to cover its significant weaknesses. Charizard is a fast character for its weight class, boasting a decent walk speed, one of the fastest dash speeds, and several moves whose speed and combo ability are reasonable. It also benefits from an array of high-power KO options, high durability thanks to its weight, and a grab game that can either lead into further combos or KO set-ups. In addition, Charizard's grab game is particularly notable for its up throw, which is the strongest in the game, although its kill power is most effective on stages with platforms and its knockback can be mitigated via [[directional influence]]. Additionally, its special moveset is more consistent than in ''Brawl'' and is useful both for punishment and defensive purposes. However, Charizard has some very exploitable weaknesses, most notably a horrendous [[out of shield]] game and poor air speed. Furthermore, despite having better frame data than other characters of its weight class, Charizard's attacks are still laggy and punishable compared to the many combo-oriented characters prevalent in the [[metagame]]. Additionally, its recovery is merely average despite being a partial Flying-type Pokémon; while [[Fly]]'s vertical range has increased, but since [[gliding]] has been removed, [[Flare Blitz]] is now used as an alternative for horizontal recovery. Finally, Charizard suffers from a vulnerability to combos, a common problem among heavyweights. Characters such as {{SSB4|Ryu}} are able to [[zero-to-death]] it outright due to it lacking options to break out of faster combos, with even [[Rock Smash]] coming out too slowly for its [[launch resistance]] to activate if Charizard is already trapped in a combo. As a result, Charizard has very poor tournament representation, which is even worse than some lower-ranked characters such as {{SSB4|Ganondorf}} and {{SSB4|Samus}}. However, the relevancy of Charizard's current tier position is under debate; while widely viewed as an even poorer character in the early ''SSB4'' [[metagame]], it received significant buffs to its combo game, frame data and landing lag through game updates, allowing some professionals to achieve modest results with it.

Unlike the other playable Pokémon, which are almost all lightweights, Charizard fits the archetype of a powerful yet slow heavyweight with remarkable reach. However, like {{SSB4|Ike}} and {{SSB4|Bowser}}, Charizard has some deceptively fast options for a heavyweight, courtesy of possessing the fifteenth-fastest [[walk]] speed (which is tied with {{SSB4|Mewtwo}}), the eighth-fastest [[dash]] speed, decent frame data for a character of its weight class, and a useful combo game. One of Charizard's strengths is its KOing ability; it possesses numerous KOing options ([[Flare Blitz]], [[Fly]], [[Rock Smash]], all of its smash attacks, its sweetspotted forward tilt, its up, back, and down aerials, and its post-update [[1.0.8]] up throw), all of which become even more lethal courtesy of the [[rage]] mechanic that ''SSB4'' introduced. As already mentioned, Charizard also has some moves that combo rather well, such as its neutral attack and forward aerial.  

Charizard's special moves are all very useful for its general playstyle. [[Flamethrower]] is a short-range projectile that can inflict massive damage, interrupt approaches, and gimp recoveries, and is overall more versatile than {{SSB4|Bowser}}'s [[Fire Breath]] because it has less ending lag and can cause opponents to flinch more easily. It is also decent at recovery, as [[Flare Blitz]], though somewhat situational, covers a large amount of horizontal distance quickly while providing respectable damage and very high knockback. Flare Blitz is also devastating as a long-range and relatively fast punishing move, although it leaves Charizard in a very vulnerable state if it is shielded or otherwise avoided. As such, it is a high-risk, high-reward move that is easier to use and time than other punishing moves, such as [[Warlock Punch]] and most smash attacks, although it should not be used recklessly due to the risk involved. [[Fly]] covers a decent amount of vertical distance while providing super armor and high base knockback. Finally, [[Rock Smash]] is an essential move as it provides Charizard with super armor while causing high damage and knockback itself, allowing Charizard to avoid being launched or juggled by all but the fastest moves while shifting momentum in its favor.

Despite the large amount of buffs, they are not enough to compensate for the intensity of the few major nerfs received, as Charizard's overall damage output has decreased and some of its attacks are less reliable, such as down tilt and back aerial. While Charizard has not improved significantly from its changes in ''SSB4'', its status as an individual character and corresponding changes in its moveset and attributes require it to be played differently from how it did in ''Brawl''.  

==In [[Competitive play|Competitive Play]]==