Charizard's Fire/Flying typing gives it an immunity to Ground. Only 3 weaknesses on top of that — it has plenty of safe switch-in opportunities. A competitive option since Gen 1. It clears the crowded base-100 Speed benchmark.
Charizard's built around special offense. Sp. Atk leads the charge, HP pays for it. Tough to catch, worth 3 Sp. Atk EVs. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It is said that Charizard’s fire burns hotter if it has experienced harsh battles.
Charizard Weakness
ExcellentType-wise, Charizard takes extra damage from Rock, Water, and Electric. Watch out for Rock attacks, those deal 4x damage. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. 6 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. With 78 HP and balanced defenses, Charizard can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
Charizard is the final form in a three-stage chain from Charmander through Charmeleon. Breeding this form produces Charmander eggs (average hatch time). Evolving from Charmander gave Charizard the biggest boost in Sp.Atk (+49), bringing the total to 534 stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Charizard to get Charmander eggs easily using 72 partners from the Dragon and Monster egg groups.
This build takes hits and hits back. Heavy-Duty Boots provides hazard immunity on every switch-in, Blaze supports the gameplan, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs mean Charizard doesn't crumble to chip damage. Plus double STAB backing it up.
Best Build
Best Charizard Moveset
- Scorching Sands
- Flamethrower
- Hurricane
- Air Slash
Recommended Teammates
TMs define Charizard's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Blast Burn and Overheat, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 9 types. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Stall teams hate this. Charizard can spread damage across 10 types, with Dragon and Normal punishing common defensive pivots. STAB from Blast Burn and Overheat keeps the pressure honest on everything else.
Breeding's the move. Air Cutter and Ancient Power give Charizard options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 9 types already covers a decent range on top of Blast Burn and Overheat. The egg moves push it further.
Stall teams hate this. Charizard can spread damage across 10 types, with Dragon and Normal punishing common defensive pivots. STAB from Overheat and Flare Blitz keeps the pressure honest on everything else.
No wild encounters for Charizard in Scarlet & Violet. Bring Charmander over from Red, Yellow, or Brilliant Diamond, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
Charizard isn't available in the wild in Legends: Z-A. Start by transferring Charmander from Red, Yellow, or Brilliant Diamond. The evolution path from Charmander to Charizard is covered in the steps below.
Can't catch Charizard directly. Start with Charmander at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 36. The 3-stage chain from Charmander to Charizard is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Charizard in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The path to Charizard starts with Charmander at Lv. 58-63 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch CharmanderSandsear CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostDesertPost-gameSandsear CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostDesertPost-gameTyphlo CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameTyphlo CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameVolcanic CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostVolcanoPost-gameVolcanic CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostVolcanoPost-game
Step 2Evolve into Charmeleon
Step 3Charizard ✓
Charizard can't be caught in Sword & Shield. Transfer Charmander from Red, Yellow, or Brilliant Diamond and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Charizard in Sword & Shield
Step 1Obtain Charmander
Step 2Evolve into Charmeleon
Step 3Charizard ✓
Charizard has a 534 base stat total and ranks as B-Tier — a solid choice for the right team. It works best as a sweeper. Base 109 Sp. Atk is where it shines.
Charmeleon evolves into Charizard at level 36. Charizard is the final evolution in a 3-stage line starting from Charmander. At 534 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
Blaze is the go-to ability for Charizard. It strengthens fire moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. Its hidden ability Solar Power can work in specific setups.
Charizard fills the sweeper role. It's a special attacker with base 109 Sp. Atk. Base 100 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Charizard appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Charizard first appeared in Red & Blue and spans 21 games across 9 generations. It later gained Mega X and Mega Y forms in Generation 6, a Mega form in Generation 7, and a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXYMega XMega Y
X & Y - Gen VIORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwShGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A