**art is mine**
[OVERVIEW]
As one of only three Dragon-types in LGPE OU, Mega Charizard X is a powerful offensive threat that can easily spread burns and outpace key threats like Melmetal, Alolan Muk, and unboosted Dragonite. It is also one of the few Fire-types with reliable recovery in Roost, immediately giving it a very favorable matchup against Melmetal, Will-O-Wisp Mew, and Mega Venusaur. However, Mega Charizard X does have a nasty Stealth Rock weakness, especially before it Mega Evolves, meaning it is usually forced to Roost before it can act offensively. Its defensive typing also leaves it vulnerable to common threats such as Rhydon, Alolan Dugtrio, and Dragonite. Furthermore, its lack of any method of boosting its stats leads some teams to prefer Dragonite, which can outspeed threats like Mega Gengar, Mega Alakazam, and Mega Beedrill after one Agility. Mega Charizard X also takes up a Mega Evolution spot for a team, meaning one must sacrifice using another, potentially more threatening Mega Evolution such as Mega Gengar, Mega Aerodactyl, or Mega Beedrill. Mega Charizard X's main competition is in Mew as a burn spreader, but Mega Charizard X does come with much more power as well as a unique STAB combination and defensive typing.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Dragon Pulse
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Roost
item: Charizardite X
nature: Timid
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fire Blast OHKOes Melmetal while dealing considerable damage to threats like Alolan Muk, Mega Venusaur, and Mew. Dragon Pulse is another STAB move that threatens unboosted Dragonite, as well as dealing more damage to Pokemon that resist Fire Blast, such as Rhydon, Mega Gyarados, Poliwrath, and Starmie on the switch. Will-O-Wisp threatens to cripple physically offensive threats such as Rhydon, Poliwrath, and Mega Aerodactyl. Roost gives Mega Charizard X a form of recovery, keeping it healthy so it can continue spreading burns with Will-O-Wisp. A Timid nature allows Mega Charizard X to be as fast as possible and Speed tie with Mew and Zapdos.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Charizard X should aim to Mega Evolve as soon as possible, especially before Stealth Rock is set. It can accomplish this by forcing switches against Pokemon like Melmetal, Mega Venusaur, and Alolan Exeggutor. From there, it can go for an offensive move or use Roost to heal itself from Stealth Rock damage. If predicting the opponent to bring in Rhydon, Mega Aerodactyl, or Alolan Muk expecting Mega Charizard X to go for an offensive move, it would be a good idea to go for Will-O-Wisp to burn it. While it is by no means a frail Pokemon, Mega Charizard X should ideally be brought in with the help of a pivot like Zapdos or Mew, after a teammate has fainted, or with an aggressive double switch. It can also come in on moves it is immune to or weak, resisted attacks, such as Mew's Will-O-Wisp, Eevee-S's Sizzly Slide, and Zapdos's Thunderbolt. It also should never be afflicted with status conditions; Toxic from Pokemon like Alolan Muk, Rhydon, Poliwrath, Zapdos, and Snorlax puts it on a timer and wears it down further along with Stealth Rock damage, while paralysis from Pokemon like Starmie and Mega Gyarados can cut its Speed and potentially leave it unable to do anything for a turn.
Team Options
========
Despite Mega Charizard X's decent Speed tier, it is still outpaced by prominent threats such as Mega Alakazam, Mega Gengar, and Starmie. Bold Starmie can spread paralysis with Thunder Wave, and Eevee-S can run Buzzy Buzz to help circumvent this issue as well as Sparkly Swirl in the case that Mega Charizard X is afflicted with a status condition. Other Pokemon like Alolan Muk and Snorlax can check these revenge killers too. Mega Charizard X absolutely needs an answer to Rock- and Ground-type Pokemon if it is to sweep late-game. Starmie, Poliwrath, and Alolan Exeggutor are good teammates to consider for this role. Physically offensive Pokemon like Melmetal, Rhydon, and Poliwrath can easily punch holes in special walls like Snorlax and Alolan Muk. These Pokemon also benefit from Mega Charizard X's immunity to Will-O-Wisp. Having a teammate that can pivot, such as Zapdos or Mew, would be a good idea, since Mega Charizard X needs to safely come into battle. Zapdos can also directly switch into Earthquake for Mega Charizard X. Pokemon like Dragonite, Snorlax, and Clefable appreciate Mega Charizard X's ability to threaten Melmetal so they can spam their STAB moves more freely.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A mixed offensive set of Outrage / Fire Blast / Roost / Dragon Pulse could work, as Outrage from Timid Mega Charizard X has a 90% chance to 2HKO Mega Gyarados after Stealth Rock, while it is guaranteed with a Naive or Hasty nature. This set also OHKOes Chansey and 2HKOes Snorlax. However, locking Mega Charizard X into Outrage is not a good idea, as it leaves it unable to check Melmetal, as it can freely switch in and KO Mega Charizard X. This set is also not advised because losing out on Will-O-Wisp takes away from Mega Charizard X's niche, and its attacks will be weaker unless it goes with a Naive or Hasty nature, which lowers Mega Charizard X's bulk quite a bit. Flare Blitz can be considered over Fire Blast thanks to its higher PP and ability to OHKO Chansey and 2HKO Snorlax, but the recoil on top of taking Stealth Rock damage can be nasty, as it deals 70% recoil after KOing Chansey alone. Earthquake is a much safer option than Flare Blitz, as it still 2HKOes Chansey and threatens Alolan Muk.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Stealth Rock**: Before Mega Evolving, Mega Charizard X loses half of its health from Stealth Rock, and even after it takes a quarter of its health, limiting its time in battle.
**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Mega Alakazam, Mega Gengar, Starmie, Mega Aerodactyl, and Alolan Dugtrio all threaten to outspeed and KO Mega Charizard X. These Pokemon do not want to directly come into Mega Charizard X and risk taking a massive amount of damage or get burned by Will-O-Wisp, however, and Starmie needs to run Hydro Pump to 2HKO it.
**Status Conditions**: Mega Charizard X's sweep can be cut short by poison from Toxic and paralysis; Toxic puts it on a timer, and paralysis cuts its Speed in half.
**Super Effective Coverage**: Mega Aerodactyl, Rhydon, and Alolan Dugtrio can easily dispatch of Mega Charizard X by exploiting its weaknesses to Rock and Ground. Keep in mind that these Pokemon do not want to directly come into Mega Charizard X and risk being burned by Will-O-Wisp.
**Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Alolan Muk and Snorlax can take any attack Mega Charizard X uses and threaten it with Toxic or with powerful moves. Snorlax in particular doesn't care about Will-O-Wisp and can retaliate with a very powerful Facade. Chansey also hard walls this set but falls to a mixed set.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[JustoonSmitts, 239732]]
- Quality checked by: [[Theorymon, 29010], [Funbot28, 255984], [Ivy, 173336]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Rabia, 336073]]
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