Charizard (SSBB)


 * For information about Charizard in regards to Pokémon Trainer, see Pokémon Trainer (SSBB), Squirtle (SSBB), and Ivysaur (SSBB).

Charizard (, Lizardon), stylized as CHARIZARD in Europe, is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl in a sense; it is one of three Pokémon that are played through the, the other two being and. Charizard originates from the original Pokémon games as the second and final evolved form of Charmander, one of the initial Pokémon the player can start out with at the beginning of the adventure.

Charizard is voiced by across all versions of the game, reprising his role from the Pokémon anime, though providing it with more realistic, reptile-like voice clips compared to the anime.

Attributes
Despite being the fifth heaviest character in Brawl, it differs greatly from the other heavyweights in abilities, though it does share their stats. It has a surprisingly fast dashing speed (slightly faster than though the difference is extremely small.) for a character of its weight, but it also has the slowest walking speed in the game ( shares the same problem). It is also the second fastest heavyweight in game, next only to Captain Falcon. It is almost unaffected by type effectiveness; both and water-type attacks are only used by 2 characters each. Charizard is one of only three playable characters to possess wings (the others being and ), and as such is gifted with two, very small midair jumps and the ability to glide. Both the start-up and the actual glide are significantly slower than the other two gliders though, making it difficult to incorporate into strategies outside of safer, less-predictable recoveries and infinite horizontal recovery. Charizard is easy to hit due to being a very large target, but can take lots of damage before getting KO'd due to its large weight. Like all three of the Pokémon Trainer's Pokémon, Charizard is susceptible to fatigue; after two minutes of play, its moves will be noticeably less powerful (in both damage and knockback). Given Charizard's high KO power and staying ability, however, it could be said it is the least affected by stamina of the three.

Predictably, Charizard is a powerful character with long attack range. Its smash attacks are all quite powerful, with its forward smash being capable of KOing a little below 80%. Charizard's power and range are counter-balanced by having a significant amount of ending lag after its power moves. Charizard can put decent offensive pressure on the opponent with its multiple jumps, Flamethrower, back aerial, up tilt, and up smash, and can also give out more defensive damage with moves like its forward tilt, down tilt and forward aerial (the last of which is especially useful when properly ledge-hopped). Neutral aerial and Rock Smash work both defensively and offensively, so overall Charizard has balanced attack capabilities. Despite its good range, Charizard's approach suffers against well-spaced disjointed hitboxes; Charizard fights best at mid to close range, where swords and the like are generally superior ('s forward aerial can even cut through all of Rock Smash). Charizard's specials are potent. Its Flamethrower is great at racking up the damage at close range, and also works well as an edge-guard or stalling tactic at mid-range. On the downside, Charizard lacks a long-ranged projectile. Complementing the damage-racking of Flamethrower is Charizard's side special, Rock Smash. It provides Charizard with an additional, relatively-safe power move; the headbutt packs a more portable punch than its smashes, and damage dealt from the rock fragments can combine to over 50%. Charizard's up special Fly has armor frames and significant knockback (although it has a linear path and is a somewhat poor recovery move, more because it suffers from 30 frames of the landing lag glitch), which both contribute to its recovery and can surprise high-speed rushdown moves (like Meta Knight's glide attack) by bursting through for a potential KO. Also, due the start-up, poor push-away and large landing lag of Charizard's aerials, it has a very poor air game. It is even easy to tech-chase when it lies on the ground due to its terrible get-up rolls (for example, it can't even roll behind Snake who stays stationary after it down throws him).

Charizard's greatest asset is its grab; Charizard's long neck gives it the second longest standing grab in the game, next to. The range is immensely helpful when dealing with higher-tier characters who have an easier time controlling the match. At low damage percentages, rushing in after a forward throw can usually net another grab, with another throw racking up a quick 20% at the beginning of matches. Its forward and back throws are also easily followed up with short-hopped Flamethrowers/Rock Smashes, depending on what the situation calls for (opponent retreating/advancing). Above 120% damage, Charizard's down throw is an effective KO'ing move, should the opponent prove difficult to KO with standard attacks.

Charizard was considered a semi-viable character when the Brawl metagame was active. Players agreed that Charizard was in the middle when compared with and. While it had a wide array of kill options as well as a decent recovery, Charizard suffered from its slow speed and laggy moveset. It also had trouble against many of the more prevalent characters in the metagame, notably and.

Taunts
All of Charizard's taunts are slightly different depending on the direction it is facing. This is most noticeable with its down taunt and least noticeable with its side taunt. Additionally, all of Charizard's taunts involve a stomp.

Victory poses
''Note: The Pokémon Trainer says "You did it, Charizard!" in all three victory poses.''

Role in The Subspace Emissary


Charizard is first seen flying towards The Ruins by and. Pokémon Trainer recognizes that Charizard is one of the Pokémon he's been trying to catch, and he and Lucas head into the ruins to attempt to capture it. In the process, they encounter in trophy form, which Pokémon Trainer captures. Eventually, Lucas and Pokémon Trainer defeat Charizard in battle and capture it, giving Pokémon Trainer his full team of, Ivysaur and Charizard.

In Classic Mode, Pokémon Trainer can appear as an opponent or ally in Stage 3 along with, , and on Pokémon Stadium 2 or Spear Pillar (with the latter available if it has been unlocked). Pokémon Trainer can also appear as an opponent in Stage 11, but only if he hasn't appeared in Stage 3.

All-Star Mode
In All-Star Mode, Pokémon Trainer is fought in Stage 18 alongside, , and on Pokémon Stadium 2 or Spear Pillar (with the latter available if it has been unlocked). Uniquely, the player must KO Pokémon Trainer three times to progress.

Event Matches
Note: Due to Charizard being featured in all of the Pokémon Trainer's events, the following listed are those events that features Charizard, but not the Trainer.

Solo Events

 * Event 8: Go! Triple Finish!: The player controls, who must defeat , , and Charizard on Pokémon Stadium.
 * Event 27: Three-Beast Carnage:A tiny must defeat a giant, a giant , and a giant Charizard on New Pork City.

Co-Op Events

 * Co-Op Event 14: The Dark Guardians: A tiny and a tiny  must work together to defeat a giant  and a giant Charizard on New Pork City.

Trophy
Charizard's trophy is obtained by clearing with the Pokémon Trainer and must deliver the final hit to  with Charizard.

Trivia

 * Charizard is the only Pokémon who the Pokémon Trainer uses that isn't voiced by other voice actors across all versions of Brawl.
 * Charizard is one of the four characters whose four throws can all KO in Sudden Death.
 * The states that if the flame on Charmander, Charmeleon or Charizard's tail is extinguished, the Pokémon will die. Despite this, in Brawl, Charizard can swim. When landing in the water, Charizard's entire body (including its tail) will submerge, but nothing happens to its stamina or the flame itself. However, when swimming at the water's surface, Charizard holds the tip of its tail above the water.