Charizard (SSB4): Difference between revisions

{{Infobox Character

|name = Charizard

|game = SSB4

|ssbgame1 = SSBB

|availability = [[Starter character|Starter]]

|tier = E

}}

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

Charizard also boasts a potent grab game that allows for combos, KO set-ups, and even KOing outright; its up throw, in particular, is the second strongest throw of any kind in the game. Lastly, Charizard's overall mobility is quite fast for a super heavyweight. Its [[walk]]ing and [[dash]]ing speeds are among the fastest in the game, while a number of its moves boast minimal start-up lag alongside respectable utility.

==Attributes==

Unlike the other playable Pokémon, who are either lightweights ({{SSB4|Pikachu}}, {{SSB4|Jigglypuff}} and {{SSB4|Mewtwo}}) or middleweights ({{SSB4|Lucario}} and {{SSB4|Greninja}}), Charizard is a super [[Weight|heavyweight]]. Although its overall damage output and endurance are fittingly very high, it deviates from its weight class' archetype in a few ways. The most noticeable of these differences are its hurtboxes and mobility. Charizard does not have hurtboxes on its wings, and they only cover slightly more than the base of its tail.<ref>[https://smashboards.com/guides/ignition-in-depth-breakdown-and-guide-to-charizard.973/ Ignition - In-Depth Breakdown and Guide to Charizard by SilentDoom]</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/KuroganeHammer/status/891937046570295297 Kurogane Hammer detailing Charizard's back aerial]</ref> As a result, Charizard's wings and the majority of its tail are effectively immune to opposing hitboxes.

===Aesthetics===

*{{change|Charizard's design has changed. It has smaller teeth and a slightly less pronounced snout; the corners of its mouth are curved upward; and its wings' metacarpal joints are slightly longer and slightly thinner. Additionally, Charizard's teeth are now white instead of beige; its patagium's interior is now midnight green instead of Persian green; and its tail's flame is now orange instead of vermilion. Lastly, the aesthetic used in ''SSB4'' has resulted in Charizard having a sleeker design, and the orange portion of its skin being more vibrant. Altogether, these changes make Charizard appear virtually identical to its appearance in ''{{s|bulbapedia|Pokédex 3D Pro}}''.}}

*{{change|Charizard is slightly more expressive. Its irises now shrink during its [[sidestep]] and when it is hit or launched. The majority of Charizard's animations are also more fluid.}}

*{{change|Charizard has new voice clips. Its grunts and roars now match how they sound in the ''Pokémon'' anime.}}

===Attributes===

*{{change|Due to the limitations of the [[Nintendo 3DS]]' processing power,<ref>[http://sourcegaming.info/2015/07/09/i-answer-some-questions-sakurai-famitsu-column-vol-461-464/ "I Answer Some Questions" Sakurai Famitsu column vol. 461-464, on Ice Climbers, clones, and Smash Run]</ref> Charizard is no longer connected to Pokémon Trainer via [[Pokémon Change]] or [[character selection screen]] input.<ref name="Direct"/>}}

**{{nerf|However, Charizard can no longer switch to [[Squirtle]] (and subsequently [[Ivysaur]]) to adapt to different matchups and cover up its own weaknesses.}}

*{{buff|Charizard [[walk]]s much faster (0.7 → 1.2), going from the slowest out of 39 characters to the 15th fastest out of 58.}}

*{{buff|Charizard [[dash]]es faster (1.8 → 2.0).}}

*{{nerf|Charizard's [[air speed]] is slower (0.987 → 0.92), going from the 14th fastest to the 12th slowest.}}

*{{change|Charizard [[Falling speed|falls]] faster (1.35 → 1.4). This slightly improves its vertical endurance, but makes it slightly more susceptible to combos.}}

*{{nerf|Charizard's [[traction]] is lower (0.055 → 0.04). When combined with Charizard's slower grab and up smash, this significantly hinders Charizard's ability to punish [[out of shield]].}}

*{{buff|[[Roll]]s have decreased ending lag (FAF 35 (forward)/FAF 36 (backward) → 33 (both)).}}

*{{nerf|[[Spot dodge]] has more startup lag with a short duration (frames 2-20 → 3-18) and it has increased ending lag (FAF 26 → 28).}}

*{{buff|[[Air dodge]] has less startup (frame 4 → 3) and ending lag (FAF 40 → 34).}}

**{{change|Down tilt has a reduced [[trip]] chance (40%/50% → 30%) although it is still incapable of tripping due to its knockback and angle.}}

**{{nerf|Down tilt has more startup (frame 8 → 9) and ending lag (FAF 28 → 31).}}

*[[Dash attack]]:

**{{buff|Dash attack has less ending lag (FAF 45 → 40).}}

**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has decreased knockback scaling (90 → 78).}}

*[[Forward aerial]]:

**{{buff|Forward aerial has less startup (frame 9 → 8) and ending lag (FAF 48 → 47).}}

**{{nerf|Forward aerial has a shorter duration (frames 9-16 → 8-11).}}

**{{nerf|Forward aerial [[auto-cancel]]s later (frame 26 → 35), now requiring perfect timing to be auto-cancelled in a short hop.}}

**{{nerf|Forward aerial launches opponents at a less favorable angle (25° → 361° (early)/34° (clean)), which along with its lower base knockback hinders its edgeguarding potential.}}

*[[Back aerial]]:

**{{nerf|Back aerial has smaller hitboxes (6u/6u/6u/6u (hit 2) → 5u/4u/4u/2.8u).}}

**{{nerf|Back aerial has more ending lag (FAF 42 → 46).}}

***{{nerf|Altogether, these changes greatly hinder back aerial's approach potential despite its increased range.}}

**{{buff|The changes to shields as well as back aerial's increased range and damage significantly improve its shield pressuring potential, especially the sweetspot.}}

**{{buff|Charizard has a new up aerial. Charizards swings its head in an upwards arc (similar to {{SSB4|Bowser}}'s). It deals more damage (10% (clean)/7% (late) → 13%) and has increased base knockback (20 → 30), significantly improving its KO potential compared to the previous up aerial.}}

**{{buff|Up aerial has more horizontal range due to its new animation.}}

**{{nerf|Up aerial grants less intangibility to Charizard's head/neck (frames 6-11 → 11-15).}}

**{{nerf|Up aerial has a shorter initial auto-cancel window despite its increased startup lag (frames 1-5 → 1-3).}}

**{{nerf|Rock Smash has more ending lag (FAF 62 → 72).}}

**{{nerf|If Charizard is prematurely hit out of Rock Smash (before the move gains super armor), the rock will no longer immediately break and trigger the fragments, hindering its use as a fast attack to use in pressure situations.}}

**{{nerf|The rock hitbox is smaller (8.5u (ground)/8u (air) → 7.8u (both)).}}

**{{nerf|The fragments deal more knockback (55 (base), 30 (scaling) → 70/50), which makes them connect less reliably while still being far too weak to KO.}}

'''{{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.0.6]]'''

'''{{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.0.8]]'''

'''{{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.1.0]]'''

'''{{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.1.1]]'''

'''{{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.1.3]]'''

|ftiltdmg=11% (flame), 7% (tail)

|ftiltdesc=Swings its tail forward. It can be angled; has long range; and its sweetspot is at the [[Flame|flaming]] tip of Charizard's tail. When sweetspotted, it is one of the strongest forward tilts in the game. Its sweetspot KOs middleweights at 122%/111% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). Due to it hitting on frame 11 and having 29 frames of ending lag, however, it is punishable.

|utiltdmg=8%

|utiltdesc=Hunches in order to thrust its wings upward. It hits on frame 9 and has very high knockback growth for a tilt attack. These traits make it a fairly fast, yet capable KOing option, as it KOs middleweights at 135%/126% (''3DS''/''Wii U'') from anywhere on Final Destination. Thanks to its long vertical range and Charizard not having hurtboxes in its wings, it is also a safe anti-air attack. However, it is Charizard's least damaging tilt attack. It also has fairly minimal horizontal range.

|usmashname=&nbsp;

|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|5}} (hit 1), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|11}} (hit 2)

|dsmashname=&nbsp;

|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|16}}

|fairdmg=12% (early, clean arm), 13% (clean tip)

|fairdesc=A downward slash with its claws. It hits on frame 8, which is the lowest amount of start-up lag out Charizard's aerials. It also auto-cancels with a short hop, while its sweetspot's tip is a semi-spike. When coupled with its respectable damage output and high knockback growth, these traits make it very reliable either as a follow-up from down throw, or as a KOing option. While near the edge of Final Destination, its sweetspot KOs middleweights at 108%/97% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). However, it has moderate ending and landing lag, and is punishable from out of shield by most characters.

|bairdmg=11% (body), 14% (tail), 16% (flame)

|bairdesc=Swings its tail backward. Like forward tilt, its sweetspot is at the flaming tip of Charizard's tail. When sweetspotted, it is Charizard's most damaging aerial, and the second strongest back aerial in the game. While near the edge of Final Destination, its sweetspot KOs middleweights at 84%/74% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). Although its tail hitbox is noticeably weaker, it is still strong enough to KO middleweights at 98%/87% (''3DS''/''Wii U'') while near the edge of Final Destination. Its high damage output and long range also make it safe on shield when spaced properly. Due to it hitting on frame 14, however, it has the second highest amount of start-up lag out of Charizard's aerials.

|dairdesc=A stomp. Its sweetspot is a very powerful [[meteor smash]]. In comparison, its sourspot launches opponents either diagonally or at the [[Sakurai angle]]. Due to it hitting on frame 18 and having 33 frames of landing lag, however, it is very punishable. Its sourspot is also much less effective than its sweetspot in regard to edge-guarding.

|grabname=&nbsp;

|pummelname=&nbsp;

|pummeldmg=2%

|dsc1name=Sinking Skull

|dsc1dmg=12% (sweetspot), 10% (sourspot)

|dsc2name=Rock Hurl

|dsc2dmg=8% (boulder), 2% (fragments)

|fsdesc=[[bulbapedia:Mega Evolution|Mega Evolves]] into Mega Charizard X. As Mega Charizard X, it can fly freely around the stage, similarly to [[Super Dragon]]. Unlike Super Dragon, Mega Charizard X has super armor and flinch resistance instead of [[invincibility]], and receiving damage will shorten its duration. Pressing the attack and special attack buttons causes Mega Charizard X to use Dragon Rush and [[bulbapedia:Fire Blast (move)|Fire Blast]], respectively. Compared to the Dragon Rush custom move, Mega Charizard X's Dragon Rush possesses longer range; the ability to propel Mega Charizard X in any given direction; and actual KO potential, thanks to its higher damage output and knockback. In comparison, Fire Blast is a fiery projectile that covers slightly more than the entirety of Final Destination and hits multiple times, with its last hit possessing KO potential. Dragon Rush and Fire Blast's last hits KO middleweights at 108% and 123%, respectively, while near the edge of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version.

}}

===[[On-screen appearance]]===

==In [[competitive play]]==

===[[Official Custom Moveset Project]]===

{{OfficialCustomMoves

<!--This character has a ten player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines -->

==In [[Event Match]]es==

**It can use {{iw|bulbapedia|Blast Burn|move}} like Red (albeit only in ''Pokémon HeartGold'' and ''SoulSilver Versions'') and Alain's.

**It can undergo {{iw|bulbapedia|Mega Evolution}} like Red and Alain's.

*Due to having access to both X Attack and Fake Nails in the attack category, Charizard is the only character capable of using two types of specialized/non-badge [[equipment]] within the same category.

**This also makes it the only Pokémon that can equip something other than badges and Pokémon equipment.

*Charizard is the first character to have one of its special move inputs changed between games since the transition from ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' to ''[[Melee]]'', with the second being {{SSBU|Palutena}} in ''[[Ultimate]]''.

*Charizard is supposed to have a 6-frame jumpsquat according to its parameters. Due to a float precision error involving the original animation's length, however, it ends up being 7 instead.

*In between the 3DS and Wii U versions, Charizard's the only character who uses a different victory pose when being on a winning team in Team Battles.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl7WzudWkAA</ref><ref>https://youtu.be/oyd_j-RggZA?t=127</ref>

**This makes it the only character to use all three of its victory poses in Team Battles when concluding both versions of the game.