Charizard (SSB4): Difference between revisions
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'''Charizard''' ({{ja|リザードン|Rizādon}}, ''Lizardon'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. Charizard's return to the series was confirmed as part of the April 8th, 2014 [[Nintendo Direct|Super Smash Bros. Direct]], during which its fellow [[Pokémon (universe)|''Pokémon'']] representative {{SSB4|Greninja}} was also confirmed. Charizard is once again voiced by Shin'ichirō Miki, who re-recorded Charizard's grunts and roars to match how it sounds in the ''Pokémon'' anime, rather than redo its coarser grunts and roars from ''Brawl''. | '''Charizard''' ({{ja|リザードン|Rizādon}}, ''Lizardon'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. Charizard's return to the series was confirmed as part of the April 8th, 2014 [[Nintendo Direct|Super Smash Bros. Direct]], during which its fellow [[Pokémon (universe)|''Pokémon'']] representative {{SSB4|Greninja}} was also confirmed. Charizard is once again voiced by Shin'ichirō Miki, who re-recorded Charizard's grunts and roars to match how it sounds in the ''Pokémon'' anime, rather than redo its coarser grunts and roars from ''Brawl''. | ||
Charizard is currently ranked 45th out of 58 on the current [[tier list]], placing it in the middle of E tier and making it the third highest | Charizard is currently ranked 45th out of 58 on the current [[tier list]], placing it in the middle of E tier and making it the third highest ranked super heavyweight. This is a slight drop from {{SSBB|Pokémon Trainer}}'s standing in ''Brawl'', where he had 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: its boasts a decent walking speed, one of the fastest dashing speeds, and several moves with reasonable speed and combo potential. | ||
Charizard also benefits from an array of strong KOing options, high durability thanks to its weight, and a grab game that allows for combos, KO set-ups or KOing outright. Its up throw is particularly notable due to being the strongest in the game, although its KO 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 punishing and defensive purposes. | Charizard also benefits from an array of strong KOing options, high durability thanks to its weight, and a grab game that allows for combos, KO set-ups or KOing outright. Its up throw is particularly notable due to being the strongest in the game, although its KO 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 punishing and defensive purposes. | ||
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However, Charizard has some exploitable weaknesses. Despite having better frame data than its fellow super heavyweights, some of Charizard's attacks are still laggy and punishable compared to the many combo-oriented characters prevalent in the [[metagame]]. Charizard also suffers from a vulnerability to combos, a common problem among heavyweights and super heavyweights; although its escape options are assorted, they can be easy to exploit. | However, Charizard has some exploitable weaknesses. Despite having better frame data than its fellow super heavyweights, some of Charizard's attacks are still laggy and punishable compared to the many combo-oriented characters prevalent in the [[metagame]]. Charizard also suffers from a vulnerability to combos, a common problem among heavyweights and super heavyweights; although its escape options are assorted, they can be easy to exploit. | ||
In the early metagame, Charizard endured very poor tournament representation and results, to the point of being considered the single worst character. However, | In the early metagame, Charizard endured very poor tournament representation and results, to the point of being considered the single worst character among the cast. However, thanks to consistently receiving very useful buffs via game updates over the game's lifespan, Charizard's tournament success (particularly in regional tournaments and the international scene) has seen considerable improvement, albeit very gradually. As a result, it has managed to rise from initially being at the middle of the bottom-tier to currently being in the upper portion of the low-tier, which reflects the general consensus on its success even prior to its tier reassessment. | ||
==Attributes== | ==Attributes== | ||
Unlike the other playable Pokémon, who are either lightweights or middleweights, Charizard is a super [[Weight|heavyweight]]. As such, its moveset and playstyle can be compared to {{SSB4|Bowser}}'s in numerous ways | Unlike the other playable Pokémon, who are either lightweights or middleweights, Charizard is a super [[Weight|heavyweight]]. As such, its moveset and playstyle can be compared to {{SSB4|Bowser}}'s in numerous ways: both possess a number of moves with similar uses, heavily rely on throw-initiated combos, and possess near-identical projectile options. Charizard fittingly possesses impressive power and survivability, yet deviates from its weight class' archetype in a few ways. Its most atypical attributes are its grounded mobility and versatile recovery: Charizard boasts very good grounded mobility, with its [[walking]] speed being tied with {{SSB4|Mewtwo}}'s for the fifteenth fastest in the game, and its [[dash]]ing speed being the ninth fastest in the game, whereas its recovery covers good distance and possesses [[armor]]. Charizard's frame data is also decently fast, making it arguably the fastest of the super heavyweights and thus results in it fitting the "lightning bruiser" archetype. Despite its impressive grounded mobility, Charizard is burdened with low [[traction]], which is tied with Mewtwo's as the second lowest in the game. Lastly, Charizard is one of the only two heavyweights that has [[Jump#Multiple double jumps|multiple double jumps]], with the other being {{SSB4|King Dedede}}. | ||
One of Charizard's strengths is its KOing ability | One of Charizard's strengths is its KOing ability: it possesses numerous KOing options in the forms of [[Flare Blitz]], [[Fly]], [[Rock Smash]], its smash attacks, its sweetspotted forward tilt, its forward, 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. As of update 1.1.5, Charizard's back aerial in particular is one of its most fearsome moves, as it deals outstanding knockback and has excellent range. Another of Charizard's strengths is its grab game. Its overall grab range makes it one of the longest non-[[tether grab]]s in the game, its up throw can potentially KO below 95%, and its down throw is a reliable combo starter. Its very fast dashing speed further complements its grab game by allowing Charizard to land dash and pivot grabs easier than other heavyweights. | ||
Charizard's special moves are all useful for its general playstyle. [[Flamethrower]] is a short-ranged [[projectile]] that can rack up damage, intercept projectiles, interrupt approaches, and gimp recoveries. Compared to {{SSB4|Bowser}}'s [[Fire Breath]], it boasts better versatility due to having less ending lag and causing flinching more easily. [[Rock Smash]] is an essential move due to its offensive and defensive capabilities. In addition to dealing high damage and knockback, it provides Charizard with high amounts of armor, which allows it to avoid being launched or juggled by all but the fastest moves and functions as a somewhat safe landing option. | Charizard's special moves are all useful for its general playstyle. [[Flamethrower]] is a short-ranged [[projectile]] that can rack up damage, intercept projectiles, interrupt approaches, and gimp recoveries. Compared to {{SSB4|Bowser}}'s [[Fire Breath]], it boasts better versatility due to having less ending lag and causing flinching more easily. [[Rock Smash]] is an essential move due to its offensive and defensive capabilities. In addition to dealing high damage and knockback, it provides Charizard with high amounts of armor, which allows it to avoid being launched or juggled by all but the fastest moves and functions as a somewhat safe landing option. | ||
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[[Flare Blitz]] and [[Fly]] are highly protective recovery options. Flare Blitz grants a great amount of horizontal distance quickly, deals respectable damage and knockback, and can be used as a punishment option due to its [[armor]]. However, it deals [[recoil damage]] and is highly punishable due to its lag, making it a situational recovery option. [[Fly]] grants a decent amount of vertical distance, and, like Flare Blitz, provides armor and deals high knockback, making it a risky move for opponents to intercept. | [[Flare Blitz]] and [[Fly]] are highly protective recovery options. Flare Blitz grants a great amount of horizontal distance quickly, deals respectable damage and knockback, and can be used as a punishment option due to its [[armor]]. However, it deals [[recoil damage]] and is highly punishable due to its lag, making it a situational recovery option. [[Fly]] grants a decent amount of vertical distance, and, like Flare Blitz, provides armor and deals high knockback, making it a risky move for opponents to intercept. | ||
However, Charizard has noticeable flaws. One of which is its lack of a very useful projectile; despite Flamethrower's strengths, its sub-par range and moderately fast decay can prevent it from aiding Charizard significantly. Charizard is also easy to combo and generally hit due to its size and weight, although this factor can be overcome with the use of defensive moves such as Rock Smash, Fly, dodging, and even Flare Blitz to escape from foes. Additionally, while Charizard's frame data is better overall than other heavyweights (even {{SSB4|Bowser}}'s), it is still generally poor compared to most of the cast, although this is not necessarily a glaring problem depending on the moves used. While Charizard's [[air speed]] has been greatly improved and is no longer among the slowest in the game, it is still below average overall. Its [[out of shield]] game is considered a weakness as well; despite having some of the best out of shield options available, such as Fly and its up throw, they are hindered by Charizard's aforementioned poor traction. | However, Charizard has noticeable flaws. One of which is its lack of a very useful projectile; despite Flamethrower's strengths, its sub-par range and moderately fast decay can prevent it from aiding Charizard significantly. Charizard is also easy to combo and generally hit due to its size and weight, although this factor can be overcome with the use of defensive moves such as Rock Smash, Fly, dodging, and even Flare Blitz to escape from foes. Additionally, while Charizard's frame data is better overall than other heavyweights (even {{SSB4|Bowser}}'s), it is still generally poor compared to most of the cast, although this is not necessarily a glaring problem depending on the moves used. While Charizard's [[air speed]] has been greatly improved and is no longer among the slowest in the game, it is still below average overall. Its [[out of shield]] game is considered a weakness as well; despite having some of the best out of shield options available, such as Fly and its up throw, they are hindered by Charizard's aforementioned poor traction. Lastly, Flare Blitz is a highly situational move, as it damages Charizard even when used for recovery and is so telegraphed that it can be avoided and exploited by more competent players when used as an attack. | ||
A few of Charizard's [[Character customization|custom moves]] address some of its shortcomings. Dragon Rush is arguably its best custom move, as it is a pressuring and rushdown option that has less lag, no recoil and cannot be blocked by opponents when recovering. Fly High slightly improves its vertical recovery, although it loses one of its fastest punishing moves in the process. Rising Cyclone sacrifices some recovery height for very high launching power that can KO most characters around as low as 56% while near the upper [[blast line]]. Rock Hurl, while sacrificing damage output, provides increased range, speed and super armor, the latter of which starts on frame 1. | A few of Charizard's [[Character customization|custom moves]] address some of its shortcomings. Dragon Rush is arguably its best custom move, as it is a pressuring and rushdown option that has less lag, no recoil and cannot be blocked by opponents when recovering. Fly High slightly improves its vertical recovery, although it loses one of its fastest punishing moves in the process. Rising Cyclone sacrifices some recovery height for very high launching power that can KO most characters around as low as 56% while near the upper [[blast line]]. Rock Hurl, while sacrificing damage output, provides increased range, speed and super armor, the latter of which starts on frame 1. | ||
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Overall, Charizard is well-rounded for a super heavyweight: it has a potent grab game, yet is less reliant on grappling compared than {{SSB4|Bowser}} and {{SSB4|Donkey Kong}}, while it is not burdened with polarized attributes like {{SSB4|Ganondorf}} and {{SSB4|King Dedede}}. As a result, its strengths are on par with its weaknesses; whether one outweighs the other depends on the opponent it is facing and the player's style. Charizard can be considered a variation of Bowser that exchanges [[out of shield]] options, balanced aerial mobility and raw power for fast grounded mobility, usable defensive tools, better frame data and better recovery. As such, Charizard's playstyle is similar to Bowser's: it requires patience, yet deviates from Bowser by also requiring an appropriate balance offensive and defensive tactics, instead of mainly defensive tactics. Purely offensive play exposes Charizard to harsh punishment, whereas purely defensive play fails to exploit Charizard's main advantages (namely its frame data and grounded mobility) over its fellow super heavyweights. Like its fellow super heavyweights, Charizard should not be afraid to exchange blows with the opponent, as a few strong hits from it can give it the advantage in many cases. [[Read]]s and [[mindgame]]s can be pivotal for Charizard's best punishment options, such as Flare Blitz and its smash attacks, although it is not as singularly dependent on them like Ganondorf and {{SSB4|Jigglypuff}} are thanks to its other assets. | Overall, Charizard is well-rounded for a super heavyweight: it has a potent grab game, yet is less reliant on grappling compared than {{SSB4|Bowser}} and {{SSB4|Donkey Kong}}, while it is not burdened with polarized attributes like {{SSB4|Ganondorf}} and {{SSB4|King Dedede}}. As a result, its strengths are on par with its weaknesses; whether one outweighs the other depends on the opponent it is facing and the player's style. Charizard can be considered a variation of Bowser that exchanges [[out of shield]] options, balanced aerial mobility and raw power for fast grounded mobility, usable defensive tools, better frame data and better recovery. As such, Charizard's playstyle is similar to Bowser's: it requires patience, yet deviates from Bowser by also requiring an appropriate balance offensive and defensive tactics, instead of mainly defensive tactics. Purely offensive play exposes Charizard to harsh punishment, whereas purely defensive play fails to exploit Charizard's main advantages (namely its frame data and grounded mobility) over its fellow super heavyweights. Like its fellow super heavyweights, Charizard should not be afraid to exchange blows with the opponent, as a few strong hits from it can give it the advantage in many cases. [[Read]]s and [[mindgame]]s can be pivotal for Charizard's best punishment options, such as Flare Blitz and its smash attacks, although it is not as singularly dependent on them like Ganondorf and {{SSB4|Jigglypuff}} are thanks to its other assets. | ||
From a competitive standpoint, Charizard is ranked in the E tier on the current tier list, placing it in upper low tier. While Charizard had been previously regarded as a bottom-tier character and even the worst in the game prior to version [[1.0.6]], it received | From a competitive standpoint, Charizard is ranked in the E tier on the current tier list, placing it in upper portion of the low-tier. While Charizard had been previously regarded as a bottom-tier character and even the worst character in the game prior to version [[1.0.6]], it consistently received substantial buffs, which lead it to be widely regarded as a potential low-tier or mid-tier character even before its improvement in results and official tier reassessment. Despite being well-rounded for a super heavyweight, many players cite Charizard as one of the more complex heavyweights to utilize, which was reflected in it having generally below average tournament representation outside of North America. Nevertheless, Charizard has managed to achieve sparse but notable success in regional tournaments outside of North America, including placing first on a number of occasions. | ||
==Changes from ''Brawl''== | ==Changes from ''Brawl''== | ||
Charizard has received a mix of buffs and nerfs in the transition from ''Brawl'' to ''SSB4''. As an individual character, Charizard was seen as nerfed during the early days of ''SSB4'', but it has since received consistent buffs that make it difficult to determine whether it was buffed or nerfed overall, especially considering how its playstyle is drastically different from that of Pokémon Trainer: in general, the loss of Charizard's teammates (especially {{SSBB|Squirtle}}) makes it easier to play and manage than Pokémon Trainer was, but less capable of covering its weaknesses and adapting to different foes and situations. | Charizard has received a mix of buffs and nerfs in the transition from ''Brawl'' to ''SSB4''. As an individual character, Charizard was seen as nerfed during the early days of ''SSB4'', but it has since received consistent buffs that make it difficult to determine whether it was buffed or nerfed overall, especially considering how its playstyle is drastically different from that of Pokémon Trainer: in general, the loss of Charizard's teammates (especially {{SSBB|Squirtle}}) makes it easier to play and manage than Pokémon Trainer was, but less capable of covering its weaknesses and adapting to different foes and situations. | ||
Charizard has received some notable buffs, such as no longer having to contend with running out of [[Pokémon Change#Stamina|stamina]] due to now being an individual character. Additionally, its already fast dash speed has become even faster, now being the ninth fastest in the game, while its walking speed has also become drastically faster, having gone from being the slowest in ''Brawl'' to being tied with {{SSB4|Mewtwo}}'s as the fifteenth fastest in ''SSB4''. Charizard's down throw is also better for combos at low to medium percentages, while up throw is now a reliable KOing option. Flare Blitz and Rock Smash also grant super armor, which can help Charizard start or escape from combos. Lastly, Charizard greatly benefits from the [[rage]] mechanic, which allows its wide array of KOing options to become even more potent. | |||
Charizard has also received nerfs, however. Its heavier weight, faster falling speed and slower air speed make it more vulnerable to combos, while the removal of gliding has greatly weakened its recovery. Its new side special, Flare Blitz, is not as flexible for horizontal recovery like gliding was, and also deals damage to itself. Some of Charizard's moves deal more knockback, making it it easier for Charizard to KO but more difficult to combo opponents past medium percentages. Its grab range has also been nerfed and is slightly slower, although it is still rather wide in its range. The most notable change Charizard has underwent is that it now lacks other Pokémon as teammates that are better suited for specific matchups, making it less adaptable than Pokémon Trainer. | |||
===Aesthetics=== | ===Aesthetics=== | ||
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However, Charizard began to receive a consistent amount of substantial buffs in game updates starting with update 1.0.8, which noticeably improved its KO potential, combo game, frame data, and mobility. While some players argued that Charizard had become somewhat viable, it was still widely attested that these buffs were not sufficient enough to significantly improve its representation and results. As a result, Charizard is ranked 49th on the first tier list, placing it in the I tier and perpetuating its perception as a bottom-tier character; this perception persisted into the second tier list, where it was in the H tier in 51st place, making it the highest-ranked bottom-tier character at the time. | However, Charizard began to receive a consistent amount of substantial buffs in game updates starting with update 1.0.8, which noticeably improved its KO potential, combo game, frame data, and mobility. While some players argued that Charizard had become somewhat viable, it was still widely attested that these buffs were not sufficient enough to significantly improve its representation and results. As a result, Charizard is ranked 49th on the first tier list, placing it in the I tier and perpetuating its perception as a bottom-tier character; this perception persisted into the second tier list, where it was in the H tier in 51st place, making it the highest-ranked bottom-tier character at the time. | ||
Despite its former bottom-tier ranking, Charizard's viability had been heavily contested ever since update [[1.1.5]] due to its sporadic results and overall strengths as a character. Numerous professionals, including {{sm|ZeRo}} and {{sm|ESAM}}, believe Charizard to be somewhat viable and labeled it as a potential low-tier to mid-tier character. MKLeo, in particular, has even claimed that Charizard can fare well against top-tier characters such as {{SSB4|Cloud}}, citing his matches with {{sm|Serge}}. Accordingly, Charizard's tournament results began to slowly but notably improve, with dedicated players such as {{sm|Chuck Nasty}}, {{sm|Sharpy}} and {{sm|Hitomoshi}} even winning regional tournaments while exclusively using Charizard. This is reflected in Charizard's current tier status | Despite its former bottom-tier ranking, Charizard's viability had been heavily contested ever since update [[1.1.5]] due to its sporadic results and overall strengths as a character. Numerous professionals, including {{sm|ZeRo}} and {{sm|ESAM}}, believe Charizard to be somewhat viable and labeled it as a potential low-tier to mid-tier character. MKLeo, in particular, has even claimed that Charizard can fare well against top-tier characters such as {{SSB4|Cloud}}, citing his matches with {{sm|Serge}}. Accordingly, Charizard's tournament results began to slowly but notably improve, with dedicated players such as {{sm|Chuck Nasty}}, {{sm|Sharpy}} and {{sm|Hitomoshi}} even winning regional tournaments while exclusively using Charizard. | ||
This is reflected in Charizard's current tier status, as it is now ranked 45th and placed in the E tier. By extension, this tier rise is notable in two ways: Charizard became the only character to rise out of the lowest tier in the transition due to the bottom-tier being abolished, and its rise resulted in it to no longer be considered a bottom 10 character. While Charizard's results in North America continue to be sparse, it fares better in the international scene; aside from the aforementioned Serge, Sharpy, and Hitomoshi, players such as {{sm|Tosshi}}, {{sm|Fire}} and {{sm|SilentDoom}} have achieved significant wins and results while using it. | |||
==Trophies== | ==Trophies== | ||
